Monthly Archives: June 2013

German Jewish Tel Aviv Thought (Antiquarian)

Posted on June 30, 2013 by zjb

I wonder if German Jewish philosophy makes more sense in Tel Aviv than in the United States. It’s more integrated into the place, historically, culturally, and architecturally. In America, one day we might be able to avoid them. I’m not … Continue reading →

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Philosophical Aesthesis (Apophatics) (Elliot Wolfson)

Posted on June 28, 2013 by zjb

I finished a week or two ago Elliot Wolfson’ new book, A Dream Interpreted Within a Dream, and like everyone I know, I can’t speak highly enough about it. For my purposes, Elliot is one of few of our colleagues … Continue reading →

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Wicker, Plastic, Palms, Decorative Concrete (Ramat Aviv)

Posted on June 26, 2013 by zjb

  There’s this upscale shopping center in Ramat Aviv Gimmel. I’m trying to give it its best look. The merchandise is upscale and posh, but the actual physical construction of the site is a bit run down. I like the … Continue reading →

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New York Israel

Posted on June 25, 2013 by zjb

Left New York for 6 weeks in Israel with family and friends. I took these shots on the way through Queens to JFK and then from Ben Gurion on the way to Tel Aviv. Israel has always meant a lot … Continue reading →

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Dis/Avowing Religion and Art (James Turrell)

Posted on June 23, 2013 by zjb

I am always on the lookout when blue chip art critics touch upon religion and mysticism even or especially when they want to cast into doubt the relation of these to art. Here’s Roberta Smith’s review of James Turrell at … Continue reading →

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Buddhists, Bicycles, and Pot Smokers (Green Goes Rotten)

Posted on June 23, 2013 by zjb

Reading the New York Times on Friday, trying to get my mind around this one –Buddhist lynch mobs. That one’s out of Myanmar. And then there’s the story about marijuana growers despoiling forests in northern California, and bikes clogging up … Continue reading →

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Reading List (Israel)

Posted on June 21, 2013 by zjb

Am going on Monday to Israel for about 6 weeks. Long neglected books by friends and colleagues about Mendelssohn, Rosenzweig, Levinas, and Strauss will just have to wait. It’s getting more than a little embarrassing, not having read these books … Continue reading →

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Into Syria (No Vision)

Posted on June 20, 2013 by zjb

To intervene or not to intervene, that was the question. But now what, now that the Obama Administration is about to get a U.S. toe into Syria? I’m betting the U.S. decision had nothing to do with chemical weapons and … Continue reading →

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Lush temple entrance in Koenji

Posted on June 20, 2013 by zjb

Originally posted on Tokyo Green Space:
入り口から、お寺に続く石畳です。梅雨で、緑が濃いです。高円寺で。 Peering through the entryway, a stone path leads to the temple. Everything is lush in rainy season.

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Medieval Book Bag

Posted on June 20, 2013 by zjb

I saw this medieval book bag at the UPenn Religious Studies Tumblr site and thought it was cool. Worn under the belt, I like how The Consolation of Philosophy is wrapped up in rough letter. Here’s what Erik Kwakkel tells us … Continue reading →

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