Shabbat Ki Tisah: Idolatry

The focal point this week is the Golden Calf, and the betrayal of  God at the very moment God is trying to impose standards on the Israelites through a constitution from Sinai. Read more

Origins of orthodoxy

I have just read Jacob Katz: On the Origins of Orthodoxy. It is an important collection of articles by and about the late Professor Katz, transcripts of interviews, as well as a bibliography. Read more

Shabbat Tetzaveh: Who needs Priests?

The Torah goes into intricate detail in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus about the priests, their role in the Tabernacle ceremonials, their benefits and tithes, and their special rules of behaviour. This week, the Torah talks about the Priests’ clothes and oracles. Read more

Talmud for dummies

I do not waste my time on TikTok ( indeed I have all but cut myself off from any social media simply to save my time for more important things). Read more

Shabbat Terumah

We are now reading about the construction of the Tabernacle.  Its design and its contents. Its dimensions are similar to many ancient religious structures that have been found across the ancient Middle East both in the construction of palaces and temples, and they mirror the dimensions of Noah’s Ark and the three levels of Sinai. Read more

Gerontocracy

Old age, Senior Citizens, Geriatrics are all rather pejorative terms for people who have reached a certain age or stage in their lives. Like me! Read more

Shabbat Mishpatim: What happpened at Sinai?

One of the challenges to traditional Judaism comes from academic analysis of the Torah as if it were either a Book of History or literature that one can decipher from a rational, point of view. Read more

Time

We have just celebrated another New Year. I was not specifically thinking of 2022, although that too. Or of Tu BiShvat, the Fifteenth Day of the Month of Shevat. The New Year for Trees. One of four different New Years as recorded in the Talmud ( Rosh Hashana ). Read more

Shabbat Yitro: Jethro in 13

The most important feature of this week is arguably Judaism’s greatest contribution to the world, the so-called, Ten Commandments. Read more

Do not trust princes

I was born during the Second World War when it seemed that Hitler was going to conquer the world. Of course, had he, I would not be here today. Read more

This week’s parsha: Beshalach – Ups and downs

Life has its ups and downs. Just look at this week’s Torah reading. Read more

Shabbat Bo: Blood on the door

We are all familiar with the Mezuzah, that we place on the right doorpost of our houses and offices. Read more

Another scandal

Why does every religion seem to have a problem with sex criminal clergy sheltering under its protection? Read more

Shabbat Vaeyra: Negotiations

Moses and Aaron engaged in protracted negotiations with Pharaoh. Was it really necessary? Read more

Why religion?

Whenever I hear people talk, or I see articles about religion in general and Judaism in particular, I feel disconnected. Read more

Shabbat Shemot: Women

The Book of Exodus starts with the enslavement of the Israelites. Read more

Tainted Money

An Oxford University Professor, Lawrence Goldman, together with Sir Lloyd Dorfman and other influential alumni, have suggested the British government should intervene because they believe that Oxford University has lost its moral compass in accepting money from tainted sources. Read more

Shabbat Vayehi: Predictions

The twelve tribes have now come to live in Egypt under Josef’s protection. Read more

The case for King David

All major Biblical personalities are described as being imperfect beings. Read more

Shabbat Vayigash: Failed priests

When Pharaoh accepted Yosef’s interpretation of his dreams and his advice to Pharaoh on how to prepare for it, he was given the opportunity to prepare for the approaching catastrophe. Read more

Shabbat Mikeyts: Was Joseph Fair?

Read more

Forced conversions

As we come to the end of Chanukah, apart from the heroics, there is another side to the Hasmoneans I  am not particularly proud of. Read more

Shabbat Vayeyshev: Favouritism

“And Israel loved Yosef more than his other sons because he (Yosef) was born in his (Yaakov’s) old age”( Genesis 37: 3). Read more

Why celebrate Chanukah?

For some, Chanukah is just a Jewish answer to Xmas. But why do we make such a fuss of it? Isn’t it just glorifying militarism? Read more

Shabbat Vayishlach: Bad Company

Jacob fled the corrosive atmosphere in Laban’s house. But secretly his beloved Rachel took with her, the teraphim, the household gods of her father. Read more

Discipline

We live at a time when discipline is regarded as a bad word and a destructive educational policy. Read more

Shabbat Vayeytzey : Angels

Angels figure prominently in Jacob’s life. As he runs away from Esau, he sleeps and dreams. He sees angels climb up and down a ladder. Read more

A man of substance

I love to get feedback. Even when it is critical. Given the range of human opinions that’s hardly surprising. But there is one criticism I feel the need to respond to. Read more

Can one love God?

The Torah talks a lot about love, love of God, love our neighbours, and love the stranger. Read more

Shabbat Toldot: A perfect marriage?

The marriage of Isaac and Rebecca appears on the surface to have been a perfect one. Read more

« Previous Page — Next Page »