When I was studying in yeshiva, I asked one of the rabbis if there was a specific reason why the Torah occasionally refers to Yaakov by his name and other times as Yisrael. The rabbi was of the … more

By Zechariah Mehler At 10:45 on Sunday morning, Dec. 12, I sat in the SUV of the Head Chef of Etceterea Etcetera, Seth Warshaw, wondering what I had done to deserve this. I had arrived promptly at … more

Dear Aviva, I like wearing snoods and tichels but I don’t like my friends telling me that I’m wearing a rag or look like I just got out of bed. I legitimately think that tichels look … more

If you have spent any time at any of the self-styled gourmet grocery stores you will notice that the number of products has quadrupled. This is a result of the recent surge in consumers who consider … more

I remember as a child complaining to my parents one year that the gifts we received paled in comparison to the gifts we received the year before. My father was quick to point out that the focus … more

I am the co-president, along with AJ Berkovitz, of TEIQU (Torah Exploration of Ideas: Questions and Understanding), a Yeshiva University/Stern College student club whose goal is to create … more

Dear Aviva, I am planning a wedding. Both my parents and my chassan’s parents are in some debt already and neither I nor my chassan has a full time job. We are both making just a little less … more

‘Tis the season to be informed. This week’s reviews will briefly touch upon two works that inform us of the Jewish take on Christian history and theology. One word of caution, in no way … more

When Tzafnat Pane’ach reveals his true identity to his brothers, he says “I am Yosef. Is my father still alive?” (45:3)Speechless, the brothers say nothing, forcing Yosef to … more

In 1951, Dylan Thomas published his famous poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.” Intended for his dying father (or at least reputed to be), the poem is a sustained plea to make … more