Solitary Confinement as Torture: One Jewish View
By Rabbi David J. Cooper, Kehilla Community Synagogue, May 24, 2012 I will begin with the assumption that solitary confinement is torture. I have this on good information from the National Religious Committee Against Torture and they have it on good information from those who have directly experienced such confinement. Torture must be clearly called […]
Skyboxification and Emmanuel Levinas
Skyboxification and Levinasby Rabbi David In the May 12 New York Times, Tom Friedman comments on Michael Sandel’s new book, What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets. The part of Friedman’s comments that most jumped out at me is Sandel’s invention of the word “skyboxification,” as in “the skyboxification of American society.” What […]
Rabbi David’s thoughts on Mashiach/Messiah
The pre-eminent Jewish magazine, MOMENT, has an issue this month dedicated to the concept of Messiah. In their “Ask the Rabbis” column, rabbis from different movements are asked to comment on the question “Are Jews Still Awaiting the Messiah?” I was asked to write an opinion coming from a Jewish Renewal approach. I’m not sure […]
