Nathan Lopes Cardozo

On the Nature and Future of Halakha in Relation to Autonomous Religiosity

Posted May 28, 2010 - 9:04am

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo is Dean of the David Cardozo Academy in Jerusalem, and a well known author and lecturer. This article appears in issue 7 of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.

Preface

It is with great hesitation and trepidation that I write this essay. I do not want to be misunderstood. I am in love with Judaism, rabbinic tradition, and halakha. I regard them as holy, and they are at the very core of my existence. Nonetheless, I am concerned about the future of Judaism and its impact on our young people.

Rabbi Mordechai Elon and the Challenge of Teshuva

By Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Posted March 2, 2010 - 10:08am

Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo is Dean of the David Cardozo Academy in Jerusalem (www.cardozoschool.org), and author of highly regarded books and articles. This essay is reprinted on our website with his permission.

I will teach transgressors Your ways
that sinners may return to You
[Tehilim 51: 15]

Despite everything, I have great hopes for Rabbi Elon and believe he will deliver. I do not know what really happened, what is true and what is not. Surely something awful seems to have taken place. Nevertheless, though he may have seriously erred, caused people suffering, and damaged the honor of Judaism, and though he deserves to take responsibility and pay for his actions, I believe that it is in his power to teach us an important lesson.

I am neither a member of Rabbi Elon's camp nor a follower of his. I do not believe in the idolization of people, even great rabbis. And I am not going to defend him.

Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Vulnerability

By Nathan Lopes Cardozo

Posted November 2, 2008 - 12:07pm

Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo is Dean of the David Cardozo Academy in Jerusalem. A noted author and lecturer, this essay is adapted from his book, For the Love of Israel and the Jewish People, Urim, 2008. It appears in Issue 2 of Conversations, the journal of the Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals.

In his magnum opus, Ha’amek Davar, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Berlin, (also called Netziv, 1817-93), the last leader of the illustrious yeshiva of Volozhin, Russia, asks why the first book of the Torah, Bereshith is also called: Sefer Hayashar, “the book of those who are upright”. In his own unusual way, Netziv responds that this is due to the fact that the three patriarchs, Avraham, Yitzhak and Yaacov, the main figures in this book, were men of uncompromising straightforwardness, justice and mercy.

IJII