Sages & Scholars

Isaac Abarbanel

This medieval Bible commentator and royal financier spent much of his later years on the run.

What is Jewish Meditation?

“Truly, you are where your mind is,ā€ taught the Baal Shem Tov.

Polygamy in Judaism

Once a tolerated and regulated practice, polygamy is virtually unheard of in Jewish life today.

Maimonides (Rambam) and His Texts

One of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time, he was both a traditionalist and an innovator.

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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.

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

Leviticus 25:1-27:34

Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai: The Dark Side of Torah Ethics

Engaging with difficult passages in the Torah requires sitting with complexity and tension.


Recharge Now

Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:

Confronting Our Enemies

We don’t need to love our enemies, but we might want to value them.

On the Omer and OrchidsĀ 

The force of life is stronger than death.

Empty, Full

If sweeping away all leaven symbolizes freedom, then maybe the Omer is a time to fill ourselves with that which truly leavens.


MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING

Kosher Details: Waiting Between Meals

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Ask the Expert: What’s a Jewish Godparent?

Is it an offer you can’t refuse?

The Jews of Argentina

The largest Jewish community in Latin America has struggled through the economic and political upheavals of the 20th century.

36 Questions for Jewish Lovers

Rabbi and marriage counselor Ari Sytner offers 36 questions for Jewish couples to achieve greater intimacy and harmony.

The Kabbalistic Secret of Kissing

What the Zohar teaches about love-making and the coming of the messiah.

The Omer as a Period of Mourning

An overview of the restrictions Jews traditionally observe during the 49 day period between Passover and Shavuot.

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