Talmud and Halakhah

In its opening verses, Parshat Shoftim describes a judicial system that enshrines pursuing Tzedek, or justice, as a core value. Benjamin Barer unpacks a Gemara in Sanhedrin that provides three distinct conceptions of the obligation to pursue justice, suggesting how we might build a more sacred society.

R. Shimshon Nadel explores the connection between the Hasmonean dynasty and the modern-day State of Israel.

Shmuel Hain comments on the leap year parshah-gap between Israel and the Diaspora.

When Synagogues Reopen, May the Congregation Permit a Bar Mitzvah Boy to Make Up His Torah Reading? Moshe Kurtz weighs in.

Yosef Lindell offers a brief history of Pesah guides.

Sefaria has recently published a new bilingual digital edition of Talmud Yerushalmi. Taking stock of this development, Zachary Rothblatt offers an erudite synthesis of the history of Yerushalmi.

Yaakov Bieler continues the conversation on Talmud education, introducing "action research" to the discussion.

Dr. Chaim Trachtman explores the role of essentialism within Orthodox Judaism

Pressed for time, people often skip reciting the korbanot section of the morning prayers. With the High Holidays approaching, Judah Kerbel makes the case that the korbanot are far more central and halakhically significant to our prayers than we often realize.

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