Timely Thoughts

Meira Wolkenfeld's reflection commemorating the passing of Yaakov Elman, ob"m.

Levi Morrow explores how the Rabbis use creative exegesis to save the world from drowning in a flood

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.

Aton Holzer explores the role of free will and its limits in the Yom Kippur liturgy.

Natalie Zemon Davis, a Jewish historian known for shining a light on the lives of marginalized people in the early modern period, passed away in October. Ronnie Perelis commemorates Dr. Zemon Davis by reflecting on the experience of teaching her revolutionary work to his students at Stern College for Women.

Ayelet Wenger offers a creative, intertextual reading of the story of Rabbi Akiva and the Wolf on the Temple Mount.

In his review of Glenn Dynner’s recent book on Polish Hasidism, Jon Kelsen argues that Dynner is engaged in an act of resistance against the prevalent view of interwar Hasidism as a movement in decline.

  Yael Unterman   I dedicate this essay to my friend Dr. Tsippi Kauffman z”l, who passed away in the course of its writing. A wonderful educator,...

R.A. Alpert argues that the differences between Hamas and the Zealots outweigh the similarities.

YU President Ari Berman's opening address, comparing YU to a Sukkah! Shlomo Zuckier captures this historic moment in his notes.