

A Book Like No Other
Aleph Beta
A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following wherever that leads. Together, we'll unwrap remarkable patterns and surprising connections that lie just beneath the Torah's surface, revealing the beauty and insight that truly make the Torah a book like no other.A Book Like No Other is a project of Aleph Beta, a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide. A Book Like No Other is made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. For our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts, as well as bonus content for Book Like No Other, please visit www.alephbeta.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 3min
S6. Ep.4:The Moment We Finally Understood the Shofar
This series finale literally has everything: a sweeping historical narrative, a textual thread that binds the Exodus to Sinai and beyond, and a gobsmacking conclusion to the question: what am I meant to feel when I hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah?You can find the textual chart referenced in this episode by clicking here.Click here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 3min
S6. Ep.3: The Shofar's Meaning: We Missed the Message of the Exodus
In our quest to discover the meaning behind the shofar blast, we continue to mine the Exodus story for a deeper meaning behind God's empathy, and why it was so important to communicate that message to Moses, to the enslaved Israelites, and to Pharoah himself.To watch the course on the Three Lies of the Exodus mentioned in the episode, you can watch it on the Aleph Beta site here: https://members.alephbeta.org/playlist/moses-exodus-miraclesClick here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Sep 2, 2025 • 38min
S6. Ep.2: The Shofar's Cry Decoded: A Clue in God's Name
To get to the bottom of the shofar's secret, we need to travel back to the Exodus story. Looking closely, we can see that Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush was more than just a long job negotiation. God was trying to convey something extremely important. So important, in fact, that He encoded it into His own name.Click here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Aug 26, 2025 • 24min
S6 Ep. 1: The Secret Message in the Sound of the Shofar
You sit in shul. The shofar blows. What do you feel? You may not want to admit it, but for many of us the answer is: nothing. For a long time, that’s how Imu felt also. Until a chance observation, one historic Erev Rosh Hashana, sparked a conversation with Rabbi David Fohrman that would change everything. Come along on this deep dive through the Torah, revealing a hidden story from the Burning Bush to Mount Sinai to the walls of Jericho—that will finally make the shofar blast truly meaningful. In this first episode of the new season, we begin that journey of discovery with a first look at the origins of the shofar in the Torah text.For the Rosh Hashana course Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discuss in this episode, click here. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Jul 27, 2025 • 5min
Show Update and Tisha B'Av Announcement
Join a vibrant online community event for Tisha B'Av, where participants can learn and connect with others from around the world. Delve into teachings from Zechariah, aiming to transform this day of mourning into a shared moment of reflection and resilience. Plus, get an exciting sneak peek into the upcoming season, featuring themes surrounding the shofar just in time for Rosh Hashanah!

Jul 1, 2025 • 36min
S5 Ep. 4: Shir HaMaalot: When Pharoah Reminded Us About God
The podcast delves into the emotional dynamics of Joseph's reunion with his brothers, highlighting their journey from trauma to joy. It examines the theme of redemption, exploring how laughter and tears play crucial roles in healing. The discussion also includes the interplay between divine providence and human choice, revealing the complexities of recognizing God's presence in history. Additionally, Pharaoh's potential role during the Exodus prompts reflections on liberation and the transformative power of compassion amidst challenging times.

Jun 24, 2025 • 59min
S5 ep. 3: Shir HaMaalot: You Choose How Dreams Become Reality
Do you really know what Joseph's dream of the wheat sheaves was about? We'll bet you missed something big. And perhaps, so did Joseph. See how the ambiguity of the dream presents Joseph with a choice: am I destined for power, or for benevolence?Click here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Jun 17, 2025 • 32min
S5 Ep. 2: Shir HaMaalot: Where Do a Father's Tears Go?
The beginning and end of Shir HaMaalot discuss dreams and sheaves of wheat. Where have we heard this before? Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore the clear parallels between this chapter or tehillim and Joseph - a dreamer and a captive. They discuss Joseph's outpouring of tears, compared to Jacob's persistent weeping, and offer a consoling message that the tears we spill for those we mourn may not be in vain.Click here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

Jun 10, 2025 • 46min
S5 Ep.1 Shir HaMaalot: Waking Up from the Dream
This season's focus is on Tehilim (Psalm) 126, otherwise known as Shir HaMaalot. You know, the one that Jews sing before bensching on Shabbat and festivals. This short but powerful poem tells us that when the redemption comes we will be "like dreamers." But is this a good thing? What if our dream state prevents us from coming to terms with the actual redemption? And if so, how do we "wake up"? Listen to this entertaining but groundbreaking investigation of a familiar text.Click here for a free copy of Rabbi Fohrman's e-book, "Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden". Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, questions, and reactions by voice note, or send us an email at info@alephbeta.org. A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

May 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
S4 Ep. 8 Can Envy Ever Be Healed? What Jacob and Esav Teach Us About the 10th Commandment
Dive into the emotional reunion of Jacob and Esau, exploring deep psychological wounds from a shared past. Discover how envy can be transformed into understanding, as Jacob’s wealth provokes feelings in Esau. A unique role-play sheds light on their tensions, while gift-giving symbolizes healing. The hosts discuss how recognizing the divine in each other can resolve rivalry and promote familial unity. Insights from the Ten Commandments illuminate the journey from jealousy to reconciliation, offering profound lessons on relationships and spiritual wholeness.