The Judaic View thru the eyes of Rabbi Mark Strauss-Cohn
Going Green on the Judaic Path
Writing about the Jewish connection to the earth may well be one of the easiest assignments for me, as I was once dubbed “The Eco-Rabbi”. To me, Jewish ethics and laws are about protecting and respecting people, the planet, and God. A sage from the second century, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said three things are of equal importance: Earth, Humans, and Rain. Rabbi Levi ben Hiyyata explained: These three (earth, humans & rain) are connected as follows: without earth, there is no rain, and without rain, the earth cannot endure, and without either, humans cannot exist (Genesis Rabbah, 13:3). While the teaching is nice, we may derive a very useful set of principles for living based on this ancient teaching: Collect rainwater, reduce our consumption of water, engineer our homes and buildings so they are efficient users of water. Click for more....
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Why "bad" things happen from the Judaic Path
The age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people" is one that is addressed extensively in Jewish life and lore. However, you might note that in the Jewish world, the question is not "Why" but rather "When". We don't know why bad (or good) things happen (most of the time) but we do know that they will happen. Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his famous book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" addresses this issue and concludes that there are some things we simply do not have answers to. Additionally, the Jewish response to evil in the world, which is what underlies the question, is: "When these bad things have happened, what do we do about it?" We return the question, in typical Jewish fashion, with a question and ask: now that something bad/evil/wicked/horrible has happened, how are we going to respond? The "Why?" question is limiting and even degrading. It can stop a person from acting and even surviving. While many may be comforted by an answer like: "It is God's will." Many will find that answer completely unsatisfactory and consequently abandon God, faith, and even their people.
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Generosity on the Judaic Path
One of my heroes in Jewish life is a man who was a great humanitarian and philanthropist. He made his money as a merchant and retailer but his fame came in his giving. Nathan Straus (no relation to me) was a part owner of Abraham & Straus (originally in Brooklyn) and R.H. Macy & Co. (Macy's) of New York. He was born in Germany in 1848 and his family came to this country in the 1850s. He died in New York in 1931. He was a successful businessman and used his wealth to advocate social justice and equity for all peoples. He championed a cause for pasteurized milk in the 1890s and early 1900s, when such a concept was not at all widely accepted. He gave mightily to health-related causes in the land of Israel, making sure to support efforts that benefited Jews, Christians, and Muslims. When he saw wealthy people debating over whether or not to give money for a charitable cause, he would say: "Don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good."Click for more....
The Tenets of Judaism
Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.
I have been asked before: "Do Jews believe in God?" This is a rather funny question to ask a Jew because Judaism is very much the creator of the idea of God as it is conceived in much of the Christian and Muslim worlds.
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I have been asked before: "Do Jews believe in God?" This is a rather funny question to ask a Jew because Judaism is very much the creator of the idea of God as it is conceived in much of the Christian and Muslim worlds.
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Welcome - getting to know me, Rabbi Mark Strauss Cohn, and my view along the Judaic Path
What most attracts you to your chosen path?
I have always been a Jew. I’ve never really had a chance (or at times even a desire) to know much about other ‘ways’ of life. I was born a Jew. I live my life as one. And I have every intention to stay one until I leave this world...Click for more....
I have always been a Jew. I’ve never really had a chance (or at times even a desire) to know much about other ‘ways’ of life. I was born a Jew. I live my life as one. And I have every intention to stay one until I leave this world...Click for more....