Sefer Torah

In a time of uncertainty, European Jews renovate synagogues, dedicate Torah scrolls

Facing rising antisemitism, European Jewish communities are choosing action over despair, rededicating historic synagogues and Torah scrolls from Vienna to Leipzig in a powerful push for renewal.

|ByTOBY AXELROD/JTA
Vienna Jews celebrating the renovation of the Stadttempel synagogue walk a new Torah scroll through the streets, Vienna, Sept. 9, 2026.
SORCERERS, MAGICIANS, diviners: The Torah rejects them all.

Parashat Shoftim: Wholehearted – and well

“Wholeheartedness is greater than wisdom, but great wisdom is required of a Jew before he reaches the level of ‘You shall be wholehearted with the Lord your God.’” - Rabbi Naftali of Ropshitz.

|ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ
The sefer torah.

How a Connecticut Torah scroll traveled 50 years, and thousands of miles, to make aliyah - opinion

A closing Connecticut synagogue, a chance Facebook connection, and a retired rabbi helped a Torah scroll dedicated to a young boy complete its journey to Jerusalem.

|ByBARBARA SOFER
Synagogue ACCIL.

Twelve Torah scrolls stolen in targeted antisemitic break-in at synagogue near Paris

"It was with shock and anger that I learned this morning that the Jewish community of Levallois had been struck at what is most sacred and precious to it," said Levallois Mayor Agnès Pottier-Dumas.

|ByMATHILDA HELLER

On the divine compromise

God therefore precisely chose the exact words, stories and laws in order to best give over the Divine directive.

NOVEMBER 29, 2017ByAHARON E. WEXLER
THIS RELIEF at Beit Hatfutsot – The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv – likens the development of Oral Law to a river’s course. According to the museum, ‘it starts as a small stream (upper part) whose gentle ow gradually becomes a strong current in the spiritual landscape of the Jewish people

The mission of Rachel’s nurse Deborah

This journey was full of hardships.

NOVEMBER 29, 2017ByRABBI SHMUEL RABINOWITZ
ALBRECHT DÜRER’S engraving of Adam and Eve from 1504AN ELDERLY Isaac blesses Jacob with Rebekah in the background in this 1638 painting by Dutch artist Govert Flinck

Les tribulations d’un Sefer Torah

L’histoire d’un rouleau sacré qui a survécu à l’Europe nazie

OCTOBER 8, 2017ByWERNER SALMON
Ruines de la synagogue de Hombourg