Philosophy

How Netanyahu's Israel is a betrayal of early Zionism - opinion

The contrast between Ahad Ha’am and Netanyahu is not between idealism and realism. It is between moral realism and political cynicism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, on February 15, 2026.
Statue of Spinoza by Nicolas Dings in Zwanenburgwal, Amsterdam, with the inscription ‘The objective of the state is freedom,’ quoted from his ‘Tractatus Theologico-Politicus.’

'Why Am I a Jew?' A sincere attempt at addressing big questions about Judaism - book review

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Josh Adler on whether creativity is a choice or is simply biology

Black Hole Blues

Black Hole Blues: At the Edge of Time, Space, and No Return


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

When tragedy strikes, where is God?

And Moses said: “Please God, show me your system of justice.” — What does Jewish tradition and scholars say about God's role in human tragedy?

 DOES GOD exist, and if so,  how does He interface with the universe?

South African Chief Rabbi on searching for meaning

Moments of crisis provoke within us some of the deepest questions. We can try to ignore these gnawing questions; pretend they don’t exist, or seek truth.

 What is the essential difference between the vine and the olive tree?

Understanding the concept of infinity in Judaism

When we put our hands over our eyes during the Shema, we are close to understanding the kabbalistic understanding of infinity.

United Hatzalah founder and president Eli Beer closes his eyes to recite the ‘Shema’ as he arrives at Ben-Gurion International Airport on April 21

How does Jewish peoplehood mesh with the American experiment?

As the United States of America celebrates its Independence Day, it bears merit to question how the Jewish concept of "chosenness" meshes with American republican ideals.

INDEPENDENCE DAY celebrations in Washington, July 4, 2020.