Judaism
News and updates about Judaism

Egypt Foils Attempt to Smuggle Jewish Artefacts Out the Country
Egyptian authorities say artefacts, including 11 Torah cases, are more than a century old.

Jerusalem Celebrates Purim
Watch celebrations of Purim in Jerusalem’s Merkaz Harav yeshiva.

Thursday is Fast of Esther
Jews mark anniversary of Queen Esther’s appeal against annihilation.

Rabbis: Paying Taxes a Mitzvah – And an Honor
Rabbinic group declares importance of paying taxes, and rejects link of gender segregation, religiosity.

After 11 Years Rabbis Appointed to Kibbutzim
11 year dispute circumvented by Religious Affairs Ministry, agricultural community chief rabbis will serve in new model following requests.

Polish Catholic Church Unveils Blood Libel Painting
On Thursday for church's international Day of Judaism, controversial picture uncovered to expose realities of anti-Semitic past.

Rabbi: ‘Price Tag’ Will Get Us All Expelled
Extremist acts will get Jews kicked out, rabbi warns. ‘God does not like revenge.’

Jerusalem Councilman Urges Muslims: 'Leave Israel'
Nationalist Aryeh King distributes thousands of fliers to Muslim residents of the capital, explains Torah directives.

IDF Lets Female Soldiers Be Kashrut Inspectors
New position opened up for female soldiers, following new Chief Rabbinate policy allowing women inspectors.

One Direction Pop Star Is Finding Judaism
Celebrity Harry Styles is learning Hebrew to read from the Torah; interest started from good friend, now prays and tries to eat kosher.

'Shabbos Project' Aims To Unite World Jews
Chief Rabbi of South Africa's project is set to translate remarkable local success onto world scale, encourage Shabbat observance together.

New-found Artifact Revives Ancient Tzitzit Dying Methods
Antiquities Authority presents recent discovery at conference, proof of tekhelet dying techniques from over 2,000 years ago.

Zionist Rabbi: Enlisting Women Dangerous, Immoral
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel says forcing women to enlist in the IDF is immoral. ‘Women should not be subordinate.’

Bennett: Haaretz is Anti-Jewish
Economics Minister Naftali Bennett attacked the Haaretz newspaper, saying that it published only negative reports about Judaism

Rabbinate: New Rules To Prevent Shabbat Desecration
Chief Rabbinate issues letters to kashrut departments, supervisors to check businesses close doors 2 hours before Shabbat.

Thousands Make Their Way to Hevron
Jews pouring into ‘City of the Patriarchs’ for annual Sabbath event.

Sabbath Initiative Comes to Knesset
Jewish Home MK to host civil marriage campaigner from Yesh Atid, MK Lavie to host Meretz head, as secular-religious Sabbath comes to Knesset

Campaign Tells Jews: Visit the Temple Mount!
A new campaign aims to encourage Jews to visit the Temple Mount.

Rabbi Yosef’s Chair Empty, but Torah Class Goes On
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s sons take over for his weekly Torah lecture, but leave his chair empty.

Rabbi Nagari: ‘Jewish State’ beat ‘State of Tel Aviv’
Maaleh Adumim rabbi says Rabbi Ovadia Yosef’s funeral proves Torah and Judaism are victorious.

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and the ‘Young Criminal’
How Rabbi Ovadia Yosef changed the life of a young tearaway everyone had come to call ‘the criminal.’

Rabbi Ariel: No Phones On in Synagogue – Period
Rabbi of Ramat Gan nixes cell phones in synagogue, even on ‘silent’ mode, and has warning for Torah pamphlets as well.

Rabbinate Weighs in on Kaparot Controversy
The Rabbinate supports use of chickens for ‘atonement’ ritual – but with caution.

Chief Rabbi: No to Bothersome Airplane Prayers
Chief Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef warns against causing a nuisance with Jewish prayers on airplanes.

Despite ‘Pagan’ Slam, Chicken Kaparot Going Strong
Many continue tradition of using live chickens for the kaparot ritual. Pictures from Jerusalem.

Aish Hatorah in New Rosh Hashanah Music Video
Jerusalem yeshiva releases new music video with holiday meaning, breakdancing.

Jewish 'Hermit' from Herzliya Speaks
Documentary stars Israeli man who decided to carve his own home out of a cliff face.

Rabbi on Cities of Refuge, Jewish Joy
Rabbi Moshe Bamberger shares teachings on the Torah portion of the week.

Non-Jewish Guards to Stop Sabbath Thefts
Hareidi leaders in Jerusalem turn to private firm to stop wave of Sabbath thefts.

Eida Hareidit Warns: ‘Kosher’ Does Not Mean Bug-Free
Even products with strict kosher certification could have bugs in the hot summer months.

