Jewish Thought and Philosophy

To think Jewishly is to stand at the edge of certainty and still choose to believe, question, and seek. Jewish thought lives in the tension between faith and doubt, law and freedom, eternity and change.

  • Grace - hands

    Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur

    A Eulogy for a Christian Who Helped my Religiosity

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy, Liturgy & Ritual and Yom Kippur by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    I was asked to eulogize an acquaintance from my childhood and youth in Holland—the mother of friends of mine. As I prepared the eulogy, I realized how much she and her family, and other devout Christians I knew, had influenced me. Despite the clear and definite differences between our religious outlooks, their sincerity and intent inspire me.

  • Hands out of sea against sunrise

    Struggles – Illumination of My Personal Challenges

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    A private response to the many who asked for illumination concerning my personal religious struggles Coming from a totally secular background, like I did, has many challenges and drawbacks, and yet, also some great advantages. When I became interested in Judaism, at 14-15 years old, it was not an easy time—neither for my parents, my […]

  • Trees & Sky

    Abraham and Problem of Evil

    In Abraham, Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Theodicy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    A God Who is good, yet the existence of evil, is an age-old dilemma. Authentic faith leads to questions and even indignation at perceived injustices. It is the true believer who reacts to realities that seem unjust and that result in suffering - remaining complacent is unacceptable! Simultaneously, one must remember the very little he can fathom about our world.

  • Face looking up

    The Brilliance of Judaism When You Do Not Believe

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    When I met my Dutch atheistic friend, who I discussed previously (The Blessing of the Religious Atheist in Haarlem), in the city of Haarlem several times after I had met him in the synagogue, he became very outspoken. It was clear that his observations were expressed with great sincerity and with an ongoing respect for […]

  • Haarlem, Holland

    The Blessing of the Religious Atheist in Haarlem

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    At the age of 15 when I first experienced observant Judaism, I encountered the anomaly of the observant non-believer. After approaching this person to discuss his views, his perspective enlightened me and accompanies me to this day. Non-belief does not dictate complete severance from everything that is Jewish and religious - in fact the non-believer has much to gain from Judaism, even as a non-believer!

  • sun over valley

    Theism and Atheism: the Twofold of Real Faith Which is One

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Approaching the question of the "existence" of God is almost impossible. Western thought and science has successfully analyzed and understood a myriad of aspects of our universe. However, applying these disciplines and proof by empirical evidence when attempting to "prove" anything about the divine proves futile. Were God to be a "thing," this would not be the case; God is not a "thing."

  • Shavuot and the Encounter with Mystery

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

    Religious experiences can be few and far between. It is essential to translate religious experiences into a significant and lasting realities. All religions are born out of the intense feelings, often panic-filled astonishment, that follow such an experience. Jewish Law is a successful "recipe" for maintaining and incorporating religious experiences into our lives.

  • Brain Understanding

    God for Atheists (2) – Belief in God and the Human Brain

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Belief in the divine and religiosity most certainly have biological bases, however this does not mean that the biology of the human mind cause belief. The root of religiosity lies outside science and biology, while biology enables us to "tune in" and experience faith.

  • praying hands

    God for Atheists

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Atheists and agnostics often feel a certain void in their lives, a certain lack of meaning or awareness of something higher, or a different dimension. This is awareness is part of the human condition and is something that offers an opening into the search for meaning. On beginning the investigation of the "God" concept, one must accept that God cannot be fully grasped: doubt is not merely a "hazard" but an integral and fundamental part of basic belief!

  • Man against night sky

    The Real Meaning of Religion

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    As I mentioned in the previous chapter, it became clear to me at a later stage of my life that most of those surrounding me did not properly understand the nature of science and its limitations, and that religion belongs to an altogether different realm. The primary difference between science and religion is that science […]

  • empty room

    We Are Naught

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    In Amsterdam of my youth there were many - Jews and non-Jews alike - who were in a similar situation to me: we did not perceive ourselves as belonging to any religion. Furthermore, we perceived those who were involved in religious practices as primitive and of inferior intellect. And yet, my family's social and cultural settings had quite a Jewish (without Judaism) flavor.

  • running man on bridge

    It is Not the Events We Suffer But Our Judgment Thereof

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and The Kotzker Rebbe by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Our lives are filled with multiple events that impact us deeply. Some of these events are negative and have the potential of crushing our hopes and extinguishing the inner flame burning within us that motivates and drives us. And among these events there are circumstances we can change, and others we cannot. The correct perspective regarding the circumstances of our lives is not only the key to surviving but even holds within it the potential for our own growth and touching the lives of others.

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