The spirit of our people desires further development; it wants to absorb the basic elements of general culture which are reaching it from the outside world, to digest them and to make them a part of itself, as it has done before at various periods of its history. But the conditions of its life in exile are not suitable for such a task. In our time culture expresses itself … [Read more...] about Ahad Ha-am, The Jewish State and the Jewish Problem (1897)
2017.08.31
Reform Judaism in Israel: an amazing success story, by Rabbi Micky Boyden
When one reads about the way in which Bibi backtracked on the Kotel agreement and the disgraceful manner in which the Women of the Wall are treated by the police and security personnel, one could be mistaken for believing that Reform Judaism is having a bad time of it in Israel. If you add to that the dislike that many feel for Israel's right-wing/religious coalition … [Read more...] about Reform Judaism in Israel: an amazing success story, by Rabbi Micky Boyden
Comprehensive interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in Israeli media
A recent detailed interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin appeared in the original Hebrew in Makor Rishon earlier this month, with select paragraphs translated into English below. Partial translation of Rabbi Riskin's interview "If I could ask God one thing, I would ask: How is it possible that the Talmud is the most pluralistic piece of literature, but those who study … [Read more...] about Comprehensive interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in Israeli media