Refining our Messaging on Anti-Semitism
This op ed piece by Rabbi Marc D. Angel appeared in the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, August 20, 2024.
Articles
Standing before the Almighty: Thoughts for Nitsavim/Vayelekh
As we enter the holy day season, it is important for us to remember that we each stand before the Almighty, who Alone knows the essence of who we are. The ultimate Arbiter of the value of our lives is the One to whom we are answerable. There is no point in pretending to be what we aren't, or in posturing to make ourselves more important in the eyes of others--God always knows the Truth about who we are.
Dogma, Heresy, and Classical Debates: Creating Jewish Unity in an Age of Confusion
Judaism includes the basic tenets of belief in one God, divine revelation of the Torah including an Oral Law, divine providence, reward-punishment, and a messianic redemption. The question for believing Jews today is, how should we relate to the overwhelming majority of contemporary Jews, who likely do not fully believe in classical Jewish beliefs? Two medieval models shed light on this question.
Intellectual humility: Thoughts for Parashat Bereishith
The letter bet that opens the Torah is a reminder that no matter how much we may know, there is so much more that we do not know. Intellectual humility is the first step in the acquisition of wisdom.
Erich Neumann and the Quest for a Jewish Psychology
Neumann began writing this magnum opus in 1934. His goal was to apply concepts from the Kabbalah and early Hasidism to create a new model of personality structure and growth. It was a bold, unprecedented project in the history of modern psychology.
Israel's Many Friends
This article by Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen originally was published as a blog in the Times of Israel. It underscores the reality that Israel is not alone, but has many friends and allies.
Godliness and Fraudliness: Thoughts for Parashat Ki Tavo
The Torah presents us with a remarkable challenge: to walk in God’s ways. But how does one do this? How are we to become Godly people?
The Binding of Isaac: Extremely Religious without Religious Extremism, by Rabbi Hayyim Angel
The Akedah, or binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:1–19), [1] is a formative passage in Jewish tradition. It plays a central role on Rosh haShanah, and many communities include this passage in their early morning daily liturgy. What should we learn from this jarring narrative with regard to faith and religious life?
Nahamu, Nahamu: Thoughts on Consolation and Commitment
An ancient rabbinic teaching has it that only those who mourn for the sadness of Jerusalem’s tragedies will ultimately rejoice at Jerusalem’s redemption. On Tisha B’Av we cry for the tragedies that have befallen our people; but we also proclaim Nahamu Nahamu. We arise from our mourning. We cast our eyes forward to a happier and better time.
Reclaiming Orthodox Judaism
To reclaim Orthodox Judaism, we need to transform the intellectual climate within Orthodoxy—to foster an intellectually vibrant, compassionate, and inclusive Orthodoxy that sees Judaism as a world religion with world responsibilities. We need to battle fundamentalism, authoritarianism, and obscurantism in our homes, our schools, in our communal life.