Theological Essays
Theological Essays by Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon.
Michaelangelo’s The Creation of Adam
Adam vs. Jacob: A Study in Lonliness
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon meditates on the different kinds of loneliness represented by the Biblical archetypes of Adam and Jacob. Dr. Ungar uses these archetypes to draw a distinction between loneliness and aloneness.
The Gartel by Shoshana Brombacher
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explores different Jewish ideas about nakedness and the sacred. Dr. Ungar compares these ideas to those found in Herodotus and ties it all back to the Hasidic practice of wearing a gartel.
The Absent Seventh Beggar: Rabbi Nachman’s Final Parable
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon tackles one of Rabbi Nachman's most enigmatic parables.
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon meditates on the meaning of Moses' humility. From the Talmud, to the Netziv, to the Kotzker Rebbe, Dr. Ungar presents a range of opinion on this topic before he circles back to offer an original interpretation of humility.
Painting by Yom Tov Blumenthal
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon attempts to describe what made Shlomo Carlebach's Torah so unique.
Rabbi Akiva Teaches Us How to Suffer
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon looks at the Rabbinic character of Rabbi Akiva and Reb Shimshin Ostropoli's radical understanding of him as the person who accepted responsibility for God's complicity in the sale of Joseph.
The Space Upon Which the Torah Hinges
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon expounds upon the passage in Leviticus where Aaron's two sons are killed by God for bringing a strange fire. Dr. Ungar argues that this story points to the situation that we all too often find ourselves in facing the divine silence and being unable to make sense of the text of our lives.
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon confronts the question of faith after the Holocaust through the Biblical text of Exodus 17:7 "Is the Lord present among us, or not?"
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explains the centrality to Breslov Hassidut of the practice of Hitbodedut and provides a theoretical basis for the incorporation of both silent meditation and melodic singing into the practice.
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon discusses the wandering of the Israelites in the desert as a metaphor for our own personal struggles. Dr. Ungar's encyclopedic knowledge of Kabbalah and Hassidut serve as a touchstone for this moving metaphor.
Two Types of Managing Divine Wrath: Moses vs. Pinchas
In this essay, (which is a companion piece to this podcast), Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon examines two archetypal Biblical characters and their different approaches to managing the divine rage. Moses, with his willingness to sacrifice himself on behalf of the people and Pinchas with his willingness to kill.
Jonathan and Allenby: A Tale of Two Tricksters
In this illuminating essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explores a little known episode in the history of British Mandate Palestine and discusses its archetypal resonance.
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon looks at the MONIAC (Monetary Income Analogue Computer) created by the New Zealand economist William Phillips in 1949. Dr. Ungar uses this fascinating machine as an analogy to the literal metaphors used for the Divine in Kabbalah and Hassidut.
ESTHER’S PLEA: Reading the Self in Her Struggle
Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon takes us through the sources that deal with Esther's seduction of the Persian King Achasverous from the Midrash and Talmud up through the Hassidic Masters. A portrait of innovation and courage emerges from this brave character who demands change.
Priestly Robes and the Archetypes of Moses and Aaron
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon examines the relationship between Moses the political leader and his brother Aaron, the High Priest. Dr. Ungar weaves a reading between the lines and against the grain to help us navigate these sacred archetypes.
Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon launches into this textual exploration of the Dark Side with Rebbe Nachman's Tale of the Thief.
Mashal Hakadmoni as Primordial Metaphor
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon examines the parable in Jewish thought tracing a line from the Midrash to the Hassidic masters.
Answering Answer to Job: Jung, Job and Buber
In this compelling essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon moves past Jung with the help of Martin Buber.
Three Hebrew words on a cross in Prague scandalize Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon and spark a deep and intricate exploration of the relationship between the Jewish and Christian traditions in our post-Holocaust age.
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon presents a survey of the different meanings that the word "Schechina" has taken on throughout the history of the Jewish tradition.
