A Turning Point in the U.S.-Israel Relationship
The meaning of the American strike on Iran.
June 23, 2025
What’s Wrong with Taking God’s Name in Vain?
Oaths, names, and what it means to attack God.
In the seven-year cycle of daily Talmud study known as daf yomi, the tractate of Shavuot—literally, “oaths”—was concluded last week. This volume focuses on false oaths, unnecessary oaths, the fulfilment of vows, and oaths sworn as part of judicial testimony. At its heart, observes Dovid Bashevkin, is the Third Commandment: “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Bashevkin considers why Jewish tradition invests so much sanctity in the divine name, and why the prohibition on its misuse is so severe that Scripture declares, “the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” He cites a teaching of Judah Loew ben Bezalel of Prague (1512–1609), popularly known as the Maharal:
June 23, 2025
Israel and the U.S. Just Scored a Major Victory. Here’s What to Worry about Next
A note of caution.
Hamas Responds to Stepped-Up Humanitarian Efforts by Shooting Gazans
And the UN approves.
What’s Wrong with Taking God’s Name in Vain?
Oaths, names, and what it means to attack God.
Two Great Soviet Jewish Poets, Now in Translation
Ilya Ehrenburg and Semyon Lipkin.