The Story of ‘Oy Vey’
Half Hebrew, half Aramaic, this classic lament is all Jewish.
Conspiracy Theories and the Jews
From medieval blood libels to the attacks of September 11, Jews have been a favorite subject for conspiracists.
The Brit Milah (Bris): What You Need to Know
Questions and answers about the circumcision ceremony for Jewish baby boys.
How to Choose a Mitzvah Project for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Suggestions for adding social action to this rite of passage.
Are You Motivated by Blessings or Curses?
Jewish leaders can acknowledge real threats and offer another path forward.
Next Torah Portion
Summary
In the Torah portion Behar, God describes the laws surrounding resting the land and crops every seven years, as well as the Jubilee year every 50 years. God permits the use of slaves but provides stipulations including the obligation to eventually free your slaves. In Bechukotai, God tells the people of Israel that if they follow God’s commandments, they will be provided with rain to feed their crops. God then describes the long list of punishments that will be inflicted on the Israelites if they do not follow God’s laws.
Featured Commentary
Parashat Behar-Bechukotai: The Dark Side of Torah Ethics
Engaging with difficult passages in the Torah requires sitting with complexity and tension.
Kaddish Minyan With Rabbi Rachel Isaacs (Mondays)
Hosted by: My Jewish Learning
Daf Yomi
A global project of Talmud study, Daf Yomi covers the entire 2,711 pages of the Talmud in 7.5 years of daily study. Click below to join by signing up for our Daily Dose of Talmud newsletter and to see our most recent Daf Yomi essays.
a year of zohar
A series of seasonal essays exploring Judaism’s most important mystical text.
Sons and Servants
The Zohar explores two religious orientations.
In Death, ‘Life’
The Zohar portrays Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai’s death not as a separation, but as a joyous, revelatory (and fiery) union with the divine.
Passover’s Afterglow
The Zohar reflects on the opportunity of Pesach Sheni, Second Passover.
FEATURED ON MY JEWISH LEARNING
What is Jewish Meditation?
“Truly, you are where your mind is,” taught the Baal Shem Tov.
Ask the Expert: Why Aramaic Marriage Contracts?
It’s precisely the opposite reason for why they were written in Aramaic in ancient times.
Ask the Ethicist: Hiding My Tattoos
Should I keep my body ink covered when I’m with people who oppose tattoos on religious grounds?
What Is An Upsherin, or Halaqah?
Why some Jews ritualize their son’s first haircut at age 3.
Torah Study 101
More than simply a means to learning the content of divinely revealed law, Torah study is an end in itself–according to some, another way of worshipping God.
Havruta: Learning in Pairs
A modern emphasis on peer-guided text study–an approach with ancient roots–reflects new social realities in the world of traditional Jewish learning.
Recharge Now
Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat.
Are You Motivated by Blessings or Curses?
Jewish leaders can acknowledge real threats and offer another path forward.
Where You Go, I Will Go
Why the Book of Ruth resonates with queer families like mine.
The Candyman: A Uniquely Sweet Jewish Institution
What I learned about the people who give out candy on Shabbat moved me deeply.