Throughout the centuries, historians, philosophers and anthropologists have struggled with the concept called “Israel.” While attempting to place Israel within the confines of conventional history, they experienced constant academic and philosophical frustration. Any suggested definitions eventually broke down due to serious inconsistencies. Was Israel a nation, a religion, or perhaps a mysterious entity that would […]
Megillat Esther: Attaining the Level of Non-Acquaintance
Attaining the Level of Non-Acquaintance—Pseudo-Dionysius, the Areopagite The most discussed topic in philosophy of the Middle Ages is, without doubt, God’s existence. Many great philosophers such as Rambam (Maimonides, 1138-1204) and the Christian thinker Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) invest a lot of time in clarifying the concepts of “omnipotence,” “divine excellence” and other such terminologies.[1] […]
Panic: The Visible and Invisible
Genuine religiosity is demanding – it requires a sensitivity to the physical human condition as well as the hidden, divine dimension. Living in a manner that combines the visible and the invisible, and more so, harmonizing the two as equal components of our lives, is a tremendous challenge. It is too easy to make a selection – as many individuals and even religions do – between the visible and invisible, preferring one over the other. However, living the one with an imbalance regarding the other is not what Judaism teaches.
God, Me and the Struggle to Teach Real Torah
Despite my many years of experience (and successes), I have felt that something crucial has been missing – which I identified recently: Am I merely conveying knowledge, or do I stand before my students as someone who is entirely imbued with the significance, import and sanctity of the words I utter?
God requires of His prophets and those who speak His words to be true and just, and to live His words with every fiber of their beings!
The Art of Smiling – Fearing my Kippah (2)
A kippah – and every other aspect of dress required by the Halakhah – pose a tremendous challenge! I am constantly aware of how I am to strive to achieve and implement the values that my kippah requires of me – both when I stand before God, and also in the way I face the world. Facing my fellow, my conduct, and even the countenance I assume are spheres that my kippah relates to!
Birth and Death – The Ultimate Paradox
Giving birth to a child creates a paradox. On the one hand, it is the greatest joy we can imagine. The first commandment given to humankind is to be fruitful and multiply (Bereshit 1:28). Procreation is an expression of the highest form of creativity; just as God is the Creator of the Universe, so the […]
Chanukah: The Art of Balancing
The menorah of Chanukah, sometimes called the chanukiah, has its roots in the menorah of the Temple. While there are many halakhot (laws) regarding the appearance and structure of the biblical menorah, Rashi, the great French commentator, points to a most remarkable halachic feature. Regarding the instruction to arrange the lamps so that they will […]
It is time to stop eating “Kosher”
“Kosher” is a term that has gained rather wide prevalence, primarily in the context of “kosher food” – food that has been prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary law (“kashrut”). Are these dietary laws sufficient to deem food kosher and fit for consumption? There may be other concerns significances of what “kosher” means that will influence our thoughts and behavior. “Kosher” is, in fact, a matter of holiness – which requires us to advance, progress and improve ourselves.
“Kosher” is a term that has gained fame in the context of “kosher food” prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary law. (“kashrut”). Yet “kosher” is a matter of holiness – which requires us to advance, progress and improve ourselves.
Goethe, Herman Wouk and Walter Kaufmann and the Art of Reading the Torah Correctly
As mentioned in our last essay (here) the Torah is not a text to be read as a book—rather, it is to be seen as a divine “notebook” containing succinct summaries of a greater lecture or series of lectures. Moshe first heard the lecture in its “sum total” when God delivered a series of lectures […]
An Answer to an Unasked Question is Irrelevant
The text of the Torah can be quite misleading when read in a vacuum. The casual reader may encounter what he deems to be errors, stylistic inconsistencies, grammar and linguistic anomalies, and more.
However, prior knowledge – and primarily a basic understanding of what the Torah text truly is and what the goals of its divine author are – are the keys to properly understanding any and every word of the sacred text.
The Art of Making Winter into a Sukkah
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.
Sukkot, the Desert and the Eternity of the Torah
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 […]
Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur: A Eulogy for a Christian Who Helped my Religiosity
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
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.
The Spiritual Uniqueness of the Israeli Army
Words on my Grandsons Enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces – the tremendous significance of the Israel Defense Forces surpasses the mere defense of Israel’s citizens. The joy and honor of joining Israel’s army relate to 4,000 years of Jewish history, morals, and ethics, and the universal good.
Struggles – Illumination of My Personal Challenges
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 […]
Abraham and the US President and their Irritation with God
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.
The Brilliance of Judaism When You Do Not Believe
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 […]
The Blessing of the Religious Atheist in Haarlem
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!
Theism and Atheism: the Twofold of Real Faith Which is One
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.”