Irene Lancaster

The meaning of offering and sacrifice in Leviticus
The meaning of offering and sacrifice in Leviticus

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster on why for many Jews, Leviticus is the most important book of all.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a modern-day Esther
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a modern-day Esther

The writing has been on the wall for a long time and the kings of the world have been found wanting in every way.

On Eliyahu (Elijah) and the still small voice of wisdom
On Eliyahu (Elijah) and the still small voice of wisdom

Biblical descriptions of thunder, lightning flashes and still small voices are metaphors. But they are also very real.

Queen Elizabeth II and five great Jewish women from the Hebrew Bible who served their people in love
Queen Elizabeth II and five great Jewish women from the Hebrew Bible who served their people in love

The queenly estate, as depicted in the Hebrew Bible, is not about high birth, but about character, writes Jewish academic Irene Lancaster.

What is the meaning of Exodus?

The Exodus story is always read after the end of the festival of Chanukah and before the upcoming festival of Tu B'Shvat (New Year for Trees), which in Israel ushers in the first days of spring.

The Jewish contribution to Christmas music
The Jewish contribution to Christmas music

"White Christmas", that most Christmassy of Christmas songs, was actually written by a Jew.

As the beginning ends, the Exodus begins
As the beginning ends, the Exodus begins

Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster examines how we can learn how to cope with our own situations from the final passage in Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible, which Jews and Christians share in common.

Kanye West wants to start a Christian kibbutz - but what exactly is that?
Kanye West wants to start a Christian kibbutz - but what exactly is that?

What is a community – the community that Kanye West so desperately seeks?

The case for shechita as the compassionate way to slaughter animals for food
The case for shechita as the compassionate way to slaughter animals for food

Jesus' injunction to prioritize the safeguarding of animals at all times is itself a quote from the Torah Book of Leviticus.

G-d as power or the G-d who mothers us?
G-d as power or the G-d who mothers us?

There is a maternal side to the G-d of the Old Testament that is often overlooked.

Abraham and the welcoming of guests
Abraham and the welcoming of guests

Next time we read the famous stories of Abraham welcoming his three guests, trying to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and taking on G-d, let's just step back and think of the nature of service.

On the value of biblical interpretation
On the value of biblical interpretation

It's not so much about a straightforward formulae of prohibition as it is about clear principles.

There is much to appreciate in Melanie Phillips' first novel, The Legacy
There is much to appreciate in Melanie Phillips' first novel, The Legacy

Yes, this first novel by great journalist, Melanie Phillips, who always tells it how it is, manages the impossible.

What is Rosh Hashanah?
What is Rosh Hashanah?

And why is it celebrated by blowing the shofar?

Can Bible-based Jews and Christians reclaim the vegan revolution?
Can Bible-based Jews and Christians reclaim the vegan revolution?

Whether we can give up meat, fish and dairy entirely is not really the question. What is the question is how we can incorporate food into our lives (having taken medical advice of course) in such a way that our diets can help towards the betterment of the world.

On 21st century idolatry and its repercussions
On 21st century idolatry and its repercussions

Do you think it is right to trample over the needs of the local populace in order to build and worship idols? No - me neither.