Latest Essays

Did Moses take dictation? How can we vouch for his prophecy today? In what way is the Torah a product of divine origin? Revisiting Maimonides’ Eighth Principle of Faith can empower us to stand–once again–with Moses on Sinai.

Prof.

Sam Fleischacker

TheGemara.com

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TheGemara.com

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TheGemara.com

The Incident of Nadav and Avihu

A Mysterious Transgression or a Mysterious Deity?

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Megillat Esther: A Godless and Assimilated Diaspora

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The Ancient Judean Holiday: Yom Nicanor - 13th of Adar

The historical events surrounding the holiday, Yom Nicanor, and why we should consider marking the day in our generation.

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Is God Truly Everywhere? Sacred Space and the Role of Sacrifices

The deepest desire of worshipers was to have YHWH in their midst.

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A More Religious Megillah: The Jewish-Greek Version of Esther

The Jewish-Greek version of Esther adds several elements into the story, including prayers to God, prophetic dreams, and recognition of God's intervention. These passages were added in Hasmonean Jerusalem, and highlights the conflict between the original diaspora book and how it was received in Hasmonean Judea.

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Is a First-Order Constructivist Theology Possible?

Is a First-Order Constructivist Theology Possible?

Is the "As If" Approach Sufficient to Maintain Firm Religious Commitment?

Is the "As If" Approach Sufficient to Maintain Firm Religious Commitment?

Post-Liberalism and "As If" Beliefs

Post-Liberalism and "As If" Beliefs

Excursus – Wittgenstein's Anti-Scientistic Conception of Philosophy: Two Stages

Excursus – Wittgenstein's Anti-Scientistic Conception of Philosophy: Two Stages

Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz: Torah from Sinai as a Normative Statement

Prof. Yeshayahu Leibowitz: Torah from Sinai as a Normative Statement

Orthodox Solutions Thus Far

Orthodox Solutions Thus Far

Traditional Concepts of God and Kabbalistic Interpretation: An Overview

Traditional Concepts of God and Kabbalistic Interpretation: An Overview

Tolerating the Fragility of Theological Constructs: Does Self-Awareness Make Them Too Fragile?

Tolerating the Fragility of Theological Constructs: Does Self-Awareness Make Them Too Fragile?

Heterodox Responses

Heterodox Responses

The Doctrine of “Tzimtzum Shelo Kepshuto” and Its Power

The Doctrine of “Tzimtzum Shelo Kepshuto” and Its Power

The Problem of Relativism and Rav Kook's Concept of "Perfectible Perfection"

The Problem of Relativism and Rav Kook's Concept of "Perfectible Perfection"

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Questioning the Centrality of Empirical Data

Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Questioning the Centrality of Empirical Data

Myth of Origin and Narrative Theology: Rabbi Norman Solomon

Myth of Origin and Narrative Theology: Rabbi Norman Solomon

Shortcomings of Metaphysical Minimalism: James Kugel

Shortcomings of Metaphysical Minimalism: James Kugel

The Linguistic Turn: A New Direction in Religious Thinking

The Linguistic Turn: A New Direction in Religious Thinking

Post-Liberalism as the Ultimate Safety Net for Classical Religion in the Modern World

Post-Liberalism as the Ultimate Safety Net for Classical Religion in the Modern World

Bringing It All Together: The Interactive Paradigm of Divine-Human Relations & Conclusion

Bringing It All Together: The Interactive Paradigm of Divine-Human Relations & Conclusion

In the Footsteps of Leibowitz: Kasher, Levinger, Goldman and Schwartz

In the Footsteps of Leibowitz: Kasher, Levinger, Goldman and Schwartz

Mother and Child: Postpartum Defilement and Circumcision

Mother and Child: Postpartum Defilement and Circumcision

Making Sense of the Revelation at Sinai

Making Sense of the Revelation at Sinai

The Incident of Nadav and Avihu

The Incident of Nadav and Avihu

Megillat Esther: A Godless and Assimilated Diaspora

Megillat Esther: A Godless and Assimilated Diaspora

The Ancient Judean Holiday: Yom Nicanor - 13th of Adar

The Ancient Judean Holiday: Yom Nicanor - 13th of Adar

Is God Truly Everywhere? Sacred Space and the Role of Sacrifices

Is God Truly Everywhere? Sacred Space and the Role of Sacrifices

A More Religious Megillah: The Jewish-Greek Version of Esther

A More Religious Megillah: The Jewish-Greek Version of Esther