I recently read Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s article, The End of the Rabbi as Mr. Nice Guy. I follow Mr. Boteach’s website on a regular basis as I think he has a lot to offer American society. In general, I respect his opinions and find his writing to be thought-provoking and philosophically sound despite our theological … More Controversial Rabbis
In B’midbar (Numbers) 31, the story is told of the Israelites’ victory over the Midianites. In it, Moshe (Moses) commands the army to kill all the Midianites except the unmarried women (virgins). This was, apparently a somewhat common ancient practice, since Herodotus references it multiple times in his Histories and in detail. However, Herodotus uses … More Moshe and Herodotus
The role and rights of women according to the Torah (and the examples set in the rest of the TaNaKh) are important to me, and not only because I am a woman. The biblical portrayal of women has set the tone for the treatment of women throughout both Western civilization and the Muslim world. It … More The Rights of Women in Judaism
About 3500 years ago (see post on dating of the Exodus), Moshe (Moses) led the Israelites out of Egypt and into the wilderness. At Mt. Sinai, Moshe gave the Israelites the ten basic commandments and then went on to write a complete constitution for the construction of an entire civilization–a complete society with the basics … More History of Karaite Judaism
(Featured Image: Garden of Eden Painting by Jan Brueghel the Elder and Peter Paul Rubens) The story of Adam and Chava (Eve) is one that most people take to have some great mystical, otherworldly significance. Many use it to justify misogyny and the oppression of women. Others see it as the source of an “original sin,” … More Gan Eden: A Journey to Civilization
A friend recently raised a very valid point about the modern practice of Judaism that I wanted to address. The question concerns the use of electricity, artificial light, and heating on Shabbat. As my friend accurately pointed out, Shemot (Exodus) 35:3 prohibits the burning of fire on Shabbat. For the Israelites in the desert this … More Fire, Shabbat, and Modernity
The sanctuary of Karaite Jews of America, Daly City, California. This post courtesy Karaite Hackam Moshe Firrouz: Terms: Day: Biblical “days” begin and end at sunset. “Fresh” Water: Clean water that is fit to drink; standing water is invalid. Major Impurity Any impurity that causes a person to be impure … More Rules for the Attendance of a Karaite Jewish Synagogue
This article from Haaretz (The Globe) discusses the modern Rabbinic Seder. I have a few disagreements with it. First it describes a Hebrew spring festival replaced by a myth about Egypt. The author, no surprise given that this is Haaretz, subscribes to the theory that the Exodus story was invented and did not actually occur. … More Origins of the Rabbinic Passover Seder
The week of Passover (the Chag Hamatzot) is the most important holiday in the Jewish year, and like most other Jewish holidays, involves commandments and customs regarding food. While Rabbinic Jews shun leavened bread and grains during their Passover week, except for wheat grown and blessed especially for making matzot, Karaites do things a little … More Food for the Chag Hamatzot
The Sadducees are a topic of much debate and conjecture. Many different beliefs are ascribed to them, and all of the accepted sources are those hostile to the Sadducees. Imagine reading the history of the Republican Party as written by the Democrats or vice versa. Dr. Jona Lendering, a Dutch historian, wrote an article about … More The Sadducees, the Pharisees, and Judaism
Silver Trumpets 