Part Rebbetzin, part spy; part pious, part criminal; part defender of the faith, part kidnapper. What is one to make of the idiosyncratic life of Ruth Blau—a woman who seduced a Nazi officer but married an influential rabbi; was captured by the Mossad for criminal activities, but later met with the Ayatollah Khomeini to protect Jewish interests? In reviewing “Ruth Blau: A Life of Paradox and Purpose,” Yoel Finkelman says: Motti Inbari traces her unbelievable story with academic rigor and dedication to describing just what happened to one of the most enigmatic Haredi women of the 20th century.

With his return to reserve duty on the Gaza front, Rabbi Avraham Stav offers another dispatch: How does an I.D.F. soldier’s commitment to his comrades form a covenant through which he fulfills his duty to God and nation as well?

Rav Avraham Eliyahu Kaplan achieved much in a short lifespan: creative talmid hakham, scholar, poet, pedagogue, inspiring persona, musar giant. His 100th yahrzeit will be marked tomorrow—15 Iyyar (May 23)—and beckons us to honor his life and teachings and to elevate and inspire us to push beyond our own boundaries. Read Hillel Goldberg’s presentation of R. Kaplan’s musar teaching in the TRADITION Archive.

Decades after R. Eliezer Berkovits passed away, a new anthology of his essays, ranging from Jewish prayer to life in America and Israel, reminds us of the ongoing relevance of this important theologian and educator. In his review of “Faith and History,” David Curwin examines Berkovits in his historical context, and compares his views with those of his contemporaries. Given the numerous contemporary crises confronting the Jewish community, this collection proves timely and insightful.