Medieval

Yaakov Taubes examines three hypothetical “What if?” books and what they can teach us about history, science, and halakhah.

In a chapter adapted from his new book, Be, Become, Bless: Jewish Spirituality between East and West, Yaakov Nagen suggests based on the Zohar that the world endures when we see Godliness in another person's face.

Yaakov Jaffe analyzes the multiple meanings of a medieval Jewish poem and popular Shabbat table song.

Jonathan Ziring comments on the "Jewishness" of religious tolerance.

Elliot Salinger with an erudite and accessible article on Rambam's philosophy of "knowing."

In older times, Christian New Year’s Day celebrations were sometimes marked by antisemitic incidents. Although such days are behind us, Tzvi Sinensky recalls the antisemitic canard that Jewish men menstruated, a pervasive and disturbing myth that demeaned Jews and all women.

With the aid of some new primary sources, David Curwin offers a fresh view of the Rav's embrace of Rambam and his most important writings.

Yaakov Jaffe traces the origins and evolution of the custom to shake the lulav in different directions.

Elli Fischer reads one of Rashi's most famous comments against the grain.

Josh Frankel reviews Lenn Goodman’s new work of commentary on Moreh Nevukhim, which brings Rambam’s work to life for careful, contemporary readers.