Rabbi Assaf Rahmanov on Bilaam’s ‘Final Solution’
New York rabbi discusses recent Torah portions, including Bilaam’s plan to destroy the Jewish nation.

Rabbi on DOMA Ruling, Morality and Israel
Rabbi: DOMA ruling may have been reasonable, but blurring the lines is dangerous. Israel must take particular care.

Kalfa: More Summer Time is Bad for Laborers, Religious Jews
MK argues that extending Summer Time will force religious Jews to choose between work or prayer.

Israel's Values Are its Strength, Says Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach suggests a new Israeli reaction to world criticism – take pride in Jewish values.

Parshat Hashavua with Rabbi Ilan Meirov
Rabbi Ilan Meirov talks about this week’s Torah portion and how it relates to the questions of our generation.

Rabbi Ariel: Don’t Go to Rabbis for Blessing – Pray
Ramat Gan rabbi denounces practice of going to rabbis for a special blessing in times of trouble.

Rabbi Neuwirth was ‘Accepted by Everyone’
Halakha expert Rabbi Neuwirth remembered as modest, always willing to help.

NY Rabbi Criticizes Women of the Wall, Hareidi Thugs
New York Rabbi takes both sides of Kotel dispute to task, and shares thoughts on this week’s Torah portion.

'Stunningly Offensive' Church Paper 'Negates Beliefs of Judaism'
ADL denounces “stunningly offensive” paper by Church of Scotland that negates the core beliefs of Judaism.

Rabbis: ‘Big Brother’ Bad for Society
Modern Orthodox rabbis issue call against reality TV, say it ‘legitimizes moral weakness, perversity.’

Rabbis: Judaism Means Loving Non-Jews
Rabbis clarify Judaism’s position on non-Jews, women’s role in light of IDF mezuzah controversy.

Rabbi: ‘Ha'aretz’ Wants Israelis to Dislike Judaism
Rabbi accuses Ha'aretz of anti-Judaism slant after paper accuses IDF rabbis of racism.

Secular Upset over Canceled ‘Stay Religious’ Program
Media, opposition upset over Jerusalem program to keep young women religious. City: It’s already been canceled.

Pope Francis Extends Passover Greetings to Jewish Community
Pope Francis extends Passover wishes to Jewish community in a gesture aimed at strengthening relations between the two religions.

Haifa’s ‘Chametz Hotline’ for Passover
Deputy mayor invites Haifa residents to report illegal sales of leavened bread.

Temple Groups Practice Passover Sacrifice
Jewish groups prepare for the Third Temple with a sample sacrifice for Passover.

Temple-Times Passover Sacrifice Nixed by Government
Veterinary Services officials say they won’t authorize planned ‘practice sacrifice’ of Passover goat.

Passover Preparation in Photos
With Passover less than three weeks away, matzah factories are in full gear.

‘God’s Messenger’ Explains 2013 ‘Redemption’ Elections
Confused by elections ads calling to vote for redemption? Ofer Lifshitz explains his ‘divine mission’ and the Covenant Party.

Rain, Snow Do Not Stop Chabad
Major storm no obstacle for Chabad’s Jewish outreach gathering.

Rabbis: Judaism and Democracy Not Always in Sync
What is Judaism's position on referendums and, democracy? A panel sponsored by Herzog College explored those and other questions

Am Shalem: 'We Reflect The Forgotten View'
Moshe Tzarfati: “We reflect a view that had been forgotten for 30 years under Shas, but is still vibrant in hearts, minds of Hareidis."

School Textbook Confusing Judaism and Islam Withdrawn
A religious studies textbook is so littered with errors confusing Judaism and Islam that it has produced a leaflet of corrections.

Suspected Synagogue Bomb Bag ‘Full of Religious Books’
Whoever left a duffel bag at a Florida synagogue scared the dickens out of its rabbi. A bomb squad found it full of religious books.

War on Circumcision Spreads to Germany, Norway
A German court has ruled that circumcision is a criminal offense, and a Norwegian political party wants to outlaw the religious practice.

Group Hosts Special Bar, Bat Mitzvahs for Deaf Children
The Council of Young Israel Rabbis plans its 12th bar and bat mitzvah ceremony for young men and women with hearing problems.

Case Closed Against Authors of 'The King's Torah'
Case against authors of "The King's Torah," the book which had msm calling for authors' indictment, has been closed by Att'y General.

Political Activism Returns With Vigor to Bar Ilan University
Until recently, any 'scent' of political programming was prohibited at Bar Ilan. Now, students seek to return Jewish, Zionist values.

Biblical Ceremony Held for Soldier Killed in Hit-and-Run
Rabbis hold a Biblical-style ceremony for soldier killed in traffic accident. “Our hands did not shed this blood.”

