Rabbi Akiva’s smile offers a model for Tisha B’Av, allowing Jews to grieve past destruction while recognizing the beginnings of restoration.

Perhaps the rebuilding of Jerusalem begins when we become what Isaiah called repairers of the breach, and every act of education becomes another stone in that rebuilding.

Rabbi Akiva’s smile offers a model for Tisha B’Av, allowing Jews to grieve past destruction while recognizing the beginnings of restoration.

The Jewish people face a period of profound tumult. Elections loom in both Israel and the United States. Debates over security, democracy, and the balance of power have grown…