Despite the sensitivity of this topic to Jews and Christians alike, the trend of increasing Torah observance among Christians is important. There is an increasingly vocal presence of this Christian minority on the Internet. “Torah keeping” or “Torah observant” Christians are Christians who, recognizing that Yeshua (Jesus) was a Jew, and in an earnest desire … More Torah Keeping Christians
Generally, people of faith pay good lip service to the idea that they “serve G-d;” but what do they mean by it? Modern Americans are fiercely individualistic. Western European peoples, in general, while also highly individualist are also immersed in a culture that is largely controlled by the state–they serve king and country, as it … More Service and Faith
Do Not Debase Science: Don’t Call On It To Settle Your Ancient, Provincial, Medieval Disputes While I was at the [Ethics of Equality in Education] conference, I stayed at the Jewish Theological Seminary, where young rabbis – I think they were Orthodox – were studying. Since I have a Jewish background, I knew some of … More Dr. Feynman Comments on Talmudic Judaism
As I described in a separate post on the Biblical calendar, the Hebrew new year begins upon sighting the first new moon after the aviv has been observed. On the fourteenth day of the first month (Hebrew days begin at sunset) the Pesach (Passover) offering is made. A lamb without blemish whose meat must be … More Chag Hamatzot
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
An archaeological dig in Khirbet Qeiyafa, in Israel west of Jerusalem, has uncovered a piece of pottery with an ancient Hebrew inscription from the time of King David. What is says and the letters it uses lead to the conclusion that the Torah might have existed at the time. More evidence telling us what we … More Interesting Find Concerning the Torah
I found this wonderful article on BlogHer called Tossed Torah. It is by an American Orthodox Jewish woman who writes about the American Jewish experience.
I once asked my mother the difference between science and religion. Rather than answering me, my mother engaged me in conversation on the topic. Ultimately, I hypothesized that the difference lies in the purpose of the two: science is about questions, but religion is about answers. The difficulty with that hypothesis is how it translates … More Faith and Practice
I just saw this article on BBC News (you can also find similar articles on Jerusalem Post and Haaretz through links on BBC) about an Israeli man who has just been granted his eleventh (yes, 11th) divorce by the rabbinical courts. He has had eleven marriages deliberately and plans to continue defrauding women into cheap … More Something for Shock Value
I am recently read Miriam’s Kitchen, by Elizabeth Ehrlich. It is Mrs. Ehrlich’s memoir of her journey from being a secular Jew, performing some rituals for the sake of family tradition while eschewing others, to keeping Shabat and a Kosher kitchen and finding her heritage. It is the story of a second generation, American, Jewish … More Thoughts on a Book
Silver Trumpets 