Pesach 2025 – Are We Crazy?

I can’t think of a Biblical festival that is so popular and yet at the same time so obsessively neurotic and over the top as Pesach (AKA Passover). Read more

Shabbat Tsav & Gadol

Sweet Smell Read more

Fanatics

I have the pleasure of lecturing weekly on the Bible. We are now in the first Book of Shmuel (Samuel), which marks an important watershed in the evolution of Israelite political life. Read more

Yaakov Herzog (1921-1972)

As we approach Pesach/Passover, I like to reminisce about past experiences. One I particularly remember because it is so relevant goes back to Israel in 1960. Read more

Shabbat Vayikra

Sacrifices or deeds?  Read more

Shabbat Pekuday

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The Spectator

I have always tried to hear different points of view and take other opinions seriously and respectfully. Read more

Shabbat Vayakhel (Parah)

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Is Purim Violent?

For hundreds of years, the very idea of Jews rejoicing publicly was deemed offensive to Christians. Read more

Shabbat Ki Tisah

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Remember

The Shabbat before Purim is always called Shabbat Zachor. The Shabbat to remember. Read more

Shabbat Tetzaveh & Shabbat Zachor

Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola

I first heard of the Christian polymath Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola ( 1463-1494) from the late  Jack Lunzer, the owner and curator of the Valmadonna Trust Library that a few years ago was sold off at Sotheby’s in New York in 2017 and ended up at the National Library of Israel. Read more

Shabbat Truman

The Urim and Tumim Read more

Sons of Noa(c)h

Anyone studying the Talmud in depth knows that they are entering a very special but complicated world with unique rules and methods. Read more

Shabbat Mishpatim

Rabbi Aviezer Wolfson ז״ל – A personal tribute

I have recently pointed out some of the negative aspects of the Yeshiva World. Read more

Shabbat Yitro

Father-in-Law Read more

Shabbat Beshalach

What is a miracle? Read more

Samson Is Israel

Shimshon ( Samson) is the great Jewish hero. The symbol of Jewish defiance and overcoming odds, throughout the ages. Read more

Shabbat Bo

Negotiations   Read more

Shabbat Vaeyra

 Why Wait? Read more

British Mandate a Mistake?

The ignorant  (or brainwashed) , useful idiots who call for the destruction of a Jewish homeland, claim that the Mandate that granted Jews a homeland was not only a mistake but an original sin. Read more

Yeshivas: A place where you sit!

What is a Yeshivah?  A place where you sit, literally. Of course, you can do many things when you sit. From meditation to wasting time! Read more

Shabbat Vayechi

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Migration and Assimilation

There are very different reasons why Jews have always migrated, and many have assimilated. Read more

Shabbat Vayigash

Politics
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Orgies

Since we are in the midst of party season, I am reminded of the strange history of Jewish parties that went wrong. Read more

Shabbat Mikeytz: Dreams

Dreams play a very important part in the biblical narrative. Read more

A history of Chanukah

We like to think that Chanukah was the great victory of Judah, the son of Mattityahu the Priest ( who initiated the resistance ) against the mighty Syrian or Seleucid Greeks over two thousand years ago. Read more

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