JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition

Is the Zohar authentic? Join us as we take a deep-dive into one of the most influential and controversial works in Jewish mysticism and the book that changed Judaism forever, the Zohar. Hakham J.J. Kimche provides us with a clear definition of the Zohar, and discusses its major ideas at its core, including the Zohar's new conceptions of theology, Torah and Mitzvot, and mankind/Jews. The authorship of the Zohar is a topic of much debate, and we delve into the subject in this podcast. J.J. Kimche breaks down the historical and linguistic evidence surrounding the Zohar's authorship, and gives a thorough analysis of its various anachronisms, errors, and objectionable statements in the text, leading to a discussion on the dubious nature of the text's authorship. Who was Rabbi Moses De Leon and why was the Zohar penned in the name of Rashby (R. Shimon Bar Yochai)? We also explore the editing and printing of the Zohar, and the spread and influence of the text post-1492. Additionally, we examine the history of Zohar criticism, including the small historical signs of criticism, major medieval critics such as Rabbi Elijah Del Medigo, Rabbi Leon de Modena, and Rabbi Jacob Emden, the Maskilic period, and the modern era of Zohar criticism with scholars such as Shadal, Wissenschaft des Judentum scholars, and Gershom Scholem. We end with a difficult but important conversation about why this is even important to unpack, why traditional Sepharadim and followers of Rambam often find its influence objectionable and its contents heretical. What does it mean for Jews today, considering its widespread acceptance (with the popularity of its byproducts: Lurianic Kabbalah and Hassidut)? You likely won't find another Orthodox Jewish podcast covering such an "untouchable" topic, but we feel it's about time since we live in the age of information and see the after-effects of its lasting influence on Judaism, both good and bad. We always advocate for a return to fundamentals and a focus on the core teachings of Judaism: TaNakh, Halakha, and Talmud.

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Rabbi Joseph Dweck, a distinguished scholar and religious leader, to explore the fascinating world of the Maimonidean tradition and its relevance in today's spiritual landscape. We begin by addressing the question of whether the Maimonidean path lacks "spirituality" (and what that term even means). Rabbi Dweck delves into the common misconception that Maimonidean philosophy focuses more on rationality and intellectual pursuits, often overlooking the emotional and mystical dimensions of Torah. We uncover the profound spiritual depth within Maimonidean teachings and challenge the notion that spirituality is exclusive to other approaches. Next, we discuss the hesitation some individuals have in promoting their Maimonidean views, as it’s relatively foreign to the mainstream and appears to clash with certain aspects of the more popular Kabbalah-oriented approaches. We then turn our attention to the question of what a Maimonidean community would truly look like. Often perceived as more suited for individual practice, we explore the potential for creating a thriving communal framework based on Maimonidean principles. Rabbi Dweck shares his thoughts on how such a community can foster a sense of unity and support while honoring the diverse spiritual journeys of its members. He also debunked the claim that the path of HaRambam is elitist, ivory-tower Judaism. Lastly, we tackle the challenge of presenting Torah to a new generation deeply immersed in a hyper-individualistic culture. Rabbi Dweck provides valuable perspectives on bridging the gap between the ancient wisdom of Torah and the contemporary mindset of individualism. We explore innovative approaches to engage and inspire the younger generation, empowering them to connect with Torah in meaningful and relevant ways. Join us as we embark on a thought-provoking journey with Rabbi Dweck, unraveling the intricacies of the Maimonidean path, dispelling misconceptions, envisioning new community possibilities (as exemplified by The Habura), and exploring strategies for presenting Torah in a modern world.

Rabbi Josh Yuter, a renowned Torah scholar and teacher, takes us on a journey through the world of "Sacred Slogans." These are phrases and idioms taken from the Torah and Talmud that have been appropriated to promote various agendas. But what makes them so powerful is that they are infused with the cultural weight of religious authority. We begin by exploring the concept of "Tzelem Elokim" or "Imago Dei," which asserts that all human beings are created in the image of God. Rabbi Yuter explains how this idea is more complex than it seems and what it means in the context of Biblical and Rabbinic sources. We then move on to discuss "70 Faces of Torah" and "Eilu Va'Eilu Divrei Elokim Hayyim," which are often cited in defense of pluralism. However, Rabbi Yuter explains how these idioms actually define the limits of pluralism. Next, we delve into the origins and meaning of "Ohr Lagoyim" or "Light unto the Nations." Rabbi Yuter addresses the extent to which Torah is concerned with how Jews are perceived by gentiles. Moving on to a modern-day Sacred Slogan, we examine the phrase "A Jew is a Jew" and how it relates to identity and inclusion in Jewish communal life. We also discuss the Biblical commandment to "love the stranger," which is often invoked in the context of immigration and refugee policy. But Torah comes with its own regulations, which Rabbi Yuter explains. Lastly, we explore the most ubiquitous of the Sacred Slogans, "Tikkun Olam," and how it was implemented by the tradition which coined the term. Join us as we unpack these Sacred Slogans and gain a deeper understanding of their origins, meanings, and implications.

