How can religion be appealing in a culture whose goal is the fulfillment of a person's desires for pleasure? America has turned into a hedonistic society in which the pursuit of personal pleasure is more important that the moral restraint that is obligatory from the Torah. When everything is permitted, when all pleasures become acquirable, when limits become hinder-some and unwanted barriers to personal pleasures, it is obvious that those moral values and personal qualities which are required in the Torah will fall.

Certainly not for musing about ways to stem the tide of lucidity in the human history! That how i would describe rejection of religious doctrines. They served (a dubious) purpose when we didn't know better, but as the champions of Religion of Peace say: "halas", enough of that nonsense! Problem with the New Atheists of Europe/USA is that they seem to have lost their identification as individuals belonging to particular cultures/countries. That's why the cancer of Islam has such a fertile ground to spread on.

essence, it shall always be an attractive proposition: to accept religious fata-morgana to fill in the Big, Cold Void. Worry not dear rebbe: for any foreseeable future there'll be no shortage of sheep following the false shepherd...

show that hedonism is a big failure. Religious families should invite every Shabat,at least one Secular family, at their Shabat tisch to share with them the warm and joyful family atmosphere ,

good Merlot. God is not required in the recipe for choolent or stuffed kishke! Nor is he necessary when dealing with true morality, No gods, no: "holy crusades", stonings, beheadings, oppression of women (well that one is a stretch, I admit:-) Be sure: we'd still be killing each other, but at least for viable reasons, like gold or...sex!

While the masses of Jewishly-ignorant Jews in the U.S. and elsewhere continue assimilating at a frightening rate, Rabbi Dr. Brackman continues to repeat the utterly discredited mantras of Conservative and Reform, albeit couched in somewhat different terms. All the while, those groups that Brackman probably feels employ what he calls "introjected motivation" are slowly but surely increasing their presence both in numbers and influence in the world of U.S.Jewry. Brackman, along with everyone else who has read the Pew reports knows that the clock is ticking for non-observant Jews in the U.S. And that in a few decades or less, the majority of the Jewish population in the U.S. and indeed most of the diaspora, will consist of observant (Orthodox) Jews. So, dear Rabbi Dr. Brackman, keep on espousing more diluting of Judaism, encourage more "identified religious motivations." We can all see where it's leading. Only people who learn and observe Judaism are going to remain Jewish in the future. The last 100 years of the Jewish experience in the U.S. proves it.

you tell yourself: Because deep inside you,you have a Soul who is longing to be connected to the Source,to G-D the Creator of the world .And why not a bottle of a good Merlot,for Kidush? The Tora is G-D's present to the Jewish people to build a meaningful and happy life. Be happy !!!! .

regrding the ynetnews article on the recent animal sacrifice at the Temple Mount Faithful... "One is well within one's rights to follow one's religion and all the rituals prescribed, but not at the expense of others - humans and animals. in fact, several states in india have laws prohibiting animal sacrifice. Here is a list of the states that have laws prohibiting the sacrifice of any bird or animal: Indian animal law "Sacrificing living beings is the result of dominion, stupidity, cruelty, soul-less-ness and a deeply misguided need for satisfying a thirst/hunger for blood.. these are the root of all evil in the guise of 'religion'. What can I do but turn toward Ahimsa (no harm) for solace; while repeating the prayer: "I renounce killing of living beings whether subtle or gross, whether movable or immovable. Nor shall I myself kill living beings (nor cause others to do it, nor consent to it)." Jain Monk, c. 5th century B.C. over and over and over, until it BURSTS into a trillion prayers and rains down upon these lost humans who murder in the name of religion. ." Sharon Azar

dig deeper into science, on a popular level of course"(I'm no Einstein either) You'll find so many true answers there. The "soul-thing" you talk about, is within all of us: "why are we here, what is our purpose"?! That need for answers has led us both into physics, but unfortunately, before that, into superstition, organized superstition called "religion" and pure "metaphysics" :-)) I can live with the knowledge, that the Unifying Answer still lies ahead of us. Like I said somewhere else to you: G.D. operates on a very slooooooow scale, me: I've got time for the real "tschuva"!

which i di through Internet and you study our more than 3000 years old wonderful heritage.I recommand you to google Zamir Cohen who talks about science and Tora in a very professional way.

all the promises empty and un-provable.

Including the mythical story and unprovable promise about the Jews having been promised the holy land. So what are we doing here altogether?

created modern Israel, they were the driving force, everyone and everything called the modern country of Israel is dependent upon them.

from there their motive force. Israel needs both,a common vision and a driving force to build a strong and united Jewish Nation

nothing meaningful has ever been created.

If the secular Zionists had allowed the religious to lead the way, we would still be living in a British Mandate with no voting rights and no self-determination under martial law... and that's the best-case scenario. Worst case? The Arab armies would have won in 1948 and made good on their promises to "drive the Jews into the sea". I liken the Haredim to Ireland during WW II. Fed by Allied convoys, protected from Nazi takeover by Allied Armies, maintaining a biased "neutrality" in favor of the Axis while your neighbor is getting his throat cut is NOT the way to win friends and influence people. I have one simple thing to say: if Haredim want the state's support for non-working people who give nothing to the state in return, then they should go somewhere else. Only those who contribute should also be allowed to benefit. If you think this is wrong, then look at your own values, please.

I too was born in Radomsko prior to the war...I would like Anya to email me...We lived on Krakowska, 12....My parents were Leon and Frymcia....My grandfather Chaim Bornstein owned a Bakery...I speak Some Yiddish...My phone# is 514-486-5222 or she can give me her phone# and I'll call her...