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Archive: Adin Steinsaltz
Preparing for death is not the equivalent of terminating life
End of life counseling may take two different forms, in almost opposing directions. One kind of counseling assists elderly people (or people with terminal illnesses of any age) to prepare themselves for death. This may include psychological support, palliative care and legal preparations. In theory, no one can be against such help.
By Adin Steinsaltz | November 5, 2009; 03:05 PM ET | Comments (0)
An ethical question, not a religious problem
When we accept the use of medicine in general, the use of any particular medication or vaccine is not a religious problem, but sometimes an ethical, and mostly a practical question.
By Adin Steinsaltz | October 17, 2009; 11:04 PM ET | Comments (2)
This Issue Needs Serious Discussion
If we live in times when a person in the house of prayer is prone to be killed, the right to be defended grows from deep roots.
By Adin Steinsaltz | September 11, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (7)
The Angel of Death Lives Also in Libya
The freeing of terminally ill criminals can have only one justification: to save on the cost of medical treatment. It does seem strange that elements of compassion should emerge in these cases.
By Adin Steinsaltz | August 25, 2009; 02:40 PM ET | Comments (4)
Medium is Not the Message
The importance is not in the media, but in the sender of the message. When there is a prayer or a question that has very little meaning to the person who asks it, then the vehicle by which insignificant prayers move from place to place is also unimportant.
By Adin Steinsaltz | August 11, 2009; 01:28 PM ET | Comments (2)
When Hatred Moves from Thought to Act
What happened at the U.S. Holocaust Museum is an extreme sign of something happening in different parts of American society, albeit in less violent manifestations.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 12, 2009; 09:56 AM ET | Comments (2)
Use Every Available Means To Save A Life
Jews consider life one of the supreme values and believe that one has to use every available means to save a life.
By Adin Steinsaltz | May 27, 2009; 05:53 PM ET | Comments (0)
Secular Isn't Always Better
There is no cogent reason -- neither rational nor historical -- to assume that a state must be governed by a secular system.
By Adin Steinsaltz | April 23, 2009; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (26)
Cults Transgress Basic Universal Beliefs
There are some universal basic beliefs. Religions adhere to them. But when a group transgresses these basic principles, it is a cult and not a religion -- meaning, a group of people who share a common delusion.
By Adin Steinsaltz | April 2, 2009; 09:17 PM ET | Comments (16)
Simply Look Around. Evil Does Exist
When I expect to see Satan with horns and a tail, I won't recognize him when he appears as a well-dressed gentleman. Evil in people and in events does not appear in a grotesque form.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 24, 2009; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (9)
The Faith We Need Here is Not in the Almighty
Giving power to scientists and politicians means that the real rational response is a great deal of prayer.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 10, 2009; 12:53 AM ET | Comments (18)
Charity is a Just and Ethical Obligation
Giving charity is not a special act of the good heart, but an obligation like any other legal obligation. It is not just that one is benevolent out of the goodness of his heart; rather, he is obligated to do so.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 3, 2009; 02:52 PM ET | Comments (17)
Holocaust Denial Is Not Just a Quirk To Be Ignored
Holocaust denial is not just a harmless human quirk; it is founded upon vicious and calculated propaganda and promoted for malicious political, racial and religious ends. Those who deny the Holocaust should not just be ignored, but hunted and persecuted.
By Adin Steinsaltz | February 5, 2009; 12:18 AM ET | Comments (76)
Candidates are Always Somewhat of a Mystery
New or previously unknown candidates running for a new position are always somewhat of a mystery. Even people who have a long, detailed record are still untested and it is unknown about how they will behave in the future.
By Adin Steinsaltz | October 8, 2008; 03:34 PM ET | Comments (5)
The Growth of Greed
It is clear that the moral element that influenced - perhaps even created - the recent situation, is the growth of greed. When greed is strong enough to waylay caution, it is not only morally reprehensible, but also practically dangerous.
By Adin Steinsaltz | September 19, 2008; 02:19 PM ET | Comments (38)
Forgiving is a High Moral Quality
In a certain sense, the ability to forgive (which is not the same as to forget) has a somewhat divine quality, because it contains the notion that the past can be deleted or, at least, not have any consequence or bearing on the future.
By Adin Steinsaltz | August 26, 2008; 01:44 PM ET | Comments (9)
God is With Us in Every Circumstance
When a person really believes in God, and has true faith (not just as hollow expressions), one always feels that he depends on God.
By Adin Steinsaltz | August 11, 2008; 07:48 AM ET | Comments (21)
Just, Even Holy Reasons for Using an Army
Armies, even when motivated by the best and most justified reasons, are basically still killing machines. Despite all the niceties, armies have the option and, in a deeper way, the purpose to harm and kill.
By Adin Steinsaltz | July 28, 2008; 12:29 AM ET | Comments (13)
Difference Between Supernatural and Extra-natural
Inherent in religious belief is an acceptance of the supernatural.
By Adin Steinsaltz | July 17, 2008; 07:16 PM ET | Comments (10)
True Atheists are Anti-Belief
To me, the fact that so many people identify as atheists actually means that they deny specific names or expressions of God, or just have a different understanding of the man-God relationship. To truly be an atheist requires a good amount of intellectual rigor and clarity of mind.
