While the Greek narrative focuses on “seeing,” the biblical perspective focuses on “hearing” the deeper internal dimension that eludes the naked eye.
Chapter 8 – Making Sense of a Mixed Marriage
My non-Jewish background allows me to understand the non-Jewish mindset and explain Judaism to those for whom it is entirely foreign.
Chapter 7 – Turning the “Foreign” into Jewishness
Rosenzweig was seeking to transform “the maximum of what is alien” into Judaism’s greater glory. The task of Teshuva is to convert negative aspects that are seemingly detrimental to Judaism into a positive force that can enhance Judaism. Can “hearing” other religions be part of this?
Chapter 6 – Franz Rosenzweig’s Disturbing Demand
I am taking the reader through the uncharted territories I traversed during my voyage of discovery. Only after I have taken the reader through the many mountains and valleys will I be able to reflect on my journey as a whole and attempt to articulate my holistic re-visioning of Judaism. I am guided by the Talmudic method of argumentation where ideas are raised and discussed; sometimes these ideas are accepted, while other times, they are rejected. There are instances where a final determination is never reached. At other times, the debate might suddenly continue many pages later or may even resume unexpectedly in a different Talmudic tractate altogether. It is in this spirit that this contemplative Autobiography is written.
Chapter 4 – Inner Enigmatic Struggles
This is Chapter 4 of my Contemplative Autobiography. It is the story of how I rediscovered—and continue to rediscover—what I believe to be authentic (Orthodox?) Judaism. It is the story of a search for deep religiosity and the re-engagement with Halacha, which I view as musical notes written by the Great Maestro to be played by each one of us on the strings of our souls.
Faith & Defiance – Chapter 3
As I reexamined my Jewish observance, I found that my dilemma was not about the existence of God per se but the practical consequences of this question in terms of determining an appropriate lifestyle. Pascal’s wager asks “What is the correct way to live in case God exists?”
Chapter 2: A Return to the Beginning
No one can inherit religion, neither from one’s parents nor from one’s teachers. Only by embarking on a relentless quest for truth can we reap the rewards of personal discovery.
בודד, אבל לא לבד
הרקע הלא-טיפוסי שלי השפיע על החשיבה שלי בדרכים לא שגרתיות ועד היום הזה הוא גורם לי לצרות עם כמה מעמיתיי רבנים, כמו גם עם יהודים דתיים וחילוניים כאחד.
Lonely but not Alone – A documentary film
Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Willy Lindwer presents A film on the incredible life of Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, who grew up in a secular, half-Jewish family in the Netherlands, and grew to become an internationally known rabbi and Jewish philosopher, as well as the head of the David Cardozo Academy and its Think Tank.
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Premiere of Lonely but not Alone: A film on the incredible life of Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo, who grew up in a secular, half-Jewish family in the Netherlands, and grew to become an internationally known rabbi and Jewish philosopher, as well as the head of the David Cardozo Academy and its Think Tank.