What Does Judaism Think

Arguments. Conflicts. Negotiations. Open up any newspaper, and there will be many stories about these situations world over. Why do some conflicts never seem to be resolved?

Campaigns, politicians. Many people want your vote in order to lead. How do you know who is the real deal and who is the one to be avoided at all costs?

Simple. Just give them the Korach Test. It gives a clear, simple answer about whom we can trust, whom we can negotiate with, and whom we can't. Read More

"Most people live lives of silent desperation." I don't recall the author of this quote, but the sentiment is true and tragic. Many people have come to accept, with resignation, a life of silent desperation, frustration, and unfulfillment. They feel as if a glass ceiling exists to block them from true happiness. We may feel pity towards these people, as they certainly are sad about their lot. But God, perhaps, may be angry at these people. Why? Read More

Much of Western society worships youth. At the same time, in eastern societies, ancestor worship was practiced. Judaism does not sanction worship of any human being, young or old, but it does require a special measure of honor to those of advanced years. "Before the white-haired you shall rise, and you shall honor the countenance of the old one."

This commandment goes far beyond simple politeness. It goes to our roots as a nation, and it illuminates the path of each and every one of our lives. Read More

There is tension in observant Judaism today. Aside from the ever present issue of the recognition of the non-Orthodox movements by the state of Israel, there is a small group of people that ends up in the headlines much more frequently than warranted by their numbers. I refer to the Women of the Wall, the women who wish to run women's prayer at the Western Wall, complete with Torah readings. They are opposed by the ultraorthodox, who view their customs as outside the pale of religious Judaism.

I will not judge either group's rightness or wrongness, but I will judge both of them on the fact that they make headlines. Why do they make headlines, and why is that such a bad thing? Read More

On Purim, there are a number of strange customs that Judaism has. First and foremost, the custom of dressing up in a costume. On no other holiday is there such a concept. Even more, the custom of getting "drunk", which means drinking a little more wine than usual, is also seemingly unseemly. Why do we do it?

The reason can be a lesson in self-improvement. Yes, getting a little tipsy can lead to self-improvement. How? Read More

There is a teaching in the Mishna: You do not need to complete the work, but you are not at liberty to stop working at it.

While this sounds nice, it is completely impractical. Whether I need to complete it or not, if I'm not at liberty to stop my efforts, I'm working all the time anyway. What does this mean?

It is the key to understanding the meaning of the Sabbath, which itself is key to a fulfilled life. Without proper Sabbath observance, a fulfilled life is impossible. Read More

It seems a harsh overreaction, an excessive punishment for the sin. Putting people to death for this, on its surface, seems way out of proportion. To what do I refer? To the biblical portion of Ki Tisa, the same chapter that contains the story of the Golden calf. I could easily be referring to the punishment meted out to those who worshiped the calf, although I am not. I'm referring to a casual verse at the beginning of the section, dealing with the requirements of the priests in the sanctuary.

God commands these Priests to wash their hands before entering the sanctuary to perform the service. A priest who does this properly "will not die." This implies that failure to wash hands and feet before entering the sanctuary to serve God carries with it a death sentence.

What could this possibly mean? Why so harsh a reaction to some seemingly minor infraction? To be clear, this apparent death sentence is not to be carried out by a human court. It is a statement of Divine intent, not of human judicial requirement. Even so, what is so terrible about this sin? Read More

Mike Bickle, a respected pastor, recently endorsed Senator Ted Cruz. This aroused some controversy, as a previous sermon that Bickle delivered caused offense to members of the Jewish community. In it, he expressed the belief that the prophets foretold the tragic sufferings of the Jewish people than the 20th century, and that this was part of the process of bringing them to accept the Christian Messiah.

In response to the criticism, Pastor Bickle wrote an impassioned response in the Times of Israel proclaiming his deep love of the Jewish people and his unwavering support of the state of Israel. He was hurt by the accusation that he was, somehow, indifferent to the Jewish people. I have no doubt that Pastor Bickle works tirelessly on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people, and that his heart contains no malice towards them. The opposite, he seems to care very deeply.

There is, however, a consistent error expressed by many well-meaning people of faith. Read More

As the presidential election season continues, candidates are vetting each other as never before. If an opponent said something years ago that is different from what they are saying now, they get pounced upon. Yes, candidates for president can expect everything in their records to be examined with a microscope.

So it is a bit puzzling why the first High Priest was chosen despite a glaring flaw in his record. Aaron, Moses's brother, got the top spot in the religious hierarchy despite one huge religious error: Aaron made the Golden Calf.

We will amplify this question before we find the secret reason that Aaron was irreplaceable as High Priest. Read More

God is the spiritual force that powers the universe. He is unseeable, untouchable. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. So why does He command the children of Israel to construct a lavish Tabernacle in His honor? Of what need is a temple to God? We believe that God can be communicated with in any place.

The answer can show us an entirely new way to experience the mystery of life. Read More

The pinnacle of the Exodus saga, the 10th plague, was the slaying of the Egyptians firstborn sons. This was a harsh thing, causing "a great cry among the Egyptians that has never been heard before." It is unspeakably sad, and yet it was God's justice at work. We must try to understand, as best we can, what the deeper meaning was.

What we will come to understand is that, in a spiritual sense, it was not God who slew the Egyptian firstborn. Who was it? Read More

We often wonder where the miracles of today are hidden. Why does the sea not split to allow refugees to escape tyranny? Why does lightning not strike the evildoers before they do evil? When I read the news, I really feel the tremendous need for open miracles to save the innocent.

And, yet, Jewish commentaries feel that open miracles are ultimately not a good thing. The best miracles of the ones performed in a hidden manner, using the staff of God that we all possess. Read More

What would one say if one had the opportunity to discuss with the head of Islamic State? What would one tell the Supreme Leader of Iran? What words would be appropriate when meeting with a powerful, evil, person? Is it even worth it?

This is exactly what Moses was commanded to do. His hesitation and fear of this mission was evident, and the message he was commanded to deliver was surprising. This, nonetheless, is God's way of changing the world. Read More

All too often we see Jewish people in the front of some of the more anti-Israel and, occasionally, anti-Semitic causes. The boycott movement against Israel is clearly anti-Semitic, as there is no similar boycott movement against any other country. This, despite the fact that so many other countries have horrific human rights records. The psychology of this may be hinted at in the troubled reconciliation of Joseph and his brothers.

Why does a Jew become anti-Israel? Why do they behave in such self-destructive ways? The answer to these questions can completely transform our lives, if we are willing to learn the lesson. Read More