Read Rabbi Cardozo’s eulogy for his wife Rabbanit Freyda Rachel Lopes Cardozo z”l
Thoughts to Ponder is a weekly invitation to think dangerously and question passionately. Drawing on the Torah portion, classical Jewish sources, philosophy, and the crises of contemporary life, Rabbi Cardozo challenges religious complacency and spiritual comfort. These essays are written for readers who seek a Judaism that disturbs, questions, and ultimately deepens the human encounter with God and responsibility.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Tazria by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Speak to the Israelite people thus: When a woman at childbirth bears a male, she shall be impure seven days; she shall be impure as at the time of her condition of menstrual separation. Vayikra 12:2 Giving birth to a child creates a paradox. On the one hand, it is the greatest joy we can […]
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The menorah of Chanukah, sometimes called the chanukiah, has its roots in the menorah of the Temple. While there are many halakhot (laws) regarding the appearance and structure of the biblical menorah, Rashi, the great French commentator, points to a most remarkable halachic feature. Regarding the instruction to arrange the lamps so that they will […]
In Halacha, Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Shemini by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The Jewish dietary laws are concerned with something beyond mere health. They concern holiness - which requires us to advance, progress and improve ourselves.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
As mentioned in our last essay (here) the Torah is not a text to be read as a book—rather, it is to be seen as a divine “notebook” containing succinct summaries of a greater lecture or series of lectures. Moshe first heard the lecture in its “sum total” when God delivered a series of lectures […]
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The text of the Torah can be quite misleading when read in a vacuum. The casual reader may encounter what he deems to be errors, stylistic inconsistencies, grammar and linguistic anomalies, and more. However, prior knowledge - and primarily a basic understanding of what the Torah text truly is and what the goals of its divine author are - are the keys to properly understanding any and every word of the sacred text.
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 […]
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.
In Israel, Yom Ha’atzmaut and Yom HaZikaron by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Words on my Grandsons Enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces. The joy and honor of joining Israel's army relate to 4,000 years of Jewish history, morals, and ethics, and the universal good.
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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!