Answers WithHeld

What does it mean to embody God’s love in a world where God sometimes feels absent?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held is joined by Christian biblical scholars Dr. Judy Fentress-Williams and Dr. Ellen Davis to explore what the Book of Ruth reveals—not just about loyalty and love, but about God’s subtle presence in human lives. Together, they ask: What does it mean for God to work through ordinary people? Can human faithfulness reveal divine faithfulness?

What do we do with the questions that have no answers? How does Jewish faith confront suffering, loneliness, and finitude? And how did Soloveitchik's own life—marked by grief, tradition, and the tension between reason and revelation—shape his unique theological voice?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held and scholar Arna Poupko Fisher explore the life and thought of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, one of the most important Jewish thinkers of the 20th century. Together, they examine Soloveitchik’s vision of a religious life, one that doesn’t solve every problem, but gives us the language to live with our questions—and find meaning in the asking.

What if God isn't just the one we seek—but the one who seeks us? In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held is joined by Rabbi Dr. Michael Marmur for a profound and passionate exploration of the theology of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel—one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of the 20th century. Together, they unpack Heschel’s daring idea that God is not a distant, unmoved mover, but a personal, passionate presence—a God of pathos who longs for humanity’s response. What does it mean to say that God is “in search of man”? Why was Heschel so critical of a purely rationalist or philosophical picture of God? And what kind of life are we called to live if we truly believe that God cares about justice, compassion, and the vulnerable?

Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide.What does it mean to truly meet another person—or even God—as a “Thou” and not an “It”? In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held and Dr. Arnie Eisen dive into Martin Buber’s transformative philosophy of relationship. They explore how Buber’s I and Thou challenges us to encounter others with presence and vulnerability, how this vision shapes prayer and ethics, and whether such deep connection is possible—or sustainable—in everyday life. Along the way, they reflect on love, loneliness, and the sacred potential in human encounter.

Can we really describe God—or does every word fall short? In this episode, Rabbis Shai Held and Jason Rubenstein explore the bold theology of Maimonides, who argued that the only true way to speak about God… is not to speak at all. Together they unpack why saying “God is loving” might actually be misleading, what it means to worship a God beyond human understanding, and how silence, awe, and mystery can shape a meaningful spiritual life.

In this engaging dialogue, Rabbi Tali Adler, a faculty member at Hadar and former colleague of Shai Held, delves into the fascinating concept of obligation within faith. They examine the intense rabbinic narrative of God threatening the Israelites at Sinai, raising questions about choice and consent in religious life. The discussion covers how personal relationships and ancestral ties shape Jewish identity and the delicate balance between obligation and autonomy. Ultimately, they explore how genuine love can redefine commitment in both divine and personal contexts.

In this engaging conversation, Steve Greenberg, founding director of Eshel, shares his insights on the Jewish principle of judging others favorably. He and Rabbi Shai Held explore how this mindset can transform relationships and personal healing. They delve into the power of empathy, emphasizing the importance of acceptance of imperfections in close connections. The discussion also touches on the ethics of perception, illustrating how understanding others can reshape moral judgments. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of generosity and its profound impact.

Rabbi Shai Held returns with a new cast of guest for another season of Answers WithHeld, the podcast where we confront big questions with bold thinking and honest searching.Every week, Rabbi Shai Held invites a leading thinker or teacher to explore one powerful Jewish idea or the life and legacy of a great Jewish thinker: Can We Really Judge Everyone Favorably? Is Torah Study the Highest Value? Is There Choice in Accepting the Torah? No pressure.  Together, we wrestle with timeless questions, uncover new insights, and model what it means to take Torah and Jewish thought seriously. 

R. Shai Held's children, Lev and Maya, discuss belief in God, doubts, and experiences. They explore deep questions about God's role in the world, human responsibility, free will, and the interplay between religion, science, and spirituality. The conversation touches on the existence of evil, divine intervention, and navigating beliefs with children.

Questions surrounding our own mortality are some of the hardest to ask, and certainly some of the hardest to answer. What happens when we die? What does it mean to have a soul? R. Sharon Cohen Anisfeld joins R. Shai Held for a deeply meaningful exploration of these profound questions.