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.
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.
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!
Starting is more important than completing
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!
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.
What do we mean when we ask "Who is like our God?"
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Liturgy & Ritual by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The song “Ein Keloh-enu” rejects the traditional so-called rational proofs for the existence of God, since they are based on a serious paradox.
Thoughts on Yom HaAzmaut, 2008
In Israel and Yom Ha’atzmaut by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
What is at the core of the current crisis of leadership in Israel is a fundamental misreading of the nature and destiny of the Jewish people and the total lack of Jewish pride among our leaders.
All the talk about mutual respect of which our conferences are so full, has little meaning when people are not prepared to metaphorically "move to the back of the bus.
A Tribute
Looking back on my life's journey, I think that the only one who truly understood was my mother. Why? First of all because mothers comprehend things concerning their children that nobody else can. But also because she traveled with me on this strange road.
Solving the Conversion Crisis - Part 3
In this essay I reluctantly suggest new criteria for conversion. They must be seen as a response to the need of the hour in which our people finds itself. This is especially true for the State of Israel to which tens of thousands of people of Jewish descent made aliyah, primarily from Russia, yet who are not halachically Jewish.
In Converting to Judaism and Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Israel has been confronted with the plight of hundreds of thousands of people who made aliyah, mostly from Russia, who are children of mixed marriages or who have other Jewish ancestry, such as Jewish grandparents. Most of them are not halachically Jewish since their mothers are not Jewish. Yet many of them would like to become Jewish. The problem, however, is that the majority do not want to commit themselves to a halachic way of life.
Part 2 of a series on Chareidi challenges to the State of Israel
Integration of the Chareidim into the State of Israel poses unique challenges. Navigating these challenges successfully will necessitate major changes in Chareidi education and lifestyle.
Part 1 of a series on Chareidi challenges to the State of Israel
The increasing Chareidi population poses significant challenges to the State of Israel. At the same time, the secular nature of the State is seen as a significant threat to the Chareidi community. This series examines the challenges, and potential outcomes.