Rabbi David Wolpe: A Public Intellectual

“American democracy has always depended on public figures—and public intellectuals—whose work has been animated by strong faith.” Rabbi David Wolpe, a leader in Conservative Judaism and Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, uses his faith and wisdom to empower, educate, and support his community members. Born in 1958, Wolpe was raised in New York and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he worked at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles and the University of California Los Angeles. He is the author of eight books, a devoted columnist for Time.com and other news sources, a weekly contributor to New York Jewish Week, the host of a podcast, and a regular guest on talk shows and documentaries. In both 2016 and 2017, Wolpe was named one of the five hundred most influential people in Los Angeles and named the number one Rabbi in America in 2012. Apart from his awards and prestige, Wolpe serves as a public intellectual in the way he is committed to learning, challenging, sharing, and inspiring those around him. Wolpe does not hesitate to question tradition, and therefore, he takes an interesting stance on Conservative Judaism. He strongly believes “Conservative” is not the proper title for the movement because “rabbinic law is both binding and evolving.” He proposed the name be changed to “Covenantal Judaism” to promote the idea that Judaism should embrace its future while honoring its past in order to be “dynamic, innovative, unafraid.” Rabbi Wolpe is unafraid to challenge conventional views and how they relate to contemporary issues. He argues that the value of faith is not determined by the same criteria as empirical truth.

Rabbi Wolpe sparked international controversy when he challenged the historicity of the Exodus from Egypt in his Passover sermon in 2001. For centuries, the biblical account of the Exodus story has been recognized as both a symbol of freedom and the founding story of the Jewish people. It is believed that Moses led the enslaved Israelites to freedom after God sent ten plagues against Egypt, allowing the Israelties to escape through the parted Red Sea. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, they finally entered their promised land. In his sermon, Wolpe told his congregants, “The truth is that virtually every modern archeologist who has investigated the story of the Exodus, with very few exceptions, agrees that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way it happened, if it happened at all.” According to Wolpe, “Egypt” is a symbol of the human condition, the story of Exodus is a myth, and that Passover is a narrative of difficult situations Jews have experienced in their history. While no archeological evidence shows Jews wandered the Sinai desert for forty years, Wolpe says, “This is the sacred story of our people…And I believe that it has a historical kernel. But that's not the most important part of it…The most important part of it is it is true -- even if it is not literal, even if it is not factual -- it is true, and Jews for millennia have seen the truth of it…The truth is the way it allows us to see our history and experience our present.'' This claim faced criticism because it essentially attacked Jewish oral history and the significance of Passover. However, Wolpe distinguishes between faith and “fact” in order to adapt to a society that is constantly evolving and cannot merely rely on its strict past. Instead, Wolpe encourages using the past as a guide for the future.

Wolpe further discusses his views on faith in his book Why Faith Matters, where he explains how his belief in God helped him persevere through the most difficult times and battle his questions about life and death. After his struggle with a brain tumor and his wife’s cancer diagnosis, which ultimately prevented her from having more children, Wolpe developed a stronger connection to his faith. Therefore, when faced with difficult situations, Wolpe urges people to shift the question from “why me?” to “how can I grow from this situation and help others in the process?” His book argues that religion provides an incentive to do good and that faith in God moves people towards charity. In Stephan Mack’s essay Wicked Paradox: The Cleric as Public Intellectual, he writes, “In the American experience, in short, religion and civil society are political codependents.” However, this idea was seen in a negative light, as Roger Williams believed that “When entangled, religion and civil society are mutually destructive.” In his book, Wolpe strongly believes religion has a positive impact on both the individual and society and that “...the usual objections to faith–that science disproves it, that it is dangerous, that it is irrational–are simply not true.” To Wolpe, religion does not introduce violence. It is human nature and our instinctive distrust of others that cause violence. He writes, “A world without religion is liable to be as violent, or more violent, than a world with faith.” Human nature contains innate pain, suffering, and violence, and evil naturally follows when there is no God to be accountable to that. Wolpe stresses the importance of religion because it establishes order, structure, and community.

