The Cardozo Academy

The Cardozo Academy seeks to restore the relevance of Judaism as a force of authentic, non-dogmatic religiosity, capturing a lifetime of exploration, contemplation, and dialogue by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo.

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With the generous support of the Aron and Betsy Spijer Foundation.

Thought to Ponder

The Education of God and the Waters of Meribah

In Moses, Theodicy and Parashat Ha'azinu by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Why was Moshe denied entry into the Promised Land for striking a rock? Was this really such a terrible sin? Or have we misunderstood the entire episode?

Perhaps Moshe’s mistake was not that he challenged God, but that he failed to challenge Him soon enough. What if the story of the waters of Meribah is really about something far more daring: a God who wants human beings to argue with Him, question Him, and even help “educate” Him?

And perhaps Moshe’s greatest disappointment at the end of his life was, paradoxically, his final blessing.

Popular Content

  • As I turn 80, I hope my life is and continues to be a journey that inspires others

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo featured in Jerusalem Post Magazine

    On the occasion of his 80th birthday, Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo writes not about accomplishments or memories, but about wonder, failure, gratitude, and the lifelong struggle to remain astonished by existence. This deeply personal letter to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren is both a reflection on eight decades of life and an invitation to rediscover the extraordinary hidden within the ordinary.

  • Desert with sun in horizon

    Sukkot, the Desert and the Eternity of the Torah

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Sukkot by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Traveling through a desert is journeying through a lonely place, completely forsaken. There is neither food nor water, nor any other form of sustaining substance. There is only the unbearable sun and its heat. There is no grass and there are no trees. The only signs of life are deadly snakes and scorpions. In a […]

  • Simchat Torah: The Unapproachable Text

    In Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    On Simchat Torah we begin reading the Torah all over again. Even the greatest Torah scholars once again come to the conclusion that they need to reread it, since they failed bitterly the previous year. After all, we only start reading the first words and already we get stuck, unable to understand the actual meaning; and we can never really get beyond that place. While in the non-Jewish world the whole point is to finish a book, in Judaism we are all just perpetual beginners.

  • Sukkot

    The Paradox of Sukkot

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Nothing is more crucial for the religious personality than the question as to whether there is a God we can trust and rely on. Often, even one who believes that God exists may still wonder whether he can have faith in Him.

The Jewish Year

Sukkot

The Festival of Booths

After the intensity of judgment and self-scrutiny of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, Sukkot offers a surprising response: joy born of vulnerability. Leaving the security of our homes, we dwell in fragile huts exposed to wind, rain, and uncertainty. Sukkot teaches that faith is not found in control, but in trust; not in permanence, but in openness to life’s instability. True joy can arise, not despite fragility, but because of it—when we accept that meaning emerges precisely where certainty ends.

15 Tishrei 5787 – 21 Tishrei 5787

Begins at Sundown on Friday, September 25, 2026

Ends at Nightfall on Friday, October 2, 2026

Watch the Video: “Where are the Jews?”

About The Cardozo Academy

The David Cardozo Academy seeks to restore the relevance of Judaism as a force of authentic, non-dogmatic religiosity.

Who we are

The David Cardozo Academy fosters a Judaism that is intellectually rigorous, spiritually alive, and courageously non-dogmatic. Founded by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo, we convene scholars, seekers, and communities to explore Torah and Halacha that are alive and shape contemporary life. Through essays, lectures, study circles, and creative partnerships, we nurture bold thought, honest struggle, and moral purpose—so Jews can live their tradition with depth, curiosity, and joy.

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Our Manifesto

Modernity and the rebirth of Jewish sovereignty confront us with questions our ancestors did not face. Our manifesto calls for a renewed Judaism—faithful to its sources yet unafraid of complexity. We champion dissent and creativity as engines of Torah; Halacha as a dynamic framework, not rote habit; education that prizes inquiry over conformity. This is a call to think big, wrestle truthfully, and rekindle Judaism’s mission for Israel and for humanity.

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Get in Touch

Let’s build this future together. Connect with the David Cardozo Academy to host a lecture or explore partnership opportunities. Join our mailing list to get Thoughts to Ponder by Rabbi Cardozo and Cardozo Academy scholars delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re a learner, leader, donor, or curious skeptic, we welcome your voice and your questions. Reach out—and help us renew a living, relevant Judaism for the next generation.

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Rabbi Sacks Testimonial

“Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo has emerged as one of the most thoughtful voices in contemporary Judaism. He is a man of deep faith and wide intellectual horizons, unafraid to confront the challenges of the age with the quiet confidence of one who is attuned to the music of eternity.”

— Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, z.l., former Chief Rabbi of the UK
Between Silence and Speech book cover

Featured Book

Between Silence and Speech

Rethinking Judaism in an Age of Doubt

By Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Published: 1995

Free Download

In Between Silence and Speech, Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo confronts the questions that thoughtful readers often hesitate to ask. Rather than defending tradition with easy answers, Rabbi Cardozo challenges both religious complacency and secular certainty, revealing Judaism as a living intellectual and spiritual adventure.

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