Episode 37: Rabbi Reuven Mann "The Humanity of the Torah"

In his book 'Eternally Yours', Rabbi Reuven Mann makes an important observation: that most religions and political, intellectual, and social movements trace themselves back to a single founder. Yet as great as our Patriarch Avraham was, his legacy is shared by his family and descendants. In this episode, he points out that the Torah doesn't include the concept of "sainthood" (in the Christian sense) but rather the fallibility of our leaders so that we remain faithful to God alone. Avraham went to great lengths in order to destroy the spiritual disease of idolatry, of which Maimonides says the entire purpose of Torah is to uproot idolatry from the world. Yet there are those who claim idolatry has already been uprooted from our midst. Rabbi Mann addresses this point clearly and with precision. He also discusses the doctrine that all people are created "in God's image" and are thus entitled to be treated with compassion — which is a major tennet of Judaism. We asked what this "Tzelem Elokim" entails and in what way does it implore us to take action, especially in regards to justice and compassion? Additionally, the Torah does not provide much information about the personal aspects of our great leaders, in terms of their physical appearance and emotional makeup. Why is that the case, considering that many great non-biblical works of wisdom utilize those aspects to paint a picture of their heroic figures? Lastly, the Rabbi goes on to explain how the gut-wrenching story of Joseph teaches us about optimism and faith.