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.

  • Mixing with This World While Washing Your Hands of It

    Tetzaveh - The Trivialities of the Tabernacle

    In The Kotzker Rebbe and Parashat Tetzaveh by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Judaism is the theology of the physical, the commonplace and the mundane. It is concerned with the everydayness of our lives and struggles, with the devastating effect brought on by the curse of the multitude of trivialities that often keep us busy from morning till night. It struggles with the emptiness of our lives when we do not even have the time to focus on the higher meaning of our existence. Man's paradox is that he is too much at home in this world yet needs to escape his worldliness in order to be consciously part of the universe.

  • The Need for Heresy

    Moshe's leadership and rebellion

    In Parashat Shemot by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    It is often forgotten is that the Torah was the first rebellious text to appear in world history. Its purpose was to protest against injustice and mediocrity.

  • The Idolatry of Theodicy

    In Theodicy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    By making God good by our standards, we are essentially making God into an idol, one who fits our standards and fulfills our needs. That is surely not the Jewish God.

  • Kreplach & Bisli

    Revelation of a Language

    By Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    It is in language that human beings reveal their inner lives. Their subconscious overflows and, before they are aware of it, they have already exposed their inner selves.

  • The Preciousness of My Children – A Terrifying Story

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

    I have learned to be constantly thankful to God for His incredible gift of children, children-in-law and grandchildren. I learned this on Friday, June 11, 2010, when my wife and I nearly lost a daughter and three grandchildren.

  • Pessah and The Challenge of Freedom

    In Passover by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Judaism is the art of making a problem out of every solution. It correctly believes that what is taken for granted is boring; it does not get our attention and therefore has no significance. Only when we see something as a challenge and give it thought do we come alive. A sense of duty reflects awareness that the trivial is critical.  There is no growth except in the fulfillment of one’s duty. 

  • Thoughts on Forgiveness – The Man Who Made Me Jewish

    In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    There is only one time I have ever forgiven an anti-Semite. But it was for a good reason. He had successfully helped me to become Jewish!

  • Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

    Starting is more important than completing

    In Yom Kippur by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    Moshe Rabbenu teaches us that real religious life is not defined by where one finds oneself spiritually, but rather by how hard one tries to get there! 

  • Rabbinic Courage and the Frozen Text

    Who is a Gavra Rabba, a Great man?

    In Halacha and Parashat Ki Teitzei by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo

    The Talmud discusses the identity of a Gavra Rabba, an exceptionally great person or Torah sage. Rava cites the courage to change the obvious and literal meaning of a commandment as mentioned in the Torah as a mark of a great man.

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