Content (Page 44)
Getting our B’nei Mitzvah to Understand (and Love) Torah Study
Too often, preparing students to become bar or bat mitzvah feels like “studying for the test.” And as anyone who has ever “studied for the test” knows, the day after the test, all the information goes in one ear and out the other. Instead, becoming bar or bat mitzvah should truly be about making a transition — namely, from being a child in the Jewish community to becoming an adult. And so as our 13-year-olds grow and develop, and as we celebrate their entrance into the Jewish community, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to teach them skills for life-long learning.
Does Religion Make Your Brain Happy? An Interview with Science Writer David DiSalvo
Many of the things that make our brains happy are now more harmful than helpful. And some people place religion in that category, as well. Religion is like fatty foods, they claim — something we should outgrow and move beyond. But I think the better question is, what aspects of religion should we try to outgrow?
The Beauty in Science and the Beauty in Judaism
Curiosity and awe are two of the driving forces behind both science and Judaism. They are what lead us to see their inherent beauty.
Religion Can’t Be an End Unto Itself
The question isn’t “how Jewish are we?” or “how religious are we?” The real question is, “How can Judaism help us to become better people and to create a better world?”
Memory is Not About the Past — Memory is About the Future
Reflecting on the past is not the real purpose of memory. Instead, as Professor Steve Joordens says, memory is “any time when a past experience has an effect on current or future behavior.” In other words, memory is not about the past – memory is really about the present and the future.
Do We Create Our Own Morality?
While an ethic of “do what you feel” would obviously be disastrous, there may be a way to transform this “moral individualism” into “moral ownership.”
Our Deeply-Rooted Need to Mark Time
While the calendar can remind us when sacred moments happen, we are the ones who have the power to truly make them significant.
What Would a “Conscious Judaism” Look Like?
Awareness, intentionality and self-knowledge have become rich sources of scientific inquiry. Interestingly, these ideas also have deep resonance with teachings found within Jewish tradition.
Why Can Judaism Embrace Science So Easily?
While some people think of science and religion as being inherently in conflict, I think it’s because they tend to define “religion” as “blind acceptance and complete certainty about silly, superstitious fantasies.” Quite honestly, if that’s what religion really was, I wouldn’t be religious! In fact, it’s not “religion” in general, but that particular definition of religion that is so often in conflict with science. Instead, my experience with Judaism has been that it embraces science quite easily. So why is that?
The Problems, the Potential and the Power of Religious Belief
Beliefs (even religious beliefs) themselves are neither good nor bad — it’s how those beliefs manifest themselves in our actions that we need to examine.
Overcoming the Fear That Drives the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Yes, there are reasons to be afraid. But it is crucial for our fears not to dictate our actions. After all, it is far too easy to use emotions like anger, sadness or anxiety as justifications for “why we did what we did.” Instead, our responsibility is to act on our deepest values — even though we are afraid.
Retributive Justice and Restorative Justice
There is a difference been retributive justice, which gives us a primal sense of pleasure, and restorative justice, which is about our responsibilities as we try move forward from this moment on.