Orthodox Conundrum The Bible, the Beasts, and the Big Lies About Israel, with Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin (258)
Aug 11, 2025
Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, founder of the Biblical Museum of Natural History and expert in biblical zoology, joins the conversation to debunk myths surrounding Israel and its wildlife. Their discussion reveals how animals like lions and sunbirds illustrate a deep connection between the Jewish people and their homeland. Moreover, they address false narratives around settler colonialism and cultural appropriation, exploring the historical ties of both Jews and Palestinians to the land and the intersection of natural history and contemporary political issues.
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Animals As Evidence Of Continuity
- Biblical natural history shows a continuous Jewish connection to the Land of Israel through animals and plants.
- Natan Slifkin argues this evidence counters claims that modern Jews are merely European settler colonials.
Lions' Central Role In Jewish Culture
- Lions dominate Jewish imagery and appear far more frequently in Tanakh than other wild animals.
- Natan Slifkin says lions were part of Jewish life, not a borrowed European symbol.
Diaspora Kept Ancient Animal Memory
- Diaspora communities often substituted familiar animals but still tried to retain original Israeli animal names and symbols.
- Natan Slifkin emphasizes cultural memory preserved species names despite loss of direct familiarity.
