Prologue Journal

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

Parashat Shoftim: Our home is on loan

Jerusalem Post In this week’s parasha, Shoftim, we come across one of the most important commandments/mitzvot related to the environment. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-755173

Parashat Shoftim: Values and power

Jerusalem Post Anyone who wields power must bear in mind the ethical teachings of the prophets, recognizing that values take precedence over power, and should guide those in power. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-755171

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and the US

Jerusalem Post See Shabbat times for your area. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-755275

Israel prepares for Selichot at Western Wall with thousands set to attend

Jerusalem Post The Western Wall Heritage Foundation noted that is expecting thousands of visitors to attend Selichot events at the Western Wall, also known as the Kotel, every night during the month. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-755215

The secret of the month of Elul: “Unconditional togetherness and love”

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-754803

A meeting of resilience: Biden’s encounter and Rosh Hashanah’s message

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-754663

How the Bible anticipated Israel’s fight over the judiciary

Jerusalem Post Parashat Shoftim, part of a long section of legal instructions given by Moses to the people of Israel, sets up three seats of power: a king, a judiciary and a sort of proto-legislature. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-754635

Jews have a toddler’s understanding of God – opinion

Jerusalem Post We are introduced to concepts such as God when we are in preschool and never allow ourselves to develop more sophisticated notions. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-754353

Kosher food: A definitive key ingredient of Jewish identity – opinion

Jerusalem Post While the specific laws of kashrut are mysterious, the broader notion of regulating our diet is obvious. Kosher dietary laws always forged Jewish identity. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-754355

Parashat Re’eh: Nachshon was pushed!

Jerusalem Post Like Nachshon, we are the ones who cross over to the other side. Our name, Ivrim (Hebrews), comes from the three-letter root ayin-vet-resh, which means “to cross over.” https://www.jpost.com/judaism/torah-portion/article-754365