JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Confronting the Challenges of This Generation

Rabbi Yamin Levy's phenomenal new book, The Mysticism of Andalusia: Exploring HaRambam's Mystical Tradition, is a remarkable presentation of the Andalusian tradition, a significant but often overlooked part of Jewish history. In this episode, Rabbi Levy shares invaluable insights into the teachings of HaRambam through meticulous research and analysis, challenging the misconceptions that have long surrounded this pivotal figure. His book effectively refutes the notion that Rambam was a "daat yachid," highlighting his role as a transmitter of tradition. We also explore the misunderstood concept of HaRambam being both a rationalist and a mystic (which is further clarified in our interview with Prof. Menachem Kellner, who also wrote a review of Rabbi Levy's book). Rabbi Levy draws a clear distinction between Mysticism and Kabbalah, expanding on the idea that Hebrew mysticism is an anthropological dimension and the very purpose of the human race, as taught by the late Hakham Dr. José Faur a'h. Rabbi Levy's book serves as an excellent introduction to the study of Moreh HaNevukhim (The Guide for the Perplexed), exploring the Andalusian spiritual and mystical practices presented in Rambam's works. In it, he sheds light on topics such as love and awe of God, silent meditation, and the spiritual aspects of mitzvot, Shabbat, tefillah, Keriat Shema, providence, the soul, the afterlife, and the role of the prophet. We also address the misconception that mysticism must be fantastical, superstitious, and magical. He explains the difference between two major strains of mystical tradition: Maaseh Merkabah and the Zohar. Rabbi Levy's work shows that authentic Jewish mysticism does not have to defy reason and provides the educated twenty-first-century Jewish seeker with a Jewish mystical practice that does not compromise one's theological and philosophical principles. Join us in this enlightening conversation with Rabbi Yamin Levy as we explore the fascinating world of Jewish mysticism and the teachings of HaRambam.

Join us as we sit down with Imu Shalev, the CEO and COO of Aleph Beta, one of the most innovative Torah learning tools on the internet. Imu shares his journey of how he went from being the Director of the Maccabeats and Producer for Mayim Bialik's successful YouTube channel to his current position. Imu also talks about how Rabbi David Fohrman's tireless work ethic and innovative approach to learning TaNaKh changed his own approach to Torah study. He highlights specific lessons that stand out to him, and how they've impacted his personal growth and development. We share our opinions on what is lacking in Yeshiva educations and discuss what can be done to improve it. As a coach, Imu helps individuals navigate various challenges in their personal and professional lives, such as business relationships, marriage struggles, stress and anxiety, productivity, and management. He shares how he uses the Enneagram to determine what motivates and drives us as individuals, and how it can help us better understand and collaborate with others. It was amazing to get to know one of the other voices behind AlpehBeta.org, which our listeners know by now is our go-to Torah content for the entire family. Imu's down-to-earth, thoughtful, and innovative approach is truly astonishing, and we feel that he's only scratching the surface of what's to come.  

Joseph Cohen, the founder of the Israel Advocacy Movement, addresses the meteoric rise of antisemitism and antizionism around the world. Zionism is a concept that means different things to different people, and unfortunately, it often gets a bad rap, particularly on campuses and in the media these days. He helps us understand why this is the case and the different interpretations of Zionism. Joseph clears up many misconceptions about the Israel-Palestine conflict, such as the Palestinians being descendants of the ancient Philistines, or that Israelis were Jewish European colonialists, or that Israel is an Apartheid state committing genocide. At the same time, he's very hopeful about a harmonious future between Jews, Muslims, and Christians in Israel and throughout the Middle East. Joseph broke down the differences and similarities between left-wing and right-wing antisemitism, as well as the latest phenomenon of Kanye, Kyrie, and Black Hebrew Israelites denying our identity as Jews. These groups tend to pick on the Ashkenazim as "Khazar imposters" and use other misleading tactics to win over uneducated people on social media. We discussed the stance of many Haredi Jews who believe that the land of Israel should only be governed by the Jews when God delivers it in a supernatural way, such as the Third Temple descending from the heavens. They rely on the Aggadic "3 Oaths" as support for their claim, so we challenge their position using Torah arguments. Joseph, being a religious Zionist, shares his experiences debating Muslims, Jihadists, and Neo-Nazis and makes the case that doing so is a fruitful endeavor. Join us as we dive into these important and complex topics in an explosive interview you don't want to miss.

