As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assumed near-dictatorial powers following his dubious victory in a constitutional referendum on April 16, Andrew Brunson, a Christian pastor from North … more

Our parish contains a pasuk (verse) that references the mitzvah of brit milah: “And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” (Vayikra 12:3) … more

This week’s column is dedicated to the memory of the Dr. Louis Feldman, noted author, Yeshiva University professor of classics, and renowned scholar of Jewish history specializing in Josephus … more

In September 2000, in the wake of the second intifada, my unit was activated up as part of the massive call-up of reserves that occurred as fighting broke out all over the country. We had no idea how … more

Everyone knows that the Bris Milah, the Covenant of Circumcision, dates back to the covenant forged between G-d and Abraham, covering chapter 17 of Bereshit. … more

President Donald Trump paid extended tribute to the memory of the Holocaust and to Israel in a speech to the World Jewish Congress. Given via prerecorded video at the opening dinner of … more

The untimely and supernatural death of Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu, is one of the focal points of Shemini, this week’s parasha. Following this narrative passage, we are met with two … more

What brought about the deaths of Aharon’s older sons in this week’s parsha, Shmini? Most discussions analyze the specific nature of the particular service they were performing. Were they … more

The parents of Israeli soldiers killed in the 2014 Gaza War verbally attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government during a Knesset hearing on Wednesday, with one throwing a cup of … more

At my family’s seder this year, we read, as we always do, from the traditional Sephardic Haggadah, in keeping with the customs of the Jewish communities from Spain and Portugal. Our guests need … more