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
What does the Hebrew Purim Expression ‘V’nahafoch Hu’ Mean?
This Purim catchphrase is now used in other contexts as well.
Quirks of the Public Megillah Reading
The Megillah reading is enhanced by chanting key verses differently.
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
Esther and Mordecai instituted three of the four obligations of Purim. The fourth is reading their story.
Blessings for Reading the Megillah
Traditional blessings recited before and after reading the Scroll of Esther.
Do Jews Embalm their Dead?
Embalming contravenes several core Jewish principles around death, but there are rare cases in which it is permitted.
Does Judaism Permit Autopsies?
While there is concern that autopsy violates Jewish norms about treating a corpse with resepect, there are cases in which it is permitted.
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.