Religion

Games of chance and society in the Middle East

A historical look at how chance-based games shaped culture, law, and society in the Middle East.
Israeli cabinet minister and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot is consoled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he attends the funeral of his son Gal Meir Eisenkot, 25, an Israeli solider, who was killed in northern Gaza during the ground operation by Israel's military in Gaza.

Was Netanyahu chosen by God, or judged too harshly by man? - opinion

An ultra-Orthodox jew prays at the Westen Wall July 17, 2002 on Tisha B'Av

The breached walls we must rebuild this Seventeenth of Tamuz - opinion

'Secular House' in Thailand, an Israeli activist organization.

Israeli organization's 'Secular House' opens in Thailand as non-religious alternative to Chabad


This month in Jewish history: Nobel and Noble

From Joseph’s birth to Entebbe’s rescue, discover the defining Jewish milestones, heroes, tragedies, and triumphs of Tammuz.

 Night view of Prague’s rotating ‘Head of Franz Kafka’ sculpture.

Parashat Korah: The story of the almond – and of diligence

When Korach questions Moses’ authority, a simple staff becomes a powerful symbol of divine choice and enduring leadership.

Almond trees bloom near the border with Lebanon.

Pentagon updates US military's list of recognized religions following backlash from Mormons

The recently shortened list of recognized religions for the US army listed the Mormon church as seperate to the broader category of "Christian," sparking outrage.

US Army soldiers walk in formation during the Sword 26 exercise, approaching a MEDEVAC vehicle as NATO forces demonstrate innovation in battlefield casualty evacuation using drones and medical tech in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, May 11, 2026.

The West funds its own executioners in ideological war it barely realizes it is fighting - opinion

Institutional capture, ideological conformity, and foreign-backed authoritarian movements are challenging the individual freedoms that once formed the core of Western civilization.

A fullmoon rises over the Temple of Poseidon, the ancient Greek god of the seas, in Cape Sounion, east of Athens, Greece, July 8, 2017.

Jerusalem Pride turned a divided city into a celebration of belonging - opinion

Jerusalem Pride is for those of us who believe in the dignity of every human being, regardless of who they love, how they pray, or where they come from.

THOUSANDS TAKE part in the annual Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2026.

In Madrid, Pope calls for compassion towards 'every human being'

The pope also expressed hope earlier that Madrid would "remain a welcoming and inclusive city, where social life is inspired by genuine human values."

 Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.

It's time for Israel to end Temple Mount appeasement for good - opinion

From detention for silent prayer to public worship, the Temple Mount has undergone a remarkable transformation.

 The Dome of the Rock and the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City as viewed from the Mount of Olives. This place should be for all who are interested in free and safe access and peaceful worship together, the writer maintains.

Could you hold a lost piece of Western Wall history? Jerusalem museum seeks rare photos

A new exhibition hopes to uncover rare Western Wall photographs tucked away in attics, basements, and family albums.

‘Tower of David,’ taken by A.O. Freedman, c. 1920.

Jew vs Jew: New York, Israel, and the crisis of Jewish solidarity - opinion

As antisemitism rises, the widening rift among Jews over Israel raises urgent questions about Jewish unity.

Chai Riders line up in this year’s Salute to Israel parade in Manhattan, May 31.

‘Thank God you’re all here’: Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast draws foreign delegations despite war

Foreign delegations reached Jerusalem despite limited flights, giving this year’s prayer gathering a sharper message of faith, politics and support for Israel.

 Participants pray during the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at the Knesset, May 27, 2026.