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

Jewish Magical Practices and Beliefs

Numerous folk customs with magical undertones continue to this day.

From Jewish Mysticism to Magic

jewish mysticism,jewish magic,kabbalah,practical kabbalah,sefer yetzirah,merkavah mysticism,merkavah,sefer raziel,dybbuk,spertus institute

Jewish Names & Numbers

Complex systems of letter and number substitution yield names for God that have been used for magical and supernatural ends.

The Amulet: A Jewish Charm

Belief in the power of amulets persisted widely among Jews for many centuries, and still exists in some communities today.

Evil Eye in Judaism

The idea that a person or supernatural being can cause harm with a mere look — and the practices believed to ward it off.

Judaism and Astrology

The notion that the planets influence human affairs cuts against the core Jewish belief in free will, but many ancient rabbis believed it anyway.

Haftarah for Bereshit

To complement the creation of the world, a promise of redemption.

Significant Numbers in Judaism

A look at some numbers — from seven to 18 to 613 — that have Jewish significance.

Parashat Noach Quiz

Test your knowledge of this Torah portion.