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Jonathan Frankel

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Feb 26, 2026, 4:58 AM

Purim’s Greatest Reversal: Mordechai wasn’t the hero and God was absent.

Personally created by the author.

The Talmudic perspective of Purim is a combination of confusion and suspicion. The Talmud presents a variety of dilemmas ranging from doubts of Megillat Esther’s divinity . However, there is one Talmudic story about Purim that is the most...

Feb 19, 2025, 7:44 AM

The Mysterious Disappearance of Chur Finally Explained

Chur was a central character and leader in the early history of the Jewish nation, yet his fate is unceremoniously ignored. What actually happened to Chur and why does the text forget it? The character of Chur is as cryptic...

Nov 27, 2024, 11:50 PM

Identical Twins: Yaacov and Esav

The tale of the quarreling brothers Yaacov and Esav is one of extreme differences. Esav is wild and hairy, Yaacov is simple and fair. Obviously the text implies that these twin brothers were not identical however careful reading coupled...

Nov 15, 2024, 6:25 AM

Yitzchak was Sacrificed, Just Not How You Think

Avraham's willingness to bring his son, Yitzchak, as a sacrifice in the story of the akeidah is the quintessential act of faith in Judaism. It is therefore understandable that celebrating it as ideal divine service necessarily requires some perspective...

Nov 30, 2023, 9:29 PM

Insulting the Dead: Devorah’s Burial and Rachel’s Tomb

Metz, Gustav; The Death of Rachel; Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens; http://www.artuk.org/artworks/the-death-of-rachel-35158

Why was it important to inform us of Devorah’s death? She has no obvious contextual significance, yet the text feels we must know that she died, when she died and her method of interment? The death of Devorah is so...

Mar 13, 2023, 3:25 PM

Solving the Problem of pi and Solomon’s Sea

Also titled "Appreciating the True Flavor of Solomon’s Pi" Why does the biblical text describe a mathematical fallacy equating pi to be 3? Why have so many solutions been offered but none adequately resolving the issue? TLDR; Without manipulating the text,...

Feb 10, 2023, 5:11 PM

Was Yitro a great man or just the right man?

Why was the simple concept of delegating responsibility only conceived of by Yitro? Is it truly such novel advice that it deserves biblical accolades? Yitro’s advice is not remarkable. The concept of delegating the responsibility of judgment upon subordinates is...

Jan 12, 2023, 5:56 AM

The Mysterious Missing Decades of Moshe’s Life

Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie ;;;fot.

Why does the text provide an entire sentence explaining Moshe’s rationale for investigating the burning bush? What was Moshe’s religious education at that point?What did he know of his own national identity? Upon seeing a majestic landscape or rare phenomenon,...

Jan 5, 2023, 3:22 PM

The Failures of Reuven and the Dilemma of the Firstborn

Why does the text devote so much time to the denigration of Reuven, Shimon, Levi and Yehuda without an obvious purpose, but celebrates Yosef? The denigration of Reuven is consistent with a subtle theme throughout the majority of the latter...

Dec 30, 2022, 5:36 PM

Why didn’t Joseph contact his father from Egypt?

Why did Joseph not use his power as viceroy to contact his father? Why did Joseph create such an elaborate ruse to deceive his brothers? What was the goal? During the dramatic final moments of Joseph’s (Yosef) deception of his...

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About Me

Jonathan is a physician with interests in science, philosophy and religion, with special focus on skeptical thinking and critical analysis.

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