Authors Posts by Ezra Sivan
Ezra Sivan
When Shabbat first provided a Taste of the World to Come
Our modern Shabbat experience has been called "a taste of the world to come." But was this the case for the first Shabbat in the desert? Ezra Zuckerman Sivan considers the question.
Aleinu and Genesis: Against the Twin Idolatries of Universalism & Ethnonationalism
Does the Torah support a universalist or ethnonationalist political orientation? In this timely essay, Ezra Zuckerman Sivan explores the meaning behind key stories in Genesis through the framework of the Aleinu prayer.
Rebuilding a Future When Our World Comes Crashing Down
Ezra Zuckerman Sivan examines how the yibbum triangle of Ruth, Tamar, and Lot's daughters teaches us how to rebuild our lives in a time of upheaval.
Fellowship from Plague: Lessons from Passover
Ezra Sivan follows up last year's piece about how the Exodus leveled social boundaries with an article about what the Pesah story teaches us about social distancing today.
How to Curtail Pernicious Social Competition: The Legacy of Zelophehad and his Daughters
Ezra Zuckerman Sivan comments on the story of Zelophehad and his daughters.
Where is the Justice in the Tenth Plague?
Ezra Sivan asks: Where is the justice in the tenth plague?
Team of Rivals: Building Israel Like Rachel and Leah
Ezra Sivan reexamines the relationship between Rachel and Leah.
The King’s Great Cover-Up and Great Confession
Ezra Sivan explores the idea of confession, through the eyes of King David
The Reward for Honoring Our Parents
Ezra Sivan challenges our understanding of the fifth commandment and all of Sefer Devarim.
On the Importance of the Twentieth of Iyar
Ezra Sivan uncovers hidden meaning in what happened and didn't happen during the Israelites' journey in the wilderness.