He’s the Passover Haggadah’s second-favorite villain.

While the faithful hero of the flood story gets all the fame, often overlooked is his devoted spouse, there with their children amidst the floating zoo.

Under the wedding canopy, the bride circles the groom seven times. Why seven — and why even do this at all? And is there wisdom in this tradition that can help engage with Simchat Torah this year?

That highest of holy days, Yom Kippur, is nowadays focused on fasting, prayer, and spiritual introspection. But in ancient times it was actually about a goat sent down to fallen angels.

The tyrannical monarch had become a model penitent, revealed as a model for all those seeking a second chance.

Whatever Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, it was certainly neither a Fuji nor Granny Smith.

While the role of providence in these politicians’ journeys will no doubt continue to be debated by pundits, it is worth revisiting the model of Moses, whose farewell address in the book of Deuteronomy we’ve been reading in synagogue these past weeks.