I have wanted to start a review section of Jewish literature and art for some time. While the author I am showcasing today is not Jewish, her poem moved me to think about Judaism and its deep ties to our ancestors. A.S. Sonder wrote: “I see in myself my ancestors, my blood’s memories: Barefoot, fingers in the clay, bathing in the pale moonlight, of a cool autumn night.” The line that moved me the most was “my ancestors, my blood’s... Read more
When the Supreme Court, also known as SCOTUS, failed to uphold Roe vs Wade, they made a mockery of our Constitution. They did this by violating religious freedom. SCOTUS violated the religious freedom of Jewish women in our nation. Under Jewish Law, women are entitled to an abortion as part of their faith. Judaism on Abortion: How SCOTUS Violated Religious Freedom The Jewish faith believes in preserving the mother’s life over the fetus’. So, if the mother’s life is in... Read more
Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8 is a verse of The Torah that Jews take very seriously. We commit to doing no work on the sabbath, because G-d rested on the sabbath and commanded us to do the same. Truly, doing this lengthens our days. However, I have been wondering if we do not miss the more important message. What lies beyond The Sabbath? Is what we do on the other 6 days... Read more
Society, particularly religious society, seems to have a hard time using a Trans person’s new name. However, is there Biblical support for this prejudice? What does The Bible say about using a person’s dead name? It is tempting to think that The Bible has nothing to say about this issue. We often think that transsexuality is a new-age phenomenon. Therefore, we jump to the conclusion that The Bible has nothing to say about the issues that affect the Trans community.... Read more
G-d, Where is the proof? For years people have believed that Science and Religion are at odds. Non-believers often ask, G-d, Where is the proof? Yet, the more I learn about Religion and Science, the more convinced I become that Science is the proof of Religion. The two are not at odds. Rather, one points to the other. Now, a scientist has claimed they have the proof non-believers have been seeking. G-d Where is the Proof? A Simulated Universe Melvin... Read more
Patheos has partnered with Skylight.org to celebrate the release of Inside Out 2 and explore the intersection of mental and spiritual health presented in the film. As part of that collaboration, I viewed Inside Out 2 at the theater, when it opened on June 14th, 2024 to examine the film from a Jewish perspective. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the film showcased many ideas about mental and spiritual health found in Judaism. Further, Disney did a fantastic... Read more
This year, 2024, the story of The Exodus is even more powerful than on a regular Passover, as once again our people find themselves captive. We can hear our G-d saying, “Let my people go,” as we struggle to bring home the hostages. Are we reliving The Exodus story in 2024? Israel Enslaved Surprisingly, there are a lot of similarities between events happening this year and what happened in the story of The Exodus. During the Exodus, The Jewish people... Read more
What does The Torah say about lesbians? While many religious people lump all homosexuals into one group, you may be surprised to find that the Biblical text does not lump women and men into the same category with regard to homosexuality. Thus, many people do not know what the text says about lesbians. What Does The Torah Say About Lesbians? So, what does The Torah say about lesbians? You may be surprised to learn that the answer is nothing. The... Read more
After the article on Female Genital Mutilation, a reader wrote in to ask about the laws concerning piercings and tattoos. I will attempt to answer her questions here. So, may Jews have piercings and tattoos? While it may be tempting to say that the answer is a straight yes or no, nothing is ever so simple in Judaism. Different sects and different individual Jews have their own beliefs, but there are some general consensuses among Rabbis. Also, The Torah offers... Read more
In Judaism, we like to think of female genital mutilation as an “other’s” problem, but unfortunately, it is not. There is a sect of Ethiopian Jews known as Falashas or Beta Israel who regularly practice genital mutilation in females. This practice is not based on Torah teachings, provides no health benefits, and must be brought to an end. Beta Israel and Female Genital Mutilation Beta Israel lived in isolation from the larger Jewish community in Ethiopia. Their religion is based... Read more
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