Torah, The

Cyberspace, outer space, inner space. Genome maps, globalization. Smart cards, smart bombs, stem cells and cell phones. . . . Should we still need to subscribe to an ancient code of laws, when we are so further advanced than our ancestors?

Our Sages differentiate between the rational mitzvot (mishpatim) and the supra-rational mitzvot (chukim); a third, intermediate category are the "testimonial" or commemorative mitzvot (eidot). But in essence, says the Rebbe, the most rational mishpat is a...

In this day and age, most of the military is used for helping people around the world, reminiscent of Isaiah’s prophecy about the time of Moshiach.

Why to do a mitzvah that makes sense

The name of our parshah is Mishpatim, which means "laws." There are several words for "law" in Hebrew. All have a similar meaning, but a slightly different nuance. Mishpatim, or "judgements," means laws which can easily be un...

Parshat Mishpatim begins, "And these are the laws that ‘tasim’ [you shall set] ‘lifnayhem’ [before them]." Exodus 21:1. On the word lifnayhem, there are several different explanations. One of the explanations of the Talmud Talmud, Gittin 88b. is brought b...

How do I demonstrate proper gratitude for the gifts with which I have been endowed?

Exodus 21:1-24:18

Did you know that G-d would rather you cooked pork chops than a cheeseburger? That’s right. There is no biblical injunction against cooking pork—although eating it is absolutely forbidden... But it is forbidden to even cook meat together with milk.

Whenever they arrest a murderer or deviant, you can be sure that a fleet of trained mouthpieces will portray the perpetrator as a victim of a miserable childhood or genetic predisposition to violence. Is there truth to these assertions?