Category Archives: The Jewish Journal

Never Give Up Hope

Posted on September 28, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: War. Terrorism. Riots. Crime. Unemployment. Political corruption. Intolerance. There are many reasons to give up hope. Don’t. If you give up hope, then you give up on the future. If you give … Continue reading →

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Are We Free to Choose?

Posted on September 14, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: Do you have free will? That’s an easy question. Of course you do. Here’s a harder question: What is free will? That’s where most of us get into trouble. Common sense tells … Continue reading →

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Solve the Right Problem

Posted on September 6, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: Define the problem right, and you’re halfway to a solution. Define the problem wrong, and you’ll probably never solve it. You’ll waste all your time looking for a solution that doesn’t exist. … Continue reading →

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The Weirdest Torah Theory You Never Heard

Posted on August 29, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: It’s a weird theory about the Torah. You’ve never heard of it. And it’s really a thing. Of course, you’ve heard of other theories. The documentary hypothesis says that ancient editors assembled … Continue reading →

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Organizing the Bible and the Talmud

Posted on August 22, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: Do you know what it says in the Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, verse 3? Unless you’re a rabbi or a savant, you probably don’t. Neither do I. But we know how … Continue reading →

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Biblical Writers Were Math Nerds

Posted on August 15, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: We normally look to the Bible for morals, religious inspiration, and history. But are you excited to learn that there’s some mathematics in there, too? If you’re a nerd like me, the … Continue reading →

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Tisha B’Av Turns Tragedy into Victory

Posted on August 8, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” According to the late comedian Alan King, that’s the explanation of most Jewish holidays. It’s particularly relevant to the fast day of Tisha … Continue reading →

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“Why is everybody wrong except me?”

Posted on August 4, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My latest blog post for The Jewish Journal: “These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote American founder Thomas Paine. Our own times are more likely to try people’s patience than their souls. We can’t stop shouting at each … Continue reading →

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Pianko and Peoplehood

Posted on August 2, 2016 by N.S. Palmer

My new blog post for The Jewish Journal: Are we not one people, but many? Today’s Jewish population is incredibly diverse. World Jewry includes people of all races and nationalities. It includes “honorary members” such as interfaith spouses and children … Continue reading →

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