Sir Thomas More

I was always interested in history. Having been brought up in England, I have a particular interest in its history. Read more

Shabbat Mattot & Massei

Should we settle in Israel Read more

Fasting

In The Economist of June 20^th, there was an interesting article under the heading “Do longevity drugs work.” Read more

Shabbat Pinchas

Qualities of Leadership Read more

Is peace possible?

For the past two years, I’ve been conflicted, even close to despair, over whether real peace is ever possible in Israel, and under what conditions. Read more

Shabbat Balak

War and Peace Read more

Why pig is not kosher

Edward Gibbon the English historian (1737 to 1794) wrote six volumes of The History of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. Read more

Yalta

Anyone interested in history will know that the Yalta Conference was a meeting between the leaders of the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union that took place in February 1945, towards the end of the Second World War. Read more

Why do we eat cheesecake on Shavuot?

The festival of Shavuot (AKA  Pentecost), which falls on Monday and Tuesday for the Diaspora, marks the 49 days or seven weeks from Passover. Read more

Shabbat BaMidbar

The Bible is the most amazing of documents on so many different levels. Read more

Jerusalem Day

This morning, I overheard a conversation in the gym in which someone was declaring, in reference to the murders of the two Jews in Washington, that there are crazy people everywhere and murders happen. Read more

Shabbat Behar & Bechukotai

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Woke Aida

The opera Aida was composed by Giuseppe Verdi and first performed in 1871. Read more

Shabbat Emor

An Eye For An Eye Read more

A Just War

A two-volume work has just been published. Milhemet Mitzvah: Editors Aviad Hacohen, Yitzchak Avi Roness and Menachem Butler. Read more

Shabbat Acharei Mot and Kedoshim

Love Your Neighbour Read more

Schlissel Challahs

Happy Chag Ha’Atsmaut even if for some it is already over. There was much to celebrate. Read more

Shabbat Tazria & Metzorah

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Who’s side?

There’s no question that the challenges we Jews are facing at this moment, internally and externally, are enormous and scary. Read more

Shabbat Shmini

 Two Brothers Go Wrong Read more

Chaim Shine’s Pesach

I don’t usually send out the ideas of others. But this is an exception. Read more

Pesach 2025 – Are We Crazy?

I can’t think of a Biblical festival that is so popular and yet at the same time so obsessively neurotic and over the top as Pesach (AKA Passover). Read more

Shabbat Tsav & Gadol

Sweet Smell Read more

Fanatics

I have the pleasure of lecturing weekly on the Bible. We are now in the first Book of Shmuel (Samuel), which marks an important watershed in the evolution of Israelite political life. Read more

Yaakov Herzog (1921-1972)

As we approach Pesach/Passover, I like to reminisce about past experiences. One I particularly remember because it is so relevant goes back to Israel in 1960. Read more

Shabbat Vayikra

Sacrifices or deeds?  Read more

Shabbat Pekuday

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The Spectator

I have always tried to hear different points of view and take other opinions seriously and respectfully. Read more

Shabbat Vayakhel (Parah)

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Is Purim Violent?

For hundreds of years, the very idea of Jews rejoicing publicly was deemed offensive to Christians. Read more

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