Shmuel Goldin, "Unlocking the Torah Text" (Gefen Books, 2014)
Jan 18, 2025
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Rabbi Shmuel Goldin, an influential leader and educator, delves into profound interpretations of the Torah, distinguishing between pshat and Midrash. He explores the moral complexity of the tree of knowledge, discussing humanity's struggle between objective truth and subjective belief. Goldin addresses Korach's challenge to authority, reflecting on the evolving relationship between Jewish law and the people. Additionally, he shares insights into his projects, including a manuscript on the Jewish calendar and a handbook for rabbis, emphasizing the relevance of these texts today.
Rabbi Shmuel Goldin emphasizes the necessity of balancing the Torah's straightforward meanings with its interpretative teachings to enhance understanding.
The discussions of moral authority in the Torah, particularly through the narratives of Adam and Eve and Korach, highlight ongoing ethical dilemmas in society.
Deep dives
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Exploring the Torah's Lessons
Rabbi Shmuel Golden emphasizes the importance of exploring the straightforward meaning of the Torah text, known as Peshat, alongside the interpretative Midrashic literature. He argues that many educational settings often focus primarily on Midrash, overlooking the direct teachings contained within the text itself. Through interactive learning experiences with students and their parents, he discovered that young learners are capable of grappling with profound ethical questions, highlighting the value of addressing core narratives in the Torah. This method fosters deeper understanding and appreciation for the text among students.
The Challenge of Moral Authority
The discussions surrounding the Tree of Knowledge and Korach's rebellion illustrate significant themes of moral authority within the Torah. The narrative of Adam and Eve raising complex questions about good and evil serves as a precursor to the dilemmas faced throughout history regarding societal moral standards. Korach's challenge to Moses and Aaron reflects a deeper struggle against the halachic authority that has preserved Jewish identity over centuries. These texts prompt discussions on the nature of morality, subjective versus objective truths, and the role of divine law in guiding human decisions.
Unlocking the Torah Text (Gefen Books, 2014) provides an in-depth journey into the Torah portion through a series of studies on each parsha. In clear and incisive fashion, each study carefully examines deep philosophical issues and perplexing textual questions. Helpful distinction is made between pshat (straightforward literal meaning) and Midrash (rabbinical exegesis) as both of these approaches to the biblical text are carefully defined and applied.
Join us as we speak with Rabbi Shmuel Goldin about the thought-provoking connections between the eternal Torah narrative and the critical issues of our time.
Rabbi Shmuel received his BS in psychology and his MA in Jewish education from Yeshiva University, and his rabbinic ordination from the Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. He was included in Newsweek’s list of “America’s Top 50 Rabbis for 2012” and in Forward magazine’s list of Jewish communal leaders who have made a difference in the community at large.