In Vayishlach, this week’s Torah portion, the third patriarch’s name gets changed during a famous encounter. Or does it?

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

This is an adaptation of Looking Forward, a weekly email from our editor-in-chief sent on Friday afternoons. Sign up here to get the Forward’s free newsletters delivered to your inbox. I was thrilled ...

(Introduction 2021: Our Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, is a good example of how the Bible changes its rhythm for literary purpose. The Bible is usually very laconic and moves through long periods of ...

One of the core teachings in Torah portion Massei (the second of our double-portion) is the concept of the “cities of refuge” that will be established in the land (Numbers 35:9-34). The Cities of ...

This week’s Torah portion is Vayera: Genesis 18:1 – 22:24 The first Shabbat after daylight standard time always comes as a shock to the system, despite the fact that it occurs every year. Preparing to ...

Do we have the resolve to look past the opinions of others and seek the core truth of every person and situation?

Parshat Behar/Bechukotei: Leviticus 25:1-27:34; Jeremiah 16:19-17:14. This Shabbat we again read a double parshah — Behar-Bechukotei — bringing us closer to the end of Leviticus. Often described as ...

Sign up for Forwarding the News, our essential morning briefing with trusted, nonpartisan news and analysis, curated by senior writer Benyamin Cohen. Every year in ...

Text Messages, produced with The Jewish Week, is a column sharing wisdom from the weekly Torah portion. KIBBUTZ HANNATON, Israel (New York Jewish Week via JTA) — Like Tikvah, one of the two main ...