Philosophy

Serendipitous gifts are all around us: The invisible threads connecting Israelis in times of loss

In Judaism, there is no such thing as mere happenstance. Everything is viewed as hashgacha pratit (divine providence). 

Caregivers from India in Efrat.
“Stability is, in many ways, an illusion. Like a tightrope walker, we do not truly stand still - we remain upright by constantly adjusting and searching for balance.”

In a season of joy, rethinking happiness: Lessons from the tightrope

The Writer's wedding invitation from 1955, to take place in Melbourne’s St. Kilda  Synagogue.

Wedding invitation from 1955: A stroll through cherished memories - opinion

A businessman is seen working alongside a team of robots in this illustrative image of artificial intelligence.

Forget the robot apocalypse: AI's future is in teamwork, not superintelligence - opinion


Social justice and Judaism: The rabbinic voice can overcome polarization

Issues like immigration policy, criminal justice reform, and fighting poverty involve nuanced thinking, compromise, and the ability to integrate multiple perspectives.

 An image of Stephen Sondheim is shown on a large screen during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the 75th Annual Tony Awards in New York on June 12, 2022.

This Rosh Hashanah: May our Jewish spiritual quarrels continue! -opinion

This year’s two big questions – echoing throughout Jewish history – are “what do we believe” and “why do they hate us.”

 LEARNING TALMUD and other Jewish studies at Migdal Oz seminary in Gush Etzion: Despite Hitler, the Jews are still learning, exploring and arguing, because we survived.

President, students, Lady Elaine reflect on life after Rabbi Sacks

Over 200 government officials, Jewish figures and religious leaders commemorated the teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and his impact on modern Israeli society.

 President Isaac Herzog hosts the second annual Sacks Conversation, in memory of the late former British Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks.

Secular Jews, moral objectivism and religious ideology - opinion

While I won’t tie my moral code to religion, it’s eye-opening to see the merits of a religious belief and to hold more respect for the ideology of religious individuals.

 WOMEN PRAY in synagogue. ‘While I won’t tie my moral code to religion, it’s eye opening to see the merits of a religious belief,’ says the writer

Absurdity, Trump and the American presidency - opinion

Trump’s simplifying cultural context offered millions of Americans an ill-founded kind of reassurance.

 FORMER US PRESIDENT Donald Trump during his first post-presidency campaign rally in Ohio, earlier this year.

What is the meaning of death and immortality?

Leading religious philosophers to discuss at UK Conference next week

 AUTHORITY ON THE Kabbalah of Information Eduard Shyfrin

Spinoza's father was a loyal son of Israel, unlike his son - opinion

Little known is the life of Michael Spinoza, Baruch Spinoza’s father, but he was a loyal son of Israel and follower of the Amsterdam rabbinate.

Philosopher Baruch Spinoza

How to live the good life all your life - opinion

The choices we make in life are critical to our happiness and our future.

 Zina Garrison celebrates at Wimbledon.

Bernard-Henri Lévy on the power of goodwill and courage

The French writer, filmmaker and philosopher is in Jerusalem to receive an award for his new film 'The Will To See' at the Jerusalem Cinematheque-Jewish Film Festival.

 French writer, philosopher and filmmaker Bernard-Henri Lévy.

Why do good things happen to bad people? New book tracks answers

Thinking about Good and Evil - Jewish Views from Antiquity to Modernity by Rabbi Wayne Allen summarizes all the Jewish views on theodicy.

 THE DESTRUCTION of Sodom and Gomorrah by François de Nomé (called Monsù Desiderio), c. 1593-1650