Judaism

The Difference Between Pure And Impure Kindness

The Book of Ruth contains no commandments - but is a quintessential lesson for the generations in how and why an act of kindness is to be carried out.

Parashat Bamidbar:

Not just a headcount

The portion of Bamidbar presents the first census of the Jewish people as a national preparation for a holy war. From the verses, it emerges that 'military-age male' is not only a technical datum but a spiritual and national mission.

'Like eating pork':

Rabbi denounces new Israeli haircut trend

Rabbi Avraham Yosef sharply criticized the phenomenon of haircuts that shave the sidelocks in a way that leaves no hair at all.

When Truth Becomes Only a Recommendation

In a world of fake news and manipulation, this week’s piece recalls the importance of cognitive freedom and the risks of misinformation to public discourse.

Perfection Does Not Depend on the Body, But On Spirit

The gap between disqualifying a blemished Kohen from temple service and our deep appreciation for IDF wounded, such as the heroic conscript Ari Spitz, reveals a fundamental principle.

The same old story, still being told

A history of disproportionate contribution and disproportionate blame. Opinion.

Enough, Maspik, Dayenu!

We are done constantly explaining ourselves. We are done trying to make people like us. We are done pretending that one more perfect argument will change hearts poisoned by hate.

A shield for antisemites:

“Judaism Without Zionism"

Don’t be misled: it’s time for us to all put our heads above the parapet and be vocally proud of the world’s only Jewish state. Opinion.

Essentials of Judaism Series:

The many forms of Kedushah

Meta-mitzvot are necessary because the Torah cannot possibly address every circumstance people encounter. Kedushah is an example.

Essentials of Judaism:

Chinuch Habanim: Where Judaism began

Modeling is the only authentic and impactful form of education.

Freed hostage

Rom Braslavsky: 'People need to understand that we are Jews'

Captivity survivor Rom Braslavsky shared in the hospital about his strengthening faith and sense of pride in being Jewish after the years of captivity in Gaza.

The secret of the greatest artists & Judaism's mission statement

How one strange Biblical verse came to capture the success of the Jewish People.

A Noahide writes:

Let's admit it - we hate the Jews because we know they are right

Only Judaism arouses true hatred. And this hatred is roused by non-Jews' very very deep fear/realization that Judaism and the Chosenness of Israel are true. A response to Rabbi YY Jacobson. Opinion.

The 4 Sons—and the 4 Big Questions on Judaism

The Rational Child, the Depressed Child, the Selfish Child, and the Apathetic Child. G-d believes in the youth. You must too!

Rabbi Shimshon Refael Hirsch:

Tzav: Rise and shine

Judaism flourishes in light, not darkness.

In first:

Jewish studies approved as academic degree in Hungary

Hungarian Minister of Education Balázs Hankó approves Jewish Studies as an academic degree program. 'Hungary provides a rare haven of religious freedom amid rising antisemitism across Europe.'

Letter to a soul seeking to convert legitimately to Judaism

The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) created, in conjunction with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, uniform Conversion Policies and Standards (“GPS”) for conversion to Judaism and a nationwide network of GPS conversion courts. Here is why. Opinion.

Vayetze: Show your children your love of Judaism

First, we must love Judaism ourselves. Then, we can impart this love to our children.

The Jewish moment

We live in a world in which morality has been sickeningly turned on its head. On Yom Kippur we remember the high standards of morality Judaism sets for mankind.

The perils of politeness

What about brainstorming some new outreach ideas? LIke - Why don’t teams of people man tables on or near the university lawns to answer questions about Judaism?

If Judaism Is immutable, how can It be relevant?

A Tale of Two Torahs: The timeless and the timely.

Devarim:

Stopping the 'radical Islamization' of Judaism

Isaiah, along with the other Prophets, is full of warnings about the negative influences on the Jewish people from the outside world, including from other faiths.

The Mission Statement of Judaism

"One sheep you shall offer in the morning and the second sheep in the afternoon." The verse that says it all.

Speaking from experience

With his voice gone, the writer seemed doomed to a life of isolation. Read the story of a young man's discovery of life's true meaning.

Cracking open the Jewish Code

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts. This is Part IV - links to previous parts are below.

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part II

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.

Cracking open the Jewish Code. Part I

An essay on the foundations of Judaism in six parts.

Ramat Gan Yeshiva Head: Hamas wants Muslims to rule over Israel

President of Ramat Gan Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel: ‘Our dispute is over the Torah of Israel, over Judaism. Islam cannot recognize Judaism.’

What would Moses think of us today?

What would he say about the abysmal lack of knowledge about Judaism of so many Jews?

