Philosophy

How Netanyahu's Israel is a betrayal of early Zionism - opinion

The contrast between Ahad Ha’am and Netanyahu is not between idealism and realism. It is between moral realism and political cynicism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, on February 15, 2026.
Statue of Spinoza by Nicolas Dings in Zwanenburgwal, Amsterdam, with the inscription ‘The objective of the state is freedom,’ quoted from his ‘Tractatus Theologico-Politicus.’

'Why Am I a Jew?' A sincere attempt at addressing big questions about Judaism - book review

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Josh Adler on whether creativity is a choice or is simply biology

Black Hole Blues

Black Hole Blues: At the Edge of Time, Space, and No Return


Democracy must be upheld through dialogue when it comes to judicial reform - opinion

Let us pray that Herzog and the political leaders around the table can find the proper balance between positive and negative liberty.

 A WOMAN holds a sign which reads ‘Zionism and not with cynicism,’ at a protest against the government’s plan for judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv.

'Beautiful Minds': An unlikely duo celebrating their power - review

Usually, I either like or dislike a movie, but with Beautiful Minds, I kept going back and forth, finding it alternately charming and cloying.

 BERNARD CAMPAN and Alexandre Jollien in ‘Beautiful Minds.’

Jerusalem art exhibits explore 'no pain, no gain'

The artists will give gallery talks, in Hebrew, at various junctures of the exhibitions, which are due to close on May 27.

 TAL GOLANI deftly blends the idea of permanency and monumental presence with the fragility of transience.

700-year-old handwritten copy of Maimonides' book going on auction

The copy is a handwritten adorned copy of the Guide of the Perplexed in which Maimonides interpreted the Hebrew Bible.

 The purported portrait of Maimonides from which all modern portraits are derived.

'When you have little, give a little; when you have a lot, give a lot'

Tamar Uriel-Beeri in conversation with Sir Frank Lowy, Australian-Israeli businessman and philanthropist

 Tamar Uriel-Beeri in conversation with Sir Frank Lowy

Israel selects its 2023 Rhodes Scholars-elect

Gal Rubin and Yonatan Gideoni have been selected as Israel's 2023 Rhodes Scholars-elect and have the chance to pursue their studies at Oxford.

 Doron Weber (C), standing with the two Israeli Rhodes Scholars-elect for 2023, Yonatan Gideoni (L) and Gal Rubin.

Social justice and Judaism: The rabbinic voice can overcome polarization

Issues like immigration policy, criminal justice reform, and fighting poverty involve nuanced thinking, compromise, and the ability to integrate multiple perspectives.

 An image of Stephen Sondheim is shown on a large screen during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 75th Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 12, 2022.

This Rosh Hashanah: May our Jewish spiritual quarrels continue! -opinion

This year’s two big questions – echoing throughout Jewish history – are “what do we believe” and “why do they hate us.”

 LEARNING TALMUD and other Jewish studies at Migdal Oz seminary in Gush Etzion: Despite Hitler, the Jews are still learning, exploring and arguing, because we survived.

President, students, Lady Elaine reflect on life after Rabbi Sacks

Over 200 government officials, Jewish figures and religious leaders commemorated the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and his impact on modern Israeli society.

 President Isaac Herzog hosts the second annual Sacks Conversation, in memory of the late former British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

Secular Jews, moral objectivism and religious ideology - opinion

While I won’t tie my moral code to religion, it’s eye-opening to see the merits of a religious belief and to hold more respect for the ideology of religious individuals.

 WOMEN PRAY in synagogue. ‘While I won’t tie my moral code to religion, it’s eye opening to see the merits of a religious belief,’ says the writer