Episode 16: Rabbi Joshua Maroof "Judaism vs. Spinoza & Atheism"

In the recently published book 'Strauss, Spinoza, & Sinai' (Kodesh Press), it is said that both the Enlightenment and Orthodoxy rest on axioms that neither side can fully prove or fully refute (as Leo Strauss presented). Much of modern thought tries to square the circle of how to live in a world without belief. The better question is whether it is possible to recover authentic religious belief in the modern world. Rabbi Joshua Maroof puts forth a riveting "Maimonidean" response to Spinoza and makes a brilliant case for the future of Judaism in the modern age. It's only fitting that a subject of this magnitude is approached with the classical Sepharadi perspective it deserves. The Rav also touches on Rambam's Negative Theology, as ascribing an emotion to God like "He Cares" is an anthropomorphic description that is a false notion. Instead we must say He's "Not Uncaring". If that's the case, then doesn't that mean no actual relationship is possible? How does an infinite God relate to people? Furthermore, granting that He could, why would He create us in the first place if He has no Will or Need? Additionally, the Rav explains why God is NOT a mind and how Spinoza erred in his understanding, while Dr. Micah Goodman and others continue to make this mistake. We discuss if it's possible to understand the meaning or purpose behind the mitzvot? If yes, how would we go about discovering it? Lastly, are modern atheists and skeptics like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris rejecting the same false notion of God that we too reject? What are the best arguments for the existence of God? Please share this episode with anyone you feel can benefit from it. Enjoy the show!