10 texts
The ancient wisdom literature of Ben Sira, a book of practical and moral advice, has some seriously pointed things to say about that. It's like a friend pulling you aside and givin...
Ben Sira, that ancient sage, knew the feeling well. In his wisdom book, he gives us some pretty direct advice on navigating power, friendships, and even just plain survival. He sta...
I'm talking about the Letter of Aristeas. It's an incredible text that purports to describe how the Septuagint, that famous Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, came to be. But t...
It’s about Job, of course, and his friends. We all know the story. Job, the righteous man, suffers unimaginable hardship. But how did his friends, living far away, even know to com...
We all know Job. His story is a testament to faith tested by unimaginable suffering. But beyond the trials, Job’s story is a profound exploration of human understanding, or rather,...
Rabbi Avshalom the Elder told a parable to explain why God responded to Moses' extended prayer at the Red Sea with what seemed like impatience. The parable captures the tenderness ...
Reish Lakish was a bandit. He was also, according to Bava Metzia 84a, one of the most physically imposing men alive—a gladiator, a highwayman, a man who lived by violence. Then he ...
A man decided to divorce his wife. On paper, this was his right — Jewish law permitted a husband to initiate divorce proceedings under certain circumstances. But this man had a pro...
Two friends loved the same woman. This is the setup for one of the most painful dilemmas in human experience — and the Jewish version of the story resolves it with an act of sacrif...
A man was accused of a crime he did not commit. He faced execution, disgrace, and the destruction of his family's name. His friend, knowing the truth — knowing the accused man was ...
