Torah

Beyond the Headlines: The message of Ayala Shkuri - opinion

“People ask me how I am, how I’m doing. They ask how I managed to return to living alone in our home in Sderot. And I answer, ‘I’m not alone." said Ayala Shkuri

Sivan with Ayala Shkuri.
Torah scroll 521

The biblical echo of ‘I will go’ - and the women moving Israel beyond October 7 - opinion

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

Parashat Chayei Sarah: Politics, power, perils of ambition

PATIENCE REQUIRED...

Parashat Chayei Sara: ‘Ger v’toshav’ – unfinished belonging 


Parashat Chayei Sarah: All are equally good

Sarah’s greatest achievement was her ability to live calmly and serenely

A LAMP burned continuously – symbolizing unceasing light and joy.

Some Jews are willing to risk their lives rather than receive a porcine transplant - study

Researchers saw that Jewish patients were willing to refuse life-saving treatments with porcine organs even when that would likely result in death.

Doctor lifting pig's kidney for transplant

Is there room for God in the age of AI? - opinion

Can – or perhaps should – any individual Jew who is looking to fulfill God’s word direct his or her halachic question to AI, and then be obligated to follow its ruling?

An illustrative image of man and AI touching.

Faith and sacrifice: The story of Itay Chen's return - opinion

After nearly two years, the body of Itay Chen returns home, a story of faith and sacrifice.

Ruby Chen, father of Itay, calls for his son’s release from Hamas captivity in Gaza outside the US Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv in July. This week, Staff-Sgt. Itay Chen’s body was finally returned home.

The Jewish people need the unifying potential in God’s great gift of Shabbat - opinion

South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein's "Shabbat Project" aims to bring together millions of Jews from across the world to embrace the unifying potential embedded in the gift of Shabbat.

LAUNCHED BY South African Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein and now in its twelfth year, the ‘Shabbat Project’ encourages Jews worldwide to experience Shabbat together, states the writer.

Parashat Vayera: Faith is stronger than reality

Can faith prevail over reason and reality? Scripture’s answer is clear. What seems impossible to man is never beyond the power of God.

Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunamite, by Frederic Leighton, 1881, oil on canvas - Leighton House Museum - London, England.

Parashat Vayera: Abraham vs Social Darwinism 

Abraham believed in the power of his connection to God and in its ability to bring about true transformation – far more powerfully than any punishment, no matter how justified.

One of the purposes of creation is that we establish a channel of relationship with the infinite divine, even when it defies rational understanding

Parashat Lech Lecha: The call of aliyah

From Yemenite Jews in Operation Magic Carpet to Soviet refuseniks, Ethiopian families, and Bnei Menashe from India, Isaiah’s vision has been realized in our own time.

An illustrative image of Jews making aliyah to Israel.

Parashat Lech Lecha: From Everyman to hero

The Torah presents Abraham not as a spiritual giant chosen by default but as Everyman. He is not depicted as a polished hero with prior accomplishments but as an ordinary person.

An illustrative image of God calling on Abraham to leave his country to the Promised Land.

Parashat Lech Lecha: Hagar and the God who sees

The story of Hagar reminds us that sovereignty brings with it responsibility – to see, to hear, and to act with compassion toward those who remain vulnerable in our midst.

Artistic impression of Abraham sending Hagar and her son off.

Parashat Lech Lecha: Abraham and Lot's remarkable journey

Even the loftiest goal on Earth must never be achieved through harming or insulting another person.

An illustrative image of Abraham and Lot separating.