An Ishbitz-Radzyn Reading of the Judah Narrative: Binah Ba-lev – An Understanding Heart
In a follow up to her recent piece about Joseph, Batya Hefter traces Judah's character development through the eyes of the Ishbitz-Radzyn masters.
Rebuke, Repentance, and Renewal: A Literary Analysis of David’s Character in II Samuel 12
Natan Levin examines King David’s character through a close reading of his narratives in the Book of Samuel.
Inconsistencies in the Torah: Shamor vs. Zakhor
Gavriel Lakser explains how the change from Zakhor to Shamor is one of the earliest examples of Oral Torah.
Shadal: Translated, Elucidated, and Uncensored at Last
Martin Lockshin reviews Daniel A. Klein’s translation of Samuel David Luzzatto’s commentary on the Book of Vayikra, the latest volume in Klein’s project to translate all of Shadal’s insightful and ever-interesting Torah commentary.
Why Doesn’t Abraham Get to Enjoy the Weekend?
Ezra Sivan compares biblical covenants, the all-important circumcision of
Abraham and Shabbat
Surrender or Struggle? The Akeidah Reconsidered
Herzl Hefter provides critical perspective on a stream of Akeidah interpretation from Kierkegaard to the Rav
Get Your Hashkafa Out of My Chumash!
Yaakov Jaffe provides an ideological argument against including ideology in our Chumashim.
The Power of Secrets: Jacob, Laban, and the Passover Haggadah
What led the Rabbis of the Seder to present Laban as a more diabolical enemy of the Jews than Pharaoh? Erica Brown shows how Laban took advantage of Jacob's insecurities as he arrived empty-handed at Laban's home.
Navigating Uncertainty: Revisiting Blessings and Deceit in Parashat Toledot
In an original analysis of one of the most famous stories in the Torah, Maier Becker calls into question many long-held assumptions about this week's parasha and proposes a new reading based on the interpretations of traditional exegetes.
Haggai: Prophet of Elul
Tzvi Sinensky on how Sefer Haggai unlocks the meaning of Hodesh Elul.