Jewish customs

In the Jewish vernacular, caring for the dead is called chesed shel emet (“true kindness”) because bestowing honor upon the dead is a favor that cannot be returned by the beneficiary. 

Let us think of the 30-second Super Bowl commercial on antisemitism as the kickoff of sorts to a longer, sustained drive down the field.

While I wouldn’t go so far as to call circumcision a “terrible mistake,” perhaps there’s a middle ground for the Jewish baby boys yet to be born.

Choosing to be Jewish is at the center of Jewish life in America, how are the different streams of Judaism adapting?

The last confession (vidui), has somewhat disappeared in recent centuries. In this column, I’ll briefly lay out the case for restoring this meaningful ritual.

Two musicians are proposing a "best Jewish music album" category be added to the Grammys.

Jewish rituals enable people to pass their beliefs and values down to future generations.

Regarding Jewish religious freedom, tolerance of belief and speech is not enough.

Ashkenazi Jews have a custom of not eating legumes on Passover.

Judaism provides a way of making the problems of the debt real by describing the polity to include not only those who happen to be alive today but those who will succeed us.

A few days ago, news that one of the oldest houses in the Jewish district of Budapest will soon be demolished spread like wildfire on social media, sparking outrage.