Jewish faith

Why "Mazel Tov" endures as the Jewish World's Favorite Blessing

The tradition of “Mazel Tov” and the belief in luck and fate continue to accompany Jewish life from its ancient roots to the modern world.
The Empire State Building, JPMorgan Chase Building, and One Vanderbilt in New York City are illuminated in the colors of the New York Knicks during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2026, as seen from Bayonne, New Jersey.

The Knicks won on June 13, some Jewish fans think that’s more than a coincidence

An Argentine oleh (new immigrant to Israel) who made aliyah 20 years ago celebrated his Bar Mitzvah in Eilat after a long period of conversion.

Founding fathers and mothers: The uniqueness of the Jewish people - opinion

Yeshiva University president highlights faith partnerships, post-Oct. 7 shift

Yeshiva University president highlights faith partnerships, post-Oct. 7 shift


Beyond the headlines: A weekly glimpse into the Israel you won’t read about in the news  

Amid crisis, a quiet spiritual awakening is taking root in the Jewish world, marked by unity, resilience, and renewed faith.

 (R) Brody shows the new tefillin that he bought himself (L) Steve's tefillin selfies, May, 2025.

38% of American Jews believe in life after death, study finds

Unlike in some Christian denominations, where a belief in the afterlife is an organizing idea, Judaism has no single doctrine about what happens after death.

 Haredi Orthodox pilgrims pray at the grave of Rabbi Naphtali Hakohen Katz, a 17th-century Kabbalist, in the Ortakoy neighborhood of Istanbul, Jan. 17, 2023.

Power of faith: The hostages held onto hope while experiencing the worst of humanity - opinion

Alongside the social and political crises, we face the heartbreak of knowing that we will be sitting down to the Seder, yet again, while 59 hostages remain in captivity.

 THE WRITER addresses a Jewish community event in Amsterdam last December. We must remember that our decisions in the here and now – how we speak, how we treat others, how we relate to our society – will impact our future and how our nation, our people, and our world will look in the years ahead, he

The Mishkan testimony: How the Jews offer hope to the world amid a tidal wave of hate - opinion

We offer the world hope that it can withstand this tidal wave of hatred and escape the abyss of confusion. We have endured. So can you. We will show you the way.  

An illustrative image of a tidal wave.

Canada and Jerusalem: A journey of faith, heritage, and shared values


Living in fear? Rabbi Pinto explains how to overcome anxiety


A profound holy distinction: Shiloh vs Jerusalem - opinion

Shiloh and Jerusalem represent two complementary forces – engagement with the world and preservation of identity – that drive our journey toward redemption.

THE JERUSALEM skyline as viewed from the Mount of Olives.

“There is no freedom in life”: Rabbi Pinto shatters a myth


Faith in dark times: How did God allow the hostages to suffer so much in Gaza? - opinion

How can we explain the relentless horror and violence inflicted upon our people? How is God allowing this to happen – yet again? Are we not promised this land through prophecy?

 Released hostages Or Levy (left), Eli (Eliyahu) Sharabi (center), and Ohad Ben Ami (right), before (top) and after (bottom) Hamas captivity, February 8, 2025.

Rabbi Pinto to his disciples: Success is not measured only in moments of triumph