Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson is dean of the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies and vice president of American Jewish University in Los Angeles. He is also dean of the Zacharias Frankel College in Potsdam, Germany, ordaining Conservative rabbis for Europe. His website is www.bradartson.com.
Articles by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson
Weaving Together Ritual and Ethics
Only through the combination of ritual and ethics can Judaism fully express itself.
The Threat And Promise Of Conformity
We can learn from and adopt only those practices foreign to Judaism that enhance and strengthen Jewish practice.
The Leprosy Of Irresponsible Speech
Learning to control our speech will enable us to transform the world into a community that respects the shared humanity of all people.
Is It Blasphemous To Heal People?
Even if we view leprosy as a punishment, we must work to heal the afflicted, allowing our sense of compassion to override justice or logic.
Why Keep Kosher?
Jewish dietary practices allow us to welcome the sacred into our daily lives and into mundane acts.
Ears, Thumbs And Toes
The ceremony installing the priests teaches the importance of consecrating the entire body for sacred service.
The Value Of Animal Sacrifices
The institution of animal sacrifice allows us to confront our deepest subconscious urges and needs.
If It’s Broken, Why Keep It?
The presence of the broken tablets in the Ark reminds us of the value of objects that may not be functional but signify important relationships.
Clothes Are The Message
The clothing of our religious leaders communicates our perceptions of our relationships to God and each other.
Tzedakah And Jewish Education
Our communal responsibility to ensure the immortality of the Jewish people depends on our commitment to supporting Jewish education.