Tanakh

Yakov Nagen examines the opening chapters of Genesis to explore what God wanted from people for matan Torah.

In her winning Ateret Zvi essay, Leah Sarna explores two simultaneously true stories about pregnancy: it is at once a beautiful, incredible miracle, and also a demanding journey, both physically and mentally, that often feels more like a catastrophe. Studying the Torah's accounts of pregnancy in Tazria and Rivkah's life, Sarna offers a moving analysis of what it means to hear, tell, and live these stories.

David Curwin explores the evidence that Jacob may have made a fatal mistake in not conquering Canaan upon returning.

Natan Oliff explores the evolving role of truth throughout Tanakh and later Jewish history.

Shlomo Zuckier asks what we can learn from Shaul's mistakes in this week's Haftara.

Batya Hefter traces Joseph's character development through the eyes of the Ishbitz-Radzyn masters.

Shlomo Zuckier wonders why the earth opened its mouth for both Korah and Kayin.

Amitai Bin-Nun provides a fresh and intriguing perspective on the story of the Golden Calf by reading it in light of the Talmudic passage in Menahot detailing an encounter between Moses and R. Akiba on Mt. Sinai where God is tying crowns to the letters of the Torah scroll.

Ezra Sivan probes the Sabbath and the Torah's call to love God.

Baruch Sterman describes how an encounter with a missionary led him to a greater understanding of Ramban's commentary on this week's Parshah.