Why does the Torah command us to throw a goat down a mountain on the Day of Atonement (Vayikra 16:8)? This practice seems at once barbaric and idolatrous. The Torah speaks as though we are meant to offer a sacrifice to this demonic force Azazel who inhabits the desert…
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.