Rabbi Wolpe continues to delve into his relationship with faith in his national bestselling book Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times, where he argues that faith is constantly evolving. Rather than basing faith on empirical truths, Wolpe bases faith on his personal experiences over time. In this book, he explores the true meaning of loss and uses his faith as a mechanism for growth and perseverance. He writes, "Faith is not a fortress. We are not locked into it. I do not believe as I did ten years ago, and I hope I do not believe today as I will ten years from now. My faith has become more honest as I have grown. But it is not easy." Wolpe believes that one experiences God through compassion, community, holiness, and humble goodness. He presents a strong argument for faith and religion that is neither blind nor bigoted. He says those who rely on science and all of its powers and those who murder in God’s name also believe their methods can transform the world. Therefore, he comes to the conclusion that “On balance, religion increases social stability, enabling people to live happier, more productive and better lives. That does not demonstrate religion's truth. It does remind us, however, that we are creatures designed to flourish—to heal and to help—when we believe." I find it interesting that Wolpe essentially says that faith finds its character in one’s attitude toward the universe. Religion is focused less on truth claims and more on the purpose or meaning of life. People may have different social or political orientations, but Wolpe believes that religion has the potential to be a tremendous uniter because of its common focus on compassion and goodness.

In his other novel, Floating Takes Faith: Ancient Wisdom for the Modern World, Rabbi Wolpe uses Talmud teachings to respond to current issues and common questions raised in society through short yet meaningful passages. In the passage titled Division Can Save Us, Wolpe argues that division gives rise to innovation. He says, “Divisions in the Jewish world and in the Western world are often a source of lament. But there is a blessing in plurality.” While division often acts as a source of strife, Wolpe presents it in a positive light. Diverse societies and views foster a spirit of tolerance, as they encourage communication, empathy, and compassion. In another passage, Measuring Time by People, Wolpe contrasts the way time is measured in the Jewish tradition with American culture. In our culture, time is defined by numbers, such as the Roaring Twenties or the ‘70s. In Jewish tradition, time is marked through people like the generation of Abraham or the age of Rambam. Wolpe claims the “Value of time is the life that passes through it. Time is the measure of our deeds, our joys, and our sorrows.” As Jews, we are taught we are all created in the image of God, and with that comes great potential and responsibility. A responsibility to open our hands, our minds, and our hearts. Wolpe urges individuals to “grow in soul.” Meaning, there is a unique sense of mystery within individuals that influences them to reach deeper levels in their lives.

Furthermore, Rabbi Wolpe’s articles present clear ideas on his view on religion and its purpose. In his article, Viewpoint: The Limitations of Being 'Spiritual but not Religious,’ Wolpe argues that religion mobilizes communities and leads to meaningful change. According to studies, 1 in 5 Americans describes themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” Wolpe concludes these individuals have “some intuition of something greater, but feel allergic to institutions.” While institutions can be autocratic, they are the sole method available to humans for sustaining ideologies and behaviors. He contrasts spirituality and religion when he writes, “Spirituality is an emotion. Religion is an obligation. Spirituality soothes. Religion mobilizes. Spirituality is satisfied with itself. Religion is dissatisfied with the world.” Wolpe critiques the trend of spirituality without religion and highlights the importance of religion, as he believes “to be spiritual but not religious confines your devotional life to feeling good.” Wolpe encourages people to challenge practices and positions within their group in order to test themselves in the “arena of others.”

Rabbi Wolpe provides insight on contemporary issues in his article, Why Anti-Semitism Flourishes Whenever Hatred Thrives, where he responds to the Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting in 2018 that resulted in 18 people dead. To many, Jews are the quintessential outsiders who do not belong. The horrible generalizations made towards minority groups have become “too often acceptable and applauded.” Wolpe believes there is danger and risk in making every tragedy a demonstration of one’s political beliefs. Wolpe found himself asking “how do we welcome the stranger and still feel safe” and “how do I keep a community with such disparate views together?” As a Rabbi, Wolpe is obligated to provide guidance to his community members, who oftentimes have very different social and political views. The overturning of Roe v. Wade sparked debate among his congregation. However, Wolpe is unafraid to challenge conventional views and speak his mind on important issues that present themselves in society. In his podcast, Off the Pulpit with Rabbi David Wolpe, he argues that the overturning of Roe v. Wade implies a legal, cultural, and personal problem. He uses Jewish law to support his argument that it is not murder to have an abortion. In fact, in Jewish law, the life of the mother always takes precedence over the fetus. Wolpe claims that in both American and Jewish history, women were powerless and had no say in the rules and laws placed upon them. Wolpe uses Jewish teachings to prove that a woman’s voice must be heard and claims that “Where you stand depends on where you sit, on what your life is, who you know, and what you face.”

