Are you a Hater or a Fan?
Over 2022, we’ve discussed a broad variety of topics, as you can see in the archive. These include Palestinian crocodiles, Chazal’s knowledge of lunar cycles, religious politics, spider bites, Rav Chaim Kanievsky’s grasshopper, techelet, rabbinic authority and its abuses, antisemitism, yeshiva/work/army, the nature of the Mishkan, values in tzedakah, religious resha’im, kashrut, girls and guns, all kinds of topics related to Noah’s Ark, strawberry salamanders, and much, much more.
There are nearly three thousand people who subscribe by email, and many others who read this website in their browser. Some of them really, really hate what I write. There are all kinds of critical and sometimes hateful comments, which I generally allow to be posted because I feel that it is useful to know what people think. One person, with the endorsement of his rabbi, even produced an hour-long movie, complete with special effects, about the terrible heresy of this blog.
Still, I think that most of my readers do appreciate what I am trying to do here, which is to make Judaism relevant and to use its values to try to improve society without fear of “but what will people say?!” If you fall into that category, it would be great if you can show your support by making a donation to The Torah and Nature Foundation, which is also responsible for the Biblical Museum of Natural History. You can do so by clicking on the Donate button below. Thank you for your support!
I would rephrase the first paragraph as "Over 2022, we’ve discussed a broad variety of topics, such as Charedim, Charedim, Charedim, Charedim, Charedim, filler, Charedim, Charedim, Charedim, filler, Charedim, Charedim, Charedim, Charedim!"
Listen, I love it when you explain the science behind the Torah. I loved your piece on the Tzohar, and I found your book on Mysticism and Rationalism very informative. I particularly like the book because you focused on defending rationalism as a paradigm. There are very few people in this era that have the background and the inclination to argue effectively for rationalism. And you are one of those people.
I do think your message gets diluted when you take up more than one cause. I understand your reasons for focusing on Chareidim. You do feel that they are a danger to Israeli society. (I must state here that I don’t feel that way, just so you know my true biases). However, there are plenty of people that can take up that agenda. You aren’t even particularly good at speaking on Chareidim anyway. Your history with your books being banned renders your message on the topic particularly ineffective.
You of course have a right to speak about any and all topics you feel passionate about. You do have a platform with a large audience. And you may yet change some minds with your rhetoric. I can’t deny that.
But I strongly feel your potential for influence is so much greater when you put your efforts towards sharing your scientific knowledge with us, showing us your understanding of how the Torah and science are intertwined, and explaining your understanding of Chazal. That is why I buy your books. That is why I check your blog. And that is why I defend you when I can. I love your passion when you start to discuss zoology and when you write about a new insight on the Torah. Keep it up. Rationalism is an important paradigm. It isn’t perfect, but we need it, and we need you to support it.