Essay
Gratitude and the Birth of Judaism
Rachel and Leah begin their respective marriages to Jacob mired in sorrow; one is desperate…
Essay
Synchronizing Heaven and Earth
The Bible’s tale of the twins Jacob and Esau is enigmatic, and the resulting differences…
Essay
Jewish Graves in Hebron and Monticello
Abraham’s response to death teaches us a great deal about life.
Essay
The Akeida and Us
A fascinating letter from a great rabbi to a Catholic priest illuminates the importance of…
Essay
The Origin of Jewish Humor: Isaac’s Birth and the Birth of Laughter
Why would a founding father of a people be named after laughter, and what does…
Essay
To Choose the Jews: Understanding the Election of Abraham
Even many traditional Jews misunderstand why it was Abraham that was chosen by the Almighty,…
Essay
Bricks and Stones: The Tower of Babel and the Gifts of the Jews
A careful study of the events after the flood allows us to understand how Jewish…
Essay
The Raven and the Rabbi: Noah’s Birds and the Birth of Hope
The birds that appear in Genesis allow us to understand the nature of human resilience,…
Essay
The Serpent’s Tongue and Ours: Language and the Meaning of Morality
Rightly understood, the devastating dangers and powerful potential of the spoken word lie at the…
Essay
Adam and the Astronauts: The Biblical Understanding of Human Nature
The first two chapters of Genesis both describe the creation of mankind, but in profoundly…