The Cardozo Academy Think Tank opens its doors to voices that probe, question, and illuminate. These essays reflect rigorous thought, spirited debate, and deep engagement with Torah and lived experience. Readers will find essays that challenge preconceptions, explore timeless themes, and make meaning out of the complexity of faith and culture.
By Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden Once upon a time, religion in general and Judaism in particular represented the cutting edge of human progress. Abraham, Moses & Rabbi Akiva were trailblazers who challenged the laws of the jungle with the Laws of Moses. However, things have changed considerably.
By Michael Eliyahou Further to my last post: As to the identity of the Gedolei HaDor Whose Decrees Must Be Obeyed. There’s just kind of an assumption that they are, and who am I to question it?
By Michael Eliyahou A friend who, unlike me, grew up with a religious Jewish education in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY, described the kind of idealism that a student of Judaism might hold: The tradition passed down to religious Jews in the schools we go to, I do think pretty much across the Orthodox board (which can […]
By Ariel Goldberg NOTE: This post was written as a response to Rabbi Cardozo’s argument that in order to rediscover the authentic melody in Halacha that has been drowned out over the past few centuries in the process of Halachic psak (legal ruling), the process needs to be consider giving more weight to minority opinions, […]
NOTE: This post is in response to a position argued by Rabbi Cardozo that the purpose of Halacha is to “complicate life in order to lead to the experience of God’s presence,” while noting that in recent centuries the development of Halacha has gone too far and overcomplicated life, defeating its purpose. In attempting […]