Rabbi Dr. Eugene Korn explores the relevance of Jewish ethics for observant and non-observant Jews, the importance of ethical values in halakha (as a person can technically observe the law and still be a scoundrel), and the need to stand up against religious extremism and violence. What do we make of God seemingly condoning slavery in the Torah? What is the significance of forging a national identity from our own enslavement in Egypt? Rabbi Korn delves into the relationship between Jewish ethics and halakha and whether the mitzvot are moral. He also shares his thoughts on Rambam's universal understanding of Torah and the Jewish attitude towards non-Jews. Furthermore, he addresses the treatment of women in Judaism — most notably, the Agunah (Chained Wife) crisis — one of the most critical issues facing modern Jewish communities today. We also discuss the moral issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whether to institute the death penalty for terrorists, as well as the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin at the hands of a religious Jewish fundamentalist. On another note, Rabbi Korn cites Rambam's explanation in the Moreh HaNevukhim, where he discusses animal sacrifices and claims that some mitzvot are concessions to the needs of the time. He points out that if there is no longer a need for certain mitzvot, they become inoperative. He explores how this idea applies to other mitzvot that appear outdated today, such as executing heretics, targeting civilians in a milhemet mitzvah, and the status of all gentiles as idol worshippers.In conclusion, Rabbi Korn emphasizes that the Torah is a real partnership between God and the Jewish people, as the rabbis have the right and responsibility to interpret it as best they see fit within certain limits. This is the real meaning of the dictum "lo ba-shamayim hi" (not in heaven). Otherwise, the Jewish people would be glorified robots who are only called upon to obey at all times. This is a long-overdue and relevant discussion, and we thank Rabbi Korn for having the courage to address certain uncomfortable issues for the sake of the continuity of the central values of the Torah: justice and compassion.

Dr. Malka Simkovich joined us to discuss her educational background in Second Temple Judaism. She pointed out the dissonance between her TaNaKh studies from her Orthodox Jewish education and Bible studies from academia. In previous episodes (with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman, Rabbi Jeremy Weider, and Rabbi David Fohrman), we made our case for the authenticity of our Mesorah, defending it from attacks of Biblical Source Critics. However, in this conversation, Dr. Simkovich takes a different approach. She argues that even if some redaction took place, it should not affect one's commitment to Torah observance. Dr. Simkovich is intrigued by the gap between the eras of the Prophets and the Rabbis. She explains when the name "Judaism" first appeared, and the Judean or Jewish crisis of identity that played out during the Persian era. The question that all diaspora Jews were faced with was, "Has Judaism ended?" By deciding not to return to Israel, the Jews in exile were faced with the troubling reality of choosing to remain with that status. She explains how the rabbis, with their brilliant foresight, rescued Judaism from potentially being lost via the modality of the Torah along with the oral tradition, even after the loss of the Temple and the land of Israel. It is incredible how dynamic, adaptable, portable, and relevant the Torah remains. For those who claim the rabbis invented the oral tradition with the codification of the Mishnah, Dr. Simkovich cites evidence to the contrary from the writings of Josephus, in which he proclaimed that the oral tradition has always existed. She emphasizes that the survival of the Jewish people is nothing short of miraculous, including the impact and success of the rabbis. She insists that learning history shouldn't threaten anyone's faith but rather it should strengthen it (check out her interview on Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin's 18Forty podcast for more on this topic). Dr. Simkovich ends the interview by sharing her experience working with the Catholic Church and the challenges presented by the damaging blood libels that occurred over centuries, which the church is now working to correct.

In this very unique episode, we interview cult-expert Rick Alan Ross to shed light on the definition of a cult and the techniques they use to recruit and control their members. Some historical and recent examples of cults include Adolph Hitler, Branch Davidians, Scientology, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh (Osho), and Lev Tahor. Ross explains common cult techniques people should look out for and who is generally susceptible. He also answers the question of whether a cult needs to be an organized group that holds meetings or if an individual can fall into the same trap by following politicians, conspiracy theorists, social media influencers, or even people as "unthreatening" as health coaches. Ross explains the difference between religion and cult, and how the Orthodox Jewish community can protect themselves from cult leaders/figures within their own religion, even when certain leaders still cast a big shadow after their death. He clarifies whether Hassidic sects like Chabad or Breslov fall under the category of a cult. Listeners will learn how someone can know if they're in a cult and how they can escape, considering that their safety may be compromised if they leave or expose the cult. Finally, Ross offers insights into how an ex-cult member can "deprogram" and reintegrate into normal society.

