At the height of the drama of the Golden Calf in this week’s parsha, Ki Tisa, a vivid and enigmatic scene takes place. Moses has secured forgiveness for the people. But now, on Mount Sinai … more

There is an important principle in Judaism, a source of hope and also one of the structuring principles of the Torah. It is the principle that G-d creates the cure before … more

With parshat Tetzaveh, something new enters Judaism: Torat Kohanim, the world and mindset of the priest. Rapidly it becomes a central dimension of Judaism. It dominates the next book of the … more

Jobbik, otherwise known as the Movement for a Better Hungary, is an ultra-nationalist Hungarian political party that has been described as fascist, neo-Nazi, racist, and antisemitic. It has … more

In the House of Lords there is a special chamber used as, among other things, the place where new Peers are robed before their introduction into the House. When my predecessor Lord Jakobovits was … more

From beginning to end, Genesis chapter 34, in this week’s parshat Vayishlach, tells a terrifying story. Dina, Jacob’s daughter — the only Jewish daughter mentioned in the entire … more

Judaism is supremely a religion of love … three loves. •You shall love your L-rd your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deut. … more

Was Jacob right to take Esau’s blessing in disguise? Was he right to deceive his father and to take from his brother the blessing Isaac sought to give him? Was Rebecca right in conceiving … more

In 1966, an eleven-year-old black boy moved with his parents and family to a white neighborhood in Washington. Sitting with his two brothers and two sisters on the front step of the house, he … more

One of the most famous episodes in the Torah is also one of the most morally problematic. “Take your son, your only son, the one you love — Isaac — and go to the land of … more