Does Judaism have any list of banned books?

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Can a Jew be an existentialist?

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Shabbat Vayehiy: Favouritism

As we come to the end of the Book of Bereishit (Genesis), we can look back and see a thread in the narrative of human beings grappling with the moral and spiritual challenges that we all face. Read more

Shabbat Toldot: Deception

The Torah is very clear about deception. “Do not deceive or lie to each other”( Leviticus 19.11). Read more

Was the fruit of the Tree of Life from which Adam and Eve ate really an apple?

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Water and Joy

The last days of the festival of Succot have, over time, turned from a sort of last-minute postscript called Shmini Atzeret, the farewell get-together to round things off the season of festivals with, into the joyful Simhat Torah. But why is joy so important? Read more

Shabbat Haazinu: Jewish song

“Listen to the song,” we are told in this week’s Torah reading, Haazinu. Read more

Shabbat Ki Tavo: Rewards and punishment

The Torah this week contains blessings and warnings. Read more

Shabbat Devarim: Optimism despite it all

The Book of Devarim, the last book of the Torah, is dominated by the personality of Moses even more than the previous three books. Read more

What do Jews think of Jesus?

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Shabbat Shelach Lecha: Grasshoppers

Moses was instructed by God to send men to go on a tour of the Land of Canaan. Read more

Shabbat Kedoshim: About sex

The part of the Torah we read this week, Kedoshim,  contains more moral and ethical laws than any other part of the Torah, that you will be familiar with. Read more

Shabbat Acharei Mot: Arrogance

Previously in Leviticus Chapter 9, the two sons of Aaron, Nadav, and Avihu had watched and participated in the dedication of the priests and the tabernacle. Read more

Shabbat Tazria: Rosh Hodesh Nisan – Purity

Having dealt with the sacrificial system and its ceremonials, the Torah now turns to human beings and how they should take steps to care for their physical as well as spiritual lives. Read more

Shabbat Pikudei: The Messiah

The term Mashiach is usually associated with the apocalyptical idea of a Messiah who will change the world to make it a more peaceful and honest place. Read more

Shabbat Vayakhel & Shekalim: Amazons and the Oral Law

There are many ways of looking at the Bible, as history, theology, literature, and archeology. Read more

Shabbat Ki Tisah: Idolatry

The focal point this week is the Golden Calf, and the betrayal of  God at the very moment God is trying to impose standards on the Israelites through a constitution from Sinai. Read more

Origins of orthodoxy

I have just read Jacob Katz: On the Origins of Orthodoxy. It is an important collection of articles by and about the late Professor Katz, transcripts of interviews, as well as a bibliography. Read more

Shabbat Tetzaveh: Who needs Priests?

The Torah goes into intricate detail in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus about the priests, their role in the Tabernacle ceremonials, their benefits and tithes, and their special rules of behaviour. This week, the Torah talks about the Priests’ clothes and oracles. Read more

Is gambling income generated for education questionable?

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Time

We have just celebrated another New Year. I was not specifically thinking of 2022, although that too. Or of Tu BiShvat, the Fifteenth Day of the Month of Shevat. The New Year for Trees. One of four different New Years as recorded in the Talmud ( Rosh Hashana ). Read more

Ancient synagogues were decorated with art. Why?

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What should a synagogue do if a gay member of the community applies for membership?

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Can a Jewish man produce semen for medical tests?

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Shabbat Vayehi: Predictions

The twelve tribes have now come to live in Egypt under Josef’s protection. Read more

Why do I have to wash my already clean hands before eating bread?

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Why is the Shema so important?

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Does Judaism agree with female sterilisation?

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Shabbat Lech Lecha: No one is Perfect

Abraham is the first, full character study in the Torah. Read more

Minister of Religious Affairs meets with women Torah scholars including women rabbis

Israel’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Matan Kahana and MK Nir Orbach met over the weekend with the directors and heads of halachic (Jewish law) programs for women. Read more

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