Beliefs & Practices
Jewish Attitudes Toward Eastern Religions
Most traditional authorities dismissed Hinduism as idolatry, but in recent years, some Jews have become more tolerant of certain Eastern religions and practices.
The Way of the Gentiles
The prohibition against non-Jewish practices, might relate to the practices of ancient Egypt, Canaan or the social and philosophical ways of non-Jews today.
The Body: Themes & Theology
Themes and Theology of the Jewish Body. The Jewish Body. Jewish Body Traditions.
Biblical and Rabbinic Attitudes Toward Non-Jews
Early Jewish texts affirmed the universal fraternity of humankind, while asserting the importance of Jewish distinctiveness.
Cosmetic Surgery: A Jewish View
If it does not serve a legitimate medical purpose, cosmetic surgery is frowned upon by the Jewish legal tradition.
The Non-Jew in Jewish Law
Rabbinic authorities have used different arguments to redress inequities in the way halakhah treats non-Jews.
Jewish Attitudes Toward Proselytes
At times, Jews have embraced large numbers of converts, but hostile relations with Gentile neighbors often led to suspicion of proselytes as well.
Israel and Anti-Gentile Traditions
Israel Shahak's theory that anti-Gentile traditions have influenced Israeli policy is well known in both Arab and anti-Semitic circles, but Jews have yet to properly confront it.
Why Pray? A Variety of Jewish Answers
Jews pray in order to enrich our lives and seek comfort, to connect to the past and to others, to celebrate and develop a sense of the sacred, to serve God and help make ourselves Godlike.
Reshaping Jewish Memory
In the Torah, women are absent at the covenantal moment; to make up for this, Jewish history must be reconstructed.