Jewish Word | What Is Cancel Culture—and What Does Judaism Say About It?
Comedian Kevin Hart was bumped from hosting the 2019 Oscars for years-old homophobic tweets.
The State of Democracy 2021: A Conversation with David Brooks and Robert Siegel
Now that we are almost halfway through the Biden Administration’s first 100 days, what is the current state of our democracy? Will Democrats and Republicans be able to put their differences aside and work together? What is the fallout from January 6th? Can Americans come back together again? New York Times columnist David Brooks is in conversation with Robert Siegel, Moment special literary contributor and former senior host of NPR’s All Things Considered. The State of Democracy is a Moment series hosted by Robert Siegel.
Blood Libel: An Investigation Into The Origins of a Virulent and Enduring Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory with Historian E.M. Rose
Historian E.M. Rose discusses her award-winning book The Murder of William of Norwich: The Origins of the Blood Libel in Medieval Europe, a fascinating micro-history of a mysterious 12th century murder and the ensuing court case. Rose’s groundbreaking work provides clear answers as to why the blood libel emerged when it did and how it was able to gain such widespread acceptance, laying the foundations for enduring anti-Semitic myths that continue to the present.
Book Review | The Power of DNA, Dolls and Delis
Last month, The New York Times published a piece called “Saying Goodbye to Hanukkah.”
Book Review | Making Room for Ghosts
Sutzkever’s “essential prose,” which could also be called “prose poetry” or “brief narratives,” has slipped by, little noticed. Until now.
Moment Debate | Does Electronic Surveillance Threaten Democracy?
What undermines democracy is the use of electronic surveillance by government without tight limits: judicial oversight, transparent policies and publicly available information after the fact.
Jewish Word | Pikuach Nefesh
In Chaim Potok’s 1969 novel The Promise, sequel to the better-known The Chosen, there’s a scene that piercingly illustrates the Jewish legal emphasis on saving a life.
Can I Get An Amen?
In Numbers 5:22, a priest orders a woman who is accused of adultery to drink water that is mixed with dust from a tabernacle floor....
What’s the Deal With Iran?
President Joe Biden is not the first candidate who campaigned on a promise to reverse course on Iran.
Book Review | The Failure of Impartiality
Barack Obama’s transformation from youthful and eloquent U.S. Senate candidate to prime-time sensation and putative presidential timber came at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
Opinion | Will Israelis Embrace Biden?
Five days after the U.S. elections, my husband and I enjoyed a rare Pilates class between lockdowns.
From the Editor | The Great American Reset
Every four or eight years, the United States has the opportunity for a political reset.