Creativity as Spiritual Practice
Judaism teaches that each of us is endowed with creative capacity simply by being human.
A Comprehensive Overview of Ancient Jewish Sacrifice
In antiquity, sacrifice was the primary way of worshipping God.
What Are Judaism’s Lost Tribes?
Who were they and where are they now?
Jews and Drugs
What does Jewish tradition have to say about the use of recreational drugs?
Next Torah Portion
Summary
Rebecca and Isaac have twins, the smooth-skinned Jacob, whom Rebecca favors, and the hairy Esau, who Isaac favors. After returning from a hunting trip, Esau asks his brother for some lentil soup, but Jacob tells him he must trade him his birthright. Years later, when Isaac is old and blind, Jacob tricks their father into giving him the firstborn blessing. Jacob leaves home, fearing his brother will retaliate, and finds a wife at his uncle Laban’s house.
Featured Commentary
Parashat Toldot: Opening the Conversation
This portion records the first instance in the Torah of someone initiating a dialogue with God.
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.
Zevachim 64
Here’s the pitch.
Zevachim 63
For God’s sake.
Zevachim 62
In 586 BCE, the First Temple was destroyed and the Babylonian exile began. When the Persian Emperor Cyrus allowed Jews …
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:
What Makes a Story Jewish?
Diaspora Jews don’t have the luxury of writing about whatever they want. Telling Jewish stories is a Jewish imperative.
‘Bad Jews’
Self-judgment gets a bad rap. But is it such a terrible thing to appraise the life we’re living?
Abraham, the First Talmudist
In a patriarch, God seeks a moral partner.
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The notion that souls can be reborn after death figures prominently in Jewish mysticism.
Shabbat Blessings for Friday Night
Lighting the candles, saying Kiddush and other Shabbat dinner rituals.
