Torah
The ‘gifts’ of Pentecost and Shavuot
By Kimberly Winston — May 16, 2018
(RNS) — This weekend marks the Christian holy day of Pentecost and the Jewish holy day Shavuot. Both involve 'gifts,' but not the kind that come with bows. Let us ’Splain ...
Florida now understands the Noah story
By Jeffrey Salkin — September 11, 2017
(RNS) — Ever since Irma announced that she was going to pay Florida a visit, I’ve been experiencing what it must have been like to be on the ark — minus the animals, of course, writes Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin. (COMMENTARY)
How is ‘Sgt. Pepper’ like the Torah?
By Jeffrey Salkin — June 1, 2017
What happens when you mis-hear a classic piece of rock music?
Does the Bible really advocate sanctuary cities?
By James K. Hoffmeier — February 15, 2017
DEERFIELD, Ill. (RNS) American cities, counties and universities that offer sanctuary for undocumented foreigners cannot claim to be following the practice described in the Bible.
Israel’s High Court orders Western Wall rabbi to explain why women can’t pray
By Michele Chabin — January 11, 2017
JERUSALEM (RNS) The feminists’ legal challenge argued that the rabbi’s directive 'violates Israeli law against discrimination in access to or use of public property.'
Do Jews really value education?
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 14, 2016
(RNS) Jews are more educated than other people. But, something is missing.
Gene Wilder’s most Jewish moments
By Jeffrey Salkin — August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder's work was very funny. And very Jewish.
End ban on women reading Torah at Western Wall, group petitions
By Michele Chabin — November 30, 2015
JERUSALEM (RNS) An Israeli women’s rights organization says the administrator of the Western Wall lacks the legal authority to withhold Torah scrolls from any Jewish worshipper.
A rabbi and an imam: The story of Isaac and Ishmael can be a source of hope
By Alana Suskin — September 21, 2015
(RNS) The shared story of the binding of Isaac can be a story of hope for peace between Jews and Muslims in the Middle East and across the globe.
Women of the Wall pluck Torah scroll across partition to women’s section
By Michele Chabin — April 21, 2015
JERUSALEM (RNS) Once the men's service concluded, a female WOW activist stepped into the men's section, grabbed the Torah and took it into the women's section.
A rabbi’s Christmas sermon: May God become incarnate in you
By Jeffrey Salkin — December 23, 2014
(RNS) Jews believe God cannot become human, and humans cannot become God. But sometimes we transcend that distance through prayer and worship, through the study of sacred texts and through altruistic acts.
Jewish girls want to read from the Torah at the Western Wall, new bus ads proclaim
By Michele Chabin — October 13, 2014
JERUSALEM (RNS) Bar mitzvah boys are encouraged to read from the Torah at the Western Wall, but the state-supported Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which is run by Israel’s Orthodox establishment, prohibits girls and women from doing so.
A Brooklyn museum has every biblical animal — but no money to stay open
By David Gibson — January 2, 2014
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (RNS) All of the specimens at Torah Animal World died of natural causes, swears Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch, and were not hunted in the wild: “Instead of turning them into a fur coat I use them for education.”
Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Video: Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism
By Sally Morrow — May 17, 2013
Ultra Orthodox Hasidic Jews observe the strict rules of the Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and its 613 commandments. But, for some, the lack of choices is too rigid, so they choose to leave, even though doing so can be very painful.
Seven years after Katrina, New Orleans Jews wander no more
By Bruce Nolan — August 29, 2012
NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Three days before the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina that flooded their synagogue and two days before Hurricane Isaac hit landfall in Louisiana, the wandering Jews of Congregation Beth Israel are finally home. By Bruce Nolan.
