Judaism

Europe condemns settlements, but ignores Zionism’s deeper roots - opinion

Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people’s religion and culture, its national soul, cannot be complete without a national territory and is some 4,000 years old.

A general view of houses in the Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim in the West Bank
"Herodium became a living testament to the enduring roots of Jewish history."

Resurrecting Herodium: A royal desert fortress awakens After 2,000 years

CHABAD ‘SHLUCHIM’ gather in front of 770 Eastern Parkway, New York, in 2022.

'Engaging the Essence': The Lubavitcher Rebbe as philosopher - review

GIRLS CELEBRATE their bat mitzvah in Alexandria, Egypt, 1967.

Fair is not always equal: Adapting bar, bat mitzvahs to developmental challenges - review


What does the kashrut reform repeal mean, and could it raise food prices? - explainer

The reform was designed to move Israel’s kashrut system away from one controlled almost entirely by the Chief Rabbinate and local rabbinates, and toward a regulated market.

KASHRUT CERTIFICATION at a Jerusalem eatery – will the rabbinate’s monopoly be broken?

A different mind, a shared covenant - opinion

I often find myself drawn to the story of Moses, who, when called, responded: "Why me?" Any of Moses’ traits might be understood in the context of autism

THE PARTING of the Red Sea during the Jewish nation’s escape from Egypt, an illustration from a Bible card published 1907 by the Providence Lithograph Company

From Flatbush to Israel: How ignorance fuels the haredi draft crisis - opinion

What a Brooklyn protest reveals about Israel’s internal struggle over equality, service, and a divided society.

 A group of ultra-Orthodox Jews blocked traffic and the light rail  in Jerusalem demonstrating against a Haredi draft into the IDF. February 26, 2024.

Meet the Israeli author making Jewish texts accessible for children

The first book I received of Dina’s series of three was her Scroll of Ruth, most appropriate since Shavuot was only a week away.

Dina Gavriely: ‘My task was clear – create vibrant and joyful texts.’

'The Sacrificial Service': Leviticus has been mistranslated for centuries - review

The book grew out of courses the author taught, and covers Leviticus’ chapters 1 through 10. 

Reading a torah scroll

What the Israelites' greatest failure can teach us about today's uncertainty - opinion

Dreams are perfect. Reality is not. Reality demands sacrifice, perseverance, and the courage to confront uncertainty.

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

To save brit milah, it's time to end a controversial circumcision practice - opinion

Protecting brit milah means separating the covenant from a risky practice that Jewish law does not require.

US AMBASSADOR to Belgium Bill White shows an image of a ritual circumcision, in Brussels.

Parashat Beha'alotcha: The courage to see beyond

The Menorah in Zechariah’s vision still burns. Its message still endures. And it still calls to each of us: light the flame. Raise it high.

The menorah-inscribed stone door discovered in Tiberias, December 2017

Parashat Beha'alotcha: Know your place

After Pharaoh intensified the Jewish slaves' work, Moses felt that his mission had failed. Out of deep pain, he turned to God and said, “Why have You done evil to these people? Why did You send me?

Reading a torah scroll

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat candle lighting times for your area.

Shabbat candles