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Logical and Spiritual REFLECTIONS
Book 5
Zen Judaism
This essay is a frank reflection on the tensions between reason and faith in today’s context of knowledge, and on the need to inject Zen-like meditation into Judaism.It also treats some issues in ethics and theodicy.
Wise men think out their thoughts; fools proclaim them(H. Heine[1]). I have no desire or intent to weaken or destroy Judaism; if anything, quite the contrary, I wish to strengthen and save it. But I regard that objective facts and rigorous logic must imperatively be taken into consideration; they cannot just be ignored, as some try to do. Some retreat is often necessary; but retreat is not defeat. There is much to be gained by adopting a “Zen attitude” in the face of this necessary adaptation to reality. That is to say, by looking on unpleasant truths in the way a meditator looks upon change and disturbance. Unperturbed, cool, without resistance, with equanimity.
Chapters:
8. Enlightenment without idolatry
Appendix 1. Round numbers in Torah statistics
Appendix 2. Prayer in uncertainty
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[1]FromGendanken und Einfalle(quotation found in the Internet at Beliefnet.com). I insert this quotation in anticipation of criticism that may justly be leveled against me for writing this piece, which is a mixture of logic, science, Judaism and Buddhism. I should perhaps add these personal confessions: admit my lack of position of authority in some university, yeshiva or Zen monastery; my lack of broad fame and acceptance as an academic or writer; my lack of scholarship, Talmudic knowledge or meditative height. I am just a sincere seeker honestly sharing his thoughts.