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The Jewish Thinker

It’s time to end the slavery of narrow-mindedness

The month of Nisan has begun, a month in which one of four Jewish New Years begins, and in which Passover marks our exodus from slavery; a perfect time to open our minds.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Mar 18, 2013 | 12:06 PM

Mobile homes at the West Bank settlement outpost Ramat Gilad.

Forget the ultra-Orthodox; focus on settlers

Israel's new political environment forces it to decide whom to support economically: the ultra-Orthodox or the settlers.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Mar 15, 2013 | 12:14 AM

Moderate rabbis are all around us, even in Israel

Aluf Benn exposed a fundamental blind spot in his view of Israeli rabbis by failing to acknowledge the hundreds of non-Orthodox Jewish leaders in Israel, and their followers, who oppose the Chief Rabbinate’s archaic definition of Judaism.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger, Emily Levy-Shochat | Mar 10, 2013 | 02:45 PM | 9

Jewish divorce: Why the silence?

The prevalence of agunot, or chained wives, in the United States is startling; it’s high time we got informed and took a stand against the phenomenon, and the Jewish men who perpetuate it.

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | Mar 7, 2013 | 04:46 PM | 9

A member of the woman's Committee for the support of Intifada

To win the war of opinions, Zionists must be critical friends of Israel

The argument that Diaspora Zionists should not publicly criticize Israel in the media is fundamentally flawed, for if it weren’t for rational critics – who at times give Israel a bad name – the Jewish state would fail to win the hearts of the ‘swinging’ public.

By Dr. Samuel Lebens / Jewish World blogger | Mar 5, 2013 | 07:46 PM | 12

Illustration: Man and wife on wedding day.

The nuptial name-change balancing act: Jewish tradition versus feminist equality

Being a modern American feminist does not mean I should refuse to change my surname upon marriage; but it does give me choice.

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | Feb 28, 2013 | 07:19 AM | 4

Purim, spirituality and the politicization of a Jewish holiday that's not about Iran

As Jews, we must infuse all our earthly actions – from eating to sexual relations – with spirituality, not just on Purim, but throughout the year.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Feb 24, 2013 | 09:13 AM | 2

Purim’s violent side

We cannot have our day of fun on Purim without first reflecting on violence caused toward women, with the Fast of Esther; thus, this Jewish holiday must be seen as a two-day observance that encompasses solemn reflection and unbridled celebration.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Feb 21, 2013 | 02:36 PM | 7

Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks at Jerusalem International Book Fair

Lord Sacks’ gift to Diaspora Jews will outlive his political controversies

Britain’s chief rabbi has used his political office to become a statesman for enlightened Jewry, resonating among prime ministers, presidents, Jews and Gentiles, intellectuals and laity.

By Dr. Samuel Lebens / Jewish World blogger | Feb 18, 2013 | 09:47 AM | 2

Navigating the etiquette sea between Israeli and American wedding invitees

Israelis and Americans have starkly different expectations of wedding invitations, RSVP dates and gift protocol; the gap seems as vast as the sea that separates the countries.

By Yael Miller / Jewish World blogger | Feb 14, 2013 | 09:32 AM

Anti-Hagel lobbying in U.S. Senate – including cries of anti-Semitism – harms Israel

The obsessive questioning of Sen. Chuck Hagel on Israel and his alleged anti-Semitic perspectives at the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on his nomination for secretary of defense only served to disconnect intelligent voters and damage Israel's image on prime-time TV.

By Joel Braunold / Jewish World blogger | Feb 11, 2013 | 11:44 AM | 24

Learning Talmud in the age of Facebook, Twitter and blogs

Two online blogs have taken the Daf Yomi Cycle to a new – more accessible – level.

By Dr. Samuel Lebens / Jewish World blogger | Feb 4, 2013 | 07:00 PM

Judaism should inspire women's voices, not silence them

Ophir Ben-Shetreet’s suspension from school is a case where Jewish tradition and law are unnecessarily being treated as diametrically opposed to gender equality.

By Arie Hasit / Jewish World blogger | Feb 1, 2013 | 06:03 AM | 4

Jewish World News

NYPD police vans in New York City’s Times Square.

New Yorker jailed in Rabbi Chaskel Werzberger's 1990 killing could be freed

By The Associated Press | 05:33 PM | 3

A nun holds a photograph of Pope Francis during a Thanksgiving Mass for the newly elected pope

Pope’s book co-authored with rabbi to be translated into English

By Reuters | 03:49 PM

U.S. appeals court hears 'Jerusalem is Israel' passport case

By JTA | 02:20 PM | 24

Rabbis' Round Table

A Passover meter for measuring freedom

By Rabbi Micah Peltz / Jewish World blogger | 11:27 PM

The Jewish obligation to obliterate the glass ceiling on women

By Rabbi Elianna Yolkut / Jewish World blogger | 11:25 AM

Coffee, Haggadot, and Jewish assimilation

By Rabbi Joel Seltzer / Jewish World blogger | 11:58 AM

Kosher cuisine

Modern Manna recipe / Date, walnut, and red wine charoset

By Vered Guttman | 03:05 PM

Kosher for Passover potato gnocchi with sage and porcini sauce

By City Mouse Online | 12:00 PM

Bringing Jews together through food (never underestimate the power of lox)

By Vered Guttman | 06:41 PM