Tsunami Season
The recent Samoan tsunami brings back horrific memories of the far more catastrophic Pacific Rim Tsunami five years ago.
Here are some reflections from back then. May HaShem comfort those whose lives have been turned upside down by the unfathomable power of nature.
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Perspectives
Dawn to Destiny:
Exploring Jewish History and its Hidden Wisdom
By Rabbi Yonason Goldson
A comprehensive overview of Jewish History from Creation through the redaction of the Talmud, illuminating the intricacies and complexities of Torah tradition and philosophy according to the sages and classical commentaries, spanning the length and breadth of Jewish experience to resolve many of history’s most perplexing episodes, offering profound insights and showing their relevance to life in the modern world.
How did the sin of Adam transform mankind and the world? How were the prophecies of Noah fulfilled through the rise of the Greek Empire? Why did lifespans shrink so dramatically after the Flood? How did the builders of the Tower of Babel believe they could wage war against G-d? Why did the Torah have to be given in both written and oral form? What was King David’s transgression regarding his involvement with BasSheva? Why did some Jews oppose the construction of the Second Temple? How can we trust the transmission of Torah if our scholars engaged in such fierce disagreements? These and many other questions are answered in this unique volume.
An invaluable resource for scholars and laymen. A priceless tool for education and outreach. With approbations from HaRav Dovid Cohen and HaRav Zev Leff.
FOR EXCERPTS CLICK HERE.
FOR ORDERING INFORMATION CLICK HERE.
Mission Statement for the Jewish People — from the extraordinary wisdom of Rav Shraga Feivel Mendelovitz, founder of Torah education in America.
Why Jews are Liberals — the origins of ideological confusion, and a follow-up piece exploring the practical applications.
The End of the Age of Reason — the sages’ vision of a future that is at our doorstep, and a follow-up piece in response to, and including, some colorful comments.
Israel: History, Politics, and Ideology — Answers to the attacks of apologists and antagonists.
Defining “Objective” History — How can we determine the accuracy of historical records? How do we resolve contradictions in history?
Evolution Forum — Is it possible to have a civil debate on the subject?
The Language of Confusion — 60 years after 1984, Orwell’s prophetic dystopia remains more relevant than ever.
The Final Battlefield – The current economic crisis foretold a thousand years ago and the climax of the ultimate ideological war. Also, variations on a theme inspired by Pink Floyd and this recipe for the only truly secure investment.
The Fallacy of Moral Relativism — How I taught a class of cynical teenagers the illogic of unrestricted personal freedom.
Hurricane Season– With meteorologists predicting more hurricanes on the scale of Gustav, Ike, and Katrina, these thoughts on the Pacific Rim Tsunami are worth another look.
Talking the to the Wall Department — My efforts to engage an ideologue in civil discourse. Draw your own conclusions, and feel free to weigh in … respectfully.
Insights into the weeky Torah Portion
Donate to Block Yeshiva High School — I know of no finer educational institution in the world that prepares students to become materially and spiritually successful adults. Our graduates are the greatest evidence of our commitment to excellence.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS– I am often available as a scholar-in-residence, chazzan-in-residence, or lecturer. For lecture topics and samples of weekend programming click here. Inquiries may be directed to the email below:
Contact me at torahideals [at] att.net.
Where was Hashem when all this happened Did he cause it or did he just let it happen and if he can interfere with our lives why hasn’t he or she made it right?
Comment by Norm Pressman | October 5, 2009
Hardly a new or original question. It has been asked by Job, by Moses, and by endless thinkers through the ages. Here are some thoughts, for those who are really interested in finding answers. There’s much more to be said, but this is a start:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0709/goldson_puzzle_master.php3
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0401/disorder.html
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0409/goldson_silver_lining.php3
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0903/goldson_2003_09_26.php3
http://jewishworldreview.com/0209/goldson_faith.php3
Comment by torahideals | October 5, 2009
Rabbi-Your article has several errors and makes some incorrect assumptions.
First, evolution does not seek to explain the origin of life but only its transformation from simpler to more complex types. A Jewish grad student, Stanley Miller has come the closest to producing some elements of life in the laboratory and that was in the 50′s. There is much controversy about his work I don’t believe any scientist has come up with a generally accepted theory on the origin of life.
Second, its obvious your school doesn’t teach evolution but do you teach the “Young Earth Theory” that the Earth is 5700 years old? Do you teach that the actual Torah’s words were handed down on Mt. Sinai?.
And no I don’t suggest that a belief in religion would exclude the existence of extraterrestrial beings. But I ask you: If there are such beings are they bound by the of Torah?-are the laws of the Torah, such as the use of a Shabbat elevator and the prohibition against the mixing of fibers in clothes local to the earth or do they apply universally? The story of Jonah deals with God’s jurisdiction. Does our local god have jurisdiction over a civilization in another galaxy? If he does, how do we know which of the laws are universal and which are local. How does one define Shabbat in another solar system or galaxy? Is same sex marriage allowed on Mars or Uranus? I’ve asked Christians whether extraterrestrials who haven’t heard of Jesus are “saved” in the Protestant sense-Does God love intelligent beings in another galaxy less that our own Jewish tribe because he gave Jews on earth the Torah?
I hope things are going well at Shaare Emeth and that no young men have heard women sing. I undderstand that Barbara Streisand may be singing there next year-keep your ears shut.
Comment by Norm Pressman | October 6, 2009
Great questions and great suggestions for the seekers of G_d among us.
I start off every day with JWR. I heartily recommend it.
Steven
Comment by Steven Edward Aanes | October 6, 2009