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,” 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.
Ask the Expert: Celebrating a Graduation
Is there a special blessing for Jewish graduates to recite?
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
Shevuot 17
Swinging through the Temple.
Shevuot 16
Marriage and remarriage.
Shevuot 15
Singing the demons away.
STUDY RESOURCES
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 Orchids
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.
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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.