Humash

Ezra Zuckerman Sivan comments on the story of Zelophehad and his daughters.

At the height of the cholera epidemic in 1831, Hatam Sofer delivered a timely sermon on a perplexing midrash to Parshat Ki Tavo. The take-home, suggests Elli Fischer, is all-too familiar in the COVID era.

Yosef Lindell explores the true nature of the Aseret ha-Dibrot.

Dan Ornstein examines the rabbinic interpretation of the phrase "ba-asher hu sham," and applies it to the current conflict in Israel.

Ben Greenfield examines the curious parallels between the stories of Moshe in the ark and the splitting of the sea.

In this second-place prize-winning essay for Hadar’s annual Ateret Zvi contest, Nehemia Polen approaches a vexing episode in the Torah through new lens: what if Moses and Aaron were denied entry to the Land of Israel not because of what they did when obtaining water from the rock but because of where they escaped to right before?

Joshua Stadlan carefully explores the “blemishes” that invalidate a kohein for service in the Mishkan to argue that they were not an original part of God’s plan.

How should one respond to ominous cultural trends that have not yet had a direct impact? Alex Maged's thoughts on the rape of Dinah.

Ezra Sivan presents a new analysis of Shabbat and how it throws light on so much more in the Torah.

Sam Borodach traces the role of clothing throughout the Joseph narrative.