Haim Watzman
In response to my post The Torah-Who Needs It, “Haskalah” asks:
Can a Jew “think hard about every action, about what it means and what its consequences will be, without the Torah?” Did no one do so before the first Sha’vuot? In short, is it possible for a Jew to be moral and ethical and [...]
More On The Torah–Who Needs It?
June 11th, 2008 · 2 Comments · Judaism and Religion
Tags: God·Judaism·observance·Religion·Torah
Owning Jerusalem: Identity and Borders in the Holy City
June 4th, 2008 · 6 Comments · Judaism and Religion, Politics and Policy
Haim Watzman
I recall a gathering of journalists once many years ago at which a well-meaning but clueless intern told me that she worked in “Jerusalem, Israel” and then quickly corrected herself: “I meant just Jerusalem. I believe it should be an international city.”
In response to my Jerusalem Day post earlier this week, DanH asks a [...]
Tags: Arab·Culture·identity·Israel·Jerusalem·Jewish·nation·Palestine·Peace and Reconciliation·Religion
Is God a Republican?
April 30th, 2008 · 7 Comments · Judaism and Religion, Politics and Policy
Poor God. You created the world, you are the power and glory, but everyone thinks you’re a Republican.
But the association of the Most High with the most right-wing doesn’t stand up to philosophical scrutiny. Conservatives, after all, love order. They want today to be like yesterday, and tomorrow to be like the day before yesterday.
But [...]
Tags: Christianity·Democrat·God·Judaism·Maimonides·Religion·Republican·Science
More on Misunderstanding Identity: A Response to Bernard Avishai
April 18th, 2008 · 5 Comments · Culture and Ideas
Dear Bernard,
I’m delighted that you found my previous post worth a response. If a little summary judgment (isn’t that what blogging is all about?) can promote a lively exchange of ideas, then I think it’s for the best. If we weren’t doing this at our keyboards, when would we have found time for this conversation?
I’ll [...]
Tags: Israel·Jewish history·Judaism·Religion