Rabbi David Wolpe’s ultimate goal as a public intellectual is to support individuals in cultivating their spiritual selves and living a meaningful life devoted to goodness by using the insights of Judaism. Wolpe takes a different approach to Judaism, as he separates religion from truth. He believes that “Spiritual memory and historical memory are not identical and religion, if it is to move forward both academically and communally, has to acknowledge those divisions.” Wolpe’s approach is relatable and comforting because it adapts to evolving times, unlike Orthodox Judaism, which is still reliant on traditional and oftentimes problematic views. Wolpe distinguishes between Conservative Judaism and Orthodoxy as “The distinction between Kabbalistic theurgy to perform God’s expressed will as opposed to therapeutic encouragement.” In other words, Wolpe defines the liberal perspective as the development of the self, compassion, and connection to other Jews, rather than commitment to a Divine will.

Works Cited

“David Wolpe - Biography - Jewage.” JewAge Atom, https://www.jewage.org/wiki/en/Article:David_Wolpe_-_Biography.

“Doubting the Story of Exodus.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2001, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-apr-13-mn-50481-story.html.

“Interview with Rabbi David Wolpe.” The Book of Doctrines and Opinions: 21 Dec. 2015, https://kavvanah.blog/2015/12/20/interview-with-rabbi-david-wolpe/.

J. Wolpe, David, et al. “Why Faith Matters.” Jewish Book Council, 10 Mar. 2019, https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/book/why-faith-matters.

“Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times by David J. Wolpe.” By David J. Wolpe, https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-57322-141-2.

Niebuhr, Gustav. “Religion Journal; a Rabbi's Look at Archaeology Touches a Nerve.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 2 June 2001, https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/02/us/religion-journal-a-rabbi-s-look-at-archaeology-touches-a-nerve.html.

Rabbi David Wolpe. “Viewpoint: The Limitations of Being 'Spiritual but Not Religious'.” Time, Time, 21 Mar. 2013, https://ideas.time.com/2013/03/21/viewpoint-the-problem-with-being-spiritual-but-not-religious/.

Sinai Temple. “Rabbi David Wolpe.” Sinai Temple, Sinai Temple, 13 Sept. 2022, https://www.sinaitemple.org/about/clergy-senior-staff/rabbi-david-wolpe/.

Wolpe, David J. Floating Takes Faith: Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World. Behrman House, 2004.

Wolpe, David J. “Making Loss Matter by David J. Wolpe: Review: Spirituality & Practice.” Making Loss Matter by David J. Wolpe | Review, https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/1830/making-loss-matter.

Wolpe, David J. Making Loss Matter Creating Meaning in Difficult Times. Riverhead Books, a Member of Penguin Putnam Inc, 1999.

Wolpe, David J. “Why Faith Matters by David J. Wolpe: Review: Spirituality & Practice.” Why Faith Matters by David J. Wolpe | Review, https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/18363/why-faith-matters.

Wolpe, David J. Why Faith Matters: God and the New Atheism. HarperOne, 2008.

Wolpe, Rabbi David. “Conservative Judaism Seeks Its True Name.” Jewish Journal, 24 Nov. 2015, https://jewishjournal.com/commentary/opinion/179782/.

Wolpe, Rabbi David. “Why Anti-Semitism Flourishes Whenever Hatred Thrives.” Time, Time, 28 Oct. 2018, https://time.com/5437227/why-anti-semitism-flourishes-whenever-hatred-thrives/.