Voices from Exile: Delving into Jewish Theology, History, and Folklore

Rabbi Sherwin once related that during the medieval period, “…the Jew was viewed by the Christians as demonic, anti-Christ, criminal, blasphemous, heretical and either blind or stubbornly recalcitrant to Christian truth. The Jew was neither considered to believe in or to worship the true God. Rather, the Jew was considered to be an agent, an ally and a worshipper of Satan.” While I have experience...

I think it's safe to say that in most people's mind, fasting, long services, and certainly Kol Nidrei are generally connected with what people think about Yom Kippur. But the actual history of the Kol Nidre is often a mystery to many Jews. It's often assumed to be linked to forced conversions. And there may in fact be some truth to that. But the sources are not altogether clear. This short episode...

The views of the Rambam and the Maharal were far apart on many issues. In this episode we continue the discussion regarding their perspectives on Jewish identity. They demonstrate the variety of entrees at the theological Smorgasbord that constitutes Jewish theology. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel was once asked to explain the Jewish view on a particular topic. Rabbi Heschel explained that there was...

Anyone even remotely familiar with the Talmud will note the routine exchange or dialogue that takes place between rabbis. The rabbis are often from different periods, but the conversations add to the understanding and elaboration of the tradition. The conversation, in that sense, is very much alive. That model has always drawn me, and I believe it shows the complexity of the classical Jewish tradi...

The famous story of the Greek Philosopher Socrates might not seem to mean much in the world of Jewish and Christian interfaith dialogue, but should it? Jews and Christians share much in common and differ sharply in other areas. What is the root of the differences? Is it simply a matter of beliefs or are there fundamental differences in how they understand knowledge?

The first chapter of the book of Genesis recalls the story of creation. But it provides far more than merely an Israelite cosmology. It offers an understanding of Near Eastern cosmologies or the remnants of the former still existent in Israelite society's memory. Genesis conveys the concept of the one God created the world according to His will, without restraint or limitation. It provides the fou...

Several months ago, I was traveling to Canada on business for my engineering job. I had finished my meeting and was at the airport ready to return to the US. As I was sitting down eating a snack, I heard my wife’s voice loud and clear. She called “Mi amor” in Spanish, meaning my love. I didn’t turn around to see if she was there. I knew she was at home with our three boys. I reached for my phone a...

he mystical experiences of Abraham Abulafia of the 13th century are categorized under the label of prophetic or ecstatic Kabbalah. In prophetic Kabbalah, the goal of the mystic is to attain a spiritual experience on par with that of the biblical prophets. In the person of Abulafia, ecstatic Kabbalah, apocalypticism, and messianism reached a unique synthesis. Abulafia saw himself as a Messianic fig...

The principal story of Parashat Toldot centers on the birth of Isaac’s two sons, Jacob and Esau. Their birth serves to convey G-d’s fidelity to the promises he made to Abraham to provide him future descendants to inherit the land of Canaan. Yet the lives and decisions of both Jacob and Esau also cause to consider the age-old question of free will and predestination- that is whether man possesses t...

The rabbis of late antiquity performed various roles in Jewish religious and civic life. The rabbis of Babylonia, like their counterparts in the land of Israel, were seen as or functioned as holy men , sages, mystics , exorcists , lawyers, judges, and as community organizers. The rabbis were honored and feared by many, but they were also despised and rejected by others. Their authority is often ov...

The differences between Ashkenazim and Sephardim of the medieval period extend to a whole host of areas including their liturgical practices, approaches to the Biblical and Talmudic study, manner of dress, and of course differences in Hebrew pronunciation. The differences often resulted in identity struggles which manifested themselves in conflict and animosity towards each other. The differences...

Theological debates between two different theological systems are generally pointless in my opinion. Why? Because typically the nature of each theological system generally dismisses the validity of the other theological system from the start. One side is bent on showing the other how wrong or foolish they are. If theological debates are pointless, then what is appropriate and what is beneficial. D...

