Talmud and Halakhah

Yonah Lavery-Yisraeli offers a careful examination of an enigmatic discussion in the Shulhan Arukh’s laws on neighborly relations. She demonstrates how “radical presence” and attention to sensory details is an essential strategy for halakhic decision-making.

Mikey Lebrett examines the various Halakhic opinions on giving charity to non-Jewish people and causes.

In honor of Hanukkah, Admiel Kosman considers literary and aggadic traditions that depict holy people as burning flames or sources of light. He proposes that these traditions be read in light of Martin Buber’s insight regarding the dialogical personality.

Michael (Avi) Helfand on a recent court case with implications for American Jews as members of both a religious and a minority community.

Dina Brawer explores "certainty" and "doubt" in rabbinic tradition.

Authors mis-citing citations on authors citing authors. What gives? Yiddish.

A response to Yosef Bronstein's study on Halakhah's engagement with societal norms

In response to Tzvi Sinensky's earlier essay, Andrew Bennett presents Jewish legal scholar Robert Cover's and noted antisemite Carl Schmitt's thoughts on elu ve-elu.

What sort of powers did Hazal have in the first century? Ari Lamm wonders.

Harvard Professor Jon Levenson weighs in on what stops the floodwaters: rabbinic creativity or the Temple!