Welcome to Daf Aleph, an educational resource on the fundamental topics in Judaism and Jewish philosophy. Covering both timeless subjects, conversations, and debates, as well as more modern and contemporary issues, Daf Aleph was created for anyone interested in learning more about a particular topic in Jewish thought. Founded after the recognition that no such easily-accessible online resource on matters of Jewish thought and machshavah exists, Daf Aleph aims to be just that — a website of Jewish thought for thoughtful Jews.

You can read more about the various Daf Aleph writers on the writers page, and subscribe via RSS or email, Twitter, or Facebook to the right.

If you have a question you’d like answered, or a topic you’d like to see covered, feel free to contact us for any reason, either via email or on Twitter. If you’re interested in writing for, or in some other way contributing to, Daf Aleph please do reach out as well.

Over the coming months we plan on building out our library, adding new topics, series, and essays as we go. We hope you'll join us.

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Jan 24
Jan 24 A Jewish Perspective On Monarchy

Shoshana Rozenberg

Nach

Shmuel I (8:4-22) relays the story of the Jewish elders coming to the prophet, Shmuel, and requesting a king be appointed over the Jewish nation. The request seems benign enough, but, interestingly, Shmuel becomes completely enraged upon receiving it...

Jan 26
Jan 26 A Guide To The Term “Hineini”

Shoshana Rozenberg

Nach, Language, Term Guide

In the Torah, every word is used deliberately and purposefully. If there is a word used twice, there are bound to be multiple commentaries on why that is the case. If a word is spelled with a slight variation, commentators will find a lesson to be derived from it...

Jan 4
Jan 4 Certifiable Or Meshuga?: A Brief Perspective On Mental Illness

Shoshana Rozenberg

Halacha, Nach

Up until relatively recently, the term and condition of “mental illness” has been largely taboo in modern society. Interestingly, though, we see the idea of a discussion concerning mental illness appear in Tanach on multiple occasions, specifically during the pre-first Temple Era...

Jan 24 Jan 24 A Jewish Perspective On Monarchy

Jan 26 Jan 26 A Guide To The Term “Hineini”

Jan 4 Jan 4 Certifiable Or Meshuga?: A Brief Perspective On Mental Illness

Jan 24
Jan 24 A Jewish Perspective On Monarchy

Jan 26
Jan 26 A Guide To The Term “Hineini”

Jan 4
Jan 4 Certifiable Or Meshuga?: A Brief Perspective On Mental Illness