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Jul 9, 2025, 9:55 AM

The uneven burden of Military service in Israel

Wounded IDF soldier being medivaced to safety. Photo ©️T. Book , 2025

There are those that do and give, and those that don't and take. My name is Tuvia Book. I am a reservist in a combat medical extraction unit (Palmar) on the Gaza front. I've served now hundreds of days of...

Reuven Chaim Klein

Jun 22, 2025, 11:07 AM

The Unbelievers – minnim, apikorsim, & kofrim

The Hebrew language has no shortage of colorful insults and epithets that can be hurled at Jewish heretics and other disbelievers. In this essay, we explore some of those words used in reference to such people — like min, apikores,...

Jun 5, 2025, 7:34 PM

On Shavuot the Temple Service was Renewed

The literal place of the Temple courtyards, now a 'high place of forests' as Micha put it (Micha 3:12). 26 May 2025.

Unbeknownst to the general public and 'just-like-that' Temple sacrificial service was just started this holiday of Shavuot 2025. The Torah commands people of Israel to offer many types of sacrifices - and a good portion of them are vegetarian....

Jun 5, 2025, 12:25 PM

Parashat Naso: Soldiers, Levites, and the Ark of Responsibility

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In Parashat Naso, the sons of Kehat from the tribe of Levi are specifically commanded to carry the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders, as it is written: "But to the sons of Kehat he gave none , because...

Jun 4, 2025, 7:44 AM

Forty Years After His Day Off, the Jewish Values of Ferris Bueller

Ferris Bueller’s actual day off was 40 years ago, on June 5, 1985, the day the Chicago Cubs hosted the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field, a scene depicted in the movie. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was a teen comedy released...

Jun 2, 2025, 11:25 PM

‘You Can’t Handle the Truth’

“I want the truth!” Lt. Daniel Kaffee demands in A Few Good Men. Col. Nathan Jessup fires back, “You can’t handle the truth.” Truth these days is lacking, and it caused me to reflect on a Jewish blessing, Baruch...

Jun 1, 2025, 11:05 AM

A Terminal Disease and Spiritual Reflection

It shouldn’t be this way, but it is where I am. I am a religious person who truly believes in G-d and has strived to live a life keeping Mitzvot, setting a good example in family, community, and business....

May 29, 2025, 4:50 PM

As I stand at Mount Sinai, I know – ‘My Judaism defines me’

"My Judaism defines me," appears in Rabbi Menachem Creditor's latest anthology, At the Mountain. (photo by author)

The approaching holiday, Shavuot, marks G-D giving the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Tradition says all Jews – past, present, and future – were present at Sinai for this momentous event. It was in this spirit...

Raphael Cohen-Almagor

May 28, 2025, 9:32 PM

Tales from the Land of Milk and Misery

Tel Aviv has been fortunate to have two visionary doers, Shlomo Lahat and Ron Huldai. They incredibly developed the city, constantly building and improving. Tel Aviv is such a lovely city. In each visit, I find new things to...

May 25, 2025, 11:47 PM

Shavuot and conversion, post-October 7

This Shavuot when we recite Yizkor (the memorial service), it will be over a year and half since the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023; the taking of the hostages; and the beginning of the still-ongoing...

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