The fifteenth day in Av – the day the young women went in to the vineyards to find a groom – was a day that symbolized a society that had internalized ideas of morality, selflessness and family values Some in Israel mark the fifteenth day of the month of Av…
Month: March 2006
Laws of Attraction
Attraction between the sexes is a complex issue. There are many different theories explaining what attracts men and women to each other. Some theorize that opposites attract. Others posit that it is odor that causes the attraction. Still others hypothesize that men marry women who remind them of their mothers…
Torah Versus Secular Wisdom
Rabbi Shmon ben Yechoi says in the Zohar, that the verse in our Torah portion (Genesis 7,11) which reads, “In the sixth hundred year of Noah’s life…were broken up all the fountains of the great deep” alludes to the fact that in the sixth hundred year of the sixth millennium…
Faith, Rationality & Science: Are They Suited to Each Other?
About four years ago I met with our local Catholic priest to discuss starting an interfaith group for our area of North London. During our conversation the concept of biblical stories came up, “Do you believe that Noah really existed and that there was a flood?” I replied affirmatively. “Then…
Is Freedom Really Worth Fighting for?
We are told that as humans we were given the gift and responsibility of freedom. In decent societies people who abuse their freedom forfeit it and are imprisoned. Western leaders maintain that they are the leaders of the “free” world and are fighting to defend freedom. We are brought up…
Where Does Ethics Come From
Should we clone people? Is there such a thing as a life not worth living? When is it correct to go to war? Is terrorism always wrong? Is there anything wrong with same sex marriages? Can abortion ever be legitimised? The list of 21st century ethical dilemmas is endless. The…
Euthanasia – What Is Really at Stake
The continuing Terri Schiavo saga is both tragic and encouraging. One cannot help but be drawn into the ethical and moral discussion surrounding the case. Much has been said about the US Congress and President’s interference in the life of a private family. But when I heard about it I…