Rabbi Jeremy Rosen shares his unique perspective on the balance between rationality and mysticism growing up in a Litvish and Hassidic household. He discusses the trend in the frum world where religious observance is becoming stricter and stricter, and how this phenomenon can be attributed to the Holocaust and Israeli politics. As we delve deeper into the conversation, Rabbi Rosen speaks about the current mood in the Haredi and Hassidic communities and how he sees the "tail wagging the dog." He explains why things are getting more extreme and how change happens very slowly, but also why he is optimistic that things will improve. He points out that the secular part of society has gone off the rails, which has led to reactionary fundamentalism in these communities. We then shift our focus to the cultural and political changes that are occurring in Israel and the world, including the controversial judiciary reform that has split the nation and the nature of political corruption. Moving on to the Jewish approach to dealing with tragedy and grief, Rabbi Rosen highlights the superstitions and social miscues that are unfortunately common responses. He presents a way to educate people on how to respond to another's tragedy, as Jews often turn to “hocus pocus” in desperate times and incorrectly conflate the Messianic Age with Olam Haba (the Afterlife). We briefly touch on the Book of Job and the fact that each person responds differently to grief, emphasizing that there's no cookie-cutter approach. We also discuss the concept of reincarnation being a new addition to Judaism and how Kabbalah can get out of hand, especially as it relates to the human response to tragedy.

Ike Dweck shares his inspiring journey from being a compulsive gambler to founding The Safe Foundation and saving the lives of addicts. He discusses the challenges of dealing with the stigma of addiction in Jewish communities and how his organization addresses this issue. One of the obstacles that children face is the mixed messages they receive from their parents who may drink heavily at parties, Kiddush Clubs, and holidays. Ike also delves into the question of how someone knows they have a problem with addiction and who is responsible for getting an addict the help they need. The conversation also touches on the root causes of addiction. Ike provides his insights on whether it is the drug that produces the addict or if it's a specific type of personality that is prone to addiction. He also explains the difference between rehabs and trauma centers and how they can be effective in treating addiction. The discussion further explores some of the popular substances that parents should be looking out for, including marijuana, which has the reputation of being harmless but is increasingly being laced with the deadly fentanyl. Ike also sheds light on the emerging trend of alternative medicines such as Ayahuasca and micro-dosing. Ike emphasizes the role of parents and community leaders in protecting children from addiction and how The Safe Foundation can be an effective resource for them. Overall, this podcast interview provides valuable insights on addiction and the ways to combat it. (With special guest co-host, Karen Koren)

Rabbi Yonatan Halevy shares his personal journey to becoming the rabbi of his community and sheds light on the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities with regards to halacha and hashkafa. He offers insightful solutions to bridge the cultural and religious divide, emphasizing the importance of education in secular matters alongside Torah, as mandated by our tradition. One of the highlights of the conversation is our discussion about Rabbi Halevy's video series, "Crimes of Kiruv," in which he identifies and addresses certain concerns and flaws in the Outreach movement. He elaborates on how a dogmatic approach, religious fanaticism, the argument from authority, and the current phenomenon of fire-and-brimstone bully tactics can be detrimental in the long run for the Baal Teshuva, from a psychological and social standpoint. The Rabbi advocates for a return to fundamentals, tradition, and a healthy approach to Torah, and calls out the troubling trend of religious “cancel culture” mafia. Finally, the episode concludes with a fun and enlightening conversation about Rabbi Halevy's unique religious garb and why he chooses to dress in the manner of old-school Sepharadi Hakhamim. This podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of Jewish culture and tradition, and for those seeking to explore the challenges faced by modern-day religious communities.

We had the privilege of interviewing Pastor Dumisani Washington, a prominent figure in the Black Christian community and a great supporter of Jews and Zionism. During our discussion, we delved into the concerning trends of antizionism and antisemitism that are prevalent in America and the world today, particularly in Hollywood and on college campuses. We also addressed the attacks on Jewish identity by Black Hebrew Israelites, Kyrie Irving, and Kanye West, as well as the dangerous rise of Jew hatred and propaganda on both sides of the political aisle. We explored the rich history of Jewish and Black solidarity, especially during the Civil Rights movement, and emphasized the importance of building bridges between these two communities. Additionally, we tackled the challenging topic of the popularity of Louis Farrakhan in black culture, which is a unique phenomenon. We asked why we are seeing white supremacists and black supremacists uniting against Jews. Furthermore, Pastor Dumisani cleared up some of the seemingly antisemitic verses in the New Testament, such as Jews being referred to as "the synagogue of Satan," and pushed back against certain blood libels fueled by the early Catholic Church’s scapegoating of Jews as "Christ Killers" and its enduring impact. Our conversation with Pastor Dumisani Washington shed light on these important issues and provided valuable insights on how we can work towards understanding between Black and Jewish communities. Join us in this thought-provoking discussion.

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.