Sublime

Paul creates a transcendental hierarchy. Akiva and rabbinic Judaism create an egalitarian spirituality.

finally, a community that believes—but I mean really, really believes—that Torah has a contribution to make to the redemption of the world, and that ultimately the world will not be redeemed without Torah.

The Torah is an extended wrestling with the question of human association.

All the Seas Were Ink, describing how the daily routine of Talmud study carried her through challenging years in her own life—and her book inspired many less-traditional people who had previously assumed that Talmud study wasn’t for them.

The Sadducees insisted that only the written Torah was authoritative. The Pharisees affirmed that side by side with the written Torah there was a parallel revelation at Sinai of principles and categories with which humans could interpret, apply, and develop the Law. That body of revelation given over to humans was called the Torah Sheh-B’ Al Peh (t

Many Jewish thinkers see judging others favorably as key to the fulfillment of all interpersonal obligations more broadly.

“From being solicitous about the honor of other people all the interpersonal commandments flow.”