In recent months, the archive of Rabbi Mordechai Ben Yehuda Ha-Cohen of Tripoli has been cataloged and made accessible at the National Library of Israel. He was a scholar, halakhic jurist, and significant chronicler of Libyan Jewry in the early 20th century. Professor Harvey E. Goldberg, a researcher of Libyan Jewry who edited Mordechai Ha-Cohen’s book, “Higgid Mordechai”, shares the story of an exceptional rabbi and Renaissance man.
The Goldziher Library: A Scholarly Treasure Revealed
A monumental collection containing books, manuscripts, papers and letters belonging to Ignaz Goldziher, the esteemed Hungarian-Jewish scholar of Islam, has now been fully cataloged – a century after its arrival at the National Library of Israel.
A Sukkah Made of Fruit? On Samaritan Sukkahs
Why do Samaritans build a sukkah out of fruit, where can they be found, and what happens to all the fruit when the holiday is over? A look at the Sukkot customs of Israel’s Samaritan community.
The Legacy of the Etrog Man
One particular Yemenite-Israeli family has become synonymous with the famous fruit we are obliged to bless during the festival of Sukkot
My White Dress: Why Do Jews Wear White on Holidays?
During the holiday season, most of us will likely arrive at synagogue or at the family meal dressed in white, praying that no red wine or beet juice gets sprayed on our dresses and shirts. In fact, some Jewish men will be showing up at synagogue wearing a striking white robe – an introduction to the “kittel”.
Michal Admoni: Overcoming Difficulty and Writing a Better Life
Michal Admoni endured a great deal of suffering and difficulty in her life, after a medical procedure left her disabled. Writing became her refuge, a means of self-realization, and a remedy for her pain. She shared her insights and love with others—both her readers and her neighbors in Kfar Aza, who used to come to her porch seeking encouragement and comfort through conversation. On October 7, she was murdered with her son Guy, just before she finished writing her third book.
Tari Kipnis: A Kibutznik and an Artist, to the Very End
Tari Kipnis was born near the sea and sailed around the world – only to settle in Kibbutz Be’eri with his beloved Lilach. He lived and breathed art and never stopped looking for ways to create it. When he was stricken with a chronic neurological disease, he began to paint. On October 7, he was murdered with his wife and his caretaker Paul – but he left behind breathtaking paintings, including those which tell the story of the Gaza border region.
