Articles

On Interpreting Midrash

Rabbi Moshe Shamah is founder of the Sephardic Institute in Brooklyn, which he actively heads. Rabbi Shamah published a commentary on the Torah: Recalling the Covenant: A Contemporary Commentary on the Five Books of the Torah (Ktav, 2011). This is a lightly edited and abridged version of Rabbi Shamah’s two-part essay, “On Interpreting Midrash,” in his Commentary, pp. 336–358. It appears in Issue 15 of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.

Darkness that Leads to Enlightenment: Thoughts for Parashat Bo

The plague of darkness might symbolize the need to periodically clear our minds and re-evaluate our assumptions. In the darkness and quiet of our inner selves, we can try to shed light on our opinions, values, attitudes and behaviors. An old proverb has it that “no one is so blind as the one who refuses to see.” We might offer an addendum to this proverb: “and no one sees so clearly as the one who has first experienced darkness.”

Book Review: Memorable Sephardi Voices

Sharing many of our Institute's core values, the Montefiore Endowment in London recently has published a small volume which compiles many teachings of (primarily) Sephardic rabbis which promote a traditional Jewish vision characterized by love and moderation, rather than extremism and exclusivity.

The Blessing Asher Yatzar and the Miracle of the Human Kidney

Generations of elementary day schoolers have colloquially called the Asher Yatzar blessing “the bathroom Berakha.” When looking at this Berakha through an understanding of modern science and medicine, its ancient wisdom truly shines.

New Book Review: Places in the Parasha

Shalom, I recently reviewed Professor Yoel Elitzur's enlightening book, Places in the Parasha (Maggid Press, 2020). I also wrote the Foreword in the book.

Tradition Online has posted the review, you may read it here

https://traditiononline.org/review-places-in-the-parasha/

I highly recommend the book!

best,

Rabbi Hayyim Angel

Needed: Redemptive Halakha

What we need now is prophetic, New Age halakha, dedicated to the great, authentic, ethical mission of the Jewish people as conveyed by the prophets, and combined with the demands of the Torah. The prophets preached a rare combination of particularism and universalism.

National Scholar Report: January 2021

As always, I profoundly thank the members and supporters of our Institute for enabling us to disseminate our vision around the globe. We are constantly corresponding with interested people and are making a genuine impact with our classes and publications.

Zoom Class with Rabbi Hayyim Angel: Israel in the Bible

A three-part Zoom series with Rabbi Hayyim Angel on Israel in the Bible. The series serves as a celebration of his newly published book: Cornerstones: The Bible and Jewish Ideology.

The series will be held on Thursdays: Dec 31, Jan 7, Jan 14, from 12-1 pm EST.

To join, please register here: https://www.jewishideas.org/rabbi-hayyim-angel-israel-bible

A Modesty Proposal: Rethinking Tseniut

Tseniut is not simply a system of prevention from sin. Rather, it encompasses a positive philosophy relating to the nature of human beings. While acknowledging the power of human sexuality, tseniut teaches that human beings are more than mere sexual beings.

A Bridge across the Tigris: Chief Rabbi Joseph Herman Hertz

Rabbi Joseph Hertz was one of the most influential rabbinic figures of the 20th century. He is perhaps best known through his "Hertz Pentateuch" found in many synagogues. As we approach the anniversary of his passing (January 14, 1946), it is instructive to become more aware of his life's work.