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Thoughts to Ponder

Thoughts to Ponder is a weekly invitation to think dangerously and question passionately. Drawing on the Torah portion, classical Jewish sources, philosophy, and the crises of contemporary life, Rabbi Cardozo challenges religious complacency and spiritual comfort. These essays are written for readers who seek a Judaism that disturbs, questions, and ultimately deepens the human encounter with God and responsibility.

  • The Unorthodox Education of Moshe Rabbenu

    In Defense of Heresy

    In Converting to Judaism, Education, Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Shemot

    Judaism was born out of opposition, rebellion and protest. It overthrew and outlived mighty empires and gave the world a radically new understanding of itself. Judaism has nothing to fear. It has prevailed over all those who criticized it but has also learned much about itself by listening to opposing voices. Through these voices, it has been able to sharpen its own claims and if necessary change its mind when the inadequacy of these claims has become clear. Only in this way will it continue to play a central role in the future of mankind.

  • The Talmudic Olympic Games

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Last week, something remarkable happened. Thousands of Jews from all over the world came together to study the last page of an old book with the ineffable anticipation of starting to study it all over again from page one and not to lose a minute.

  • God’s False Accusations and the Mystery of this World

    In Parashat HaShavua

    God who is beyond time and space, is the source of all what happens and so uses false accusations, pretexts, and insidiousness against  human beings while teaching them   simultaneously that they are free to act and that they carry full responsibility for their deeds.

  • Two New Podcasts: On the Jewish Mission and the Most Difficult Mitzva

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Dear Friends, Shalom u-vracha. Although we have received several new gifts, for which we are most thankful, our financial situation has still not been resolved. The unfortunate “witch hunt” against some of my ideas seems to continue and has created much financial damage to our programs, projects and writings. As I have stated before, I […]

  • The Religious Value of Doubt

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy

    Faith means striving for faith. It is never an arrival. It can only burst forth at singular moments. It does not arise out of logical deduction, but out of uncertainty, which is its natural breeding ground. To have faith is to live with unresolved doubts, prepared to rise above ourselves and our wisdom. Looking into the Jewish tradition with its many debates, one clearly understands that those who deny themselves the comfort of certainty are much more authentic than those who are sure.

  • Avraham and Individuality: Old Age and Facelifts

    In Parashat HaShavua

    For the authentically religious personality, religion can be experienced and lived only in a state of originality. Any imitation of fellow worshipers is serving oneself and not God. In essence, religion is an attempt to search for God, the ultimate Original.

  • Chaye Sarah: Leader or Captain

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat HaShavua

    Avraham was an unparalleled leader and walked in front of everybody else. But he was also a captain who cared for the underdog and who pleaded with God not to leave the wicked people of Sedom and Amora behind.

  • The Curse of Fluency

    In Liturgy & Ritual

    Praying to God can be risky! All of us frequently succumb to the danger of prayer by rote, which can easily lead to other serious problems. The worshipers may be so arrogantly satisfied with themselves that they completely forget before Whom they stand while praying.

  • News from the Cardozo Academy plus Two New Podcasts

    Many friends have asked me to explain a little more why the David Cardozo Academy no longer has the finances to send new weekly Thoughts To Ponder, authored by myself as I have done for many years.

  • The Dangerous “Day After” Yom Kippur

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy, The Jewish Year and Yom Kippur

    The day after Yom Kippur, the synagogue service really should be a completely different experience from what people are used to. Yom Kippur should still be in the bones of all synagogue participants. Its spirit should still be felt with every prayer. It should be completely impossible for synagogue services to return to their old ways, in which prayers are  said as if “nothing happened.”

  • Music, Children and Israeli Politics

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and The Jewish Year

    A parable for Rosh Hashana, plus, two new podcasts: On music as religious experience, and on the importance of bringing children into the world.

  • The Future of Thoughts to Ponder

    To my great regret, due to a severe lack of funds, the David Cardozo Academy has been forced to leave its offices, hence, I will not be able, at least for the meantime, to write and send out my weekly Thoughts to Ponder.