Archive for category Philosophy
Small steps to greatness
Posted by Yonason Goldson in History, Philosophy, Spirituality on January 7, 2020
Why did the least of Hillel’s students have the greatest impact? How can we learn to follow in the footsteps of greatness?
TEDx talk: How I Became my own Worst Nightmare
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Culture, Philosophy, Politics on August 4, 2019
…or
Hitchhiking, Fundamentalism, and the Art of Ethical Communication
The Pitchfork of Prayer — Insights into Sukkah 14a
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Philosophy, Spirituality on August 4, 2019
The Ninth Night of Chanukah: Keeping the light alive after the last candle goes out
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Culture, History, Holidays, Jewish Unity, Philosophy, Spirituality on January 7, 2019
Chanukah isn’t really over after the eighth night; in a sense, it’s just beginning. Watch this video to discover the disconcerting aftermath of the Maccabean victory and the enduring legacy of the Hasmoneans.
Cremation vs. Burial: Preserving Human Dignity in Life and Death
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Culture, Philosophy, Spirituality on January 3, 2019
The body is more than just a garment; it is at essence a servant to the soul.
Our hands enable us to reach out to others, to perform acts of kindness, to give charity, to caress those whom we love. Our legs carry us to visit the sick and aid those in need. Our mouths allow us to articulate words of higher ideals, to study the wisdom of our people, to elevate our voices in prayer. Our minds spur us to contemplate the nobility that defines our humanity and reflect upon the magnificent design of the universe.
To merely cast off a faithful servant once his or her service is no longer required is the height of ingratitude. Such a servant deserves to be escorted with dignity, with respect, and with love.
So too the body, which has served us in life, deserves to be treated with reverence in death.
What form does that reverence take?
Derech Eretz: the cornerstone of teshuva, tefillah, and tzeddaka
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Holidays, Philosophy, Spirituality on August 16, 2018
Spiritual Radioactivity
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Philosophy, Science and Nature, Spirituality on June 18, 2018
Do you think spiritual impurity is hocus-pocus?
Would you walk into a radioactive hot zone just because you can’t see or smell radiation?
Click to watch this 5-minute primer on the nature of purity and impurity, and why it’s still relevant in our times.
Sefiras HaOmer: The Calculus of Becoming Fully Human
Posted by Yonason Goldson in History, Holidays, Philosophy, Spirituality on April 17, 2018
Every year, we endeavor to re-experience the spiritual transformation the Jewish people underwent 3330 years ago from the moment they left Egypt to the moment they received the Torah at Sinai. Enjoy these insights:
Tu B’Shevat: The Door into Summer
Posted by Yonason Goldson in Holidays, Philosophy, Science and Nature, Spirituality on January 29, 2018
The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat allows us to think deeply about how the obstacles we face today will shape the benefits we will enjoy tomorrow.
Tanor shel Achnai
Posted by Yonason Goldson in History, Philosophy, Spirituality, Uncategorized on November 7, 2017
One of the most fascinating and perplexing episodes in talmudic literature is the fierce debate between Rabbi Eliezer and the sages over an apparently arcane point of Jewish law.
Thank you to Rabbi Yaakov Berkowitz of the St. Louis Kollel for inviting me to contribute to the Amud Yomi program with this discussion.
Torah Ideals 
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