Live Quotes by David Novak

A traditional rabbi is the man to whom the community and its members turn to rule on what Jewish law requires of them, particularly…

— David Novak

Historically, Jews only accept converts rather than actively seeking them.

— David Novak

As a traditional Jew, I have benefited personally from the hospitality of Chabad Hasidim on many occasions, and I marvel at how many Jews…

— David Novak

Roots can live without branches, although truncated; branches cannot live without roots.

— David Novak

In deciding among theological views, one should be something of a consequentialist: the choice of one theological position over another should be, if not…

— David Novak

At the political level, most Jews and most Catholics have accepted the liberal idea of religious freedom.

— David Novak

Jewish status is defined by the divine election of Israel and his descendants. One does not become a Jew by one's own volition.

— David Novak

Although most Christian churches advocate some sort of mission to non-Christians, no Jewish group advocates a mission to non-Jews. Proselytization seems to be foreign…

— David Novak

The community in which one hears the voice of God structures how one hears that voice and interprets what it says.

— David Novak

Religious traditions are in a constant state of development and renewed self-understanding.

— David Novak

In historical messianism, the reign of the Messiah is brought about by a Jewish ruler powerful enough to gather the Jewish exiles back to…

— David Novak

The Holocaust, taken by itself, is a black hole. To look at it directly is to be swallowed up by it.

— David Novak