Grappling with faith, rationalism, bible criticism, and sacred myths
Overview: A ten-point analysis of the historical, theological, and moral nature surrounding the fascinating book of Esther and its enduring legacy, as well as the fast day of Esther. ...
Overview: Summary of both the evidence for and against an Israelite Exodus and the responses of each side. The element of embellishment in ancient story-telling and the possible ramifications of...
Overview: A brief history of the Dreidel, originating in the Near East and becoming popular in Europe in the 16th-century, eventually seeping into Jewish culture, and now a popular Chanukah...
Overview: Challenging the literal interpretation of 600,000 leaving Egypt. Giving scriptural-friendly and archaeological-friendly alternatives to the common notion of the mass exodus from Egypt. What first may appear as...
Overview: The earliest Menorahs in the archaeological record, Josephus on the Menorah’s shape, the rabbinic and Maimonidean view, and the Chabad movement. “And six branches coming out of its sides:...
Overview: The history of Chanukah and what the celebration is really all about. The civil war, religious oppression, and the victories. Nowadays, the holiday of Chanukah is often celebrated as...
Overview: the lack of the oil miracle in early sources, possible solutions, and perhaps the true reason for lighting the Menorah candles. “What is Chanukah? The sages taught that on...
Overview: How we got to the year 5781 and how the traditional Jewish year is based on several questionable assumptions, each assumption making it less and less likely. Religious Jews...
Overview: Four possible solutions to one of the most glaring contradictions in the Torah. Were the Israelites in Egypt for 430 years, for 400, or for 210? The issue...
Please wait...