Latest Essays

Is Modern Critical Study a Jewish Way of Studying Torah?

Is Modern Critical Study a Jewish Way of Studying Torah?

The works of medieval exegetes such as Maimonides, Rashbam and Ibn Ezra demonstrate that Judaism has a long-standing tradition of studying the Torah critically.

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Shavuot: Why Doesn’t the Torah Celebrate the Revelation on Mt. Sinai?

Shavuot: Why Doesn’t the Torah Celebrate the Revelation on Mt. Sinai?

Inaugurating TheTorah.com

David D. Steinberg

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The Source Critic and the Religious Interpreter

The Source Critic and the Religious Interpreter

Benjamin D. Sommer

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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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To Protect Second Marriages, Deuteronomy Renders Palingamy Taboo

To Protect Second Marriages, Deuteronomy Renders Palingamy Taboo

Druze family law imposes severe restrictions on the relationship between a man and his former wife, providing insight into the biblical prohibition of palingamy—a man remarrying his ex-wife, if she has married someone else in the interim.

Elaine Goodfriend

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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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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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