The Power of Prayer
Why the uncommon term for prayer for Moses’ appeal to G-d to allow him to enter the Land of Israel. Rashi, as recorded in the manuscripts, sheds light on the interpretation.
View Article“Be Wholehearted with G-d”
The Torah commands us against seeking out diviners, soothsayers and sorcerers. Rather, we should be “Tamim” (wholehearted) with G-d. Exploring the different interpretations of Tamim based on the...
View ArticleThe Ethics of Usury
A closer look into Rashi’s commentary on the prohibition to borrow money with interest as elucidated through examining varying nuances in ancient manuscripts.
View ArticleThe Creation of Light
Exploring various interpretations of the light created on the first day and how it differs from the luminaries created on the fourth day of creation, with special attention to Rashi’s commentary as...
View ArticleWhen Abraham Challenges G-d
A closer look at the manner in which Abraham approached G-d to reconsider destroying the cities of Sodom. Examining the commentary of Rashi, as recorded in the manuscripts, sheds light on the narrative.
View ArticleWere the Patriarchs Noahides or Israelites?
A detailed analysis of the Torah status of the Patriarchs and the 12 Tribes. Were they merely in the category of Noahides with extra personal commitments or did they actually convert to be Jewish?...
View Article"These Are the Generations of Isaac"
A closer look at the opening narrative in the Torah portion of Toldot about Isaac and his offspring—examining the differencing approaches in the commentaries, with special emphasis on Rash’s...
View ArticleThe Parable of a Pearl in the Sand
The Torah portion begins with Jacob’s return to his father’s home, “And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojourning…These are the generations of Jacob… Following a brief overview of the...
View ArticleThe Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
The verse statses: “Pharaoh’s heart is heavy (kaved); he has refused to let the people out.” A closer look at the two interpretations of the word Kaved found in the commentaries, and the reason Rashi...
View ArticleContribute to the Tabernacle for My Sake
G-d tells Moses to instruct the people to take for Me an offering i.e. contributions towards building the Mishkan. Explore Rashi’s terse commentary on the words “take for me”, through the lens of the...
View ArticleG-d Calling Moses
Analysis of Rashi's first comment on the book of Leviticus – G-d calling Moses prior to speaking to him – through the lens of ancient manuscripts of Rashi.
View ArticleThe Foreign Fire of Aaron’s Two Sons
Why were the sons of Aaron punished? What exactly was their sin? Rashi, as recorded in the Manuscrips, sheds light on this curious episode.
View ArticleThe Utilization of the Talmud in English Affairs During the Middle Ages
The story of Henry VIII of England's set of Talmud and how he attempted to use it to influence English Law.
View ArticleThe Bomberg Talmud: A Brief Introduction
: The fascinating story of how the Talmud was arranged into the iconic layout we use to this day.
View ArticleHasidism in the 18th Century – Bridging the Divide
What is the distinction between Hasidism and Mitnagdim? What caused the emergence of these groups? And where in the general Hasidic movement, does Chabad-Lubavitch stand?
View ArticleThe Principle of Non-Discrimination in Jewish Law
When is a law applied across the board? And when would we differentiate? A dispute between Rabbi Moses of London and Rabbi Berachiah of Oxford.
View ArticleWhy the Torah Details the Journeys from Egypt
Why is the list of encampments repeated? Rashi seems to offer two different reasons; his choice of commentary is better understood upon analysis of six early manuscripts of Rashi.
View ArticleMaimonides on Equality and the Problem of Expensive Tastes
To what degree should markets be regulated? To what degree must the community cater to the needs of the destitute? These questions are already debated in the Talmud. An interesting ruling by...
View ArticleRashi's Commentary on Esther in the Supercommentary of Rabbi Menachem M....
Does Rashi lean toward Midrashik and Talmudic interpretation? Or does he attempt to uncover the simple reading of Esther?
View ArticleAs the Hart Panteth after the Water Brooks (Psalm 42:2)
Jewish New Year reflections on an Oxford college coat of arms. as based on Psalm 42.
View ArticleRabbi Sacks on Lighting One Chanukah Candle From Another
An analysis of a discussion in the Talmud and it's theological ramifications.
View ArticleA Brief Overview of the Most Important Manuscript of Mishneh Torah
The Manuscript known as Huntigton 80
View Article"I and No Other" in Jewish Mysticism
'It is I, and none other’ in the Haggadah text through the eyes of Rabbi Jacob Emden, Rabbi Schneur Zalman o Liadi, and Rabbi Shalom Dovber Schneersohn.
