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Jewish Thought and Philosophy

  • Winter snow bridge over river

    The Art of Making Winter into a Sukkah

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy, The Jewish Year and Sukkot

    Winter - bleak, dreary and cold - often has a negative effect on our moods and even outlooks. The message of Sukkot, The Festival of Tabernacles, must be continued into this period of darkness and, indeed, into our lives. The Sukkah is a structure that is quite plain and feeble by definition and requirement, and yet it interior and significance are tremendously beautiful and solid. Our lives can be greatly enriched and understood and even assigned deep purpose when we understand the Sukkah.

  • Desert with sun in horizon

    Sukkot, the Desert and the Eternity of the Torah

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and The Jewish Year

    Traveling through a desert is journeying through a lonely place, completely forsaken. There is neither food nor water, nor any other form of sustaining substance. There is only the unbearable sun and its heat. There is no grass and there are no trees. The only signs of life are deadly snakes and scorpions. In a […]

  • Grace - hands

    Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur

    A Eulogy for a Christian Who Helped my Religiosity

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy, Liturgy & Ritual and Yom Kippur

    I was asked to eulogize an acquaintance from my childhood and youth in Holland—the mother of friends of mine. As I prepared the eulogy, I realized how much she and her family, and other devout Christians I knew, had influenced me. Despite the clear and definite differences between our religious outlooks, their sincerity and intent inspire me.

  • Entering Israel’s Army is like Immersing in a Mikve

    In Contemporary Issues, Israel & Zionism and Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Serving in the Israel Defense Forces is an act like no other. It is an act that serves the State of Israel and all its citizens, the Jewish People, and all of mankind. Moreover, the soldiers serving in Israel's army are entirely enveloped by the army - their entire bodies and beings are involved in this sacred task.

  • Hands out of sea against sunrise

    Struggles – Illumination of My Personal Challenges

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    A private response to the many who asked for illumination concerning my personal religious struggles Coming from a totally secular background, like I did, has many challenges and drawbacks, and yet, also some great advantages. When I became interested in Judaism, at 14-15 years old, it was not an easy time—neither for my parents, my […]

  • Trees & Sky

    Abraham and the US President and their Irritation with God

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    A God Who is good, yet the existence of evil, is an age-old dilemma. Authentic faith leads to questions and even indignation at perceived injustices. It is the true believer who reacts to realities that seem unjust and that result in suffering - remaining complacent is unacceptable! Simultaneously, one must remember the very little he can fathom about our world.

  • Face looking up

    The Brilliance of Judaism When You Do Not Believe

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    When I met my Dutch atheistic friend, who I discussed previously (The Blessing of the Religious Atheist in Haarlem), in the city of Haarlem several times after I had met him in the synagogue, he became very outspoken. It was clear that his observations were expressed with great sincerity and with an ongoing respect for […]

  • Haarlem, Holland

    The Blessing of the Religious Atheist in Haarlem

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    At the age of 15 when I first experienced observant Judaism, I encountered the anomaly of the observant non-believer. After approaching this person to discuss his views, his perspective enlightened me and accompanies me to this day. Non-belief does not dictate complete severance from everything that is Jewish and religious - in fact the non-believer has much to gain from Judaism, even as a non-believer!

  • sun over valley

    Theism and Atheism: the Twofold of Real Faith Which is One

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Approaching the question of the "existence" of God is almost impossible. Western thought and science has successfully analyzed and understood a myriad of aspects of our universe. However, applying these disciplines and proof by empirical evidence when attempting to "prove" anything about the divine proves futile. Were God to be a "thing," this would not be the case; God is not a "thing."

  • Shavuot: Sinai, the Mystery and Myself

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and The Jewish Year

    Religious experiences can be few and far between. It is essential to translate religious experiences into a significant and lasting realities. All religions are born out of the intense feelings, often panic-filled astonishment, that follow such an experience. Jewish Law is a successful "recipe" for maintaining and incorporating religious experiences into our lives.

  • Brain Understanding

    God for Atheists (2) – Belief in God and the Human Brain

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Belief in the divine and religiosity most certainly have biological bases, however this does not mean that the biology of the human mind cause belief. The root of religiosity lies outside science and biology, while biology enables us to "tune in" and experience faith.

  • praying hands

    God for Atheists

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Atheists and agnostics often feel a certain void in their lives, a certain lack of meaning or awareness of something higher, or a different dimension. This is awareness is part of the human condition and is something that offers an opening into the search for meaning. On beginning the investigation of the "God" concept, one must accept that God cannot be fully grasped: doubt is not merely a "hazard" but an integral and fundamental part of basic belief!