Thoughts to Ponder

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.

  • 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!

  • chess board

    Purim, or How to Win a Chess Game

    In Purim by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Purim is a festival of tremendous grandeur, splendor... and stupidity! The story of Purim as told in Megillat Esther reveals the arbitrary acts that at once were dangerous and fraught with large risk, and yet concluded as a move of courage and wisdom. Using this unusual strategy can be quite successful in chess...

  • Megillat Esther

    The Eternity of Purim

    In Purim by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    The Purim story, as depicted in Megillat Esther, is miracle-less. Certainly as the events were unfolding the hand of God is absent, and it is only the keen reader who will identify the divine intervention as the drama that threatened the very existence of the Jewish People unraveled. God's covert involvement in the world is extremely difficult to ascertain, and yet it surrounds us every moment of every day, and like the Festival of Purim, will be celebrated for all eternity.

  • New moon rising

    Adar Sheni and God Awareness

    In Halacha by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    The Jewish Calendar is an intricate, complex and complicated system that requires the input of the greatest sages, astronomers and mathematicians in order to have a calendar based on the lunar year yet coincide with the solar calendar and seasons. Seemingly, it would be far simpler to follow either the lunar or solar calendar. The secret of the Jewish calendar is the creation of a constant awareness of God's presence.

  • Smiley in sand

    Do Not Wait Until COVID-19 is Over

    By Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    COVID-19 has hit all of us - the entire world - quite hard, and is a certain cause for dismay. We are all waiting for the pandemic and everything it has brought with it to end so that we can return to our routines, get on with our lives and be happy once again. However, happiness is not necessarily what or where we perceive it to be. In fact, we can already choose to be happy from today - and on every day and in every situation we find ourselves!

  • Debating

    How to Conduct a Dialogue, Discussion or Debate

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Dialogue and debate are essential parts of the sea of ideas that can enrich each and everyone of us. Unfortunately, serious debate on highly significant topics all too often moves from the topic at hand to unruly behavior (whether in an informal discussion between two parties, or in a public, formal setting). Guidelines for maintaining dignity are essential - both so that we are able to conduct the debate properly and so that we maintain our and our opponent's dignity. If we are truly dedicated to the true and free exchange of ideas, then even when we vehemently disagree with our opponent we will remain civil and learn something about his arguments and even ours.

  • Chimpanzee

    Shemita: How not to be a Chimpanzee

    In Halacha, Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Behar by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    What defines us? Is it what we do, or rather, who we are? If a human being is nothing more than the tasks he performs on a daily basis, then a mere chimpanzee can take his place and possible perform these tasks as well and even better. However, if we understand that the tasks themselves do not define us, but rather can act as a means to an end, as the means that allows us to realize our dreams, then only we can perform the tasks successfully over time. The Sabbatical year, Shemita, that we mark during the current year teaches us this important lesson; all that is left for us to do is to open ourselves to the Torah's teachings in this sphere.

  • Chanukah Menora

    Is it Possible to Be Religious?

    In Halacha and Hanukkah by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    One of the great problems any religious person should struggle with is whether it is actually possible to be religious. In fact, what is the essence of genuine religiosity? The concept at the root of all religions is the awareness that it is extremely difficult to live up to the awe of the moment. The famous dispute regarding the order of lighting the Chanukah lights illuminates a practical approach to this issue.

  • An Open Letter to Rabbi Serfaty, The Portuguese-Spanish Synagogue, Amsterdam

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

    As an orthodox Rabbi who studied in the ultra-Orthodox Gateshead Yeshiva in England for many years and who has read all of Spinoza’s works, I am of the opinion that Spinoza sometimes deliberately misrepresents Judaism. I am also aware that Spinoza wrote remarkable, noble observations about human beings, nature and society which have helped all of us. I strongly object to deeming anyone who studies, researches and teaches Spinoza a “persona non grata.”

  • Western Wall

    What Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach Said to the Women of the Wall

    In Liturgy & Ritual by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Our Torah is wide enough and deep enough to cater for everyone. The Torah can speak to each and every person; however, sometimes one aspect will speak to a specific individual while not another. In this impromptu dialogue, Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach expresses a number of very significant, critical thoughts about Judaism, God, the Torah, and our own relations with our fellow.

  • The Wisdom of the Bus Driver: Love Your Fellow As Yourself!

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

    Loving one's fellow as oneself is a central tenet and practical commandment of our religion. And yet, as simple as it sounds, its application is extremely difficult. Even those well-versed in the intricacies of the significance and laws governing this precept have difficulty incorporating it into their inner selves and actions. On occasion, it takes the insight and words of a bus driver to properly inculcate this love for one's fellow.

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