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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.

  • Religious and Secular Morality

    When discussing matters related to the ethical or religious foundation of sexual behavior, human beings tend to have severe differences of opinion. While up till the second half of the 20th century a more conservative approach was still prevailing, a radical change took place in the second half of the last century. Well established norms were suddenly challenged and often replaced by radical approaches which demanded more "liberty" and "broadmindedness." This provoked a major confrontation between the conservatives and those who claimed that they were "modern-minded."

  • Tolerance and Dialogue

    In Education

    In a previous essay on Tolerance,  attention was drawn to the fact that personal conscience is of prime value and that one should not confuse tolerance with apathy. For this reason, Orthodoxy's refusal to compromise on its own principles so as to appease the Reform and Conservative movements should only be honored and respected. Even unity cannot always be the final arbiter.

  • The Mystery of the Second Day Yom Tov

    In The Jewish Year

    One of the most puzzling laws in Halacha (Jewish Law) is the requirement to observe a second day Yom Tov (festival) in all Jewish Communities outside the land of Israel.

  • Satisfaction and the Art of Being

    "And the time of threshing shall reach until the vintage and the vintage shall reach the sowing time. You shall eat your bread to satiety and you shall dwell in your land without worry." (Vayikra 26:5)

  • Dershowitz, Klotz Kashes & Chozrim B’she’ela

    In Education

    Lately, the State of Israel is experiencing a new phenomenon. As is well known, the Ba'al Teshuva movement, which includes thousands of secular Jews who have turned to Judaism, has made a major impact on Israeli society. Many young people who were once involved in extreme secularity felt that they had to re-connect with their own heritage and found their way back to Torah and Tradition. This gave rise to a great amount of highly successful institutions such as Aish haTorah, Ohr Somayach, Machon Meir and Neve Yerushalaim.

  • Shavuoth and Combustibility

    In The Jewish Year

    One of the most challenging aspects of religious life is how to relate to the concept of revelation. The uncompromising claim by Judaism that the Torah is not a book which was written by man but the result of a revelation of God's will to man requires a formidable amount of faith in the face of so much skepticism and secularity.

  • Palestinian’s Claim to Israel

    In Contemporary Issues and Parashat Noach

    In Tractate Sanhedrin (91a), we read about a most relevant story which took place in the days of Alexander of Macedonia, known as Alexander the Great (4th century before the common era.) Just after Moshe' death, when Yehoshua entered the land of Israel together with his people, there were seven tribes, hostile to the Jews, occupying the land.

  • Succoth and the Twin Towers

    In The Jewish Year and Sukkot

    When contemplating the festival of Succoth, we are confronted with a remarkable paradox. As is well known, the Succah visualizes our life span in the world. For what is a Succah? It is a frail structure in which we need to dwell for seven days. Many commentators remind us that these seven days represent man's average life span which is about seventy years. This is well stated by King David when he wrote: "The span of his years is seventy and with strength eighty years." (Tehilim 90:10) Indeed under favorable circumstances, we may prolong our stay in this world into our eighth day which is symbolized by Shemini Chag Atzereth, (a separate festival immediately following the seven days of Succoth).

  • Yom Kippur: A Day Like Purim

    In The Jewish Year, Purim and Yom Kippur

    Our sages suggested that Yom Kippur is "a day like Purim". To suggest that Yom Kippur is like Purim is a most unusual way of looking to this awesome day.

  • The Chosen People?

    In Contemporary Issues

    One of the most disturbing claims ever made by any group of people is the one Jews make when, quoting the Bible, they insist upon being called the "Chosen People." What does this even mean?

  • Now is the time to write the Song of our lives

    In Parashat HaShavua and Parashat Vayelech

    "Now, write this Song for Yourselves and Teach It". A song however is different from a mere inheritance. It is the result of being overwhelmed by something which touches the deepest level of one's soul. It is the speechlessness of the lips which carry the song to the ineffable. An authentic song is therefore a protest against words getting frozen.

  • Jewish Tradition and the Intifada

    Part 2 of a Two-Part Essay

    While the observance of religious laws such as Shabbat and kashrut are very important, it is clear that the the laws governing human social behavior are most vital for the security of Israel. If we observe Shabbat, kashrut and other ritual mitzvot but fail to treat our fellow human beings properly, society will not be able to function properly and will eventually disintegrate.