Beit Midrash

The Social Animal

Renewable Energy

Spirits in a Material World

Turning Curses into Blessings

How to Change the World?

Feeling the Fear

A Father’s Love

The Courage to Live with Uncertainty

Why Are There So Many Jewish Lawyers?

At the beginning of the book of Devarim, Moses reviews the history of the Israelites’ experience in the wilderness, starting with the appointment of leaders throughout the people, heads of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Retribution and Revenge

Near the end of Bamidbar, we encounter the law of the cities of refuge: three cities to the east of the Jordan and, later, three more within the land of Israel itself. There, people who had committed homicide could flee and find protection until their case was heard by a court of law.

Why Judaism?

The Pursuit of Joy

To the Third and Fourth Generations

Environmental Responsibility

The Second Tithe and Strong Societies

Retribution and Revenge

Even justified acts of bloodshed, as in the case of war, still communicate impurity. That is what lies behind the idea of revenge.

Oaths and Vows

Can freedom and order coexist in the human sphere? Can there be a society which is both free and just at the same time?

Elijah and the Still, Small Voice

To preserve tradition and at the same time defend those others condemn is the difficult, necessary task of religious leadership in an unreligious age.

The Curse of Loneliness

The battle against antisemitism can be won, but it will not be if Jews believe that we are destined to be alone. That is Bilaam’s curse, not God’s blessing.

Anger Management

“Is this the Torah and this its reward?” we are tempted to say. What was Moses’ sin that it merited such punishment?