Discoveries and disappointments, rumors and accusations, fraudsters and conspiracies—along with an adventurous journey across the dusty roads of Turkey. This is the story of a controversy that shook the world of Torah study and academic research 120 years ago.
Ghosts, Evil Spirits and Kabbalistic Teachings: A Very Ashkenazi Christmas
“Nittel Nacht” is an Ashkenazi Jewish term for Christmas Eve. Although it is certainly not a Jewish holiday, it has, in very particular Jewish communities, become a night marked by strange and even provocative customs. Where did these Nittel Nacht traditions come from, and how are they connected to historical attempts to protect oneself from the forces of darkness?
The Three Jewish Monsters Charged With Saving the World
How is the balance in nature maintained? Well, with the help of three monsters from Jewish mythology, of course! One that lives in the sea, one that moves through the air and another that roams the earth. Naturally, no other creature dares to mess with these guys…
Separation: The Origin of the Women’s Section in the Synagogue
Some of us find it hard to believe that in Talmudic times women and men prayed together in the synagogue. When did a separate gallery for women become mandatory in Orthodox synagogues, and how did the separation of men and women in the prayer service come about?
A Peek into Paradise: What Can Medieval Manuscripts Teach Us about Adam and Eve?
Was the serpent originally a form of ape? What fruit did the first sinners eat? And how does Lilith figure into the story? These intriguing questions have stirred the imaginations of illustrators of Hebrew manuscripts throughout history
Mythical Dwarfs and Garden Gnomes – the Jewish Connection
Is there a connection between the pointed hat worn by mythical dwarfs and gnomes and the hats once worn by the Jews of Europe?
The Strange Connection Between a Medieval Shopping List and a Divorce Contract
A shopping list found among the treasures of the Cairo Genizah was scrawled on the back of a rather important document.
Revealed: How Hanukkah Was Celebrated a Thousand Years Ago
We collected a few greetings and well-wishes for the holiday that were found in the famous Cairo Genizah
Rare: A Remnant of One of the Oldest Yom Kippur Prayer Books in the World
A glimpse at a remnant from an 11th century prayer book discovered in the Cairo Genizah
What Can You Find in the World’s Oldest Yiddish Letter? Exactly What You Would Expect
Looking for proof that nothing ever changes? In this ancient letter a mother complains to her son that he doesn’t write to her often enough… Sound familiar?
