By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
That the number of novels featuring golems – creatures of dirt/clay brought to life by means of a magical formula– has been increasing with the rise of antisemitism is no surprise. Having a creature to protect us from those who would do us harm is something most…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
I know that when some readers see that the books I’m reviewing are for teens/tweens, they figure the works have nothing to offer them and turn the page. However, the novels in this review aren’t only for the young and young at heart. “The Judgment of Yoyo Gold…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
A growing trend within the Modern Orthodox movement allows women to study halachic (legalistic) sources, such as the Talmud and other writings, so they can better understand not only how to follow Jewish law accurately, but be informed about the discussions and reas…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
“Eight Very Bad Nights”
The Oxford Languages dictionary defines noir as “a genre of crime film or fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism, and moral ambiguity.” Readers might wonder what noir could possibly have to do with Hanukkah, which is a festiva…
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
The Oxford Dictionary defines the term dystopia as “an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.” That term describes two recent novels – “The Third Temple” by Yishai S…
