Letter to the Editor: Response to Ben Greenfield on the Forefathers’ Attributes

In his letter to the editor, Gershon Klapper draws upon three medieval sources that undermine Ben Greenfield's recent reading of the Zohar on the three attributes of the Avot.

The Role of Vulnerability in Jewish Life

In his first article for the Lehrhaus, Akiva Garner explores the phenomenon of vulnerability through both Jewish texts and modern psychology–and highlights its unrecognized significance in Jewish living and meaning.

Joseph and The Imagery of Clothing

Sam Borodach traces the role of clothing throughout the Joseph narrative.

Hesed, Gevurah, and Emet: Do These Attributes Actually Describe our Forefathers?

Ben Greenfield explains that the attributes commonly associated with our forefathers are not attributes at which they excelled, but rather attributes with which they struggled.

Halakhah: Navigating Between Unity and Plurality

Aaron Segal reviews Staying Human by Harris Bor.

Demystifying R. Eliezer Waldenberg on Sex Reassignment Surgery

Tzvi Sinensky carefully examines the Tzitz Eliezer’s view on sexual reassignment surgery.

Laughter in the Face of Tragedy: The Enduring Resistance of Rabbi Akiva

Miriam Zami’s essay, runner-up to Hadar's annual Ateret Zvi Prize, uncovers the political and theological resistance of Rabbi Akiva’s laughter in the wake of the destruction of the Temple.

A Time to Mourn: Aveilut as Minor Holiday

Ben Greenfield’s essay, winner of Hadar's annual Ateret Zvi Prize, explores why Hazal chose to situate Hilkhot Aveilut in tractate Moed Katan.

What Does God Want from Humanity? A New Perspective on the Creation Chapters

Yakov Nagen examines the opening chapters of Genesis to explore what God wanted from people for matan Torah.

Mirror, Mirror

Building on ideas from Jacques Lacan and Rabbeinu Bahya ibn Pakuda, Zach Truboff offers an innovative psychological reading of the Cain and Abel story.