We tend to focus on conflicts with external forces and avoid dealing with our own internal struggles. We do this as individuals, as communities and as nations. We would much rather focus on a feud with another person than deal with our own demons. We seem to forget about the…
How the messiah become the pariah
How did the messiah become the pariah? This is a question many people are asking about President Barack Obama. How is it possible that person can squander so much good will in such a short time? There is the obvious answer, and that is that many people are hurting because…
Don’t lie: Science is relevant to Judaism
The Jewish religious world seems to be consolidating. There is no longer a significant difference between Hasidim and non-Hasidic groups or between religious Sephardim and religious Ashkenazim. The ideologies are almost identical with only minor differences beyond custom. Whilst this is a good thing because it improves unity it also…
How Not to Debate an Atheist
There was a recent debate between a Rabbi and the ailing atheist Christopher Hitchens about the afterlife. I was sent a clip of the debate which I listened to carefully. The rabbi was clear that he personally believed in a posthumous heaven but only because his religion told him it…
Stop Making the Golden Calf
Whether it’s about conversion, gender issues, or any other of a host of contentious problems facing the Jewish world it seems that within the mainstream Orthodox community the strictest interpretations and rulings, rather than the most lenient, win out. This then has a damaging ripple effect for the Jewish community…
Judaism Helps Us Avoid Insanity
If you visit any religious neighborhood throughout the world during this time of year you will find that a certain level of seriousness has descended upon the residents. This is because we are in the month of Elul which is the four week period prior to the Rosh Hashanah the…
Is Religion Still Relevant?
Religion is constantly in the news usually for the wrong reasons. It’s either how a rabbi committed a crime, or how entire religious communities are rallying around a criminal who is about to be sentenced or was just sentenced to time in jail for financial fraud. Or we read how…
Uninspiring Institutionalized Religion
The great religious-secular divide amongst Jews in Israel and to a lesser extent in America threatens not only the future of Israel but it also puts the entire Jewish people in jeopardy. There is surely enough blame to go around -but as a religious person I must begin by looking…
Take Judaism Out of the Past
There is tremendous concern about the future of Judaism around the world. About one hundred and fifty years ago as the emancipation of the Jews occurred in Europe and beyond Jewish leaders grappled with how to keep Judaism alive and relevant. Some leaders decided to reform Judaism and make it…
An Epic Pre-Messianic Battle between Good and Evil
The Emmanuel school affair has become increasingly troubling. Now the sides have become so deeply entrenched in their views that they are ignoring reality. Unfortunately racism and unfair prejudices and even hatred is a pathology that effects all segments of human society and in order for it to be eradicated…