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 by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Faith is one of the most difficult attributes to acquire. To have faith in God has become a struggle for many human beings, including those who are desperately looking for it. In modern times with their tendency to secularize nearly anything, the man of faith often feels alone in a world in which religious beliefs are often looked down on.
In Abraham, Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Vayera by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
For the biblical personality and those living in early post-biblical times, the existence of God was apparent. One would discover His fingerprints everywhere: in heaven, on earth, in the colors of a flower, in the stormy sky, in the thunder and lightning, in the smile of a baby or the beauty of the seashore.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The question to what extent one can actually trust God and rely on His protection is closely related to the question why He created the world. It should be claimed that one can only rely on His protection and help as long as this does not contradict the very purpose of existence.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
We established in part III of "The Struggle for Faith" that it is forbidden to trust in God when this trust contradicts God's purpose for the world. Since man must have the possibility of exercising freedom of will, there must be a natural order to the world. If not for the laws of nature, it would not be possible for man to make any moral decision, since he would never be able to know what the consequences of his decisions would be.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The Talmud in tractate Pesachim 8b gives an interesting example of the tension between trust in God and the natural order of things while simultaneously adding a new aspect to this problem.
The need for revenge after experiencing a great injustice is very understandable. In the heat of the moment, people easily lose their minds and take to the streets to carry out acts of rampant destruction. They often forget who they are fighting and cause heavy losses to the innocent. While this is understandable, it is wrong.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Ha'azinu by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
While we've had to fight physical battles to ensure our survival, we must never lose sight of the fact that existence would be meaningless if not for the nation’s spiritual purpose.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy and Parashat Mishpatim by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The subtlety of this teaching regarding how we should ideally communicate with our fellows is part of the Torah’s greatness.
In Jewish Thought and Philosophy, Moses and Parashat Bo by Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Two main expressions used for prophecy are "Zeh Hadavar," "This is the word," and "Koh Amar Hashem," "Thus says God." Why these two different expresssions?
Many leading and highly intelligent Israelis seem to have completely separated themselves from the community of Israel. They are no longer Jewish apikorsim but just secularists.
It is most significant that Jewish parents bless their children with the blessing suggested by Yacov: “With you shall Israel bless saying: May God make you as Efraim and Menashe.” In this blessing, Yacov expressed the delicate balance between the need for a strong Jewish identity and the capacity to interact with the outside world.
A Matter of Seduction
What does the haftarah of Shabbat Shuvah mean when it suggests that we should use words of seduction at the time of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur to aid in the process of teshuva? Why should we utter words that are not entirely truthful?