The Exodus

When miracles demand courage: A moral reading of Exodus for our time - opinion

There are moments in history when reality itself seems to fracture, when the familiar dissolves, and humanity is forced to confront the limits of fear, power, and hope: The Exodus is one such moment.

Exodus from Egypt (Edward Poynter)
Exodus from Egypt (Edward Poynter)

In every generation: The revolutionary spirit of Passover - opinion

An Israeli family enjoys a "Seder" Pesach on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Pesach. April 22, 2024.

Parashat Tzav: True freedom begins in the mind, not in physical circumstance

Shirel Dagan-Levy, CEO of Voice of the People

Seeing beyond the moment: What Passover demands of us this year


Passover and Sukkot: lessons for Israel's unfinished journey to freedom post-October 7 – opinion

Israel's ongoing journey to freedom and security is an all-in collective effort, especially following October 7.

 An IDF reservist holds the Four Species, symbols of the Sukkot festival, in a sukkah on the Golan Heights. Sukkot reminds us that we should see this moment through the lens of Jewish history and faith; we are on an unfinished journey to full freedom and security, says the writer.

Parashat Pinhas: How Moses ended his role as leader of the Jewish people

God informs Moses: Your role is over. You have led the people faithfully for the past 40 years, and now, just before the people reach their destination and enter the Land of Israel, must step aside.

 THE END of Moses’s role was not a failure but the conquest of another peak. Pictured: Mount Everest.

Jews are in a moment of broken illusions, but we’re stronger than we think - opinion

Our Torah portions offer comfort, reminding us that the past was never perfect and that the gap between the real and ideal has been part of our DNA from time immemorial.

 Friends and family attend the funeral of Israeli soldier Tzur Avraham at the military cemetery in Modi'in, June 16, 2024.

The modern exodus and messianic fulfillment is today's Israel - opinion

We can project that since Israel is the Exodus of our millennium, it will be at the center of the developing Jewish culture going forward. The Jewish origin story is the origin of our modern nation.

 A MAN blows the shofar to mark Independence Day at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

Unity from division: The lesson of God splitting the Red Sea and the Jews

When we learn the lesson of the Sea of Reeds to feel unity in our hearts, with all our differences, we can be more of the mind to “see” each other, be more forgiving, and able to focus on the good.

 ‘CROSSING THE RED SEA’ by Yoram Raanan.

Mindfulness: Is freeing yourself harder than parting the Red Sea?

Mindfulness involves releasing attachment to our thoughts and emotions, rather than becoming entangled in them and seeing them as personal traits. 

 An illustrative image of mindfulness meditation.

Miracles do happen: A look at the biblical splitting of the Red Sea

The splitting of the Red Sea is central to Jewish identity, but as the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks asked, "In what sense was it a miracle?"

 PHARAOH’S ARMY engulfed by the Red Sea, by Frederick Arthur Bridgman, 1900. ‘The wind dropped, the waters flooded back, and the entire Egyptian force was drowned.’

Are we dwarfs or giants? A look at multi-generational Jewish identity - opinion

Jews always possess multi-generational identity, but on Passover that consciousness of past and future is amplified.

 Father blesses son as he joins the IDF, April 18.

Passover 2024: The Jewish experience and learned wisdom

As I was reminded over and again in my seminary studies, “The defining metaphor of the Jewish people is the Exodus from Egypt.” 

 Visitors watch sunrise from Mount Sinai in Egypt, where Moses is believed to have received the 10 Commandments.

The story of Passover: Jewish-Roman wars and the power of friendship

The origins of the Haggadah are not clear, but the commandment to retell the Exodus comes from a strange night-long meeting of five sages.

 A depiction of the Roman triumph celebrating the conquest of Jerusalem on the Arch of Titus in Rome, featuring the menorah and other items taken from the Second Temple.