6+ hour, 45+ min ago   (568+ words) Lasting change emerges from a sense of possibility and hope. By Rabbi Evan Moffic Why does Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown on Sept. 11, come before Yom Kippur? After all, shouldn’t we acknowledge our failures of the past year and…...

20+ hour, 45+ min ago   (291+ words) Listen as we explore the surprisingly life-affirming work of the chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society. In this episode, host Kate Mishkin explores the role of the chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society. She talks with volunteers who ensure that…...

3+ week, 23+ hour ago   (204+ words) In this episode of Shofar, So Good! host Kate Mishkin explores the origins, formula, and meanings behind Jewish blessings — and considers why the Talmud prescribes saying 100 blessings a day. She hears what happens when scientists try to measure whether saying…...

1+ mon, 6+ day ago   (327+ words) On Tu B'Av, the Jewish Valentine's Day, we explore what a simple kiss can mean. By Rabbi Ebn Leader Tu B’Av, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Av, is celebrated in Israel as a frothy holiday of love and…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago   (414+ words) New Torah teachings, and the Shekhinah herself, can be found on the road less traveled. By Rabbi Ebn Leader “These were the journeys of the Children of Israel who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago   (155+ words) What the Talmud can teach us about navigating shifting power dynamics and alliances. By Rabbi Ephraim Pelcovits A Year of Zohar These shifts were persuasively outlined by journalist Joshua Leifer in his 2024 book, Tablets Shattered, but questions about longterm political…...

2+ mon, 4+ week ago   (94+ words) Reflections from the Zohar on Parashat Beha'alotcha. By Dr. Oded Israeli Jewish tradition has always seen Moses as unique among prophets. The Zohar likewise addresses Moses’ special status: Help us keep Jewish knowledge accessible to millions of people around the…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (494+ words) What higher purpose do Judaism's dietary laws serve? By Rabbi Dan Ornstein From the perspective of Jewish tradition, God cares that each individual Jew and the entire Jewish people observe kashrut, divine dietary law. This begs a deeper question: Why…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (262+ words) The Zohar explores two religious orientations. By Dr. Oded Israeli In Parashat Behar, the Torah declares: “… the Children of Israel are servants to Me” (Leviticus 25:55). Elsewhere, the relationship is described more intimately: “You are children of the Lord your God…...

3+ mon, 3+ week ago   (394+ words) The Talmud has recently been exploring whether Samaritan-slaughtered meat is kosher. On yesterday’s daf, the discussion turned to a related... The post Chullin 7 appeared first on My Jewish Learning. The Talmud has recently been exploring whether Samaritan-slaughtered meat is kosher....