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May 18, 2025, 6:10 AM

Who Fine-Tuned God?

It's a common and fair objection to the fine-tuning argument for God: If the universe is fine-tuned and that points to an intelligent designer, then who fine-tuned the designer? Who fine-tuned God? At first glance, this seems like a devastating...

Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden

May 16, 2025, 9:46 AM

Stop believing in a miracle that will bring redemption still today!

Singing We Want Messiah Now and Still Better hinder Redemption! Surely, we must never give up on hoping for Redemption, even today. Yet, Redemption may come in either of two ways. Either based on our merit, or before its time, in...

Sam Lehman-Wilzig

May 9, 2025, 1:55 PM

The Politics of the (Un)Educated Voter

In politics, an issue can be so fraught with emotion that it sucks the air out of other related topics. Such is the case with the “Draft Exemption” law the government has been (so far unsuccessfully) attempting to pass...

May 5, 2025, 1:01 PM

Toward a way forward – together

Rivon Harevii, Israel's Largest Grassroots Movement, Aims to Take the Poison Out of Israel's Public Discourse

We met in the Jerusalem forest on a beautiful Friday morning, a group of about 40 people sharing our thoughts: “I have tremendous respect for the settler movement, for its contributions to Israeli society,” said a participant from Raanana. “I am...

Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden

May 5, 2025, 5:47 AM

The Ultra-Orthodox masses need to be re-educated toward seeking out secular Jews

Don't wait for the secular leaders to take the initiative Disclaimer: I'm going to discuss groups without denying that there are exceptions. But that should not stop us from talking about generalities. Also, many Jews and Israelis place themselves between Ultra-Orthodox...

Apr 30, 2025, 9:36 PM

The Scrolls Of Independence, healing Israeli Alienation

The false dichotomy It is customary to read the Scroll Of Independence on Yom Haatzmaut, as it reminds us of our nation’s sacred moral as well as legal principles. However, we, the Jewish people, have another more ancient founding scroll,...

Apr 18, 2025, 3:35 PM

Reflections – Kosher Curry with a Shoehorn

Keeping kosher and Shabbat on the road is no small feat, but it’s led me to have special moments so amusing, irreverent, and occasionally inspiring that I look back on them with deep fondness. For anyone religious or meticulous about...

Apr 14, 2025, 10:03 PM

Kaplan Street and Rabbi Kook

People who identity with the political right in Israel see the “Kaplan Street“ protesters as a divisive force in the Nation. While they may be small in number, their voice is immensely magnified by the leftist media. Their angry...

Apr 10, 2025, 5:44 AM

The choice each of us must make

Image created by author, using Microsoft Designer

How we can have more faith in our future There are two ways in which we can perceive ourselves as Jews, Rabbi Sacks taught. The one we choose has the power to change the course of our future - personally...

Moshe-Mordechai van Zuiden

Mar 30, 2025, 9:41 PM

Need we condemn, scare, shame, and hate outwardly religious Jews who fake it?

Are they faking being Orthodox or just weak? First of all, dishonesty is as antithetical as anything to Judaism. The Sages of the Talmud show absolute integrity. The Torah instructs us to go for truth as nothing else. So much...

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