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Ilana Sober Elzufon

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May 21, 2026, 12:34 PM

With violence and injustice in the headlines, where can we turn?

As in the days of the judges, we need to follow in the footsteps of Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, and get to work on our world, beginning with kindness (Shavuot)

Mar 29, 2026, 4:23 PM

Is this King David’s legacy?

The poor man’s lamb …There were two men in one city, one rich and one poor. The rich man had very many flocks and cattle. And the poor man had nothing, only one little lamb that he had bought, and...

Mar 2, 2026, 10:55 AM

All the king’s girls

Queen Esther, Painting by Edwin Long, 1878, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

Content warning: sexual assault This year, Megillat Esther feels extraordinarily relevant – and not just because we are at war with Iran. And when each girl’s turn arrived to come to King Ahashverosh, at the end of …six months with oil...

Jul 13, 2025, 6:13 PM

Keep Ayman Odeh in the Knesset

Yes, his tweet upset some people, but that's no reason to expel an MK, especially when his constituency (of which I am a part) has no other voice

Jul 2, 2025, 10:20 AM

It’s time to end the war

Last night, we Israelis got a quick reminder that we're still at war. "Just" a missile from the Houthis, run to the shelter, come out ten minutes later, intercepted, all clear. Meanwhile, there are still 50 hostages in Gaza. Day...

Jun 20, 2025, 1:05 PM

The death of Tzelofchad

After nearly 40 years in the wilderness, the Children of Israel are about to enter the Land. The daughters of Tzelofchad — Machla, Noa, Chogla, Milka, and Tirza — approach Moshe, Elazar, and the princes with a request: Our father...

May 2, 2025, 2:55 PM

Famine in the city

Palestinians receive bags of flour and other humanitarian aid distributed by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in Jabalia, Gaza Strip, April 1, 2025. (AP/Jehad Alshrafi) (The Times of Israel)

For two months, Israel has not allowed food or humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Jews have long known what this looks like

Oct 30, 2024, 2:23 PM

‘Flatten Gaza’

Palestinians search through the rubble of a building after an Israei strike in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, October 29, 2024. (AFP)

“Flatten Gaza.” I’ve heard this phrase too many times in the past year, beginning in the overwhelming pain and grief Israelis felt in the wake of October 7. I think many people who used those words meant them as a...

Dec 29, 2023, 4:12 PM

Yaakov’s 12 sons gather around him, eager to hear his final message. The aged patriarch speaks to each brother directly, mostly with words of blessing. But he addresses one pair of brothers together, harshly: Shimon and Levi are brothers, weapons...

Jun 23, 2023, 7:51 AM

A few thoughts on settlements

Once upon a time, before I got married and settled down, I frequently visited yishuvim (settlements) in Yehuda v'Shomron (the West Bank). In particular, I spent many wonderful Shabbatot in Eli and in Shilo. Even today, when I have occasion...

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About Me

Ilana Sober Elzufon is a Yoetzet Halacha in Yerushalayim.