Every story has a beginning, but if we stop at the beginning we never reach the ending.
For religious Jewish people, the Bible’s centre of gravity is the Torah – the five books of Moses read week by week in the synagogue. At the Jewish holiday "Simchat Torah", the final words of Deuteronomy are followed immediately by the first words of Genesis. It is a beautiful rhythm of reading, yet it remains within the orbit of the Torah; circling the same themes year after year without ever feeling the full pull of the prophets who carry the story forward.
Humanity is broken
Understanding this rhythm helps us connect with our religious Jewish friends. The Torah introduces us to God’s holiness, His covenants, His law, and His mercy but it also leaves a question hanging in the air: Is the Torah all we need?
Antisemitism, paradoxical accusations and the human heart
For many Jewish people in Britain today, antisemitism no longer feels like a shadow from history.Since 7 October 2023, …