One of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned about the holiday of Tisha B’Av came in Jerusalem during the summer of 1988. At a vigil sponsored by Shalom Achshav, one speaker (I wish I can remember who) compared Tisha B’Av to the Jewish High Holidays. During the latter, Jewish tradition requires Jews to do [...]
Archive for the ‘Religion/Politics’ Category
Soul Accounting on Tisha B’Av
Posted in Judaism, Politics, Religion, Religion/Politics, Tisha B'Av on August 10, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Hitchin’ a Ride on the Hagee Train
Posted in American Judaism, Elections 2008, Holocaust, Interfaith, Iran, Israel, Politics, Religion, Religion/Politics, Zionism on May 28, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Pastor John Hagee’s outfit, Christians United For Israel is gearing up for their annual summit next month, and if you need to be reminded of just how troubling CUFI’s views are, check out journalist Max Blumenthal’s video report on last year’s summit. It includes the truly horrifying testimonials of Hagee’s followers [...]
My Green Podcast
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Energy Policy, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, Judaism, Religion, Religion/Politics on May 1, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I recently spoke about Judaism and the environment at Beth Shalom – a Conservative congregation in Northbrook, IL. My talk is available as a podcast on the website of the Jewish United Fund of Greater Chicago if you’d like to give a listen…
The Torah of Human Rights
Posted in Human Rights, Judaism, Religion, Religion/Politics on December 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
Since today is International Human Rights Day – the 59th anniversary of the UN’s adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – I’m encouraging a little text study. Check out “Masechet Zechuyot Ha’Adam” a great study resource recently published by Rabbis for Human Rights – North America that matches elements of [...]
Broken Peace
Posted in Judaism, Peace, Religion, Religion/Politics, Terrorism, Torah Commentary on July 6, 2007 | 4 Comments »
At the end of last week’s Torah portion, Pinchas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron, displayed his “zeal” for God by killing an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were engaged in a public act of sexual idolatry:
When Pinchas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw this, he left the assembly and, [...]
On Eagles Wings
Posted in Independence Day, Judaism, Politics, Religion/Politics, Torah Commentary on July 4, 2007 | Leave a Comment »
I’m writing this post from the north woods of Wisconsin, where a few hours ago I was treated to the majestic sight of an eagle landing in a tall pine tree just yards away from where I was enjoying my morning coffee. (Not a bad way to begin Independence Day!) There’s something truly [...]
Bilaam’s Folly and the Evangelical Right
Posted in Interfaith, Iran, Israel, Judaism, News, Palestine, Peace, Politics, Politics/Middle East, Religion, Religion/Politics, Torah Commentary, Zionism on June 29, 2007 | 2 Comments »
In this week’s Torah portion, Balak, King of the Moabites sends for Bilaam, a sorcerer-type who is reputed to have remarkable powers: whomever he blesses becomes blessed and whomever he curses becomes cursed. Impressed by his reputation, Balak recruits Bilaam to curse the Israelites and seal their doom.
What ensues is brilliant Biblical satire. Bilaam sets [...]
Where are the Peacemakers?
Posted in Human Rights, Judaism, People You Should Know About, Politics, Religion, Religion/Politics, Spirituality, Torah Commentary on June 22, 2007 | 1 Comment »
In this week’s Torah portion, Hukkkat, we read of the death of Aaron:
Moses stripped Aaron of his vestments and put them on this son, Eleazar. When Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, the whole community knew that Aaron has breathed his last. All the house of Israel bewailed Aaron thirty days. (Numbers 20:28-29)
It [...]
Making Democracy Safe for the World
Posted in Current Events, Judaism, Politics, Politics/Middle East, Religion, Religion/Politics, Terrorism, Torah Commentary on June 15, 2007 | 1 Comment »
As this week’s Torah portion opens, a prominent Israelite named Korach ben Yizhar, together with two hundred and fifty chieftains, publicly revolts against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Korach’s grievance is articulated as a populist call to arms:
They combined against Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all [...]
Nation Building and Dispossession
Posted in Human Rights, Israel, Palestine, Religion, Religion/Politics, Torah Commentary, War, Zionism on August 1, 2008 | 4 Comments »
But if you do not dispossess the inhabitants of the land, those whom you allow to remain shall be stings in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harrass you in the land in which you live; so that I will do to you what I planned to do to them. (Numbers [...]
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