The sin of the spies’ defamation of the land was severe enough that it prevented a nation from entering the land for four decades. But what made it so all-important? Nomi Kaltmann offers a novel reading of the text, pulling in both the context of the book of Bamidbar and the perspective of a nation who could not see God around them and, consequently, could not believe in its own strength.

Halakhah, Jewish law, has often and problematically been taught as a set of dogmatic rules, only relevant to traditional streams of Judaism, but a new generation of Jews and Jewish educators are building a vision of halakhah that is mindful, meaningful, and able to inform the practice of all kinds of Jews.

The ultimate chapter of Mishlei, Proverbs, praising the woman of the house for all she does to sustain it and provide for it, is sung each Friday night in many Jewish households. However, in light of the working and warrior woman’s role in providing for her family by going beyond the private sphere, Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold offers a new interpretation into the meaning behind this praise song.

Rabbi Jeffrey Fox joins the debate over centralized halakhic ruling during the pandemic and puts forward a new perspective. Through examining the debate as it evolved through the sources, he argues the importance of having an honest ruling which acknowledges both the individual’s position and the give-and-take of the halakhic authorities with precedent.

In an interview for The Forward, Zelda Stern discusses her work founding a charity to enable Jewish institutions to have women rabbinical staff on retainer. She speaks about how Judaism has shaped her life, and how she views the role of women in Jewish life.

The Tanakh features very few female protagonists, and of the women mentioned, few speak to other women or speak at all. However, points out Rabba Wendy Amsellem, the Book of Ruth features a pair of women who slowly but surely build an authentic relationship, moving from one-sided and unreciprocated to one of true filial-maternal devotion.

Midnight bears a mixed legacy in Judaic texts, some worried about the demons then emerging and others believing that then is a climactic time of repentance. Rabbi Eryn London reconciles these ideas by proposing that midnight is a time of quiet preparation and review, preparing for receiving the Torah in the light of day.

Rabba Dina Brawer approaches the apparent dialectic between study and action, both of which are demanded to be our constant occupation. However, through a close examination of both obligations, there are ways to accommodate and find time for the two while ensuring that both are constant ways of living.

At Mount Sinai, the nation vowed “to do and to listen” to all the commandments which God then gave over. However, points out Rabbi Avi Weiss, it is not that simple for those with hearing impairments to vow to hear or for those with physical impediments to keep halakhah on its base level. Over the course of the article, many solutions are provided and an inclusive understanding is reached.

The biblical identifying feature of Shavuot is the sacrifice brought from the new grain, but practically speaking, we know it as the holiday of Torah learning. Rabbi Jeffrey Fox, inspired by Rav Moshe Shapira, draws together sources to explain the sense of renewing our relationship with Torah each year in the spirit of the new-grain sacrifice.