by Rami ben Ze'ev The Hidden Wound and the Hidden Fire The discussion in Chullin 44 revolves around an animal that appears healthy from the outside but is discovered upon examination to possess a fatal internal defect. The lesson is obvious on the surface: appearances can deceive. Yet beneath the legal discussion lies a profound teaching about how we view ourselves and others. Human beings are often experts at judging what they can see and remarkably poor at understanding wha

by Rami ben Ze'ev The Antidote to Anxiety Trusting the One Who Walks Beside Us Earlier, I came across a post: “One cause of anxiety and anguish is low self-esteem. When one feels worthless or unremarkable, depression is not far off.” There is certainly truth in that observation. A person who sees little value in themselves can become overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, fear, and despair. Yet it reminded me of a lesson taught to me years ago by my Rabbi, a lesson that has r

by Rami ben Ze'ev The Foundation Beneath the Home In modern discussions about society, much is said about the importance of the nuclear family. Politicians speak of it. Social commentators defend it. Researchers point to its benefits for children and communities. By the nuclear family, they usually mean a husband, a wife, and their children living together as a single household. There is certainly wisdom in recognising the value of a stable home. Judaism has always regarded m

by Rami ben Ze'ev Reports from Israel indicate that Israeli singer, composer, and pianist Yonatan Razel suffered a stroke and was hospitalised at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. His family has asked the public to pray for him using the name Yonatan Adi ben Chaya Rachel. More recent reports state that he is conscious and receiving treatment, while prayers continue throughout Israel and the Jewish world for his recovery. For many people, Yonatan’s music has never been

by Rami ben Ze'ev The Masquerade of Modern Identity: What Torah Teaches About Cross-Dressing and Transgenderism In every generation, society finds new ways to challenge the boundaries established by G-D. Some challenges come openly, while others arrive wrapped in the language of compassion, self-expression, or personal identity. One of the most significant examples of our generation is the growing normalisation of cross-dressing and so-called transgender behaviour. The Torah'

by Rami ben Ze'ev A nation cannot claim to welcome Jews while criminalising one of the oldest and most fundamental commandments of Judaism Belgium’s Assault on Brit Milah Is an Assault on Jewish Life For more than eight centuries, Jews have lived in Belgium. They have contributed to its commerce, culture, scholarship, medicine, science, and public life. Today, approximately 30,000 Jews remain in the country. Yet many increasingly find themselves asking a difficult question: i

by Rami ben Ze'ev Norway's Antisemitism Report Reveals More Than It Intends To Norway has published a report documenting what many Jews already knew: antisemitism has risen dramatically since October 7, 2023, and many Norwegian Jews no longer feel comfortable openly identifying as Jews. The report, Jewish Life and Antisemitism in Norway, (published in Norwegian language, with an English summary) reveals that Jewish children experience exclusion at school, Jewish families incr

by Rami ben Ze’ev JTA’s Dangerous Reinvention of Idolatry as Judaism There is a profound difference between reporting on history and redefining Judaism. The recent article published by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, authored by Andrew Silow-Carroll and titled “Jewish psychics and wonder rabbis are the stars of a new museum exhibit,” crosses that line repeatedly. Rather than clearly distinguishing between Torah Judaism and the superstitions, occult practices, and folk beliefs

by Rami ben Ze’ev Rupert Lowe Wants to “Restore Britain” — By Attacking Jews Before a single policy is examined, before a single slogan is repeated, before a single promise is applauded, one question must be answered: How does a sitting Member of Parliament who aspires to lead Britain fail to understand the legal structure of his own political organisation? Restore Britain Ltd, company number 16514233, was incorporated as a private company limited by shares with Rupert Lowe a