JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition
Ben and Benzi | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today
Hosted by lifelong friends Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni, Judaism Demystified was founded to explore topics often overlooked in conventional Jewish education. Through long-form conversations with leading religious thinkers, scientists, and historians, the podcast draws from the Geonic-Maimonidean tradition while embracing the intellectual legacy of Rabbi Sacks. Our goal is to reignite a passion for classical Jewish wisdom, returning to foundational ideas and fostering meaningful engagement with Jewish thought.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 14, 2022 • 1h 5min
Episode 12: Reuben Ebrahimoff "My Crypto-Jewish Heritage"
This particular episode is more personal for the hosts of the podcast, as Mr. Ebrahimoff speaks to Ben about their shared roots as descendants of Iranian crypto-Jews. He gives a brief overview of the Mashhadi story then and now, the Allahdad pogrom of 1839, the uniqueness of Persian cuisine, the dual marriage contracts of Jewish "New Muslims", the aftermath of leaving Iran, and his personal family tree.
Mar 10, 2022 • 1h 40min
Episode 11: Rabbi Shmuel Phillips "Judaism Reclaimed"
Rabbi Phillips provides an in-depth analysis of Judaism's most complex concepts such as Resurrection of the Dead, the Afterlife, Esotericism, the pursuit of human perfection, Rabbinic innovation, and the concept of Sacred Space. He takes issue with some of the bold claims made by Rabbi Dr. Marc Shapiro and Rabbi Binyamin Lau, which have major religious implications. Find out more about the book at www.JudaismReclaimed.com and buy it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1946351784/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_HJK1PR7QEF3WWCAXCWZ1
Feb 24, 2022 • 47min
Episode 10: Professor Henry Abramson "Unmasking History"
Dr. Abramson brilliantly breaks down how historians process data to determine what sources are reliable, the respective approaches of historians and archaeologists in interpretating events, the difference between biblical minimalists and maximalists, what shaped Judaism after its continuous encounters with outside cultures (namely Greek and Zoroastrian), and some fascinating anecdotes about Queen Esther in the story of Purim.
Jan 20, 2022 • 1h 35min
Episode 9: Professor Jeffrey L. Rubenstein "Stories of Our Sages"
Dr. Rubenstein explains the difference between midrash and aggadah, the methodology in deciphering aggadot, how to go about navigating through the different versions of aggadot (specifically between Talmud Bavli and Yerushalmi), the relationship between aggadot and the modern reader, how to understand these fantastical stories about our Sages of blessed memory, and he takes us on a journey into his incredible book 'The Land of Truth: Talmud Tales, Timeless Teachings'.
Jan 5, 2022 • 1h 21min
Episode 8: Rabbi Tovia Singer "Why Jews Reject Jesus"
Rabbi Singer (www.outreachjudaism.org) presents an eye-opening historical account of Jesus, and discusses how Paul of Tarsus invented antisemitism, why the Jews rejected Jesus, how the gospels paganized Judaism to form a new religion, what exactly Isaiah 53 actually proves, and more.
Dec 23, 2021 • 1h 14min
Episode 7: Rabbi Abe H. Faur "The Horizontal Society"
Rabbi Faur addresses a variety of pertinent topics such as the importance of understanding diqduq (Hebrew grammar) when interpreting Torah verses, the general idea of classical mysticism, the prophetic experience, the Horizontal Society, the covenant, the fall of western civilization, eradicating idolatry, and dispelling the lazy fallacy that Maimonides was a rationalist (and the lie that he kept some of his true beliefs hidden).
Nov 26, 2021 • 1h 21min
Episode 6: Sina Kahen "Tradition and Ideas"
Sina takes us on a journey through history and breaks down the very significant revival of the Andalusian tradition. Discover the difference between classical Jewish mysticism and the Zoharic Kabbalah that emerged in the post-Maimonidean era. Find out why the Sephardic approach is so instrumental in building a future for Judaism in an ever-changing world.
Nov 18, 2021 • 1h 26min
Episode 5: Dr. Gerald Schroeder "The Science of God"
Dr. Schroeder makes the case for God in scientific terms, tackling issues such as the age of the universe, evolution, the multiverse theory, fine tuning, DNA, famous atheists, and extraterrestrial life.
Aug 20, 2021 • 1h 7min
Episode 4: Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie "A Light Unto the Nations"
Rabbi Abadie dives into the history and traditions of Old Sepharad (The Golden Age of Spain) and discusses his groundbreaking role in strengthening Jewish-Muslim relations in the Middle East.
Jul 15, 2021 • 1h 22min
Episode 3: Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman "A Critique of Biblical Criticism"
Professor Berman showcases his vast knowledge of the Torah and other extra-biblical ancient texts, providing evidence that highlights the major flaws in modern biblical source criticism. (It's ideal to watch this episode in particular on our YouTube channel because of all the slideshow visuals he provided. Go to YouTube and type in Judaism.Demystified in the search bar - please like, subscribe, and share while you're at it.)
