Fourteen Things You Need to Know About King David
The mighty warrior and sweet singer slew Goliath, stole the throne, and conquered Jerusalem—and that’s just a start!
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef
Perhaps the most powerful rabbi in history, Yosef dramatically reshaped Israeli politics and religion.
The Tattoo Taboo in Judaism
Body ink is a no-no, but it won’t bar you from Jewish life.
The History of Ethiopian Jewry
Piecing together legends and stories.
The Story of “Oy Vey”
Half Hebrew, half Aramaic, this classic lament is all Jewish.
Next Torah Portion
Summary
In this Torah portion, Sara dies at the age of 127. Abraham searches for a place to bury her and settles on Machpelah. Abraham searches for a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac. The servant meets Rebecca at a well, where she provides water for him and his camels. Abraham marries Keturah and has six more sons. He then dies at the age of 175.
Featured Commentary
Chayei Sarah: The Reverberations of Familial Violence
The lingering trauma of Isaac’s near-sacrifice is felt in his relationship with his wife Rebecca and in the generations that follow.
Daf Yomi
Bava Batra 149
Stealing from the son of a convert.
Bava Batra 148
Only mostly dead.
Bava Batra 147
Blowin’ in the wind.
STUDY RESOURCES
recharge now
Our weekly Shabbat newsletter, Recharge, features a thoughtful, timely essay to enrich your Shabbat. Here are a few of our recent pieces:
Time at My Side
Why I’m letting go of the future and recommitting to the here and now.
Sacred Dark
Jewish sources portray darkness as both the embodiment of death and as the wellspring of creativity.
Freedom Beyond the Self
Freedom requires us to know what we are for, what we will do with our freedom, and how that will impact others.
MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING
Must a Jew Believe in God?
The centrality of God in Judaism may not be as straightforward as you think.
Jews and Finance
The idea that Jews are good with money is one of the oldest Jewish stereotypes. But it’s undeniable that Jews are well-represented in finance and business.
History of the Jews of Ukraine
Once Europe’s largest Jewish community, Ukraine has had a major influence on the development of Ashkenazi Jewish culture.
Shehechiyanu: A Meditation on this Moment
This blessing, traditionally recited for firsts, can be said anytime — since every moment is new and unprecedented.
What is Jewish Meditation?
“Truly, you are where your mind is,” taught the Baal Shem Tov.
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World
This phrase with kabbalistic roots has come to connote social justice.