Ask the Rabbis | What is the Role of the Prophetic Voice in Today’s World?
HUMANIST
The legendary civil rights activist Bayard Rustin summed up the kind of prophecy we need today when he said, “The primary social function of a...
Ask the Rabbis | When Have You Changed Your Mind About Something Important?
“Way back when I was a normal yeshiva boy playing rabbi, I thought I was right about gay men not really being gay and that they should stop this nonsense and get right with Torah and find a nice Jewish girl. Until one day.”
Ask the Rabbis | What Impact Will Artificial Intelligence Have On People’s Spiritual Lives?
Artificial intelligence has been around ever since we plucked the fruit off the branch of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil and came away with clarity around neither.
Ask the Rabbis | What Does Israel Reaching 75 Mean in the Context of 3,000 Years of Jewish History?
These 75 years of the existence of the State of Israel do not just resolve 2,000 years of exile but bring to a climax 3,000 years of Jewish history.
Ask the Rabbis | What Jewish Wisdom Would You Offer Today’s Billionaires?
Best to hold on to it so you can enjoy your bounty, but make sure you leave some for me.
Ask The Rabbis | Should We Edit Our Children’s Genes?
INDEPENDENT
Maybe not edit. Maybe just proofread and add a comma or a few comments in the margin. If circumstances require, perhaps add an exclamation mark,...
Ask The Rabbis | How Has Pittsburgh Changed Jewish Life for Your Community?
Our reaction to the events in Pittsburgh began with mourning for the victims. From mourning we moved to the legitimate fear that comes from living in a nation where easily procured weapons of mass death terrorize people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ people and—as always—Jews.
Ask The Rabbis | What Sins Should We Atone For In Our Use of Social Media?
“Do we gossip? Do we repost stories about friends, family or colleagues that ought not be repeated? Do we believe everything we read?”
Ask The Rabbis | Can a Robot Be Jewish?
“Would your Jewish robot be like the Jetsons’ Rosie, who’d make perfect Shabbat challah and your aunt’s amazing latkes?”
Ask The Rabbis | Has Israel Changed Judaism?
“When Jews gathered as religious communities, we didn't have to tolerate significant differences: When we disagreed, we just founded a new synagogue with the like-minded....
Ask The Rabbis | Should Jews at the Seder Ask God to Smite Our Enemies?
Pour out Your wrath upon the nations that know You not, and upon the families that call not on Your name; for they have devoured...
Ask The Rabbis | How Would You Counsel A Sexual Predator?
In every contact with serial bullies, victimizers or predators, we must carefully balance natural empathy for the person before us with solidarity and justice concerning...