View ArticleRashi on the Book of Ruth in the Supercommentary of the Rebbe
What is the Chabad custom regarding the reading of the book Ruth?
View ArticleThe Commentary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe on Maimonides' Mishneh Torah and on...
The unique approach of the Rebbe, as applied to these two classic works.
View ArticleRosh Hashanah in Medieval England
How small differences in the text of Etz Chaim by Rabbi Jacob ben Judah of London illuminates Jewish practice in Medieval England.
View ArticleThe Unknown Piyyut Ki Anu Amecha
Exploring this piyyut through the eyes of the Hebrew manuscript collection of the Bodleian Library, Oxford
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View ArticleThe 18th Century Jewish Mystical Work 'Tanya' in Manuscript
An analysis of the manuscript of Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi's Tanya early edition, held at the British Library, London.
View ArticlePurim and the 18th-Century English Sephardic Controversy
How Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Ashkenazi (the Chacham Tzvi) defended the view of Rabbi David Nieto, Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community in London in the 18th century. Does nature reflect G-d?
View ArticleRediscovering Rashi's Method in the Hagaddah
How the Rebbe reframed Rashi's approach to the Biblical texts of the Haggadah
View ArticleRemembering the Exodus Each Day
With unique insights gleaned from manuscript versions of the Mishneh Torah, held at the Bodleian Libary, Oxford, and the Tanya, preserved at the British Library.
View ArticleMaimonides on the Sounding of the Shofar
Analysis through the lens of manuscripts of Mishneh Torah held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
View ArticleWhat is the Basic Mitzvah of Chanukah?
A study of a manuscript of the Talmud at the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
View ArticleRashi as Only Peshat in the Supercommentary of the Rebbe
Is Rashi coming to explain the simple meaning of the text?
View ArticleRosh Hashanah as a Day of Celebration
An analysis of the Oxford manuscript of the 16th Venetian Rabbi, Elijah Menachem Chalfan (MS Opp. 722)
View ArticleProphecy in the Thought of Maimonides - Maimonides' Mishneh Torah in...
How a variation in the Oxford Manuscript of Mishneh Torah sheds light on Maimonides position on prophecy.
View ArticleMegillat Esther in Manuscript
An interesting look at early manuscripts of the Megillah of Esther and its commentaries housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
View ArticleThe Unconditional Promise of the Exodus
Must a prophecy come true? Can G-d retract a promise? Exploring Maimonides' Mishneh Torah in manuscript.
View ArticleMaimonides' Mishneh Torah in Manuscript
Textual analysis of fascinating manuscripts housed in Oxford's Bodleian Library, some written in Maimonides' own hand.
View ArticleThe Unique Prophecy of Moses According to Maimonides - Mishneh Torah in...
A divergence in an authenticated manuscript, highlights the importance of a single letter.
View ArticleKol Nidrei in Manuscript
A look at the development of this iconic prayer based on manuscripts housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, one of the largest collections of Hebraic manuscripts in the world.
View ArticleThe Biblical Commentary of Rashi in Manuscript
A fascinating look at the manuscripts of Rashi found in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Drawing conclusions from variations in the text.
View ArticleThe Laws of Kindling the Menorah as Seen Through the Manuscripts
The history of the evolution of laws for the kindling of the Chanukah Menorah, as detailed in manuscripts found in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.
View ArticleParshah and Manuscript
Exploring a commentary of Rashi on the parsha, examining discrepancies between the printed version of Rashi and an ancient manuscript housed in the Bodleian Library, Oxford, and offering possible...
View ArticleWhat Does the Silver Half Shekel Signify?
An examination of Rashi’s commentary on contributing a half shekel and a closer look at some discrepancies between our printed version of Rashi and an ancient manuscript housed in the Bodleian Library,...
View ArticleMishkan, Mishkan: Why the Double Expression?
An analysis of Rashi’s second commentary in Parshat Pekudei, which addresses the repetition of the word Mishkan, and examining the nuances of the printed version in contrast to other manuscripts....
View ArticlePurim in the Drashot of R. Joshua Ibn Shuaib
A Purim insight from Sifrei Kabbalah Al HaTorah, manuscript MS. Opp. 722, housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford.
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