Tanakh

Aton Holzer offers a novel interpretation of Isaiah 53 based on current events in Israel.

The biblical figure of Esther is often interpreted by traditional and modern commentators as a heroine of active leadership. Naama Sadan offers a novel perspective, according to which Esther confronts national crisis in female-coded ways, triumphing and saving her people through internally-focused activism.

Yom Kippur marks the end of an 11 week period when thematic haftarot about the destruction of the Temple, consolation following its loss, and repentance replace haftarot connected to the weekly Torah reading. What can this grouping teach us about the nature of forgiveness and reconciliation? Hannah Abrams explains.

Ezra Zuckerman Sivan explains the connection between Shabbat and the Tabernacle.

The Yom Kippur War was a defining moment in the life of poet Leonard Cohen, a moment when his entire spiritual destiny hung in the balance. Bezalel Naor on Cohen's priestly imagination.

Chaim Trachtman sees the Akeida as addressing the threat to human life, especially that of children, which is always inherent in the religious experience.

Eliyahu Freedman compares hospital chaplains to the Kohanim.

Chaim Trachtman compares science and theodicy based on a novel read of the book of Job.

For Eve Grubin, Bilam's hidden messages is a lesson for the Torah and for life.

Ben Greenfield calls attention to a crucial, but unnoticed feature of the early narratives in Exodus.