Torah

Miriam’s beat: From Exodus to modern Israel, women reclaim rhythm and resilience

Pe’imat Miriam, a female percussive endeavor, revives an ancient rhythm to find a collective voice of hope – core to the biblical Passover narrative and to our spiritual well-being.

ZOHAR FRESCO: The work of acclaimed percussionist Zohar Fresco traces the roots of frame drumming back to ‘Miriam’s drum’ and its place in Jewish cultural memory
TAMBOURINE PLAYERS from the ‘Golden Haggadah’ (c. 1320), reflecting a medieval vision of Miriam and the women’s song after the crossing of the sea, The British Library, London

The hidden well: Exploring Miriam's leadership as a source of hope in war's shadow

THE YAHUDA HAGGADAH, Southern Western Germany, ca. 1470-80, handwritten on parchment; brown ink, and gold and silver leaf

A voice of praise: Why this Haggadah puts Miriam at the center of the Exodus

Rabbi Daniel Burstyn conducting a Seder on Kibbutz Lotan.

Passover reimagined: How Jews reinterpret freedom at the Seder table


Parashat Vayetze: 'Wise people, be careful with your words’

If we were truly aware of the power embedded in our words, in casual conversation, in a sentence spoken in anger or sarcasm, we would be far more cautious.

Close-up of letter cubes spelling "Words Have Power" (illustrative)

Your Investments: Lentil soup and inheritance

A son can bear with equanimity the loss of his father, but the loss of his inheritance may drive him to despair. – Niccolo Machiavelli

Husband and wife discussing investment plans with financial advisor

Parashat Toldot: A call for impassioned Jewish renewal

If the parasha is a saga of inheritance, of blessings fought over and destinies forged, then the haftarah is its echo, reminding us that a spiritual legacy must not merely be received, but upheld.

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

Parashat Toldot: Directing our natural inclinations

This is humanity’s eternal challenge: Not to give in to impulses and the desire for immediate gratification but to steer it toward a higher purpose.

'Only now, the color red becomes a symbol of essence'

Beyond the Headlines: The message of Ayala Shkuri - opinion

“People ask me how I am, how I’m doing. They ask how I managed to return to living alone in our home in Sderot. And I answer, ‘I’m not alone." said Ayala Shkuri

Sivan with Ayala Shkuri.

The biblical echo of ‘I will go’ - and the women moving Israel beyond October 7 - opinion

Jewish women today echo the values of Biblical foremothers, maintaining courage and faith in times of crisis.

Torah scroll 521

Parashat Chayei Sarah: Politics, power, perils of ambition

Politics, the haftarah reminds us, is not inherently corrupt. It becomes corrupt when it forgets that leadership is service, not self-promotion.

 SCRIBES FINISH writing a Torah scroll.

Parashat Chayei Sara: ‘Ger v’toshav’ – unfinished belonging 

Until our people are gathered and the land is restored, we remain wanderers yearning for wholeness.

PATIENCE REQUIRED...

Parashat Chayei Sarah: All are equally good

Sarah’s greatest achievement was her ability to live calmly and serenely

A LAMP burned continuously – symbolizing unceasing light and joy.

Some Jews are willing to risk their lives rather than receive a porcine transplant - study

Researchers saw that Jewish patients were willing to refuse life-saving treatments with porcine organs even when that would likely result in death.

Doctor lifting pig's kidney for transplant