"What would happen if you treated the #DeclarationofIndependence the way #Jewish tradition treats its own foundational texts — as documents to be pored and argued over, and put in conversation with ancient sources?

That’s the idea of “#Talmud of #America,” a collection of four #essays #published by the #PardesInstitute of #JewishStudies, and #Faith250, the brainchild of #Rabbi #MichaelHolzman of Northern #Virginia.

“The #Torah is a living document,” Rabbi #LeonMorris, president of #Pardes, told me recently. “Classic Jewish texts have something fresh and relevant to say about everything — including the Declaration of Independence.”

The four essays in “#TalmudofAmerica” — on equality, on “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” on the right of rebellion and on ideas of sacrifice and civic engagement — are written by Pardes #faculty members #YiscahSmith, #LeahRosenthal, #DavidIBernstein and Rabbi #RahelBerkovits."

https://www.jta.org/2026/06/07/ideas/as-america-turns-250-a-talmud-of-america-reads-u-s-history-through-a-jewish-lens

"In #medieval #Europe, #Jewish scholars were summoned before #Christian authorities and forced to defend the #Talmud against claims that it said things it didn’t. The proceedings, called disputations, were rarely fair and not exactly voluntary.

#HenryRaz, 17, is a #highschool junior in #MarinCounty trying to counter a flood of online videos that claim the Talmud exposes secrets Jewish leaders want to keep hidden and permits #Jews to deceive and kill non-Jews. To #Raz, it looks like the same dynamic as the medieval disputations, adapted to the age of social media algorithms. That’s why he started a #YouTube channel called “#Disputations.”

https://jweekly.com/2026/06/04/marin-teen-is-debunking-lies-about-the-talmud-on-youtube/

Shalom, friends!
Doing rituals with kavanah, intent, is so important. But is it always absolutely essential? What if you accidentally complete a ritual due to extenuating circumstances, like, um… gravity? Or having a truly terrible friend? Let’s dive in…to this #talmud debate! Welcome to #DafReactions Chullin 31: The Accidental Mikvah 🌊😱
#mikveh #DafYomi

https://youtu.be/S6Fynu-xqQc

"#Judaism has long had an ambivalent and at times contradictory approach to #astrology, the practice of discerning the influence of celestial bodies on human destiny.

On the one hand, the claim that the stars exert a direct influence on individuals and world events would seem to cut against the core #Jewish belief in #freewill. The #Torah also forbids efforts to foretell the future. However, #Jews throughout history have believed that the heavenly bodies influence events on earth. References to astrology are found throughout the #Talmud, and several works of astrology were subsequently penned by major #rabbinic figures. Jewish thinkers across history have tried to reconcile these two beliefs, while others have rejected astrology outright."

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-astrology/

From Hadran:
Join the #SukkahChallenge!

A Meaningful & Inspiring Learning Journey

This summer, we invite you to set a meaningful goal and complete a masechet with us.

The #SukkahChallenge is a focused learning program tailored to your personal schedule, designed to help you finish Masechet Sukkah right before the chagim.

📝 Starting: Monday, June 1st

4 days a week - anywhere, anytime, at your own pace.

WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KUdkBubESta9sXkMmvCdxW

#Mazeldon #Judaism #Jewish #Sukkot #JewishEducation #Talmud

RaiNews: In Cisgiordiania una mano sul Talmud e una pistola in tasca

Parla Daniela Weiss, ideologa dei coloni israeliani: “Questa è una delle nostre colonie. Altre ne arriveranno. Abbiamo sei nuclei pronti ad insediarsi a Gaza”

In the West Bank, a hand on the Talmud and a gun in the pocket.

Daniela Weiss, ideologue of the Israeli settlers, says: “This is one of our colonies. Others will arrive. We have six nuclei ready to settle in Gaza.”

#theWestBank #Talmud #DanielaWeiss #Israeli

https://www.rainews.it/video/2026/05/reportage-cisgiordiania-mano-sul-talmud-pistola-in-tasca-d692ace6-7fae-4ad6-b5fd-08063ea4ca5f.html

Shalom, friends!
Today’s page of #Talmud legit asked me to ponder: could shechita ever use the creative stylings of John Wick, Rube Goldberg… or Jigsaw? 😬
Plus! Discover why I’ll never think of Rav Pappa as the “small fried fish” guy ever again. 👀
Welcome to #DafReactions Chullin 16: Your Teacher Was a Reed Cutter in the Swamp

#DafYomi

https://youtu.be/XAMs_tLb_GU

#DafReactions Chullin 16: Your Teacher Was a Reed Cutter in the Swamp
#MiriamAnzovin

Shalom, friends!
Today’s page of #Talmud legit asked me to consider: could shechita ever use the creative stylings of John Wick, Rube Goldberg… or Jigsaw?
Plus! Discover why I’ll never think of Rav Pappa as the “small fried fish” guy ever again. 👀

https://youtu.be/XAMs_tLb_GU?si=rtzgyrCDj9Guk6XE