Latest Essays

Torah Min HaShamayim: Conflicts Between Religious Belief and Scientific Thinking

Torah Min HaShamayim: Conflicts Between Religious Belief and Scientific Thinking

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On Becoming a Critical Torah Scholar

On Becoming a Critical Torah Scholar

Marc Zvi Brettler

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The Multifaceted Revelation at Sinai

The Multifaceted Revelation at Sinai

Marc Zvi Brettler

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A Journey Through Previous Paradigm Shifts

A Journey Through Previous Paradigm Shifts

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Channeling the Divine

Channeling the Divine

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The Nature of Human Faith

The Nature of Human Faith

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Conclusion: Fathers and Fables

Conclusion: Fathers and Fables

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Cracks in the Edifice: A Personal Reflection

Cracks in the Edifice: A Personal Reflection

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Reframing the Discourse

Reframing the Discourse

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The King’s Spear

The King’s Spear

Saul hurls his spear in rage. David refuses to seize it. Two centuries later, David’s spear appears in the Temple at Joash’s coronation. In the ancient Near East, the king’s spear is more than a weapon—it is a symbol of royal authority and judicial responsibility.

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Did Laban Have Sons? A Detail that Revises Jacob’s Flock Agreement

Did Laban Have Sons? A Detail that Revises Jacob’s Flock Agreement

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Proverbs Uses Amenemope’s Instructions Adapting Them in Egyptian Scribal Style

Proverbs Uses Amenemope’s Instructions Adapting Them in Egyptian Scribal Style

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The Heavens and Earth, Not the Gods, Bear Witness to YHWH’s Covenant

The Heavens and Earth, Not the Gods, Bear Witness to YHWH’s Covenant

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Pharaoh’s Daughter: A Woman Worthy of Raising Moses

Pharaoh’s Daughter: A Woman Worthy of Raising Moses

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Rabbi Akiva’s Laugh: The Hidden Call for the Bar Kokhba Revolt

Rabbi Akiva’s Laugh: The Hidden Call for the Bar Kokhba Revolt

Meir Ben-Shahar

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Body or Soul: Which Is Responsible for Committing Sins?

Body or Soul: Which Is Responsible for Committing Sins?

Ophir Münz-Manor

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The Baal Shem Tov and the Boy who Played Flute on Yom Kippur

The Baal Shem Tov and the Boy who Played Flute on Yom Kippur

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Kimchit's Head Covering: Between Rabbis and Priests

Kimchit's Head Covering: Between Rabbis and Priests

Marjorie Lehman

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The Development of the Chanukah Oil Miracle in Context of Zoroastrian Fire Veneration

The Development of the Chanukah Oil Miracle in Context of Zoroastrian Fire Veneration

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In Praise of the Hasmoneans: Chanukah Beyond Rabbinic Literature

In Praise of the Hasmoneans: Chanukah Beyond Rabbinic Literature

Ophir Münz-Manor

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The Tale of the Sadducee Who Incorrectly Prepared the Yom Kippur Ketoret

The Tale of the Sadducee Who Incorrectly Prepared the Yom Kippur Ketoret

Yonatan Feintuch

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