The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education
Welcome to The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind, a podcast that tells the story of the prophets, philosophers, and poets who created the West.
In this podcast, Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin guides listeners through more than 3,000 years of Western history, offering a coherent, civilizational story of how the West came to be—along with a deepened understanding of the challenges it now faces. While many of the texts discussed will be familiar to students of the humanities, Rabbi Rocklin offers a new framework for understanding them—a framework in which the teachings of the Jewish religious tradition play a central role. For, as Rabbi Rocklin explains, Western civilization can only be understood as the product of a transformative and ongoing collision between the great traditions of Jerusalem and Athens—between the religious spirit of the Jews and the philosophical spirit of the Greeks.
In this podcast, Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin guides listeners through more than 3,000 years of Western history, offering a coherent, civilizational story of how the West came to be—along with a deepened understanding of the challenges it now faces. While many of the texts discussed will be familiar to students of the humanities, Rabbi Rocklin offers a new framework for understanding them—a framework in which the teachings of the Jewish religious tradition play a central role. For, as Rabbi Rocklin explains, Western civilization can only be understood as the product of a transformative and ongoing collision between the great traditions of Jerusalem and Athens—between the religious spirit of the Jews and the philosophical spirit of the Greeks.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 14, 2026 • 39min
Empiricism and Astronomy: Copernicus, Galileo, and Bacon
There are some figures of the Scientific Revolution who stand out in the annals of history. As we study a few of those monumental figures, we'll explore the following questions: Why did Copernicus dedicate his scientific book, On the Revolutions, to the pope? How did Galileo mount a religious defense of Copernicus' heliocentric model of the solar system? According to Bacon, in what sense did logic become a problematic discipline within the study of philosophy? Recommended Reading: Copernicus, Nicholas. On the Revolutions. 1543. Galilei, Galileo. Siderius Nuncius. 1610. Galilei, Galileo. Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina of Tuscany. 1615. Bacon, Francis. Novum Organum. 1620.
Jan 7, 2026 • 38min
From Natures to Nature: The Scientific and Philosophical Revolution
The Scientific Revolution will change the way humanity understands and relates to the natural world. As we learn more about this period, we'll uncover answers to the following questions: How did the Scientific Revolution lead to an English sensibility that things ought to be useful? In what sense did Newton's universal laws lay the groundwork for a decline in religious observance? Why was the Julian calendar replaced with the Gregorian calendar during this period?
Dec 31, 2025 • 39min
Europe Goes to War: The Shift from French to British Power
A series of wars in the eighteenth century will eventually lead to a recently-unified Britain as the new, dominant world power. As we move forward in history, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions: How did the French and English responses to their respective financial crises pave the way for future English dominance? Why were the wars of the eighteenth century characterized by fewer casualties overall than the wars of both prior and later centuries? How did Maria Theresa manage to successfully raise a multi-ethnic army to defend the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
Dec 24, 2025 • 43min
Of Manners and Mores: The Socioeconomic Modernization of Europe
As culture changed across Europe, social and economic expectations shifted accordingly. On today's episode, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions: How did the growth of high culture lead to a decline in local dialects and a rise in vernacular languages? Why was there a crackdown in the seventeenth century on carnivals and similar types of entertainment? When it came to changing European diet and culture, why was sugar crucial?
Dec 17, 2025 • 39min
Austria, Prussia, and Russia: The Rise of Central and Eastern Europe
While Poland will weaken and will eventually collapse, Austria, Prussia, and Russia will rise as they begin to consolidate power. To help us dive deeper into the topic, we'll address the following questions: Why were Poland and the surrounding territories particularly conducive for Jewish life to flourish? Even as European society modernized, why were Prussian aristocrats still drawn to military service? Why had Russia historically been culturally distinct from western Europe, and why did Peter the Great attempt to westernize Russia?
Dec 10, 2025 • 42min
Descartes and Pascal: The Emergence of the French Mind
The fields of modern mathematics and philosophy owe a great deal to René Descartes and Blaise Pascal. As we learn more about the two thinkers, we'll explore the following questions: How did Descartes balance the tension between skepticism and certainty in his philosophical writings? According to Descartes, why is it important to study foreign languages? Why did Pascal sharply criticize Descartes' approach to reason? Recommended Reading: Decartes, René. Discourse on Method. Barzun, Jacques. From Dawn to Decadence: 1500 to the Present: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life. New York: Harper Perennial, 2001.
Dec 3, 2025 • 28min
The Rise of Western Europe II: Revolutionary England and a Rising France
While the king in France amasses more power and splendor to himself, the English monarchy undergoes a drastic change. To help us unpack the topic, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How did the English Bill of Rights establish the strength of the English parliament? Under the leadership of Louis XIV, how and why did France become the envy of Europe? How did the War of Spanish Succession threaten to reshape Europe?
Nov 26, 2025 • 40min
The Rise of Western Europe I: The Netherlands and England
The balance of power in Europe will shift dramatically in the seventeenth century. On today's episode, we'll uncover answers to the following questions: For such a small country, how did the Netherlands succeed in becoming a dominant power in Europe in the seventeenth century? Why did Englishmen place great value in this time on being a landowner? What brought about the English Revolution? Why was the monarchy restored after the death of Oliver Cromwell?
Nov 19, 2025 • 39min
Don Quixote II: Towards A New Model of Heroism
Miguel de Cervantes will propose a new type of hero for an age that has moved beyond the knight in shining armor. As we continue our survey of Don Quixote, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How does Don Quixote's title, "Knight of the Sorrowful Face," reflect Cervantes' critique of modernity? In what sense is there a small piece of Don Quixote in every man? In spite of all his antics and madness, how can Don Quixote be a model for behavior for the reader? Recommended Reading: Cervantes, Miguel. Don Quixote. Trans. Edith Grossman. New York: Ecco, 2015.
Nov 12, 2025 • 37min
Don Quixote I: The First Modern Novel
The first modern novel employs humor and satire to explore what it means to be an individual. To help us in our survey of Don Quixote, we'll focus on the following questions: How does Don Quixote both mock the past and emphasize the value of tradition? Even if Don Quixote is objectively mad, how do his wild imaginings critique modernity? What are we to make of and learn from Don Quixote's insistence that he knows exactly who he is? Recommended Reading: Cervantes, Miguel. Don Quixote. Trans. Edith Grossman. New York: Ecco, 2015.
