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Bible study

Japanese biblical Hebrew scholar Takamitsu Muraoka in Jerusalem on December 30, 2008. (Courtesy of Matthew Morgenstern)
February 16, 2026, 5:51 pm
Takamitsu Muraoka, Japanese pioneer of Dead Sea Scrolls Hebrew studies, dies at 88
A prominent specialist in Semitic languages, Muraoka was proud to describe himself as the first Japanese student to complete a PhD at the Hebrew University
By Rossella Tercatin
In her new book, Beth Berkowitz explores the way biblical laws invite a conversation about animals and what their family ties can teach us. (University of California Press via JTA)
February 6, 2026, 4:28 pm
A new book looks at Jewish law’s relationship with animal family bonds
In ‘What Animals Teach Us About Families,’ Prof. Beth Berkowitz of Barnard College delves into commandments involving mother birds, baby goats – and ethics, if not empathy
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in his study in an undated photo (Koren Publishers)
September 1, 2025, 4:52 am
Posthumous Bible commentary by ex-UK chief rabbi seeks to unseat a synagogue staple
‘Ethical insights that apply to people’s everyday lives’: Five years after Jonathan Sacks died suddenly from cancer, Koren Publishers releases commentary culled from his works that it believes sets a new standard
By Zev Stub
Detail from an illustration from 'Qohelet: Searching for a Life Worth Living,' by Israeli philosopher Menachem Fisch and American artist Debra Band. (Courtesy)
October 18, 2024, 12:14 pm
This Sukkot, a new book gives a daring – and beautiful – reassessment of Ecclesiastes
In ‘Qohelet: Searching for a Life Worth Living,’ Israeli philosopher Menachem Fisch and American artist Debra Band paint the ancient eponymous text in a more optimistic light
By Rich Tenorio
Christian students enrolled in the master's program for Jewish studies at Yeshiva University read a piece of text from the book of Shemot, or Exodus, while on a tour of the campus guided by Jewish educators. (Courtesy Yeshiva University via JTA)
August 17, 2023, 3:35 am
Yeshiva University launches master’s program for Christian students
The 2-year track at the Modern Orthodox flagship is being called an ‘experiment,’ but what’s certain is that it reflects a growing Evangelical interest in Jewish practices
By Jackie Hajdenberg
A side-by-side comparison of the 1985 edition of the JPS Tanakh and the 2023 gender-sensitive edition demonstrates slight changes in the English translation. (Design by Jackie Hajdenberg via JTA)
May 31, 2023, 5:51 pm
Backlash over ‘gender-sensitive’ Hebrew Bible translation that uses ‘God,’ not ‘He’
New online edition of the Tanach available via Sefaria doesn’t use either masculine or feminine pronouns for God
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Illustration from the 13th century Morgan Bible, of David bringing the Ark into Jerusalem. (Public domain)
December 17, 2022, 10:05 am
How priests, prophets and kings united Israel in monotheism and codified the Torah
In ‘The Book of Revolutions,’ Rabbi Edward Feld analyzes three of the Bible’s main precepts, written over hundreds of years and later compiled by exiled priests in Babylon
By Rich Tenorio
Michelangelo's fresco 'La Creazione' ('The Creation') on the ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
June 5, 2022, 2:32 pm
Is God circumcised? How people in ancient times viewed the Heavenly Body
In new book, Francesca Stavrakopoulou displays God as portrayed by His early worshipers: with genitals, passions, powers – and a penchant for the monstrous
By Rich Tenorio
Baruch Levine speaks at Yale Divinity School in October 2004. At left is his commentary on the book of Numbers. (YouTube; Yale University Press via JTA)
December 22, 2021, 3:41 pm
Baruch Levine, NYU Judaic studies professor and Bible scholar, dies at 91
The Cleveland native played a central role in developing what became the Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Gerard van Honthorst, 'Adoration of the Shepherds,' 1622. 'The Bible With and Without Jesus' looks at verses that can be interpreted to predict Jesus's birth. (Public domain)
December 25, 2020, 4:32 pm
The Bible without Jesus? How two faiths can read the same text in dissonant ways
Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Brettler parse opposing interpretations Jews and Christians have of the same Bible, and make the argument that religion doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game
By Rich Tenorio
Ethiopian Bible manuscript from circa 15th century. (Faitlovitch Collection at TAU)
October 23, 2020, 1:58 pm
Scholarly SWAT team forged to rescue endangered Ethiopian Jewish oral tradition
Tel Aviv University’s new ‘Orit Guardians’ is world’s only graduate program to focus on Ethiopian Jewish scriptures; will train Ethiopian-Israeli student to record oral tradition
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Rabbi Joshua Berman. (Courtesy)
May 28, 2020, 12:06 pm
Orthodoxy can withstand an unflinching, academic look at the Bible, says scholar
In new book ‘Ani Maamin,’ Bar-Ilan University prof/Orthodox rabbi Joshua Berman faces crises of faith head on, using academic research to uphold the integrity of the biblical text
By Sam Sokol
Illustrative: A lithograph, circa 1880, of a group of men, women, and children being taken to a slave market. (Wellcome collection)
March 29, 2019, 10:52 am
19th-cent. Slave Bible that removed Exodus story to repress hope goes on display
Censored texts were used by missionaries in the Caribbean colonies to emotionally manipulate the forced laborers who built the British Empire
By Ben Zehavi
Illustrative: A display of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden at the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky. (Flickr/ David Berkowitz)
December 31, 2018, 4:29 am
Can creationism and science coexist? This scholar helps evangelicals to think so
Lester L. Grabbe’s new book, ‘Faith and Fossils,’ says evolution doesn’t contradict the Genesis story — but unlike similar arguments, comes from a theologian, not a scientist
By Rich Tenorio
Robert Alter seen in his home office. (David A.M. Wilensky/via JTA)
November 30, 2018, 6:25 am
Scholar’s coveted Bible translation, 22 years in the making, set to hit shelves
Prizing the original literary style above all else, Robert Alter becomes the first scholar to single-handedly produce a comprehensive English language text
By Rich Tenorio
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