Timely Thoughts

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

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

Tzvi Sinensky comments on the pitfalls of being overly dependent on the "Talmudic reid."

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

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

May one opt to participate in a potentially dangerous vaccine trial? This theoretical halakhic question has suddenly become all-too-urgent. Sharon Galper Grossman and Shamai Grossman explore.

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.

Eliezer Finkelman offers his thoughts on politicizing from the pulpit.

Chaim Davis shares reflections based on his family’s (and his) close relationship with Rabbi Steinsaltz.

In commemoration of Rav Amital's tenth Yahrzeit, Joe Wolfson, JLIC Rabbi at NYU, shares how the legacy of Rav Amital inspired his community's humanitarian efforts during the Covid19 pandemic.