Transforming the World - a book by Rabbi Leo Dee

The Jewish impact on modernity is explained in this clear, readable book in a way that presents the case for Jewish continuity and adds original creative insights to Torah observance. Review.

Religious Zionist rabbi:

'Judaism and Islam can find common ground'

Rabbi Oury Cherki, who instructs communities around the world in the Noahide Laws of Judaism, wrote to Islamic leaders to tell them that there was still a chance for their faith to be accepted in the world.

The Nature Party

If a nature party was the way many Israelis felt the holiday of joy in the Torah should be spent, it is a call to those who educate them.

Islam and Israel

According to many Islamic scholars, every Muslim is obligated to fight for the destruction of the State of Israel.

‘We the People’ begin to speak

In the Israel the left seeks to create, Judaism will be no more than a kitschy accessory. Op-ed.

Judaism is much more than ritual precepts

Judaism is the NATIONAL CONSTITUTION of the Jewish NATION. And that can only come about in the Land of Israel.

Op-ed:

Israel can regain the world's respect by embracing its Heritage

Israel's attempts to gain the respect it deserves are not succeeding, and it’s worth considering why. Op-ed.

Shavuot (Pentecost) guide for the perplexed, 2023

Learn the significance of the holiday and its names, about the number 7 in Judaism as well as the number 50 and more.

An Eye for an Eye? Really?

Why the discrepancy between the Oral and Written traditions of Judaism?

'A living & thriving religion'

Rabbanit of Australian army: I get up at 4:30 to study Gemara

Yehudit Levitan believes Judaism is a living and vibrant religion and Orthodox women in leadership positions can strengthen connection to it

The false prophets of an impending Israeli apocalypse

With dire predictions about the end of democracy, the sore losers to the new government will do even worse in the next election. Op-ed.

It’s time for Jews to say, ‘Sorry, not sorry’

The age of the apologetic Jew is over. Op-ed

Eight thoughts for eight nights (6 and 7)

In Judaism the greatest military victory takes second place to peace in the home..

Despite the fighting, Ukrainian Jews learn Judaism in Warsaw

Limmud FSU Ukraine volunteers gather in Warsaw for a unique event of Jewish learning.

This Rosh Hashanah, open up to unity with differences

Most people would say unity without differences is preferable, but Judaism underlines unity with differences.

Is it better to be ignorant?

Judaism is all about growing through learning, searching and asking - knowing more, not knowing less! How does that fit with being 'simple'?

Ekev: A life of seasons

There is plenty of room for individual expression in Judaism. Perhaps not in the days of our calendar, but in the choices of life.

This AI chatbot wants you to visit its synagogue

BlenderBot, Meta’s AI chatbot, really, really wants you to check out its synagogue.

Abortion sounds so much more soothing than “Infanticide”

Support for abortion is not a “Jewish value." Judaism forbids abortion at will and observant Jews consult with a rabbi.in each case. Op-ed.

Op-ed:

Jewish illiteracy in academia – view from the trenches

The erosion of Jewish literacy among today’s secular & non-Orthodox Jews, establishment organizations, academics, and intellectuals.

UK school blasted for dropping Judaism lesson, focusing on Islam

School denounced for claiming it needs to stop teaching about Judaism to focus on “combating the rise in Islamophobia.”

How Judaism views pornography

Judaism isn’t prudish, nor does it think that sex is wicked or shameful.

Tzav: No negotiations

Judaism is always built for the long run and not for the short moments of seeming pleasure or current correctness.

The trees brought him back to Judaism

A story told about the power of a Jewish holiday, even Tu B'Shvat, to touch the soul.

Why are Orthodox Jewish leaders praising Doug Emhoff?

Orthodox rabbis, since halakha is that a person’s Jewish lineage is from a Jewish mother, are setting a dangerous precedent. Opinion.

Israel's first Chief Rabbi:

Hannukah: Flickering lights in dark times

The special rules of Hannukah lights parallel the Maccabean struggle against the Greeks but also how Judaism meets foreign philosophies.

Encouraging Jews to connect to their Judaism

The key may lie in a quote from the ancient text Pirkei Avot/“Ethics of the Fathers.” Op-ed.

Must every transgression of Judaism debut on social media?

Social media posts tell details of self-defined forms of Jewish observance that it would be better to self-censor.Op-ed.

The real reason for Western support of the Palestinian Arabs

What actually binds these groups together is an ultimately incomprehensible animus against Judaism and the Jewish people.Op-ed

A great nation and its religion are born

Abraham was the first to define a great nation with a religion bound up in its land from the start.

Q&A: Why Does G-d Test Me With Such Difficult Challenges?

As part of the IsraelNationalTorah series, Rav Uriel Tuito delivers an important answer to a series of similar questions on a crucial topic