Answers WithHeld

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.

Aviva Richman, a thoughtful rabbi focused on compassionate responses to suffering, joins Shai Held to tackle the difficult question of why bad things happen. They share personal memories, highlighting how being present can offer solace during times of pain. The conversation explores the role of compassion in parenting, providing children with the tools to navigate grief and adversity. Richman reflects on divine love and the complexities of prayer amid loss, emphasizing the nurturing presence of God and the importance of resilience in the face of life's challenges.

Rabbi Dr. Leon Wiener Dow reflects on doubt and questioning in spirituality, emphasizing the importance of open-minded exploration and embracing uncertainty. The discussion explores diverse perceptions of God, liberating spirituality from cultural constraints, and the transformative power of doubt in spiritual journeys. Anecdotes of validation and spiritual awakening highlight the value of questioning beliefs and contributing to a better world.

Universalism or particularism? It's often cited as a debate of one versus the other, but R. Shai Held and R. Jill Jacobs reflect on how both these priorities can actually strengthen the other. They consider texts that speak to how we live out our values as well as how to raise kids who care deeply.

Why did God create the world - and why did God create me within it? R. Yitz Greenberg joins R. Shai Held to ponder these theological questions and consider what it means to have a posture of gratitude and to know that we each have an individual mission or purpose in the world.