The Meaning of ‘Semicha’
How did a word that means “leaning” become the way to describe the act of becoming a rabbi?
17
Jan
06
Dec
Rabbis in States with Abortion Restrictions Find Hope in Interfaith Work
Jewish leaders in states with trigger bans hope interfaith activism may help them advocate for reproductive health.
07
Nov
Ask the Rabbis | How Would You Counsel a Parent and Child Who Are Estranged?
I wouldn’t. Assuming the child in question is an adult, and depending on the degree to which the estrangement has festered, and barring cases of abuse, trying to heal such rifts is misplaced effort.
21
Sep
Ask the Rabbis | Can Jews Married to Non-Jews be Considered Spiritual Leaders in the Jewish Community?
Why not? Moses was not such a bad spiritual leader of our people, and he was married to Tziporah the Midianite.
29
Jun
Ask the Rabbis | Does Jewish Law Offer Guidance on How to Fight a War?
Before engaging an enemy in combat, we must offer to negotiate a peace (Deuteronomy 20:10).
28
Mar
Ask the Rabbis | How Is Judaism Different After Half a Century of Female Clergy?
Fifty years ago, Sally Priesand was ordained as a Reform rabbi, the first woman clergy member in American Jewish history. To mark this anniversary, we asked rabbis, male and female, to reflect.
31
Jan
Ask the Rabbis | Is Political Compromise a Jewish Virtue?
That’s how Abraham resolves his dispute with Lot over grazing lands: “If you head left, I’ll head right. If you head right, I’ll go left” (Genesis 13:9).
15
Nov
Ask the Rabbis | How Do You Deal With People in Your Community Who Don’t Want to Get Vaccinated?
I don’t. It is not my place to nudge people to get or not to get vaccinated.
01
Oct
Beshert | From Longing to Belonging
As a young woman, Rabbi Judith Edelstein longed for a deeper connection to Judaism. She found it by chance when she picked up a flier at her son’s nursery school.
08
Sep
Ask the Rabbis | How Can We Avoid the Trap of Self-Righteousness?
Everyone wants to be right—in the right way. What’s the line between striving for moral perfection and being a jerk?