Prologue Journal

Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Parashat Shemini: Turning inward, turning outward

Jerusalem Post The war was reductive, stripping away externals of Jewish identity and exposing the common core of what unites every Jew. It endowed us with unity, but it also heightened our communal identity. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-795386

Jewish atheist David Baddiel makes a case for God

Jerusalem Post Despite professing to be a diehard atheist, the Jewish-British comedian wishes he believed in God, even though he is dead certain Hashem doesn’t exist. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-795172

Rabbi, what do you surf? How ultra-Orthodox Jews use the news, Internet

Jerusalem Post Author Yoel Cohen draws upon surveys of Israeli rabbis about attitudes toward, and usage of, information and media, in particular new media. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-795159

When Hamas attacked on October 7, three female rabbis responded

Jerusalem Post Three leaders, three communities, three stories of resilience: How three female Reform rabbis acted on October 7. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-795155

Rabbi says you can pray for Kate Middleton’s health despite her not being Jewish

Jerusalem Post Even though Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, isn’t Jewish, Jews are allowed to pray for her health as she battles cancer, Rabbi Binyamin Shmueli said. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-795146

Eclipses and spiritual causes: Jewish perspectives

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-795116

Rabbi Pinto inspired thousands at the Noam Elimelech’s tomb

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-794888

New Hebrew letter from Dead Sea Scrolls announced in Language Academy April Fools joke

Jerusalem Post While assumed to be a light-hearted joke, the post provides a practical solution to a sound that the current Aleph Bet doesn’t cover. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-794700

From Morocco to Poland: Rabbi Pinto’s journey of prayer

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-794546

What Rambam can teach us about the draft law crisis

Jerusalem Post Threats from the Chief Rabbinate that the hundreds of thousands of Torah mediocrities will leave Israel rather than be drafted are an abomination, especially during this war for Israel’s existence. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-794425