
Elliott Rabin
Scholar with a PhD in comparative literature and director-level experience in Jewish education (Prisma); author of The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility (Jewish Publication Society, 2020), the book discussed in this episode.
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Oct 20, 2025 • 58min
Elliott Rabin, "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility" (Jewish Publication Society, 2020)
Elliott Rabin, a scholar with a PhD in comparative literature, explores the complexities of biblical heroism in his book. He analyzes six biblical figures—Moses, Samson, David, Esther, Abraham, and Jacob—highlighting their nobility and fallibility. Rabin discusses how these characters compare to global literary heroes and argues that the Bible depicts them with more nuance and less glorification. He also reflects on the pandemic's emphasis on everyday heroism and shares insights into teaching these ideas in schools.

Oct 20, 2025 • 58min
Elliott Rabin, "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility" (Jewish Publication Society, 2020)
Elliott Rabin, a comparative literature scholar and author, dives into the complexities of biblical heroes in his discussion. He explores why the Bible portrays its heroes with flaws, contrasting them with more glorified characters from other cultures. Rabin shares how personal experiences, like Shabbat-table conversations, inspired his work and discusses the relevance of biblical stories in contemporary contexts, such as the COVID pandemic. He also considers the role of God as a hero and reflects on teaching these themes to students, highlighting the importance of narrative depth.

Oct 20, 2025 • 58min
Elliott Rabin, "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility" (Jewish Publication Society, 2020)
Elliott Rabin, author of "The Biblical Hero: Portraits in Nobility and Fallibility," explores how biblical heroes like Moses and Esther embody both greatness and flaw. He discusses the Bible’s portrayal of heroism compared to other literary traditions, revealing a complex chiaroscuro of noble actions and moral ambiguities. Rabin argues for early engagement with complex character portrayals in education, highlighting how these themes resonate during crises. He also touches on the comparative analysis of biblical figures with world literature and shares insights on God’s partnership in human heroism.