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Jeffrey Salkin

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Feb 5, 2026, 5:09 AM

What if Moses went to a psychotherapist?

Let us imagine an unlikely scenario. Let us imagine that, towards the end of his life, Moses seeks psychotherapy. He really wants to figure out all of his demons – and, for that matter, all of his angels. He...

Jan 26, 2026, 7:25 PM

Do we need three days to remember the Holocaust?

There are three days of Holocaust remembrance on the Jewish and international calendars. That seems like a lot. Except, we need them all. Why? Because we live in a moment of moral danger. Antisemitism surges with a demonic intensity. Holocaust denial, which...

Sep 18, 2025, 8:22 PM

How we can heal our broken people

To some degree, we all feel broken these days. And how could we not? As the Days of Awe approach, many of us find ourselves humming Avinu Malkeinu or bracing for the shofar’s shevarim — those haunting, broken notes....

Feb 13, 2025, 4:57 PM

I liked the AI Jews-against-Kanye video — and we should all be terrified of it

The viral AI video featuring Jerry Seinfeld and other Jewish celebrities is actually bad for the Jews, a rabbi writes. (Collage by JTA)

If artificial intelligence can generate a video that supports the Jews, it can just as easily spawn videos that defame the Jews

Jan 5, 2022, 2:21 AM

The Armenians and the Jews: a look in the mirror

The other day, I happened to be in my local dry cleaners, when I heard a customer saying something to the owner, in a language that I did not understand. “What did that gentleman just say to you?” I asked. The...

May 23, 2017, 8:16 PM

How many Jerusalems are there, anyway?

Why is Yerushalayim plural, One on high and one below?... I want to live in one “Yerushal,” Because I am just “I” and not “I”s. Yehuda Amichai, “Open Closed Open” Welcome to one of the great grammatical conundrums in the history of Jewish geography:...

Jan 24, 2017, 9:46 PM

Don’t move the US embassy to Jerusalem

Let me start by telling you what I believe about Jerusalem. At last count, I have visited Jerusalem about 45 times in my life -- not counting the full year that I lived and studied there in preparation for the...

Nov 11, 2016, 7:21 PM

Trump must now denounce the alt-right and anti-Semitism

At the end of the day, this is the man who America elected. A man who has made sexist remarks, and who has been accused of sexual assault. A man who has baited Hispanics and Muslims. A man who has...

Oct 23, 2016, 10:37 PM

How to channel your inner Noah

My sneakers are almost dry. Last week, during the epic "king tide" -- a confluence of Sukkot and the full moon -- I stood on a south Florida street as the waters came slowly rushing in, ultimately coming up to...

Oct 13, 2016, 10:16 PM

Give Jewish values a vote on Election Day

Let's not start with the American elections. Let's hold an election for the most important Jewish musical of all time. Is there any doubt in your mind? Fiddler on the Roof would win -- hands down. If we were to vote for...

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About Me

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin is the co-founder/co-director of Wisdom Without Walls: an online salon for Jewish ideas, and one of American Judaism’s most prolific and most-quoted rabbis. His latest book is Inviting God In: A Guide to Jewish Prayer. Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove of Park Avenue Synagogue, says: "By way of warmth, wit, and wisdom, the riches of Judaism --its prayers and rituals --have been opened up for a new generation. This beautifully written volume will open up the tradition and your heart." Rabbi Salkin currently lives in Montclair, New Jersey, and devotes his time to writing, biking, his friends and family, and consuming vast quantities of coffee.