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 Custom (Minhag) Versus Law (Halacha)
Though often widely practiced, customs are not considered mandatory by traditional Jews.
What Are Cherubim?
The cherub is a type of angel that is a staple of the Bible and later Jewish literature, but probably didn’t originally look like a rosy-cheeked, bare-bottomed baby with wings.
Why Celibacy Is Not a Jewish Value
This practice is rare in Judaism and goes against the commandment to procreate.
Judaism and Pets: Questions and Answers
What Jewish tradition says about cats, dogs and other companion animals.
Bahya Ibn Pakudah
11th-century Spanish philosopher best known for Duties of the Heart, an attempt to organize Jewish ethical teachings into a cohesive system.
Bahya Ibn Asher
Biblical commentator looked at Torah in both traditional and kabbalistic ways.
What Is A Ba’al Teshuvah?
Once a name for sinners who repented, ba'al teshuvah now describes a Jew who returns to Orthodoxy — or becomes Orthodox for the first time.
Do Jews Celebrate Birthdays?
While Jewish tradition does not make a big deal of birthdays, there is no problem with celebrating them.