Essays
The Hard Cases: When Divine Morality Confronts Human Reality
Exploring the Torah’s Hard Cases: Lessons on Justice, Mercy, and the Limits of Human Understanding Amid Conflict and Dependence.
Torah Meirahתורה מאירה
A Judaism of nobility, responsibility and excellence, that lights up the person and the world.
A weekly essay on the parasha, with questions for the Shabbat table. The beautiful Judaism: deep, pleasant and proud.
By David Raitan
Latest essays
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Essays
The Dynamic Balance of Torah and Ethics
How Halakhah Integrates Divine Law with Moral Sensitivity
Essays
Is the Torah Ethical?
Navigating the Torah’s Moral Tension: When Eternal Law Meets the Evolving Human Conscience.
Nice to meet you
I am David Raitan. Every week I study the parasha in depth and write what it lit up for me, from the Rambam to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, out of a belief that Judaism is a life of nobility, responsibility and excellence. Torah Meirah is where I share that learning, and invite you to learn with me.
More about meWhat we stand for
01
Beauty
Her ways are ways of pleasantness
A deep and pleasant Judaism, without noise or fluff. Keeping halacha while understanding the why.
02
Pride
The Bible that built the world
Human dignity, freedom, responsibility, a day of rest: the values of the West were born in the Torah.
03
Responsibility
Radical responsibility
Don't wait for others. Enlighten, help, care. A life of holiness is itself a kiddush Hashem.
04
Excellence
Serving God with everything
In learning, work, giving, dress and manners. A Judaism engaged with the world, not withdrawn from it.
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Why Does God Need a Reminder?
The Servants of the King
Sukkot 5787
The weekly letter
The weekly essay on the parasha, with questions for the Shabbat table. No spam.
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A thought, a question or an idea? I would love to hear it. I am learning too, and I read every message.