Levi Brackman’s Website

What is Jewish about Jewish music? This is a question that has been debated by makers of Jewish music from time immemorial. Music and song have always been a major part of Jewish religious life. It was obvious that songs that were sung in the Synagog...

The model of ancient Jewish academies is certainly worth reviewing in light of our superior accessibility to knowledge. It may be especially attractive to mature students. In an age where information is so easily accessible it would seem that all th...

While in Israel last week I heard about the following incident A religious academic institution was developing a new method for teaching Talmud[1]. The intention was to introduce this new method to the Yeshivot and religious high schools in Israel. H...

It is amazing how often one finds answers to long held questions in the most unexpected places. One Sunday, I visited the Tate Modern in London, a famous and massive gallery of modern art. Some of the pieces on display are truly remarkable. As I was ...

Although I enjoy art and visit a gallery whenever I have a chance, I do not pretend to be an expert on the subject.  However, an incident that I experienced this week caused me to think deeply about art in general and about modern art in particu...

Matisyahu is now an international phenomenon; he is a reggae singer with a difference. Instead of dreadlocks he sports a trilby. His beard is predicated on the Kabbalists’ theosophy instead of Rastafarian tradition and his clothing places him i...