Judaism

Jewish concepts of 'afterlife' may be recent adaptations, study finds

In the Hebrew Bible, the term Sheol is the shadowy abode of the dead. It is often depicted as “down below,” silent, and without active praise of God.

The authors describe a shift “from the almost ‘materialistic’ idea of the early Israeli society to the belief in life beyond the grave and the resurrection of the dead…"

'The True Power of Speech': Speaking improperly has cosmic consequences - review

THE CHOFETZ CHAIM, Yisrael Meir Kagan, arrives with a group at the first Congress of Agudat Yisrael in Vienna in 1923.

Parashat Vayera: Faith is stronger than reality

Elisha Raising the Son of the Shunamite, by Frederic Leighton, 1881, oil on canvas - Leighton House Museum - London, England.

Parashat Vayera: What went right?

Thousands gather at Hostage Square to celebrate the return of the hostages, October 13, 2025. We have rejoiced alongside their families, who spent two years trapped in a waking nightmare.

Parashat Vayera: Abraham vs Social Darwinism

Abraham believed in the power of his connection to God and in its ability to bring about true transformation – far more powerfully than any punishment, no matter how justified.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

One of the purposes of creation is that we establish a channel of relationship with the infinite divine, even when it defies rational understanding

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Kosher community fridge in Chicago’s Jewish suburbs arrives amid rising food insecurity

The community fridge offers free and fresh food that anyone can take anonymously.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025ByORLIE WEITZMAN/JTA

Rabbi Hody Nemes stands in front of Hersh's Fridge, a community fridge that serves kosher-keeping Jews in Chicago.

White Plains Mayor-elect Justin Brasch: I won by bringing people together - interview

Brasch was elected to the White Plains Common Council eight years ago, and prides himself on being accessible to residents.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025ByMICHAEL STARR

Justin Brasch voting in mayoral election.

Hebrew Union College ordains six new rabbis in Jerusalem, bolstering Israeli reform movement

Six new Israeli reform rabbis were ordained at HUC-Jerusalem, joining 142 alumni serving 50+ communities across Israel as a part of a growing movement in Israeli society.

NOVEMBER 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Hebrew Union College celebrated the academic achievements of students in its Israel programs during the Ordination and Academic Graduation at the Taube Family Campus.

Parashat Lech Lecha: The call of aliyah

From Yemenite Jews in Operation Magic Carpet to Soviet refuseniks, Ethiopian families, and Bnei Menashe from India, Isaiah’s vision has been realized in our own time.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByMICHAEL FREUND

An illustrative image of Jews making aliyah to Israel.

Parashat Lech Lecha: From Everyman to hero

The Torah presents Abraham not as a spiritual giant chosen by default but as Everyman. He is not depicted as a polished hero with prior accomplishments but as an ordinary person.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByMOSHE TARAGIN

An illustrative image of God calling on Abraham to leave his country to the Promised Land.

Parashat Lech Lecha: Hagar and the God who sees

The story of Hagar reminds us that sovereignty brings with it responsibility – to see, to hear, and to act with compassion toward those who remain vulnerable in our midst.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByNECHAMA GOLDMAN BARASH

Artistic impression of Abraham sending Hagar and her son off.

Parashat Lech Lecha: Abraham and Lot's remarkable journey

Even the loftiest goal on Earth must never be achieved through harming or insulting another person.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ

An illustrative image of Abraham and Lot separating.

Shabbat candle lighting times for Israel and US

See Shabbat times for your area.

OCTOBER 31, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF