Subjects of Jewish Thougts

The Community vs the Individual

Is Religious Faith Simply a Matter of Convenience?

Isn't it simply "convenient" for us to believe that there is something above and beyond the material world? It is not just "convenient" to believe that there is a G-d Who sees everything and thus gives meaning to life? Could it be that it is just this "convenience" that causes us to believe in G-d?

How Do We Know There Is a G-d?

How do we know there is a G-d?

How can I trust the transmission of the Torah?

Our faith is based on 600,000 adult males who saw with their own eyes and experienced receiving the Torah at Sinai, and transmitted this to the generations afterwards. Why shouldn't we say that, just like other people had folklore and legends that they believed, we also had such tales throughout the period of the Judges and First Temple, and that at the time of Ezra the Scribe, he gathered them all together into one book that we now call the Torah? After all, the Talmud says that during his time, parts of the Torah were forgotten and he reinstated them.

How Can I Trust the Truth of Sinai?

How do we know that Moshe Rabbeinu did not do some kind of magic of lights and pyrotechnics that caused the nation to believe that that's what happened?

How Can I Believe In G-d if I Can't See Him?

How Can I Believe In G-d if I Can't See Him?

Do Our Prayers Make a Difference?

The Torah teaches us that there is Reward and Punishment in this world for our deeds. We see this in many places...We also see the power of our prayer in this framework...But on the other hand, we certainly cannot force G-d to change His mind, and we must accept what is decreed upon us...My question therefore is: The prayers that I recite, and blessings that I receive – do they have influence?

How Free Is Our Free Will

Question about our free choice between Good and Evil