Religion

Religious Zionism has lost sight of Rav Kook’s ethics - opinion

Rav Kook united Zionism, holiness, and universal justice. Today’s Religious Zionism too often puts settling the land above ethical values.

RABBI ABRAHAM ISAAC KOOK, 1924
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters demonstrate against a cafe operating on Shabbat, while secular protesters hold a counter-demonstration, in central Jerusalem, August 29, 2026

Who owns Judaism? Israel must take it back from the religious establishment - opinion

HONEST ACCOUNTING cannot be selective

Parashat Ki Tavo: The finest generation

REJOICING UPON the release of Hamas hostage Bar Kupershtein, Nov. 2, 2025.

Parashat Ki Tavo: The power of joy


‘Thank God you’re all here’: Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast draws foreign delegations despite war

Foreign delegations reached Jerusalem despite limited flights, giving this year’s prayer gathering a sharper message of faith, politics and support for Israel.

 Participants pray during the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at the Knesset, May 27, 2026.

Eli and Chana Coten: From London to Ma’alot amid war and new beginnings

A family from London makes aliyah to northern Israel, navigating war, adjustment, and a new life in Ma’alot.

Family

In the kitchen with Henny: Sheet pan magic

Simple one-pan dinners and a decadent dessert help busy families get delicious meals on the table with minimal effort.

Sheet-pan gnocchi and veggies.

What the ma'apilim teach us about faith and judgment

The story of the spies shows how belief in destiny can falter in fear or slip into reckless overconfidence.

Overconfidence, underconfidence –both negative.

Joshua's spies chose faith over fear - can Israel do the same?

Joshua’s spies returned with faith and confidence, teaching a timeless lesson about courage, purpose, and the Land of Israel.

 The Grapes of Canaan by James Tissot (circa 1900). Although the 12 spies brought back a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it, only two of the 12 brought back a good report of the land.

How a Jewish police chief's mezuzah captivated a Mississippi town

A Jewish police chief's mezuzah ceremony became the talk of a Mississippi town and drew a crowd no one expected.

The writer and daughter Noa O’Sullivan on roots visit to Mississippi, 2018. Background: Highway welcome sign upon entering to state, ‘the birthplace of America’s music.’

Parashat Shlah: The absolute truth

When fear overrides faith, even truth becomes distorted; this is the lesson of the spies in the desert.

Truth

Israel’s biggest threats demand unity, not partisan warfare - opinion

Israelis must decide whether politics exists to strengthen the country – or whether the country itself will surrender its fate to partisan warfare.

Israelis attend a protest march against the decision of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to fire head of Shin Bat Ronen Bar, at the entrance to Jerusalem, March 19, 2025.

The real threat behind Europe’s crackdown on brit milah - opinion

As Europe scrutinizes brit milah, Jewish communities must defend religious freedom without surrendering tradition.

Brit milah ceremony 311

Europe’s Israel policy, the search for a unifying narrative - opinion

Growing pressure on Israel reflects Europe’s search for cohesion in an era of political and cultural division.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators carry a banner during a protest against the arrival of an Israeli cruise ship in the port of Piraeus near Athens, Greece, June 12, 2025.