Article Archive

Baseless Hatred, Tisha B’Av, and the Gaza War

By Jonathan Katz | August 5, 2014

During the Nine Days preceding Tisha B’Av, the 25-hour fast commemorating the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem,we reflect on baseless hatred (sinat chinam). The Talmud teaches us that it was the baseless hatred among the people Israel that partially brought about the destruction of the Second Temple. (Along with, you know, high-level political drama…

St Patrick’s Day or the Fast of Esther?

By ahowie | March 14, 2011

On college campuses this week, we’re all gearing up for two very important holidays: St Patrick’s Day — with lots of green beer — and Purim — with lots of wine and other substances. Sadly, however, there is the little known Fast of Esther that coincides with St. Patty’s Day this year, which leads to…