What Does Judaism Think

Judaism is among the oldest religions, and is considered one of the "top three." Remarkable, considering the fact that there are so few Jews in the world. What is even more remarkable is the energy and vigor of committed Jews. Normally, when we think about something being old, we think tired and worn. But Judaism remains young and fresh, eternally so. What is the secret? And, more importantly, if we don't feel that vigor and enthusiasm, what are we missing? How to fix that?

Further, Judaism is challenged by modernity all the time. Women's role in communal Jewish life, changing ideas about sexual morality, advances in the science of engineering life, all pose questions to traditional Judaism. What is the winning response? Read More

In the West and in the East, humanity is at a crisis. Certainly the barbarities of Islamic State in particular, and the radical Islamists in general show a disintegration of basic civilization. But in the West, too, there is a creeping malady of societal dysfunction. Shootings, massive confusion about sexual morals and family values, a resurgent racism and a lack of tolerance are on the rise, and it is troubling.

The cure can be found by contemplating a small piece of wood that was placed in the Tabernacle in the wilderness, in the generation of the Exodus. Read More

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray." How often do we work so hard for something we want with all our heart, only to see it fall apart at what should have been the moment of triumph. This is quite biblical, this story of failure after such great anticipation. When Moses came down from the mountain with the tablets, he saw the people worshiping a golden calf. When the Tabernacle was to be dedicated in the wilderness, Aaron's two sons were struck down by fire. And when the children of Israel were poised to enter the promised land, the spies that they had sent returned with an evil report, and the people were doomed to wander in the desert for 40 years.

What does one do the morning after? Give up? Does this mean that all planning and hoping is an exercise in futility? Is it better to not dream at all? Of course not. But what should the response be? What do we learn from that episode of the spies? Read More

Sometimes we feel like phonies. We behave one way in public, usually in an exemplary fashion, and at times quite differently in private. This can be frustrating, because we know we want to behave at a high standard, but being in the same old place with the same old triggers can bring us down fast.

How can a person, a group or even a nation, consistently be its best self? What is the secret to becoming a truly great person? Read More