Talmudic Readings

What do Adam, Enkidu, and Reish Lakish all have in common? Eli Putterman explores.

In the spirit of Hanukkah, Yaakov Jaffe offers an intriguing thesis tying together a series of Mishnayot in the fourth chapter of Pirkei Avot: they are all responding to various aspects of Epicurean philosophy.

Atara Cohen considers the theological implications of the Talmud’s surprising majority opinion as to how the Messiah will come.

David Stein with a fresh look at the methods and priorities of teaching Talmud in Modern Orthodox day schools.

Ben Greenfield’s essay, winner of Hadar's annual Ateret Zvi Prize, explores why Hazal chose to situate Hilkhot Aveilut in tractate Moed Katan.

In their latest for the Lehrhaus, Aryeh and Penina Dienstag study Talmudic narratives that balance the tension between sexual asceticism and pleasure through an overlooked literary motif: angels.

Rabbi Josh Rosenfeld offers insight into the nature of the Jewish mystical tradition by examining some of Rashbi's stories. 

In his latest for the Lehrhaus, Dan Ornstein creatively imagines the story of the Talmudic sage Rabbi Yohanan through his teachings on the Book of Job. The short story is followed by a reflection on the methodology and power of "contemporary midrash."

What was the covenant of peace God gave Pinchas? R. Shlomo Zuckier puts the pieces together to find out

What does the makeup of the altar drainage pipes tell us about the nature of holiness? Shlomo Zuckier explores!