Thoughts to Ponder #2

Judaism defies definition. While some of us regret this and thus try to straightjacket our religion, I believe that autonomous thought is fundamental to appreciating Judaism properly, and that philosophical non-conformity is not only the right of every Jewish teacher, but his/her obligation. Students must understand that one can only comprehend the relevance of Judaism through ongoing existential personal discovery and struggle, and this can only be taught by example. We must make sure that Judaism, while remaining true to its essential teachings, encourages utter originality in every generation. Judaism must provide an antidote to the poisons of indolence, routine, callousness, and drifting with the current. It must dare and defy and be experienced as a perpetually new and ongoing event.”

Comprised of over fifty brief essays on a variety of topics (e.g., “Man, God, and the Torah,” “Education and Leadership,” “Jewish Family and Society,” “Holidays and Customs,” “The Power of Prayer”) this volume contains a wealth of deep, transcendent ideas that thoughtful Jews should consider. Lopes Cardozo’s knowledge is vast, and in a single essay we may encounter Berlin and Spinoza, Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk and the Psalms, but his style remains so accessible that it is a joy to read, and then to reflect upon.

One can only hope that Rabbi Lopes Cardozo will continue to write his weekly e-mail reflections upon which this book is based and that future collections will soon be available.