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.


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Articles by My Jewish Learning

What Are Hanukkah Candles?

The lights of the hanukkah menorah are typically made from wax and come in many colors.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Yitzhak Rabin

The unusual circumstances of Rabin's marriage, his true feelings about Moshe Dayan, and other lesser-known facts about the legendary Israeli leader.

What is the Tree of Life (Etz Chaim)?

The term has its origins in the biblical story of the Garden of Eden and has come to be used frequently in Jewish life.

The Origin of the Shehechiyanu Blessing

The Shehechiyanu is a blessing that expresses gratitude for new, or special, experiences.

How to Get Your High Holidays Questions Answered

You have questions about the High Holidays, My Jewish Learning has answers.

Excerpt: ‘Dolly City’ by Orly Castel-Bloom (1992)

The first pages of this novel introduce its terrifying protagonist.

Excerpt: “King of the Jews” by Leslie Epstein (1979)

Leslie Epstein's controversial novel explores Jewish power dynamics in the Lodz Ghetto.

Excerpt: Life and Fate by Vasily Grossman (1960)

Vassily Grossman's "Life and Fate" was smuggled out of Stalinist Russia, where it takes place.

How to Bless the Four Species on Sukkot

Al Netilat Lulav is the blessing traditionally recited prior to waving the lulav and etrog.

Excerpt: The Family Mashber by Der Nister (1939)

The first pages of "The Family Mashber" set the stage for what's to come. Take a look.

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