I. The Jewish Calendar- General Observations A. Solar Vs. Lunar Both the solar and the lunar cycles figure prominently in the Jewish calendar. As Rambam stipulates (Kiddush haHodesh 1:1): חדשי השנה הם חדשי הלבנה שנאמר עולת חדש בחדשו ונאמר החדש הזה לכם ראש חדשים. כך...
Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai Saves Torah
The three-year Roman siege of Yerushalayim portended doom for Jewish nationalism. The inhabitants of the Holy City were divided; some were wearied from the hopelessness of the situation; others, although refusing to surrender, fought among themselves. Hunger and...
Megillat Ha’atzmaut: Analysis and Comparative Analysis
[A full English translation of Megillat Haatzmaut follows this article. The numbers referred to in the article correspond with the numbered clauses of Megillat Haatzmaut] INTRODUCTION The Megillat Haatzmaut, proclaiming an independent Jewish state on the soil of...
Did Vashti have a Tail? Reflections on Teaching Midrash Aggadah in Elementary Day Schools
By: Penina Besdin KrautOriginally appeared in Ten Da’at Vol. 1, No. 2, 1987 I am a teacher of Tanach, and midrash is part of my daily experience. Not that I teach midrash as a subject area, nor that I even quote midrash every time I walk into the classroom, but...