Mishna

Horrors and heroes: Reasons to bless the bad that came from Oct. 7 - opinion

The Mishna suggests that even the most personal of tragedies can and should receive a blessing.

 British-Israeli former hostage Emily Damari poses for a photo with her mother, Mandy, after being released from Gaza where she was held since the deadly October 7 2023 attack by Hamas, at Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on January 21, 2025.
 World's smallest Torah

What can be, unburdened by what has been; Introduction to Pirkei Avot

 ‘TALMUD READERS’ painted by Adolf Behrman.

Hidden messages: a novel way of reading Talmudic stories

 Eyal Meir Berkowitz

Fallen scholarly soldier’s holy text donated to the National Library of Israel


Pirkei Avot: More than ‘Who is rich?’ and ‘Who is wise?’

The study of Pirkei Avot is an invitation to life lived purposefully and meaningfully, and with spiritual integrity and intelligence.

Reading a torah scroll

Above the fold: Cultural synapse on Jerusalem

The Jewish perspective on Jerusalem has evolved out of necessity.

THE CURRENT Lord Allenby and his mother, Sara Viscountess Allenby, pose for a photo with actors at the reenactment of Allenby’s entrance into the Old City of Jerusalem, along with John Benson and his wife, Christina, in the back row.

A feast of unbiblical exotic curiosities

Makluba is one of the top items on the Eucalyptus menu, with chicken, rice and vegetables served with a ceremony led by the chef at the restaurant.

Eucalyptus chef Moshe Basson looks fondly at the Asian water buffalo he cooked for the feast.

Praying for the rain: Starting the agricultural year on the right foot

Prayers for rain are among the earliest liturgical texts, and withholding it is regarded in the Bible as a punishment.

Rain in Jerusalem