I had ambivalent feelings writing a baseball article about Derek Jeter right before Yom Kippur. I wondered if it was somewhat sacrilegious to address mundane topics such as sports during this … more

With Yom Kippur just a day away and Sukkos next week, this week’s essay will bring to your attention several books and essays devoted to the themes of teshuvah, repentance in the Jewish … more

Yom HaKippurim: The day of atonement. That is how we usually translate it, but is that what it really means? I heard a remarkable story this summer, in the midst of all the fighting in Gaza, … more

As he has done every year in his Presidency, the day before Rosh Hashanah Barack Obama sent a special holiday message to the Jewish community. Again, the message ignores the meaning of the … more

Who are we at war with in the Middle East? We are at war with the Islamic State terrorist organization in Iraq and Syria, but we should appreciate that this is not the only enemy. more

For the last few weeks the exchanges have been the same —”Shanna Tova” (“have a happy and healthy new year”) or my favorite, “gut g’benched yur,” as my grandparents used to say. They were very good at “vinching oon” (“wishing upon you” as in “vinching oon a gut, g’benched yur.” Not many people I know use that last phrase, but one who did was my husband’s parrot. more

Ask a foreigner to name a British parliamentarian. Assuming they are able to provide an answer, there’s a high chance, especially if that person is a Jew or a Muslim, that the name on their lips will be that of George Galloway. more

As a follow-up to last week’s essay on music and its role in our faith’s observances, consider the following sent to me this week by one of Israel’s leading theologians, Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, entitled, “The Divine Word Is Deadly, Only A Melody Can Rescue It.” more

“This day G-d commands you to fulfill [all the laws], and you should do them with all your heart, and with all your soul.” (26:16) The Midrash Tanaim jumps on the classic interpretation (see also Tanchuma 1) that when Moshe says “This day” with reference to mitzvah observance, he is noting that any demonstration of following the Torah creates a visual for G-d as if the Jewish people have accepted the Torah on that day. more

Teaching in the old city of Jerusalem, one develops a certain awareness of the different types of people who can wander in off the street. Many of the people who frequent the old alleyways and ancient stones of Jerusalem are incredible people with incredible stories. But every once in a while you can get real characters walking through your door. more