Redemption of the World
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Weekly Torah portion
The Universal and the Particular by Rabbi Sacks
The quintessential Jewish expression of thanks, gratitude and acknowledgment is Baruch Hashem, meaning “Thank God,” or “Praise be to the Lord.” Chassidim say of the Baal Shem Tov that he would travel around the little towns and villages of Eastern Europe, asking Jews how they were. However poor or troubled…
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Basic Tenets of Jewish Philosophy
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Basic Tenets of Jewish Philosophy
What is the Purpose of Time and Space?
Philosophers and scientists have expended large efforts on the question of defining the concepts of time and space. This matter has concerned many people, because after all time and space define the limits of man’s world. Some of the philosophers toyed with the idea of whether time and space are subjective (Kant) or objective (Descartes),…
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Biblical criticism
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Biblical criticism
We should be open to seeing the complexity of the divine message
Biblical criticism is an allegedly scientific approach to the study the holy writings. However, it can never be considered truly scientific because the approach is founded on a fundamental axiom that has never been proven: ie. The impossibility of prophecy. It is claimed that because the text includes contradictions, there must have been five different sources for the Torah which…
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Religious Zionism
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Religious Zionism
CHAPTER 1. Religious Zionism and the Global Renaissance of Judaism
Rabbi Kook’s religious revolution is distinguished by the fact that it exists entirely within the framework of Orthodox Judaism, presenting itself as “Modern Orthodoxy.” But what exactly does that mean? Is it not a contradiction in terms? Can one preserve intact all of the religion’s content, laws, and commandments and at the same time modernize? Chapter 1. Rabbi Kook’s Religious…
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