Timely Thoughts

Tzvi Sinensky on how Sefer Haggai unlocks the meaning of Hodesh Elul.

What led Rav Steinsaltz to inaugurate a yeshiva in the Soviet House of Sciences on February 22, 1989? In honor of R. Steinzlatz's sheloshim, Yehiel Poupko, a first-hand witness, offers a glimpse into the inner world of his mentor.

David Selis and Zvi Erenyi share their memories of JTS Librarian Professor Menahem Schmelzer for his sheloshim.

A new poem by Hannah Butcher-Stell, for the Days of Awe.

For Jennifer Raskas, the seder narrative reflects on the past and informs the future.

In his letter to the editor, Gershon Klapper draws upon three medieval sources that undermine Ben Greenfield's recent reading of the Zohar on the three attributes of the Avot.

Just in advance of the shloshim for David Ellenson, the former president of Hebrew Union College, Jonathan D. Sarna pays tribute to a man whose life, work, and friendships spanned the Jewish denominational divide.

Benjamin Marcus was commissioned to create illustrations for an illuminated manuscript of the Book of Ruth. In this one-of-a-kind article, he shares his challenges, his discoveries, and his art.

Ezra Zuckerman Sivan explains what it means when the Torah says that Moses's burial site was hidden.

Julie and Uri Goldstein offer a timely Haggadah for reflection this year.