Brad Hirschfield on Pluto and Touching the Sacred
This week, the NASA spacecraft New Horizons sent back pictures of Pluto which were stunning in their beauty and surprising in what they revealed. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com gives four reasons he loves this story.
Read moreMake Peace With Your Enemy
European, American, and Iranian officials meeting in Vienna failed to meet a deadline on an agreement that would guarantee that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful. Iran wants to produce nuclear energy for power and medical purposes and end economic sanctions, but the fear is that Iran would then have the capability to create nuclear weapons. The negotiations will continue,...
Read moreLife, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness
As we approach Independence Day, Rabbi Brad Hirschfield reflects on the meaning of that key phrase from the Declaration of Independence, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”, through the lens of recent events in South Carolina, Washington, DC and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Read moreThe Confederate Flag, Symbols and Scapegoats
In the aftermath of the shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, the move to ban the display of the Confederate flag has gained momentum. The flag is a symbol of hatred to some and honor to others, says Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com, but we should be wary of...
Read moreRabbi Brad Hirschfield on the Supreme Court Gay Marriage Ruling
The Supreme Court of the United States ruled on Friday that same-sex marriage is a right guaranteed by the Constitution. The ruling is, according to Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com, “a remarkable celebration for personal integrity, deep conscience and even the sanctity of marriage.”
Read moreFranklin Graham vs. Wells Fargo Bank: When Faith and Commerce Meet
Rev. Franklin Graham attracted headlines and criticism this week when he withdrew the accounts of his non-profit, Samaritan’s Purse, from Wells Fargo Bank over an ad that depicted a lesbian couple adopting a child. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com, disagrees with Graham’s actions, but believes he has something to teach...
Read moreCaitlyn Jenner, the ESPY’s and the Value of Awards
ESPN controversially announced this week that Caitlyn Jenner will receive their Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPYs in July. Social media erupted with opinions of the choice, and suggestions for worthier candidates. But awards are funny things, says Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com, “they tend to tell us...
Read moreIreland’s Vote on Gay Marriage: Not So Surprising?
This week, Ireland made headlines around the world when it became the first country to accept same sex marriage by popular vote, which was notable for a country whose citizens are overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. But we shouldn’t be surprised, says Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of Clal and co-founder and executive editor of TheWisdomDaily.com. It speaks volumes to “how people...
Read moreRuth Bader Ginsburg vs. Franklin Graham
While presiding over a same sex wedding this week, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg cited the powers vested in her by the U.S. Constitution, indicating how she might vote on same sex issues currently before the Court. The Rev. Franklin Graham responded by asking people to pray that Ginsburg and other justices might change their minds about same...
Read moreWhere Was God?
After this week’s deadly Amtrak accident where 8 people were killed and more than 200 were injured, many people have asked Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, “Where was God?” “We’re asking for an explanation of the otherwise inexplicably bad”, says Rabbi Hirschfield and that “God is in our own goodness, in our own compassion, and in our own caring.”
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