Rabbis have spent centuries speculating about the mark of Cain
Thousands of people signed up for our Simchat Torah Challenge, embarking on a yearlong journey of studying the parsha—the weekly Torah portion. Here’s why some of them are taking part, and what they hope to find.
What the songwriter’s actions during the Yom Kippur War can teach us today about the Jewish response to tragedy
As Sukkot winds down, we are reminded of the ease with which buildings crumble to dust. And as Simchat Torah begins, we are reminded of how much longer words can endure.
On Simchat Torah, figuring out how my interfaith family fit into the community
How miniature versions of the Five Books of Moses became a fixture of children’s Simchat Torah celebrations
How learning to ‘leyn’ Torah helped me connect with long-lost ancestors
The festive holiday now overshadows Shemini Atzeret, which has biblical roots
As a pre-teen in braces, I’d watch older boys dance in celebration. Today, I try to share the joy of the Torah with my own kids.
Samuel Pepys’ account of stumbling upon a lively synagogue service
Video: Judaica designer Alexander Gruss on Simchat Torah, the legacy of the Holocaust, and the value of handmade objects
An unlikely celebration from Moscow–40 years ago
When the holiday turned my synagogue into a chaotic nightclub, I finally felt like part of the Jewish community
Starting the Torah cycle anew and reckoning with Moses’ unfulfilled desire to reach the promised land
