Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, author of Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine, and Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig, a professor of Jewish law, engage in a thought-provoking debate about the existence of morality outside of Judaism. They discuss the definitions of goodness, the relationship between halacha and moral education, and whether moral values stem from divine commands. The conversation tackles contemporary issues such as compassion, fairness, and evolving interpretations of Jewish law, urging a reevaluation of how ethics and rituals intersect within the community.
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insights INSIGHT
Independent Morality's Traditional Support
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau argues that genuine moral obligations exist independently of Torah and Judaism, citing traditional Jewish sources and philosophical reasoning.
He believes such independent morality helps explain God's goodness and prevents manipulation of halacha to justify unethical behavior.
insights INSIGHT
Morality Depends on Torah and God
Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig argues morality cannot exist independent of God, as otherwise God would be morally flawed.
He claims Judaism monopolizes moral value, so genuine moral obligations must align with Torah's commands.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Promote Integrity in Community
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau advises shifting communal discourse to identify being "from" with both halachic observance and moral character.
He encourages prioritizing honesty, morality, and valuing morally noble professions beyond pragmatism.
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Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine: Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada
None
Yitzchak Blau
Eight Chapters
Eight Chapters
None
Maimonides
HaEmunot veHaDeot
HaEmunot veHaDeot
None
Saadia Gaon
The Brothers Karamazov
Larissa Volokhonsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Richard Pevear
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason[2][5][4].
A theory of justice
John Rawls
In 'A Theory of Justice,' John Rawls develops a moral theory of justice as fairness, which is an alternative to utilitarianism. The theory is based on the social contract approach and uses the concept of the original position and the veil of ignorance to derive two principles of justice. The first principle, the greatest equal liberty principle, ensures that each person has an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. The second principle, which includes the difference principle and the equal opportunity principle, states that social and economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged and attached to offices and positions open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity. Rawls's theory aims to reconcile liberty and equality in a well-ordered society.
Halakhic man
Joseph B. Soloveitchik
The Lion, The witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fantasy novel that follows the story of four English siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who are evacuated to the countryside during World War II. While exploring the large, old house of Professor Kirke, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they encounter various magical creatures and the evil White Witch, who has cast a spell to keep Narnia in perpetual winter. The siblings soon learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy to save Narnia, aided by the lion Aslan. The story is an allegory of Christianity, with Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection mirroring the story of Jesus Christ. The novel also incorporates elements from Germanic, classical Greek and Roman, and Celtic mythology.
Euthyphro
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Plato
Plato's "Euthyphro" is a short but significant dialogue that explores the nature of piety and the relationship between morality and divine will. The dialogue centers on a conversation between Socrates and Euthyphro, who is prosecuting his own father for murder. Socrates challenges Euthyphro's definition of piety, leading to a series of attempts to define the concept that ultimately fail. The dialogue raises the famous Euthyphro dilemma: is something pious because the gods love it, or do the gods love it because it is pious? This dilemma highlights the tension between divine command theory and the existence of objective moral truths. "Euthyphro" is a classic example of Socratic questioning and its enduring relevance lies in its exploration of fundamental questions about morality and the nature of the divine.
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
In 'Mere Christianity', C.S. Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology. The book is divided into four parts: the first argues for the existence of God based on the 'law of human nature'; the second defends Christian theology, including the 'Liar, lunatic, or Lord' trilemma regarding Jesus Christ; the third explores Christian ethics, including the cardinal and theological virtues; and the fourth discusses the Christian conception of God, particularly the Holy Trinity. Lewis also addresses topics such as free will, morality, sexual ethics, and the institution of marriage. The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style[1][2][4].
On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more.
In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a debate between Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig and Rabbi Yitzchak Blau on whether morality exists independently of Judaism.
This is a recording of a live event hosted at Young Israel of Teaneck on May 4. In this episode we discuss:
What does it mean for God to be good, and who defines the “good” in the first place?
Do Torah Jews base their values on halacha, or something else?
Should we make any changes to halachic and moral education in the Jewish community?
Tune in to hear a conversation about how halacha and morality bring order and prioritization to our chaotic and confusing lives. Debate begins at 10:57.
Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig is a professor of Jewish law and jurisprudence at Yeshiva University, a rabbinic judge and chaver beit din at the Beth Din of America, and the rav of the Shtiebel of Lower Merion. He holds a secondary appointment as an assistant professor of philosophy at Yeshiva College and serves as the chair of Jewish studies at the Sy Syms School of Business. He received his semikha, Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin, from RIETS, where he was a fellow of the Wexner Kollel Elyon and editor-in-chief of the Beit Yitzchak Journal of Talmudic and Halakhic Studies.
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau is the author of Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine: Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada and is Tradition's associate editor. He has taught at Yeshivat Hamivtar, Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and the Yeshivah of Flatbush and currently also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rabbi Blau has a BA in English Literature from YU, an MA in Medieval Jewish History from Revel, and semikha from RIETS. Rabbi Blau lives in Alon Shevut with his wife and four children. References:
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