“There are no atheists in a foxhole,” Noah Weinberg used to love to say, swiftly eradicating all actual atheists who undoubtedly have existed in foxholes. That statement further disregards all the individuals who became atheists in foxholes, like the blaspheming Rabbi in Elie Wiesel’s Night.
It all fell apart one day, and I do not get credit for doing so.
The initiative came from outside myself. I did not have the inner strength to do the unthinkable, the fortitude to acknowledge failure, the resilience to be anything but what...
Sample from chapter #1:
Sex in Judaism is a beautiful thing. It’s also terrible. When you do it at the right time, it’s amazing. God himself sits there watching you and jerks off while you’re going at it. When you climax, he does too.
This one’s a doozy. Bear with me. Also, if you have a bit of context, you’ll know this ones strike quite close to home. TL;DR at the end.
Here’s how the spiel goes: Judaism is amazing. It’s enlightened. It’s changed the world for the...
Spot the meme.
Also, double negatives are so not not cool.
The kiruv world prides itself in its open-mindedness.
"Ask us anything! We will change our views in a heartbeat if you convince us! Sure you can ask about sex, and no, we don't use a hole in the sheet, we're super progressive!"
“No other religion claims to have experienced public revelation. Therefore, it’s a claim that is so outlandish, that it must have actually occurred because otherwise no one else would have been stupid enough to believe in it, or brazen enough to ‘introduce’ it into the cultural narrative.”
Some questions I had about Judaism, I got answers that worked, to a point.
There were explanations that fit within a larger framework. And as long as that framework was intact, the answers worked.
"Why does the Torah tell us to...
The following is a guest post by Yair Gordon. I found his response articulate, poignant, and personal, stating in different tones a lot of the issues and personal grievances I struggled with myself in Judaism. I relate a lot to the feeling of having given my all,...
I was recently called arrogant by a Shabbos guest.
I didn’t object, because maybe I’m arrogant, but I have the humility to admit it.
But here’s what else is arrogant: assuming you’re smart enough to not fall for a kiruv-style proof...
Even More Freidom
Would Your Parents Lie to You?
“No other religion claims to have experienced public revelation. Therefore, it’s a claim that is...
Chapter #11: Mitzpeh
Mitzpeh yericho was my only exposure to the National Religious community in Israel.
In No Way Are You Absolved
After my last post went Shalom Tzvi level viral (as defined by the odds in...
Chapter #13: Shitting on the Parade
I remember trying to take my baby son to Shul so I could pray in...
Chapter 16: Spreading Wings
I have long had a tenuous relationship with Israel. Israelis as...