“That Your Slave May Rest With You” – Rethinking Oneg Shabbat
In this piece, Shimi Kaufman considers ways of interpreting the intentions surrounding the enjoyment of Shabbat.
The Torah’s Song
What is the meaning of a biblical song? Writing for Parshat Ha'azinu and in memory of her beloved cousin, Shira Shaindel Rodman (née Brilliant) z”l, Elana Stein Hain reviews Geula Twersky's theory of biblical poetry as portrayed in her 2022 book Torah Song.
On the Irrelevance of Biblical Criticism
Commentary by @Jerome Marcus: why biblical criticism directs our attention to the wrong way to read any good book, never mind The Good Book.
Divine Companionship in the Tokhahah: A Textual Analysis
The tokhahah in Leviticus 26 is frequently read as a tragedy, warning of the dire consequences of sin and national failure. Ahead of Yom Kippur 5786, Milton Torres-Ceron offers a new reading, informed by the traditional "pardes" method, that frames Leviticus 26 as an affirmation on unwavering divine companionship with Israel.
Love (and Trust) Conquer All: Another Angle on the Akeidah
Alex Ozar drills down on the point of the Akeidah, responding to Herzl Hefter and Tzvi Sinensky.
A Word Search Adventure
Mollie Fish reviews Mitchell First’s new book, From Eden to Exodus: A Journey into Hebrew Words in Bereshit and Shemot.
The Wanderings of Adam and Cain – A Tale of Midrashic Migration
Shlomo Zuckier on the mechanics of a midrashic motif.
What Yitro Can Teach Us About Synagogue Leadership
Gidon Rothstein mines parashat Yitro for insight into best practices in synagogue governance.
Death by the Sword: What Makes Balaam so Wicked?
Daniel Brauner analyzes the character of Balaam -- specifically, why Balaam is considered so wicked in the eyes of Chazal.
The Tabernacle as a Response to the Failure in the Garden of Eden
Michael Kurin analyzes the building and existence of the Mishkan as a form of spiritual redemption for the mistakes which took place in the Garden of Eden.
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