Timely Thoughts

Is true forgiveness possible? Michael Kurin explores the doubts raised by prominent twentieth century philosophers and considers how Jewish tradition offers a radically different conception of repentance and forgiveness, one that enables people to alter their reality vis-à-vis God and one another.

As 2021 comes to a close, the Lehrhaus team is delighted to highlight many of the thought-provoking essays we’ve published this year, with a diverse array of incredible thinkers and writers.

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.

Why have stories of Jewish masquerade captured audiences since ancient times? In her latest, Malka Z. Simkovich explores the hidden meaning behind dressing up, from the Second Temple to '90s cinema.

Dan Jutan locates a fascinating meta-narrative within Rashi's commentary.

Having just passed our one year anniversary, we have updated our website so that you can more easily engage the great content we are committed to bring our readership week in and week out.

Yakov Z. Mayer reflects on the life of a remarkable Hasidic academic.

Yakov Ellenbogen reviews Susan Weingarten's Haroset: A Taste of Jewish History.

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

Rav Moshe Feinstein does not praise the United States for not having fascists and communists, but for having a system of government that is particularly resistant to what came to be known as totalitarianism.