What is Kohelet (Ecclesiastes)? It’s a work of existential philosophy, about the meaning of life. A political critique, looking realistically at life under monarchy, and how one can safely resist abuses. And a work of spiritual wisdom, teaching about equanimity under stress. Traditionally, Jews read this Biblical book each fall, during the holiday of Sukkot.…
Category: Philosophy
Infinity: God in My Soul
Infinity: A perfect topic for my interview on this innovative podcast. It’s called PTR: Philosophy, Theology, and Religious studies. Or, if you prefer, “Poststructuralist Tent Revival.” PTR is hosted by Jacob Given, a doctoral student at Villanova University. Here we discuss ideas from my book The Infinity Inside: infinity, kabbalah, God’s existence, dreams, and mystical…
Foucault on Mass Incarceration
Michel Foucault (1926-1984), French philosopher and historian. Sure, we all cite him, but have we read his work lately? And seen just how current it is? This summer, I re-read his book Discipline and Punish: Birth of the Prison (1975). It’s an intellectual history of criminal punishment in France. A summary of the ideals of 18th and…
Terumah: Did God Create Humans or Did Humans Create God?
“Did God create humans or did humans create God?” That, said my study group, is a question posed by Parshat Terumah. They are a lovely group, from Havurat Hakerem in Columbia, South Carolina. International, diverse, and learned. And one verse, close to the beginning of the parsha, caught their eye. God introduces Moses to the…
Argumentation for Theological Scholars
A slide lecture for research students at the Vancouver School of Theology. This was a fun project! A great opportunity to revisit my foundations in philosophical thought.
Balaam: Don't Defame Your Enemies
Don’t defame your enemies. That’s today’s lesson from the Biblical prophet Balaam. In 1200 BCE, mass media works like this: A famous person, a person of stature, speaks. Witnesses listen. Faithfully, accurately, they report what they heard. Person after person hears and repeats. Do you have a political enemy? Want to discredit them? Fill the…
Jewish Time: Cyclical, Linear, or Open-Ended?
What is Jewish time? No, I’m not looking for the practical answer. You know — the funny cultural norm. Where we start events 5, 10, or 15 minutes late. Because, even when they tarry, we expect 10 people will eventually drift in. Instead, I may be looking for an experiential answer. A phenomenological one. What’s a…
Political narrative keeping you prisoner? Time for a new Exodus!
Judaism has a “master story” that shapes our political narrative. It is, of course, the Exodus. One famous version goes like this: A few of us found security in a foreign land. We became many. We were oppressed. We cried out to God. God saved us, bringing us to a land flowing with milk and honey (paraphrase,…
Praise to the Living God! What kind of Jewish prayer is Yigdal Elohim Chai?
Yigdal Elohim Chai (Praise to the Living God) has a special role in Jewish prayer. It’s one of a very few medieval hymns (piyyut) in the daily morning liturgy. Its author may be Daniel Ben Yehuda Dayan (c. 1400). Yigdal is one of many poems based on Maimonides‘ list of core principles of Jewish faith (c. 1168). Synagogue…
Blaming the Victim
Last night, I saw it again. A familiar psoriasis lesion. Just below my ankle. Every winter, it grows in the dark under winter socks and boots. Every summer, it disappears, healed by light shining through my sandals. No wonder Torah sees tzara’at – psoriasis– as a mysterious and edgy event. Psoriasis chooses a random victim…