The purpose of Torah, says first-century Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria, is to teach that the essence of a human…
Category: Philosophy
On Tyrants
Who succeeds morally and emotionally in a democracy? A person who learns moderation through experience. After all, life is filled…
Freedom of Choice
In 1980, the convenience store chain 7-11 broadened its appeal to all Americans — by offering both CocaCola and PepsiCola in…
Talking about God
I’m kind of an unreflective theist; I grew up hearing the word “God.” On Shabbat, my family sang, “On the seventh…
Two Creations, One Philosophy (Bereisheet)
For first century philosopher Philo of Alexandria, there is only one true philosophy of life. Both of his favorite philosophers…
Living at the Edge: Kohelet in Ecclesiastes
Kohelet — narrator of the book of Ecclesiastes — lives on the edge. The edge of fulfillment, that is. “I’m…
Spiritual not Religious
Shabbos dinner with young university students is an adventure. Charles and I warm them up with a few glasses of…
Culture Clash
You can’t take a course called ‘The Land is Sacred’ in the Native Ministries program without going out on the…
Is Kabbalah a Universal Theology?
Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, has been handed down from Biblical times. It has appeared in different guises, expressed in the…