Tradition of israel

Judaism encourages haredim to draft into IDF - opinion

Evasion from military service, even to learn Torah, has no precedent in our history or our writings and codified laws. 

 A RALLY against recruiting haredim into the IDF takes place in Jerusalem, on Sunday. Ironically and unashamedly, it is those who cloak themselves in the garb of religiosity who appear most ready to ignore our central precepts, the writer charges.
 A PROTEST against judicial reform takes place in Tel Aviv, this past Saturday night. It has become increasingly clear that for those demonstrating against judicial reform, the real issue is an existential, not a political one, says the writer.

We must make Israel a Jewish state – we owe it to our ancestors - opinion

 (L-R) Massimo Manetti and Tali Friedman sign the Matching Markets Deal between Florence's historic market and Machane Yehuda, July 3, 2023 in Jerusalem.

Jerusalem's Mahaneh Yehuda market celebrates centennial, signs historic agreement with Florence

 AN AERIAL view of the ever-growing Jerusalem, above the Yemin Moshe neighborhood.

Social divide? Not here! How Israel’s Neighbors’ Day brings us closer - opinion


Living between two questions: On approaching Sinai in our time

A mechanical clock

Parshat Behar: Of servitude and slavery

“And when a man sells a residential house in a walled city, its redemption may take place until the completion of the year of its sale. Its redemption shall be a full year” (Leviticus 25:29).

Painting by Yoram Raanan

Parshat Aharei Mot-Kedoshim: Our ethical bedrock

“And from the community of the Children of Israel, he shall take two he-goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering” (Vayikra/Leviticus 16:5).

Painting by Yoram Raanan

Yom Ha’atzmaut: From death to life

It is Holocaust Remembrance Day which seems out of place, and wreaks havoc upon our emotional equilibrium.

Painting by Yoram Raanan

Tradition Today: Miriam’s Day

Although Judaism has traditionally been a largely patriarchal religion, from the beginning women have played an important, even crucial, role.

18th-century oil painting of ‘The Song of Miriam.’

Parshat Shmini: Answering the question: ‘Why?’

‘And Aaron was silent [“vayidom Aharon”]’ (Lev. 10:3).

Painting by Yoram Raanan

The Tisch: Feel right at home

The Belzer Rebbe taught that a Jew in a foreign land will remain faithful until he begins to feel at home.

Followers of the Belz Hassidic movement attend a wedding in Jerusalem.

Passover: Rabbi Akiva’s Seder

"They were telling of the departure from Egypt all night, until their disciples came and said to them: Our masters, the time for the recitation of the morning Shema has arrived" (Passover Haggada).

Painting by Yoram Raanan

Grapevine: A change of post Grapevine

Even though Jerusalem now has an Ashkenazi chief rabbi and a Sephardi chief rabbi, tradition dies hard.

Rabbi Arye Stern

Parshat Vayikra: The meaning of the moon

Specifically this year there is a group of theological mystics who see a fascinating linkage between astronomical signs and prophetic visions.

Painting by Yoram Raanan