Several religions include the rationalist, panentheistic approach to existence. Others are incompatible with this view of existence. Judaism has long had a rationalist movement. Among the greatest of the Rabbinical scholars was undoubtedly Maimonides (the Rambam). His rationalist approach to faith is famous and well-studied by adherents of many faiths and by the academy. Likewise … More Jewish Enlightenment
In several places in Torah, Hashem commands us to love Him with all our hearts and with all of our being. We are also likewise commanded to fear him, that is, to revere and respect him. Hashem presents himself to us in a manner ancient people could comprehend as a divine king. Unlike many other … More To Awe in Hashem and His Creation
Why Torah? Source It’s a simple question, easily overlooked–as is any foundation stone. For what purpose is the Torah? What is its place in our faith? What is the purpose of our faith? And by extension, life? Devarim (Deuteronomy) 6:21-5 “When your son asks you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the … More Directionality and Purpose
Many Rabbinic rules and aspects of the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle are built on the premise of minimizing temptation to misbehavior. The sexes are segregated so as to prevent inappropriate sexual temptation, for example. Much of rabbinic practice centers on “building fences around fences.” But there’s one main problem with this train of thought: Judaism isn’t … More Personal Responsibility
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
I met a man recently whom I thought to be a secular Israeli, and he thought this of himself as well. After our talk I think we were both convinced that we were men of faith. He had overheard me discussing religious history with a friend. When my friend departed for other business this man … More Arguments for Faith
I have been asked several times about the observance of holidays by the Karaite Jews, as opposed to the Talmudic Jews. What follows is a brief description of each holiday. It is important to note that starting about 2300 years ago a group of Jews called the Pharisees broke away from traditional Judaism (now represented … More The Biblical Jewish Holidays
First Shmuel 15:22-23: [To King Shaul] 22 Has YHV as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of YHV? Behold: to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion [against YHV] is as the misdeed of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as … More A Quote from Shmuel (Samuel)
Many people ask about the harshness they perceive when reading the Torah. They read the words, almost without exception a translation of the Hebrew, and see the many crimes for which a person can be executed. It seems like YHVH is very tough and unforgiving. Indeed, these passages do exist but they are very much … More The Torah and the Death Penalty
Silver Trumpets 