Irene Lancaster
Micah, Balak, Balaam and what the Lord requires of us
It's up to all of us, especially our political and religious readers, those who constantly read from the Hebrew Bible and/or New Testaments, to internalize all these teachings and put them all into practice
Lessons from the Jewish concept of the Sabbath of the Land
Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on how the key Jewish concept of Shemitta (Sabbath of the Land) and Jubilee can reboot the world and set us all free.
On anniversaries and a very special Jubilee
Those who find it hard to believe there is a G-d (and who would blame them in this brittle and materialistic world), might like to ponder the fact that there must be a meaning to so many anniversaries and celebrations taking place at this time of year.
Lessons from Amos and Ezekiel on holiness and hope
Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster on what lessons her community are learning from the Scripture readings that come straight after Pesach.
A Jewish understanding of conversion
Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster considers Jewish approaches to conversion and how new believers are welcomed into the fold.
The meaning of offering and sacrifice in Leviticus
Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster on why for many Jews, Leviticus is the most important book of all.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a modern-day Esther
The writing has been on the wall for a long time and the kings of the world have been found wanting in every way.
On Eliyahu (Elijah) and the still small voice of wisdom
Biblical descriptions of thunder, lightning flashes and still small voices are metaphors. But they are also very real.
Queen Elizabeth II and five great Jewish women from the Hebrew Bible who served their people in love
The queenly estate, as depicted in the Hebrew Bible, is not about high birth, but about character, writes Jewish academic Irene Lancaster.
What is the meaning of Exodus?
The Exodus story is always read after the end of the festival of Chanukah and before the upcoming festival of Tu B'Shvat (New Year for Trees), which in Israel ushers in the first days of spring.
The Jewish contribution to Christmas music
"White Christmas", that most Christmassy of Christmas songs, was actually written by a Jew.
As the beginning ends, the Exodus begins
Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster examines how we can learn how to cope with our own situations from the final passage in Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible, which Jews and Christians share in common.
Kanye West wants to start a Christian kibbutz - but what exactly is that?
What is a community â the community that Kanye West so desperately seeks?
The case for shechita as the compassionate way to slaughter animals for food
Jesus' injunction to prioritize the safeguarding of animals at all times is itself a quote from the Torah Book of Leviticus.
G-d as power or the G-d who mothers us?
There is a maternal side to the G-d of the Old Testament that is often overlooked.
Abraham and the welcoming of guests
Next time we read the famous stories of Abraham welcoming his three guests, trying to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and taking on G-d, let's just step back and think of the nature of service.