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.
Phillips Machine and the Plumbing of Kabbalah
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
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
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.
The Plague of Darkness
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
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
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.
Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh
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.
Schechina Consciousness
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.
Two Types of Revelation
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explores two models of revelation exemplified by the different narratives of receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai related in Exodus and Deuteronomy. He argues from the Hasidic masters that the difference between the two kinds of revelation is defined by the recipient.
Entanglement and the Unified Theory of Us: Judah and Joseph
Entanglement and the Unified Theory of Us: Judah and Joseph
In this fascinating essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon makes an analogy between the quantum mechanical concept of entanglement and the religious archetypes of Joseph and Judah.
Photo by Pete Kiehart
Searching Souls: Uman 2009
In this short essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon reflects on his annual trip to Uman.
Apikorsus and Epicurus: Rehabilitating Elisha
Apikorsus and Epicurus: Rehabilitating Elisha
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explores the theological implications of the apostasy of Elisha ben Abuya and makes the radical argument that in a post-Holocaust age, we need to reclaim his heresy.
The Sweetness of Torah
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon reflects back upon the element of sweetness which exists in spades within the Hassidic tradition, but was missing from his religious upbringing.
Non Nobis Domine and Psalm 115
Non Nobis Domine and Psalm 115
In this penetrating essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon ties together the Latin phrase which means "Not for us, but for everyone," Psalm 115, Shakespeare's Saint Crispin's Day speech from Henry V, and Tisha B'av Kinot.
Grief and Intimacy: Tisha B’Av 2009
Grief and Intimacy: Tisha B’Av 2009
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon reflects on the vector that extends from Biblical text through Midrash and Hassidic thought and on to later modern views of grief and recovery.
The Broken Vav
In this stream-of-consciousness essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon riffs on the Ishbitzer's Torah regarding the mystical significance of the Hebrew letter "Vav."
Agape and Eros in Relating to the Divine
Agape and Eros in Relating to the Divine
In this essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon explores the the ways in which the brother-sister bond and the husband-wife bond are used by the late Hassidic masters Noam Elimelech and Reb Nachman to articulate two radically new ways of interacting with the divine.
From Text to Myth
In this short essay, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon articulates a new way to approach texts in which the different levels of meaning emerge simultaneously.
Munich
As he prepares to depart for an off-season pilgrimage to Uman, Dr. Julian Ungar-Sargon plays with his grandchildren and takes stock of his life.