Beyond The Details

The Jewish world, both in Israel and Abroad, has been gripped by polarizing debate. Some are calling for unity and others see unity as a compromise on their values and even a legitimization of extremism. In this episode we explore the historic conflict between Jewish tribalism, and national cooperation as well as make the practical and existential case for a Unified Israel.

The past, present, and future of Modern Orthodoxy has been challenged on several different platforms over the past couple of months. We took this as an opportunity to discuss the underlying values and goals of Modern Orthodoxy, whether it has a clear path forward, and what steps Modern Orthodox communities should take to strengthen themselves.

With Chanukah approaching, we decided to discuss what may be one of the most common questions in Emunah --what happened to open miracles. The assumption behind the question is generally that open miracles would cultivate a strong, committed, faithful Jewish Community. We challenge that assumption and explore the nature and purpose of miracles in general.

The origin of Jewish identity in the Torah is not as a religion rather as a nation. We begin to explore the differences between the two and the possibility of combining them.

The place of negative emotions in repentance, like sadness and guilt, have long been debated. We discuss what ideal teshuva looks like and why guilt should or shouldn't be part of it. Orot Hateshuva- Ch. 1/ Ch. 8 Netiv Hateshuva Ch. 1 Rambam Hil. Teshuva Taanit 4:8

Why is there evil in the world? Why doesn't God eliminate it? Should we assume everything is for the good or should we identify tragedy and mourn it? Approaching Tisha B'av, we felt in appropriate to address some of the pressing questions surrounding evil and the existence of suffering in a world run but an all powerful and good God. We outlined several different theological models for grappling with this question, and we only scratched the surface. 

The question of religion and state has unique significance for the Jewish People in the Land of Israel. In the Torah, religion and state are not presented as mutually exclusive ideas rather two values that contribute to the same mission. In this episode we explore these values, the friction that often exists between them, and our historical struggle to balance between them.

The Midrash in Bereishit Rabbah asserts that there is no Torah like the Torah of Eretz Yisrael. We explore this Midrash in depth by discussing the differences associated with Torah and Mitzvot in Israel as opposed to the Diaspora in the Gemara, Rishonim, and contemporary rabbanim.

Having recently celebrated Yom Haatzmaut, and with Yom Yerushalayim in the immediate future, we decided to explore some of the major ideological questions surrounding the land of Israel. In particular, we addressed the question of why a physical land mass would possess such substantial spiritual significance. רמבן ויקרא כו: יא למהלך האידאות בישראל מדרש תנחומא פרשת קדושים נתיב התורה פרק יג הרחב דבר (לנציב) בראשית מז ירושלמי ברכות א,א מיכה ז:טו תהלים מד:ד סנהדרין צז עמוד ב'- צח עמוד א ירושלמי תענית א:א שיחות הרבי מלליובאוויטש

In this week's episode we continue our conversation about truth and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of revelation as the primary means of determining the truth. We also discuss how, as individuals, we're meant to approach contemporary topics and clarify the truth through discussion and debate. Kuzari- Ma'amar Rishon Rambam- Moreh Nevuchim Chelek Gimmel Ch. 31 Maharal Be'er Hagolah- Be'er Rishon Rav Kook- Lemilchemet Hadeot Vehaemunot

Perhaps the most fundamental topic in the domain of thought is the parameters of truth. In this episode, we begin discussing what constitutes truth and the means by which truth may be determined in Jewish Thought-- intellect and revelation. Rambam Moreh Nevuchim 1,2 – 51 Avodat Hakodesh Part 3 Ch. 68 Rambam Hilchot Teshuva Perek 5 Maharal Intro to Derech Hachaim Chovat Halevavot Hakdama Ramchal – Daat Tevunot 1 Malbim on Mishlei Ch. 1

Torah is classically thought of as a book or an oral tradition. In this Podcast we explore the idea the Torah is actually a concept that predated the text and the tradition and actually informed them. Sources Mentioned: 1. דברים פרק ל פסוק (יט) 2. זוהר כרך א (בראשית) פרשת תולדות דף קלד עמוד א 3. בראשית רבה (וילנא) פרשת בראשית פרשה א סימן א 4. רמח"ל דרך ה' חלק א פרק ב 5. מהר"ל נתיב התורה פרק א 6. נצח ישראל פרק ג 7. מהר"ל תפראת ישראל פרק מו 8. משנה אבות פרק ה משנה א 9. מהר"ל דרך החיים פרק ה משנה א (ונתיב התורה פרק א) 10. תלמוד בבלי מסכת קידושין דף ל עמוד ב 11. רב קוק עולת ראי"ה התפילה המתמדת של הנשמה אות ז 12. תלמוד בבלי מסכת נדה דף סא עמוד ב 13. ספר תפארת ישראל פרק ז 14. חידושי הריטב"א מסכת נדה דף סא עמוד ב 15. רב קוק - אורות הקודש חלק ג דרך הטוב והרע צ' 16. ספר המצוות לרמב"ם שורש א 17. רמב"ן סה"מ השגות שורש א 18. קובץ שיעורים ח"ב קונטרס דברי סופרים סי א 19. רב קוק אורות התורה פרק ב אות א 20. רש"י בראשית א, א 21. הראי"ה קוק מדבר שור י"א 22. תפארת ישראל למהר"ל פרק יז

In this episode we introduce the podcast by discussing the importance of exploring the domain of thought as well as the relationship between Jewish thought and action from a historical and hashkafic perspective. Sources Referenced: Orot Zaronim- Chacham Adif M'navi Bava Batra 12a Midrash Temurah hashalem ch. 3-4 Maharal: Tiferet Yisrael Ch. 11 Ramchal: Daat Tevunot 34-36 Rambam Hil. Deot Ch. 2 Shabbat 88a