My Jewish Learning
My Jewish Learning is the leading independent website and digital community for all things Jewish, from Jewish history to text to ritual to prayer to food and much more. We offer a robust website with thousands of articles answering nearly every possible question about Judaism and Jewish life, a daily newsletter guiding subscribers through interesting facts and must-read news about Jewish life and practice, a daily Talmud essay called "A Daily Dose of Talmud," a weekly Shabbat newsletter, dozens of special emails featuring insights into major Jewish topics, and a robust online community through our social media channels. Articles written with the My Jewish Learning byline are authored and edited by our staff. My Jewish Learning's staff includes leading Jewish scholars and journalists. Rachel Scheinerman, who holds a doctorate in Ancient Judaism from Yale University, is My Jewish Learning's Editor, and Ben Harris, a longtime, award-winning journalist covering Jewish topics, is Managing Editor.
Articles by My Jewish Learning
Non-Traditional Uses for Mikveh
How an ancient ritual has been reimagined for a variety of new purposes.
Judaism and Cats
Ancient Jewish sources are ambivalent about cats, seeing them as somewhere between domestic and wild.
Sukkot 2025
In 2025, Sukkot begins at sundown on Monday, Oct. 6 and ends at sundown on Monday, Oct. 13.
Is Halloween Kosher?
Jewish engagement with Halloween varies widely based on personal beliefs, denominational affiliations and community norms.
Yom Kippur 2025
In 2025, Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Wednesday, Oct. 1 and ends at sundown on Thursday, Oct. 2.
Do I Wear a Tallit on Yom Kippur?
In general, prayer shawls are only worn during the day. Yom Kippur is an exception.
Rosh Hashanah 2025
In 2025, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Monday, Sep. 22 and ends at sundown on Wednesday, Sep. 24.
Garden of Eden
The story of the garden and humanity’s exile from it is foundational to Jewish tradition.
Torah Study For the Dead
Some Jews consider Torah study, and particularly Mishnah, to be a potent tool for elevating the souls of the departed.
Borscht Belt and Beyond: The Lasting Legacy of the Jewish Catskills
My Jewish Learning will host a course on the Borscht Belt era in New York’s Catskill Mountains, exploring its cultural ...