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Quantum mechanics in Genesis, relativity in Exodus —find commentary on weekly Torah portions, deep dives into Jewish holidays, philosophical essays, and surprising parallels between Torah wisdom and modern science.

On the Torah
(Biblical Commentaries)

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Phase Transitions in Human History

Metastability, nucleation, and the logic of tipping points  Synopsis This essay develops a disciplined metaphor: the vocabulary of phase transitions in physics as a way

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December 26, 2025 / 6 Tevet 5786 No Comments

Torah Portions (Parshiot)

Cosmic tree, Earth, and Hebrew 'Genesis' text.

Bereshit
Genesis

Bereshit
Noach
Lech-Lecha
Vayeira
Chayei Sarah
Toledot
Vayetze
Vayishlach
Vayeshev
Miketz
Vayigash
Vaychi

Exodus with parted sea and stone tablets.

Shemot
Exodus

Shemot
Va’eira
Bo
Beshalach
Yitro
Mishpatim
Terumah
Tetzaveh
Ki Tissa
Vayakhel
Pekudei

Priests performing ritual near fiery altar, Leviticus depiction.

Vayikra
Leviticus

Vayikra
Tzav
Shemini
Tazria
Metzora
Acharei Mot
Kedoshim
Emor
Behar
Bechukotai

Biblical scene with men and tents, book of Numbers.

Bamidbar
Numbers

Bamidbar
Naso
Behaalotecha
Shlach
Korach
Chukat
Balak
Pinchas
Matot
Masei

Deuteronomy leader addressing crowd with scroll

Devarim
Deuteronomy

Devarim
Va’etchanan
Eikev
Re’eh
Shoftim
Ki Teitzei
Ki Tavo
Nitzavim
Vayelech
Haazinu
V’Zot HaBerachah

Jewish Holidays

Read by Holiday

15 – 22 Nisan

Pesach (Passover)

  • 15–16 Nisan (first two days) and 21–22 Nisan (last two days) are full “holy convocations” (no work).

  • Seders on the evenings of 15 Nisan and 16 Nisan. No chametz allowed for eight days.
15 – 22 Nisan

18 Iyar

Lag BaOmer

A break in the Omer-counting (between Pesach and Shavuot) commemorating Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s death and the end of a plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students. Celebrated with bonfires, weddings, and outings.
18 Iyar

6 – 7 Sivan

Shavuot

Occurs seven weeks after Pesach. Commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Customs include an all-night Torah study “Tikkun Leil Shavuot” and eating dairy foods.
6 – 7 Sivan

17 Tammuz

Seventeenth of Tammuz

A minor fast commemorating:

The breaking of the tablets by Moses (Exodus 32).

The beginning of the siege of Jerusalem that led to the First Temple’s destruction.

Observed from dawn until nightfall with a daylight fast and penitential prayers.
17 Tammuz

9 Av

Tisha B’Av

  • A major fast mourning the destruction of both the First and Second Temples, the expulsion from Spain (1492), and other calamities.

  • 25-hour fast, reading the Book of Lamentations (Eicha), and restrictions on bathing, leather shoes, and marital relations.
9 Av

1 – 2 Tishrei

Rosh Hashanah

Jewish New Year. Features the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn), festive meals, and soul‐searching (cheshbon hanefesh).
1 – 2 Tishrei

10 Tishrei

Yom Kippur

Day of Atonement. A 25‐hour fast dedicated to prayer, teshuvah (repentance), and communal confession.
10 Tishrei

15 – 21 Tishrei

Sukkot

Festival of Booths/Tabernacles. Seven days spent dwelling (or “eating”) in a temporary outdoor sukkah and waving the Four Species (lulav, etrog, hadas, aravah).
15 – 21 Tishrei

22 Tishrei

Shemini Atzeret

The “Eighth Day of Assembly” immediately after Sukkot. Includes special prayers for rain in Israel (Tefillat Geshem).

22 Tishrei

23 Tishrei

Simchat Torah

Celebrated directly after Shemini Atzeret (often combined outside of Israel). Marks the completion of the yearly Torah-reading cycle and the immediate restart in Genesis, with dancing and rejoicing with the Torah scrolls.
23 Tishrei

25 Kislev – 2 Tevet

Chanukah (Hanukkah)

Eight-day Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple after the Maccabean Revolt. Each night, one more candle is lit on the menorah (hanukkiah). Customs: reciting Hallel and Al HaNissim, playing dreidel, and eating fried foods (e.g., latkes, sufganiyot).
25 Kislev – 2 Tevet

15 Shevat

Tu BiShvat

The “New Year for Trees.” Originally an agricultural date for tithing, it has become a modern “arbor day,” celebrated by eating fruits (especially those associated with Israel) and planting trees. Some hold a Tu BiShvat Seder with symbolic fruits and four cups of wine.
15 Shevat

14 Adar (or 14 Adar II in a leap year)

Purim

Celebrates the salvation of the Jews in Persia as told in the Book of Esther. Customs: reading Megillat Esther, sending mishloach manot (food gifts), giving matanot la’evyonim (gifts to the poor), festive meals, and wearing costumes.
14 Adar (or 14 Adar II in a leap year)