Philosophy
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik's relationship with Maimonides can be seen through his reverence for the Mishneh Torah as a beloved halakhic code, which he defended passionately against detractors.
Philosopher Hannah Arendt and scientist Stanley Milgram shed light on the nature of evil in society, arguing that normal, seemingly good people can commit atrocities when influenced by social pressures.
Tzvi Sinensky responds to Rabbi Herzl Hefter's discussion on the Akeidah, highlighting two main interpretations - The Problem of Choice and The Problem of Hearing.
Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg's excerpt from "Moses: A Human Life" delves into the symbolic importance of Moses and the error of idolizing him through the narrative of the Golden Calf incident.
Ari Lamm discusses the perception of a lack of direct conversation about God within Modern Orthodox Judaism, attributing this trend to a broader pragmatic approach in American religious thought, focusing on practical implications of belief in God.
Professor Gabriel Motzkin, a philosopher and outgoing director of the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, delves into the intersection of religion and scientific progress, a topic of his expertise.
Rabbi J. David Bleich, a prominent scholar known for his work in philosophical halachah, is praised for defining and upholding high standards in the field of English halachic writing.
The Jewish Review of Books recently held its 2nd annual conference at Yeshiva University Museum, featuring engaging discussions between prominent readers and writers like Eliot Cohen, Shai Held, Dara Horn, Meir Soloveichik, and others.
In this text, the author discusses the debate between philosophers Crescas and Rambam from the Middle Ages regarding whether God can command belief in His existence.
Leonard Cohen's album "You Want it Darker" reflects his ambivalence towards death and God, exploring themes of suffering and mortality.
Renowned singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen passed away at 82.
The article discusses the significance of Noah sending out a raven before the dove in the biblical story of the flood.
Professor Uri Ram from Ben-Gurion University explores the overlooked sociology work of renowned Jewish theologian Martin Buber during his role as the first chair in sociology in Israel in 1947.
Prof. William Kolbrener, an English literature professor at Bar-Ilan University, explores his book "The Last Rabbi: Joseph Soloveitchik and the Talmudic Tradition" in a discussion with Gilad Halpern.
Oded Gilad, director of One World - The Movement for Global Democracy, discusses with host Gilad Halpern the potential of a more democratic approach in addressing global issues like climate change and poverty.
The article discusses the concept of "gedolim," revered leaders in Orthodox Judaism whose influence is significant within their communities.
In "The Origins of Jewish Universalism: What it is, and Why it Matters," Malka Simkovich explores how Jewish universalist ideas were prevalent in the late Second Temple period, challenging the perception of Judaism as solely particularistic.
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin reviews Jonathan Sacks's book, "Not in God's Name," acknowledging its exploration of religious violence but critiquing its treatment of holy texts.
Adam Kirsch's book "The People and the Books" explores the rich tapestry of Jewish literature from Moses to Sholem Aleichem, highlighting key figures like Disraeli, Judah Halevi, and Maimonides who grappled with central themes of God, Torah, the Land of Israel, and the Jewish people.
During the High Holidays between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the theme of God often emerges in psychotherapy sessions as individuals grapple with questions of belief, observance, and the meaning of life.
The article by Ari Feldman explores six Jewish figures from history who were perceived as potential messiahs but ultimately did not fulfill such expectations.
"Help, I'm a Prisoner in a Brain Lab" explores the clash between traditional Jewish concepts and modern scientific determinism, as discussed by author Alan Mittleman.
The text discusses the author's experiences attending a Hegelian conference in Moscow during the 1970s, where he was invited to speak on Marx's criticism of Hegel's political philosophy.
The text discusses Leora Batnitzky's essay on Michael Wyschogrod, highlighting the debate over associating Heidegger's idea of Dasein with Wyschogrod's emphasis on existential presence over ontological essence.
The discussion centers on the traditional stenographic theory of revelation versus the participatory theory in Jewish theology.