Latest Essays
How Did Abraham Discover God? The Experiential Approach
How Did Abraham Discover God? The Experiential Approach
The midrashic Parable of the Illuminated Palace concerns Abraham and the existence of God. In Part 1, we looked at Maimonides rationalistic, Aristotelian approach. Alternative interpretations focus on the idea of an experiential, living relationship with God.
How Did Abraham Discover God? The Rationalistic Approach
How Did Abraham Discover God? The Rationalistic Approach
The midrashic Parable of the Illuminated Palace centers on Abraham and the existence of God. Maimonides’ interpretation of the parable envisions an Aristotelian Abraham for whom God is a scientific fact.
The Mystical Ritual of Hoshana Rabbah: Summoning God
The Mystical Ritual of Hoshana Rabbah: Summoning God
Hoshana Rabbah, the final day of the High Holiday cycle, has a fascinating ritual service, the hoshanot, which includes the making of seven circuits around a Torah scroll and ends with the beating of willow sprigs against the ground. What is the significance of this ritual?
Differing Conceptions of the Divine Creator
Differing Conceptions of the Divine Creator
The two creation stories of Genesis, chapters 1 and 2-3 (P and J) introduce two long narratives which continue throughout much of the Torah. Each is working with a different conception of the creator—a rather human-like God versus a majestic and distant deity.
Sukkot, the Temple, and the Messianic Controversy
Sukkot, the Temple, and the Messianic Controversy
“May the All-Merciful One reestablish the fallen sukkah of [King] David” הרחמן הוא יקים לנו את סוכת דוד הנופלת — from the Grace after Meals of Sukkot.
Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating the Creation of the Individual or the Community?
Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating the Creation of the Individual or the Community?
God creates “the human... male and female” (Genesis 1), which we typically understand to mean the first human couple. However, a look at the creation of other species in the same chapter suggests otherwise.
