In this week's Parashat Mishpatim, we read of the institution of slavery and its attendant obligations on how the master must treat the servant. Maimonides extends this obligation of compassion even to Canaanite slaves. Yet, as Mois Navon reveals in his recent TRADITION essay, the significance of this law goes far beyond slavery and encapsulates Maimonides’ entire program for not only moral development but human perfection itself.

Yehuda Rock has attempted the monumental project of updating Mordechai Breuer’s entire methodology of biblical interpretation, while avoiding the major deficiencies that beset his teacher’s “Theory of Aspects” method (to say nothing of Biblical Criticism). In reviewing Rock’s new book Hayyim Angel suggests the author’s greatest contribution is forcing readers to rethink their tendency to smooth over bumps in the biblical narrative.

Hyim Shafner considers the impact of what he calls “The Frum Prosperity Gospel” on Jewish life and values. Read his open-access essay from TRADITION’s most recent issue which responds to topics raised in our special Summit volume on “The Challenge of Material Success.”

The mailbag brought Aryeh Dienstag’s response to TRADITION’s Summit issue on materialism. He points out the irony that the career choices required to provide a Jewish education may themselves engender a lifestyle that undermines the very messages we hope to communicate to our children through that education.

TRADITION’s Winter 2025 is here. Preview its contents, access select open-access items, and sample our new feature: Article abstracts for the entire issue. Also: Highlights from upcoming issues and our Summit issue on materialism as a free e-book.