While attending a Jewish day school, Noah Gradofsky, a young fan of the long-running cartoon series “The Simpsons,” had a passing idea to turn an episode into a mock page of Talmud. Years later, in rabbinical school, Gradofsky first put the idea on paper or, more accurately, on a Web site. The Simpsons Talmud, based on the “Simpsons” episode “Like Father, Like Clown,” was born.

So, while millions of Americans eagerly awaited the Simpsons’ arrival on the silver screen today, a small but devoted group of Jewish “Simpsons” fans have been busily creating a thriving Internet community dedicated to connections between their favorite television show and their faith. Of this niche there are humorous fan sites, such as The Simpsons Talmud and jvibe.com’s Homer Calendar (a Simpsons-decorated calendar for counting the Omer); serious essays, including Richard Kalman and Josh Belkin’s “Sephardic Tradition and ‘The Simpsons’ Connections” (a long and in-depth discussion of traditions from Sephardic Judaism in “The Simpsons”), and more amusing articles, like Robert Schneider’s “The Simpsons, Jewish?” a look at Jewish traits of each character in the show.

But why does this Jewish “Simpsons” fan base exist? “Simpsons” fan Zev Hurwich, a sophomore at The Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in Manhattan, said, “The themes in a lot of the shows can be described as ones relating to Jewish philosophy.” He referred to the “Like Father, Like Clown” episode (based on the 1927 film “The Jazz Singer”), in which Krusty the Clown is revealed to be the estranged son of Rabbi Krustofsky, voiced by Jackie Mason. Hurwich also referred to episodes that have no seemingly direct connection to Judaism, such as one in which the devout Christian Ned Flanders compares himself to Job.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Sites such as the Simpsons Talmud “certainly helped me write my chapter about Judaism,” said Mark I. Pinsky, author of “The Gospel According to The Simpsons: The Spiritual Life of the World’s Most Animated Family” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2001), which was recently released in a second edition. “In many ways, Krusty represents what I call ‘Hollywood Judaism’ or ‘Show Business Judaism.’ My Jewish commitment is basically religious, but deeply influenced by history and politics. It’s almost impossible to start a revolution without us.”

Aaron Freedman writes about technology for the Web site MacUser.com, and co-hosts The Teen Tech Buzz podcast. Visit him on the Web at aaronfreedman.com.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount