Rabbis' Round Table - - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper

Rabbis' Round Table

In a variation on the controversial exhibit at Berlin's Jewish Museum, the soferim at Israel's ancient fortress site engage visitors with a vibrant tradition passed on through an ancient craft - the writing of our Torah.

By Rabbi Yehoshua Looks / Jewish World blogger | May 22, 2013 | 12:34 PM

Sofer, Rabbi Ariel Luis, writing a line of Torah for Rabbi Yehoshua Looks.

Exhibit of Jews in Germany draws interest, ire
By The Associated Press | 14

The Jewish birthday blessing that teaches us to count

On birthdays, Jews greet each other with 'ad meah v’esrim' - 'may you live until 120.' This blessing, which can be traced back to the Torah, seems to acknowledge that our days are numbered.

By Rabbi Micah Peltz / Jewish World blogger | May 19, 2013 | 12:01 PM

Shavuot celebrations at Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak, close to the border with the Gaza Strip, May 13, 2013.

Giving Shavuot a public relations makeover

The significance of Matan Torah is difficult to grasp in the modern day. Celebrating that ongoing relationship with God makes it accessible.

By Rabbi Elianna Yolkut / Jewish World blogger | May 15, 2013 | 04:51 PM

Why are so many Jews unsuccessful at counting the Omer?

To count the Omer successfully and to appreciate the holiday of Shavuot, we must enter into a different type of mindset that is countercultural to the world in which we live.

By Rabbi Dan Dorsch / Jewish World blogger | May 12, 2013 | 12:18 PM | 3

The revelation at Mount Sinai will not be televised

In a post-modern age of reality television and 24-hour news media, I desire to see and understand Biblical events – even though I am not supposed to.

By Rabbi Joel Seltzer / Jewish World blogger | May 8, 2013 | 09:34 AM

When Jesus made it into my nephew’s Bar Mitzvah speech

It is when we attempt to understand the perspectives of others that we increase our respect for them, improve our relationships and make way for peace.

By Rabbi Michael Knopf / Jewish World blogger | May 7, 2013 | 01:41 AM | 13

Men and women praying on both sides of the divide at the Western Wall plaza on April 10, 2013.

An open letter to Leah Aharoni, on behalf of religious freedom in Israel

I, a Women of the Wall sympathizer, am not trying to 'liberate' you as an Orthodox Jew, but raise my status from second class to equal.

By Rabbi Elianna Yolkut / Jewish World blogger | May 1, 2013 | 06:14 PM | 12

Lag Ba'omer in Bnei Brak, April 27, 2013

Nothing but confusion in postponing Lag Ba’omer bonfires

The rabbis' decision to reschedule the fires to Sunday afternoon, of all times, reflects not only bad judgment but bad leadership.

By Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz / Jewish World blogger | Apr 28, 2013 | 05:04 PM | 2

Being process oriented during Sefirat Ha’omer

The Omer teaches us to value our comrades, thanks to whom we grow as individuals.

By Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz / Jewish World blogger | Apr 25, 2013 | 02:59 PM

The Jewish bridegroom who wouldn’t wear a kippa

Rabbinic voices of decency and integrity are too often drowned out in Israel by the shrill, wicked cries of the religious and ultra-nationalist fanatics. The result: secular Israelis repel Jewish law.

By Rabbi Gideon D. Sylvester / Jewish World blogger | Apr 24, 2013 | 08:05 PM | 22

A woman is comforted by a man near a triage tent set up for the Boston Marathon

The light that can dispel the Boston bombing's darkness

We need not be paralyzed nor defined by uncontrollable evil, but work instead to create conditions that elicit goodness.

By Rabbi Michael Knopf / Jewish World blogger | Apr 21, 2013 | 11:17 PM

A boy looks at a fire inscription during a ceremony marking Memorial Day for the fallen of Israel's

Mourning to create lives of meaning: Israeli memorial days and Sefirat Ha'omer

Given that they all fall during Sefirat Ha’omer, what is the significance of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day for Jews in Israel and the Diaspora alike?

By Rabbi Yehoshua Looks / Jewish World blogger | Apr 15, 2013 | 10:09 AM

Counting up, not down, toward the Omer

It is always better to count up to something important than to count down to the inevitable loneliness of zero.

By Rabbi Joel Seltzer / Jewish World blogger | Apr 14, 2013 | 09:29 PM

Jewish World News

Sheldon and Miriam Adelson stand with Netanyahu.

Adelsons donate $40 million to Birthright

By JTA | 07:39 PM

A pro-Palestinian demonstration in London.

Israeli minister apologizes for accusing U.K. of 'disguised anti-Semitism'

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz | 02:10 PM | 49

Jewish men look on as rescuers at bombing site - Bloomberg - July 18, 1994.

Two suspects in Argentina Jewish Center bombing running for Iran president

By JTA | 01:01 PM | 5

The Jewish Thinker

U.S. Jews need to decide if they are tourists in Israel, or extended family

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | 11:14 AM | 4

In defense of Jewish pluralism

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | 10:13 AM | 3

Shavuot, the forgotten holiday

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | 07:30 AM | 2

Kosher cuisine

Swiss chard, spinach and ricotta lasagna

Packing in a (delicious) nutritional punch with green lasagna

By Vered Guttman | 11:22 AM

Hot stuff

By Liat Elkayam | 03:21 PM

Modern Manna Recipe / Arugula and labaneh dip

By Vered Guttman | 04:45 PM