A number of Jewish historical works were written during the sixteenth century including Sefer Yuhasin by Abraham Zacuto at the beginning of the century and Semah David by David Gans at the end of the century. The former preceded Dei Rossi’s Me’or Einayim and was intended for the accomplished Talmudic scholar while the latter was intended for the masses.3 While they differ in content and theme, bot...

A great many Jewish holidays and practices, in their earliest understanding, reflect the great innovation of Israelite religion. The Bible emphasized historical events in contrast to nature. Other ancient Near Eastern religions stressed the latter. As Rabbi Abra-ham Joshua Heschel noted, in the Jewish tradition, faith is memory. The observances of Jewish holidays and various Jewish practices artic...

It's hard to believe that Hasidism as we see it in the 21st century was once considered heretical in quarters of traditional orthodoxy. The rise of Hasidism precipitated a strong reaction by a range of prevailing religious authorities. The accusations and basis for concern were quite varied as the edicts of excommunication issued by the Gaon of Vilna and others ultimately revealed. One recurring a...

The Sayings of the Fathers provide us with a unique but limited portal to the world of emerging rabbinic thought in the late Second Temple and the subsequent era following its destruction. While the Sages’ words are primarily focused on ethical and moral concerns, they also reflect the complex and changing political environments of their day and the delicate relationship existing between Jewish co...

Despite the proven relationship of Karaites and Rabbanites at the highest level, the theological differences between the two communities remained and would ultimately manifest itself in attempts by some Rabbanites to excommunicate them. But while some worked to excommunicate them, others were perfectly fine with forging alliances and marrying them.

While the two groups may have been theological opposed to each other, day to day interaction could include practical engagement with one another. If documented relationships that existed between Karaites and Rabbanites, i.e., rabbinic Jews, can be explained as simple business realities, the associations between the Karaites and the yeshivot of Jerusalem and Babylon reveal an astonishing measure of...

We continue our discussion on Moshe idel's work titled Ben: Sonship and Jewish Mysticism. Here Idel begins to consider the elements which appear to have been critical in the development of the thought patterns that were eventually accepted into nascent Christianity. While our discussion will not reach this period yet, these elements are critical to understanding the existence of various ideas that...

We continue our discussion the phenomenal and no doubt controversial work of Moshe Idel titled Ben: Sonship and Divine Sonship and Jewish Mysticism. In this episode we explore the challenges of understanding sonship in the Second Temple period with an emphasis on the Angel of the Lord. The goal of this discussion is to understand the variety of Jewish thought on the topic and also understand the p...

Today I am providing a brief review of the work of Moshe Idel titled Ben: Sonship and Jewish Mysticism. It's an amazing book which in reality requires its own course to explain. What I hope to do here is briefly discuss some of the key concepts. Many religious traditions generally espouse the idea that a channel exists between the divine and human spheres of existence. Interaction with the divine...

Christian Cabala emerged during the Renaissance as Christian scholars became intrigued by the mysticism of Jewish Kabbalah, which they reinterpreted through the lens of Christian theology. Christian Cabalists often believed that their interpretations could be used to convince Jews of the truth of Christianity. Still, the very fact that a Jewish source of knowledge could be respected was a signific...

The preeminence of Scripture in establishing Divine law and a passionate rejection of and opposition to the Talmudic tradition characterize the basic tenets of Karaite theology. Not surprisingly, Karaite perspectives on prayer also reflect these over-arching points of view. Karaism viewed itself as returning toward a more ancient and legitimate form of Judaism reflective of the Second Temple perio...

Baruch Spinoza is also acclaimed as one of the greatest philosophers of the modern period. His tenuous relationship with the greater Jewish community, however, eventually ended in expulsion due to his uncompromising ideals and perhaps his youthful obstinacy. His adoption or consideration of elements of extra-Jewish religious expressions and even pantheistic leanings were sufficient to seal his ill...

The plight of Iberian Conversos who returned to Judaism was often more complicated that we can imagine. They had escaped the clutches of the Inquisition, but often maintained familial and financial ties in the Peninsula that were unresolved. They were then faced with the need to undergo circumcision which presented physical danger on more than one level. The legitimate concerns as well flexibility...