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Judaism and Astrology
The notion that the planets influence human affairs cuts against the core Jewish belief in free will, but many ancient rabbis believed it anyway.
Ask the Expert: Do All Religions Worship the Same God?
Jews don’t have a monopoly on God, but we do privilege and prefer our own access.
Acheinu: We Are One Family
The words of this ancient prayer speak eloquently to the dire situation of Jews held in captivity.
Why Do Some Jews Write G-d?
Because the Torah prohibits erasing God’s name.
Praying for the Government
The tradition of praying for the government reflects a recognition that Jewish welfare is bound up with that of the nations in which Jews live.
Next Torah Portion
Summary
In this Torah portion, God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh to demand freedom for the Israelites. Pharaoh refuses, and God unleashes plagues on the Egyptians. Pharaoh promises to free the Israelites, but God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. The portion ends with the plague of hail stopping and Pharaoh changing his mind once again.
Featured Commentary
Who Really Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart?
Was God responsible for the Egyptian leader’s intransigence?
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Daf Yomi
Sanhedrin 37
How is a sanhedrin like a woman’s navel?
Sanhedrin 36
Embodied law.
Sanhedrin 35
Not on Fridays.
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:
Both/And
Moses demonstrates that connection with God and concern for Jewish safety are one and the same.
Grown Up Religion
A mature religious outlook embraces the messy realities of life even as it seeks to close the gap between what is and what ought to be.
Uncertainty is a Feature, Not a Bug
Anxiety is an inevitable part of life, so how do we best live with it?
MORE from MY JEWISH LEARNING
7 Ways the Torah Can Actually Sharpen Your Mind
Engaging with Torah is like yoga for the mind: It keeps our perspectives flexible and creativity strong.
Ask the Expert: Applauding During Services
The ancient rabbis forbade clapping on Shabbat — for one very specific reason.
Similar Jewish Words You Don’t Want to Mix Up
From kibbitz/kibbutz to mitzvah/mikveh, we round up some easily confused Hebrew and Yiddish terms.
Shehechiyanu: A Meditation on this Moment
This blessing, traditionally recited for firsts, can be said anytime — since every moment is new and unprecedented.
How to Talk to God
The Hasidic prayer practice of hitbodedut — talking to God freely in one’s native tongue — helps to build intimacy over time.
Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World
This phrase with kabbalistic roots has come to connote social justice.