You can tell much about a politician from the donations he accepts. Where I live, my representative in Congress is Steve Israel. He is also the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Mr. Israel accepts money from at least one donor who should make people wonder about his support for his eponymous ancestral nation. more

With the increasing concern over worldwide violence against Jews, and of the political defense of such behavior, much debate has focused upon the origins of such conduct as well as to numerous strategies aimed at quelling it. This week’s column will survey the historical and theologically-based origins that are behind these actions. more

As the main character in the story of the book of Bereshit, our forefather Yitzchak gets all of one chapter before the tale switches its focus to Yaakov. Towards the end of chapter 26, Yitzchak … more

Sixteen hundred Jews, mostly elderly and families with children, protected by barely two hundred fighters; the odds for the besieged Jewish quarter of the old city of Jerusalem in 1948, were beyond … more

In his essay "Megillat Ruth and the Story of Yehuda and Tamar: A Study in Biblical Contrast,” Rabbi Alex Israel of the Pardes Institute quotes the following the following… more

Whenever I would hear that someone is a rawtarian, I assumed they were limited to eating carrots and celery sticks or other fruits and vegetables. I love the flavors of fruits and vegetables, but all … more

Well, it is almost here, Pesach that is. This week’s essay lists several additional excellent readings themed to the holiday. We begin with one of my favorites, Rabbi Shmuel Goldin’s … more

“On the first day you shall take the fruit of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the L-rd your G-d seven … more

The party is over. Life as I knew it over the past 13 days is done! Jerry has landed, back from the Holy Land. Gone are the days when I went to bed and woke up in the morning to find everything … more

At the recent wedding of the daughter of very old friends, I was enjoying the palpable joy at the tisch when the father of the bride asked me to lead Maariv.  I had a moment of angst as I … more