By Adin Steinsaltz | July 8, 2008; 10:06 AM ET | Comments (239)
"The People of Many Books”
The Jews are not just “The People of the Book.” Much closer to the fact, they are "The People of Many Books”.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 26, 2008; 06:39 AM ET | Comments (48)
Faith is not a New Age Belief
In sum, faith is something that clearly has a connection with the soul and with the inner workings of man's mentality, and therefore has some influence on health too.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 13, 2008; 07:35 AM ET | Comments (11)
Greed is Unjustified Desire
Greed means wishing or grasping for things that are beyond one’s needs. Thus it seems that greed is a universal desire that is very deeply embedded in the human spirit.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 2, 2008; 07:57 AM ET | Comments (20)
The Movement of Faith
Religion is still of interest to people. They continue to think about religion, even if that means they are deciding that they have lost their faith, or that they are abandoning it altogether.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 4, 2008; 07:23 AM ET | Comments (5)
Sins and Virtues
There is no list of “Deadly Sins” in Jewish theology, nor is there a list of worthy virtues. We do not believe that good and evil are defined by particular qualities.
By Adin Steinsaltz | January 17, 2008; 08:20 AM ET | Comments (32)
The Future of Jewish Americans
The more American Jews become identified with the prevailing culture, the sooner they can expect the same future as so many other immigrant communities who assimilated into mainstream America and lost their unique identity.
By Adin Steinsaltz | January 14, 2008; 02:18 PM ET | Comments (60)
A Possible and Necessary Alliance
The influence of religion helps to preserve and protect life on Earth by giving science a moral direction and higher purpose.
By Adin Steinsaltz | October 29, 2007; 08:25 AM ET | Comments (18)
Spirits of the Body or the Mind?
Aside from the obvious influence of dreams and memories – which are very much part of this world – pure souls have a primarily unconscious relationship with us.
By Adin Steinsaltz | October 12, 2007; 01:26 PM ET | Comments (19)
One Aspersion Fits All
This collection of faults is surely untrue of religion as a whole, even though some of these traits may be true of certain religions.
By Adin Steinsaltz | October 1, 2007; 08:24 AM ET | Comments (17)
Heaven and Hell, In the Abstract
In Judaism, we don’t dwell heavily on the next world because it is not something that we can do very much about.
By Adin Steinsaltz | July 3, 2007; 10:37 AM ET | Comments (40)
To be Saved is Human, to Do Good Divine
In Judaism, good deeds are intrinsically connected with holiness and the Divine.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 11, 2007; 07:31 AM ET | Comments (661)
Faith Becomes More, Not Less, Apparent
War does not give enough space for intellectual doubt.
By Adin Steinsaltz | June 5, 2007; 09:11 AM ET | Comments (883)
An Unending Attempt to Reach More
Whatever I have achieved in the past, there are always new horizons to conquer.
By Adin Steinsaltz | May 18, 2007; 08:14 AM ET | Comments (25)
Not Just Words but Deeds
A statement of confession is just a statement, and as such, of doubtful validity.
By Adin Steinsaltz | April 30, 2007; 10:09 AM ET | Comments (17)
The Question Is Not If the World Will End, But How?
The Jewish Sages have taught that humanity has a choice.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 26, 2007; 09:57 AM ET | Comments (40)
Teach religion in schools, but don't indoctrinate
There is a need to give children at least some basic and true notions about religion.
By Adin Steinsaltz | March 9, 2007; 08:54 AM ET | Comments (835)
Fine Line: Criticizing Israel Without Anti-Semitism
There is a widespread belief in Jewish “superiority” even in morality, which results in holding the Jewish state to standards not expected of any other nation
By Adin Steinsaltz | February 24, 2007; 08:18 AM ET | Comments (60)
People of Faith Vital in Saving Earth
Since people of faith are optimists who believe that the world can be made better, they should be active in saving the globe.
By Adin Steinsaltz | February 12, 2007; 09:25 AM ET | Comments (6)
Prayer As Begging, Thanking, or Simply Saying 'Hello'
The central idea of prayer is to express, in words or in thoughts, that I want to make contact with God.
By Adin Steinsaltz | February 1, 2007; 09:43 AM ET | Comments (15)
Women Benefit More Than Men from Religious Involvement
The feeling of being connected, the observance of the laws, and the inner devotion were always – and continue to be – stronger among women than men.
By Adin Steinsaltz | January 18, 2007; 07:07 AM ET | Comments (33)
Sometimes The Only Way To Fight Evil Is To Destroy It
Evil is not just a relative and imaginary power, it does exist.
By Adin Steinsaltz | January 12, 2007; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (58)
Neither the Problem Nor the Arguments Are New
Recent growth of religious fundamentalism created a counter-reaction of atheism
By Adin Steinsaltz | December 29, 2006; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (78)
Thanksgiving's Basic Nature Is Religious
About the position of non-believers vis-à-vis Thanksgiving: it really depends on what kind of non-believers they are.
By Adin Steinsaltz | November 23, 2006; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (57)
