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The Cardozo Academy

The Cardozo Academy seeks to restore the relevance of Judaism as a force of authentic, non-dogmatic religiosity, capturing a lifetime of exploration, contemplation, and dialogue by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo.

About Rabbi Lopes Cardozo Read About the Academy →

Cardozo for the Shabbat Table

Is Halacha Always Indispensable?

The Tent of Meeting and the Danger of Organized Religion

In Halacha and Parashat Pekudei by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

After the sin of the Golden Calf, something fundamental changed in Judaism. According to several classical commentators, the Mishkan and the expansion of mitzvot may represent a Divine concession to human weakness. Could it be that the elaborate structure of Jewish law emerged as a Divine response to human spiritual fragility? But what happens when religion becomes routine? It’s quite possible that Halachah, while indispensable for most, might also carry unexpected risks.

Popular Essays

  • Judaism without God

    In Contemporary Issues and Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    With the terrible pogrom which took place in my hometown, Amsterdam, and the ongoing Anti-Semitism in Europe, the United States, and indeed worldwide, it is time to give proper attention to one of the great mistakes of modern Jewish history. This is the myth that if Jews would only “normalize” themselves, anti-Semitism would come to an end. This constantly repeated mantra has proven to be entirely wrong and in fact, dangerous.

  • How Long Will Our Soldiers Continue to Fight?

    In Contemporary Issues by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    After this war is won, the next great challenge facing the State of Israel will be the possibility that its soldiers will one day refuse to serve and defend this country. How long will we be able to rely on the Israeli army if its combatants do not realize what it is they are fighting for? It is important that they know that they are defending an idea and a holy mission which far surpasses the defense of a piece of land!

  • The Strolling Light of Shabbat – The art of creative abstinence

    In Contemporary Issues, Parashat HaShavua and Shabbat by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    When the light of the setting sun announces the entrance of Shabbat, a miracle happens: the light assumes the quality of light in a Rembrandt painting. The light slows down. It strolls! There is no way to see the strolling of the light unless one actually opens the door to let it in. One cannot talk about mystery. One must be grasped by it. And that is only possible when insight and creative inaction become one.

The Jewish Year

Passover

The Festival of Freedom

Pesach celebrates freedom, without romanticizing it. Liberation from Egyptian slavery is swift and dramatic, but living with freedom brings new challenges. The hurried exodus leaves no time for certainty, only for trust. Matza becomes the bread of unpreparedness, reminding us that genuine freedom is unsettling and often resisted. Pesach insists that redemption is not the end of responsibility but its beginning, confronting us with the frightening question of what we will do with a life no longer ruled by oppression.

15 Nisan 5786 – 22 Nisan 5786

Begins at Sundown on Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Ends at Nightfall on Thursday, April 9, 2026

Watch the Video “Where are the Jews: The Future on the State of Israel” by Rabbi Cardozo

About The Cardozo Academy

The David Cardozo Academy seeks to restore the relevance of Judaism as a force of authentic, non-dogmatic religiosity.

Who we are

The David Cardozo Academy fosters a Judaism that is intellectually rigorous, spiritually alive, and courageously non-dogmatic. Founded by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, we convene scholars, seekers, and communities to explore Torah and Halacha that are alive and shape contemporary life. Through essays, lectures, study circles, and creative partnerships, we nurture bold thought, honest struggle, and moral purpose—so Jews can live their tradition with depth, curiosity, and joy.

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Our Manifesto

Modernity and the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty confront us with questions our ancestors did not face. Our manifesto calls for a renewed Judaism—faithful to its sources yet unafraid of complexity. We champion dissent and creativity as engines of Torah; Halacha as a dynamic framework, not rote habit; education that prizes inquiry over conformity. This is a call to think big, wrestle truthfully, and rekindle Judaism’s mission for Israel and for humanity.

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Get in Touch

Let’s build this future together. Connect with the David Cardozo Academy to host a lecture or explore partnership opportunities. Join our mailing list to get Thoughts to Ponder by Rabbi Cardozo and Cardozo Academy scholars delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re a learner, leader, donor, or curious skeptic, we welcome your voice and your questions. Reach out—and help us renew a living, relevant Judaism for the next generation.

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Rabbi Sacks Testimonial

“Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo has emerged as one of the most thoughtful voices in contemporary Judaism. He is a man of deep faith and wide intellectual horizons, unafraid to confront the challenges of the age with the quiet confidence of one who is attuned to the music of eternity.”

— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z.l., former Chief Rabbi of the UK
Cardozo on the Parashah: Volume 3 book cover

Featured Book

Cardozo on the Parashah: Volume 3

The Book of Leviticus

In this collection of essays, Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo looks at the weekly Torah portion through the eyes of philosophy, contemporary controversies, and personal struggles. Written in his unique style, this book offers something for many different types of readers: laymen and clergy, full-time students and the intellectually curious, Jews and non-Jews alike.

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