We spoke with Daniel Jonas about the Jewish and non-Jewish roots of Kabbalah, with insights from his decades of experience in dialogue with not only Christians and Muslims but modern neo-pagans, Wiccans and occultists working in the Western Mystery Tradition. Daniel analyzed the non-Jewish roots of Kabbalah in neo-Platonic and Gnostic philosophies influenced by Greek, Egyptian, Persian and Indian approaches, as well as the Jewish esoteric schools of antiquity and how this affects the theological underpinnings of Judaism. He questioned concepts of cosmogony, emanation, the nature of God, the world and the human soul, the battle between good and evil and the fundamental concept of the magical hero-sage who guides the seeker on the journey to enlightenment and mystical union. We examined how these differ in fundamental terms from rabbinic mysticism and how the rise of Kabbalah in the Middle Ages led to an antinomian, panentheistic approach which centered the power of special humans and their miraculous ability to influence God and the universe. We then went on to track the further influence of kabbalistic thinking on the direction of non-Jewish occultism and mystical secret societies, from the Renaissance through the Enlightenment to the modern era. We looked at theories from anthroposophy to the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, from England to Europe and Russia. Finally, we looked at the impact of these kabbalistic doctrines and philosophies on Judaism itself, from false messiahs like Shabbetai Ẓevi to modern cults of personality built around all-powerful, infallible rabbis and sustained by marketing, fear and despotism. Through our discussion we were able to see how the cumulative effect has been to try and transform Judaism and Torah into a hierarchical system with disturbing similarities to the medieval Church, and how this system has evolved in ways that should worry us all in terms of its impact on our freedom of thought and the civil liberties of those under its control. Daniel also shared his views on the importance of the rational philosophical inquiry of the classical Sepharadic schools and how these can contribute to the realization of the vision and liberties under the governance model envisioned by our sages. We finished by hearing about the pioneering work of the charity Nahamu (co-founded by Daniel) which focuses on analysis, advocacy and policy work to fight for the human rights of Jewish communities struggling our own manifestations of religious extremism.

We had an enlightening conversation with Reb David Guttmann about the reasons behind the mitzvot. While some rabbis today are more interested in the "how" of observing mitzvot, we looked deeper into the "why," exploring the meaning behind these actions and their impact on our lives. We discussed the dangers of attaching magical thinking and superstition to mitzvot, which can turn people off and detract from their true purpose. One misconception about mitzvot is the belief that doing them will lead to receiving good things. However, we questioned this idea and delved into the concept of reward and punishment, asking how we can truly actualize our potential through mitzvot. We also explored deeper philosophical questions such as whether God controls every single aspect of the world and what it means to be made in the image of God if He has no image. We discussed the importance of understanding God's ways of mercy and justice, even when we may not see them play out in the world around us. Furthermore, we pondered whether mitzvot lose their intended effect when they become routine and how we can understand the Hukim, which are not actually beyond human comprehension as some are taught to believe. Additionally, we discussed the unique role of mitzvot as a tool or means to an end (in conditioning us towards perfection) rather than serving as an end in itself, and how this applies to non-Jews and non-observant Jews who choose to work on their character without observing mitzvot. We focused on the idea of radical responsibility, as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt'l aptly put it, and how we can take ownership of our actions in the one life we have to live. Through our discussion, we emphasized that God doesn't need mitzvot, but rather, we do. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the meaning behind our daily rituals and religious actions.

Mori Michael-Shelomo Bar-Ron sheds light on how a rational approach to Torah not only harmonizes with the age of the universe and theory of evolution but also deepens our understanding of it. By examining the literary structure of the six days of creation, we can properly contextualize the process of creation and gain insights into the alignment of the Torah with modern cosmology, paleontology, and science. We also delve into the meaning behind unclear terms like "created", "made", and "formed", and the elusive question about creation Yesh M'Yesh (out of primordial matter) or Yesh M'Ayn (out of nothing). We discuss whether early humans were actually apes and how dogma factors into the way Beresheet is taught today. Additionally, we explore the evidence for the physical location of the Garden of Eden, and whether Adam was the first Homo Sapien or the first prophet. Mori Bar-Ron deciphers the meaning behind the Aggadot that Adam was created in stages, and that Adam was preceded by 974 generations. Rambam also makes an interesting statement pertaining to this. Through the use of brilliant, rational definitions sourced from ancient rabbinical sources, Mori Bar-Ron provides us with a clearer understanding of the pre-Flood generations' long lives in their original, native sense. Join us for a fascinating discussion that only scratches the surface of the subject matter we covered. (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.)

Yirmiyahu "That Semite" Danzig joins the podcast to discuss his journey into social media activism and clarify the different aspects of Jewish identity. He explains the difference between being Jewish, Judean, Israelite, and Hebrew and addresses the rise of antisemitism in America, including a discussion about whether or not the recent controversial comments made by Joe Rogan about Jews and money is problematic. We delve into the historical inaccuracies and harmful tropes depicted in the media and Hollywood, such as the recent movie 'You People' starring Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy. Danzig also tackles the Khazar theory and the claim that Ashkenazi Jews today are usurpers, emphasizing the importance of being informed and prepared to debunk these falsehoods. He explains the complexity of Jewish identity, highlighting the need for Jews to engage in dialogue with non-Jewish communities to fulfill the obligation of being a "light unto the nations," which cannot be accomplished in isolation. The conversation then shifts to the question of whether antizionism is antisemitism and the evolving perspectives of Zionism within the Haredi community. Overall, Danzig provides valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of Jewish identity and the ongoing struggle against antisemitism.