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Yitzchak Besser

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Jan 31, 2018, 1:21 AM

Trees, transformation, and Tu B’Shevat

Religions, like trees, have lifecycles. They change with the times. Some elements fade away, while others grow with new life. Ironically, Judaism’s holiday for the trees is itself bound up in our faith’s ever-evolving lifecycle. This symbol of renewal...

Jan 3, 2018, 11:03 PM

To rebel in defense

Witness the curse of wild rebellion: “Their wares are weapons of murder. In their conspiracies, let not my soul enter. Into their congregations, let not my honor be joined.” These are the words I heard in synagogue last Saturday listening...

Dec 19, 2017, 8:45 AM

We make our own miracles

A Hanukkah menorah (Flash90)

The Maccabees sighed, rolled up their sleeves, and got to work as a community -- which earned them God's blessing

Nov 5, 2017, 4:22 PM

The greatest crime in history

On November 1, 2017, the official news agency of the Palestinian Authority wrote that the United Kingdom had perpetrated “the greatest crime in history.” What was London’s alleged offense? The signing of the Balfour Declaration, one hundred years ago. Thankfully,...

Oct 4, 2017, 11:14 PM

If I were a gambling man, I’d bet that the 12th-century Jewish philosopher Maimonides must have loved Sukkot, the holiday in which we leave our houses for temporary huts called "sukkot" (the plural form of the word "sukkah"). Maimonides was...

Oct 3, 2017, 7:33 AM

On the Jewish New Year, we read the story of Hannah, a barren woman who struggled for years to conceive a child. After finally giving birth to a son, she sang out in praise to God. In discussing Hannah’s song,...

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About Me

Yitzchak Besser is a writer, researcher, and communications consultant. He was an editor at The Jerusalem Post for three years.