One of the best-known parts of the Haggadah is the section known as “Mah Nishtana,” where one or more children at the Seder ask the Four Questions. It is based upon the following … more

Over the course of our millennial history, Jews have had many encounters with contagious diseases. Often we’re blamed for them. Maybe I’m paranoid, but I can’t help feel … more

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about transitions and destinations. Perhaps it’s because in childhood, at precisely this time of year, my friends and I would relish the approach of … more

There are moments when Divine Providence touches you on the shoulder and makes you see a certain truth with blazing clarity. Let … more

The Talmud gives an ingenious reading to the line, “Moses commanded us a Torah, as a heritage of the congregation of Israel.” Noting that there are 613 commands, and that the … more

The latest New York Times hagiography of an anti-Israel activist dropped in the newspaper’s Sunday Magazine. The fawning feature is about Rep. Rashida Tlaib — or more … more

How do you define “maturity”? The dictionary definition asserts that it is a state of being full-grown, ripe, or fully developed. But I think that the common man gives a subjective … more

An article I recently read about Shavuot spoke about the dramatic noises, fire and seismic activity surrounding Moses’ receipt of the Torah. If one is to believe Cecil B. DeMille, there was a … more

The daily dilemma: You see a post on social media about Israel that is egregiously misleading, and you have to decide whether it is worth it to respond. •On the one hand, there is an … more

What do you call a Jewish house of prayer? When was the State of Israel founded? Which cities in our country have the largest Jewish communities? These are just three of the 20 questions about … more