Jews, called by many the “People of the Book,” have left a distinguished mark on the literary world. In the field of American literature, few Jewish authors have been as prolific, and successful, as Herman Wouk (b. May 27, 1915)–who released his latest book last month (The Language God Talks: On Science and Religion).

While the existence of Divine reward and punishment is one of the primary tenets of Jewish faith, the question always arises: Why do the righteous suffer and the wicked appear to flourish? It is a question that theologians and philosophers have devoted many lifetimes seeking to answer.

Unfortunately, no one can argue with the statement that Jewish history is filled with tragedy. Few of these tragedies, excluding the Holocaust, were as devastating and catastrophic for Eastern European Jewry as the Chmielnicki Pogroms (1648-1649).

In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, Jewish Treats has chosen to feature the food that many feel epitomizes Jewish culture: the bagel!

What should one do when two Torah laws seem to be in conflict? One of the most common examples of such a situation is in the commandment to honor one’s mother and father.

If the children of Israel received the Torah at Mount Sinai, why did Moses come down bearing only “the two tablets of the testimony” luchot ha’aidoot (Exodus 32:15), rather than a complete scroll of law?

How did President Abraham Lincoln’s foot problems affect both the Civil War and the Jewish population of the United States? In honor of Jewish American Heritage Month, Jewish Treats presents the unusual history of Isachar Zacharie (1827-1900), podiatrist and diplomat.

“If I forget thee O’ Jerusalem, let my right hand wither” (Psalms 137:5 – Im esh’kachech Yerushalayim, tishkach y’meenee)…poignantly expresses the Jewish people’s longing for Jerusalem. The Bible predicts that the land of Israel is destined to have one specific site that will be holy beyond all others and refers to this site as “the place which God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there” (Deuteronomy 16).

Shavuot, which we begin celebrating next Tuesday night (May 18), is the only holiday not listed in the Torah by the date on which it is to be observed. Rather, the Torah teaches that this festival takes place on the day following the 49th day after the first day of Passover (see Counting of the Omer), the day on which the Omer Sacrifice was offered.

Sarah was 90 years old when her son Isaac was born. He was the answer to all her prayers, for she now knew for certain that the great work that she and Abraham had been doing would be carried on in future generations.