Scholarship

Avraham’s challenge to God’s planned destruction of Sodom raises the fundamental ethical problem of collective punishment. The resolution of this challenge, Sruli Fruchter explains, enables Avraham to realize God’s highest ideals and to confront the conflict between compassion for oppressors and consideration for their victims.

Isaac occupies the middle position among the three Patriarchs. Gavriel Lakser offers a novel reading of his character that portrays Isaac as a uniquely relatable figure for our times.

Rami Reiner examines how our understanding of a Talmudic passage could change if we allow for the possibility of it being a comedy.

Mois Navon explores what makes Hanukkah so special.

Jerome Marcus on the Akeidah: It's not about ethics vs. divine command, but about Hashem versus Elokim!

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

Aton Holzer explores the changing nature of Jewish interactions with Rome from Maccabees through the Rabbinic period.

Tehila Wenger offers a short story on loss, eternity, and olive trees .

Natan Levin examines King David’s character through a close reading of his narratives in the Book of Samuel.

Can Halakhah really countenance euthanasia? Alan Jotkowitz responds to Leead Staller