Soccer Talk and The World Cup
Some Rabbinic Advice from a Dutch Expert
A tongue-in-cheek offering of rabbinic advice on understanding the soul of soccer. Or more precisely, of the ball itself!
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.
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The Danger of Universal Love
We live for love. We are prepared to give up anything to experience it. But we should never forget that love means preference. No one craves universal love.
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The Splitting of the Red Sea and the Miracle of the State of Israel
The establishment of the State of Israel was no doubt an epoch-making event. Only when the establishment of the State of Israel is seen in the light of the miracle at the Red Sea does the true miracle emerge.
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Spinoza’s Sub Specie Aeternitatis and Yeshiva Students
In Halacha and Spinoza by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Whenever I think of the huge demonstration of Chareidi yeshiva students at the beginning of this month, I think of Gateshead Yeshiva in England where I spent many years studying Talmud.
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Halacha and Absurdity – Part 3
In the first two parts of this essay, we have seen that no objectivity is possible in Halacha. This enables us to understand not only why there are many opposing opinions in the Talmud, such as those of Beit Hillel and Beit Shamai, but also that the weltanschauung (world view) and ideologies of the halachic authorities play an enormous role in the way they decide halachic issues.
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Halacha and Absurdity – Part 2
Once the human being has recognized that ultimately there is no way to know why God created the world and mankind, he can make his way back to reason and meaning. Once he leaves this “divine absurdity” behind as an unsolvable problem, his intelligence is able to guide him through the labyrinth of human existence.
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Halacha and Absurdity – Part 1
Much has been written about the meaning and purpose of Halacha, based on philosophy, metaphysics and psychology. Scholars have suggested that Halacha is the art of living in the presence of God.
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The Inscrutable God
Few prayers are more perplexing than the one called “Ein Keloh-einu.” This famous song is chanted at the end of the morning prayers. But it makes little sense. In fact, it seems more than just odd. We first sing “Ein Keloh-einu” (There is nobody like our God), and then we ask “Mi-Keloh-einu” (Who is like […]
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Debating Orthodox and Reform Beliefs
Wanted: Rabbinical Courage
In Heschel and Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Orthodox leaders must remember is that we owe much of our knowledge not to those who agreed with us, but to those who differed and therefore challenged us to sharpen our minds.
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Yom Kippur
Are we Worthy
In Rav Kook and Yom Kippur by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
This awesome thought is the focal point of Yom Kippur. Am I worthy to have a claim on life? Or, have I been born but lost my right to live? This is by far the most important question for man to ask. The trembling of the earlier generations on Erev Yom Kippur was indeed that of great pachad (fear) – not fear of punishment or death, but of not rising to the challenge of living in God’s presence and fulfilling one’s destiny!
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The Joy of Saying: I am Sorry
In Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
To be given the opportunity to do teshuvah is an enormous privilege. It is a joy to be able to say I am sorry. In fact, it is one of the great gifts that Judaism has given mankind: the knowledge that we can change.
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Rosh Hashana and the Missing King
Once upon a time, in a large, gloomy palace high on a mountain, where the night wind howled outside its massive walls, there lived a king—a real one. He had a beard as long as a silver waterfall and a voice that boomed like thunder. A king needs no more.