Symposium on Jewish Ideas

I thank all the contributors to this symposium on Jewish ideas and all the people who have relayed their feedback. You can access each article individually here: Introduction by Gil Student Faith in the Modern World by Netanel Wiederblank Reflections on Orthodoxy and Biblical Scholarship by Yitzhak Berger Orthodoxy and LGBTQ in a Progressive World by Rafi Eis Conclusion by ...

by Gil Student Over the past twenty years, voices emerging from and associated with the movement that calls itself “Open Orthodoxy” have attempted to change Jewish practices and beliefs to be more consistent with contemporary secular practices and beliefs. Many leaders have responded by denying the merit of these attempts. While correct, these responses deserve more depth and breadth, explaining ...

by Rafi Eis The 2001 documentary Trembling Before G-d, changed the trajectory of Orthodox Judaism’s approach towards homosexuality. Until that point, a mainstream Orthodox view considered homosexual activity as a promiscuous lifestyle choice.[1] The film, however, profiled several Orthodox Jews for whom homosexuality was nature. They desperately wanted to live an Orthodox heterosexual life and build a family. However, no ...

by Yitzhak Berger Introduction From one perspective, the tense relationship between academic Bible study and traditional Jewish belief seems oddly ironic. Judaism ushered in a theology that would transform the global religious landscape. And to this day, its central monotheistic doctrine enjoys the support of great thinkers and resonates with the deepest experiences of countless religious believers. The study of ...

by Netanel Wiederblank In recent decades debate has proliferated about the degree to which a Jew must believe. Does the Torah merely demand actions, the 613 mitzvot as well as moral and ethical behavior, or does it demand belief? The question has been considered from an academic perspective,[1] as well as from a popular/sociological perspective, as people have observed the ...

Gil Student The strongest force in the world is the power of an idea. People inspired by an idea have toppled governments, invented radically new technologies and saved countless lives. Judaism is founded on the idea of monotheism, that there is a single Creator who made the universe and  whom we must serve. But that is not the only idea ...

I thank all the contributors to this symposium on Masorah and all the people who have relayed their feedback. You can access each article individually here: Introduction by Gil Student Masorah: A Philosophical User’s Guide by Alex S. Ozar How Bat Mitzvah Became Orthodox by Zev Eleff and Menachem Butler The Role and Challenges of Minhag in the 21st Century by ...

I thank all the contributors to this symposium on Open Orthodoxy and all the people who have relayed their feedback. You can access each article individually here: Introduction: Religious Polemics and Studies by Gil Student The Parting of the Ways? Open Orthodox Judaism in Historical Perspective by Zev Eleff Rabbi Irving (Yitz) Greenberg and His Theology of Covenant by Ira ...