Judaism

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Considered Converting to Judaism?

Prominent women's rights activist and critic of Islam says she tried to convert 'but it was too difficult' in off-the-cuff comment.

Hollywood's Michael Douglas 'Finds Judaism, Faces anti-Semitism'

Hollywood star speaks out in op-ed about his growing connection to his father's faith, and his son's brush with Jew hatred.

Herzog, Labor Trying to Cancel Major Jewish Identity Program

Rabbi Avichai Ronski: Labor party platform seeking to cancel program for Jewish identity which already has 130,000 students.

Arutz Sheva exclusive

Ahead of Mass French Immigration: Who's Still Jewish?

According to Ami Conversion Ulpan director Naftali Kandler, 10,000 French Jews will come in 2015 - 15% of them won't technically be Jews.

'True Greatness Is Not As Great As You Think'

Join Rabbi Ilan Meirov from "Chazaq" for insights and commentary from "Shemot", this week's Torah portion.

Thousands of Jews Converge in UK for Limmud Conference

Thousands of Jews from 27 countries have gathered in Coventry for the Limmud Conference 2014.

NY Contest Features Pork Latkes on Hanukkah

Irony is lost as holiday celebrating revolt against outlawing of Judaism and force-feeding of pork is marked with ham pancakes.

Chief Rabbi Lau Slams Past Government for Harming Judaism

Rabbi Lau hopes next govt. cooperates with Chief Rabbinate official religious authority, doesn't keep forcing controversial legislation.

Ex-Chief IDF Rabbi: 'Religionization' Debate is 'Anti-Semitic'

Former IDF Chief Rabbi Ronski slams minority elitists for accusing religious of 'military revolution' at seeing religion becoming central.

Why is the Knesset Debating IDF Religiosity?

Perplexed MK Yogev reminds Knesset 'enemy is Hamas, not religious soldiers' as Jewish 'radicalization' in IDF placed on the docket.

MK Mozes: Appalled at Jewish Ignorance of Secular Youth

Youths educated in the secular school system are shockingly ignorant of Jewish concepts and history, according to MK Eliezer Mozes.

Market Judaism, Not Just Israel

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.

Non-Jewish Guards to Stop Sabbath Thefts

Hareidi leaders in Jerusalem turn to private firm to stop wave of Sabbath thefts.

Rabbi on Cities of Refuge, Jewish Joy

Rabbi Moshe Bamberger shares teachings on the Torah portion of the week.

Eida Hareidit Warns: ‘Kosher’ Does Not Mean Bug-Free

Even products with strict kosher certification could have bugs in the hot summer months.

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.

Rabbi Assaf Rahmanov on Bilaam’s ‘Final Solution’

New York rabbi discusses recent Torah portions, including Bilaam’s plan to destroy the Jewish nation.

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.