Exploring Jewish Thought

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We'll be taking a look at the most pressing and fundamental questions in Jewish thought and practice through the eyes of Judaim's most renown thinkers. Cover art photo provided by Robert Katzki on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@ro_ka

Efroni Schlesinger


    • Oct 23, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 56 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Exploring Jewish Thought

    Beyond The Natural Order (With the Maharal)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 48:08


    In this one-off episode we explore the Maharal's theology as it pertains to the natural order and that which is beyond.

    Representing God in the World- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2024 26:33


    We are continuing our series on Am Yisrael by investigating how we are meant to represent God in the world. It has been a difficult week for Am Yisrael. We sustained several attacks from Hezbola in Israeli territory. Our learning together should be for the Refuah of those who were injured in the attacks, Leilui Nishmat those we lost, and for continued Siyata Deshmaya for our soldiers fighting a two-front war.

    Origins of Jewish Theology- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 33:21


    Today marks the one year anniversary of the tragedies of October 7th. Our learning together is in honor of those we lost and in the merit of our hostages and our soldiers whom we pray return to us safely.

    Origins of Jewish Identity- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 31:39


    In the merit of our soldiers now down south and up north and for the safe return of our hostages, we will be learning about Am Yisrael and the biblical origins of Jewish Identity. In addition, I hope our learning about this topic will help strengthen us and our bonds as a nation.

    Should We Show Mercy to Our Enemies- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 11:33


    The question of whether mercy has any place in war is a very sensitive one, and it has life and death implications. Mercy is a clear Torah value, but the precedent set by our forefathers in wartime paints a more complex picture.

    Are All Prayers Answered- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2023 11:55


    One of the most difficult religious struggles to grapple with is unanswered tefilot. We can pour our hearts out to God for days or weeks, but when we aren't answered it's extremely difficult to keep going. And sometimes, when the answer comes it's not what we were hoping for. We're going to look at precedent in the Torah for unanswered prayers and how to handle them.

    Is This The Geulah- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2023 11:01


    We spoke last week about the seeing wars as connected to the redemption. If this is part of the Geulah what we should we be expecting now? Where is Mashiach? Where is the Beit Hamikdash?

    Is Fear a Lack of Faith- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 11:07


    It's a frighting and uncertain time for Klal Yisrael. We are being threatened on multiple borders and are awaiting an imminent ground invasion. The Torah tells us very clearly not to be afraid in these circumstances. But Why? What is so bad about such a natural emotional response and what, if anything, can be done about it?

    Celebrating The Death of Our Enemies- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 12:32


    As Tzahal continues to eliminate the terrorists responsible for last week's attack, some complex questions arise regarding the appropriate response to death of our enemies.

    Coming Together As One- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 12:36


    We've all felt in the past week how in times of great difficulty Am Yisrael joins together in a way that knows no bounds. The roots of our interconnectivity run deep and are hinted to in the very first encounter that Hashem has with Avraham Avinu. Today we explore those roots in depth.

    War, Part of God's Greater Plan- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 9:32


    War is not a foreign concept in the Torah. We have countless stories of war on their heroes as well as Halachot that pertain specifically to wartime. Today we discuss the Hashkafa of war and its role in the context of Hashem larger plan.

    The Power of Torah to Change the World- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 11:16


    My goal with these videos is to spread Torah to all of Klal Yisrael. I believe that learning Torah is the most powerful tool we have to impact the world around us. In this video we discuss how that works.

    Unity Isn't Uniformity- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 10:40


    Today we discuss the Torah perspective on a practical vision for unity. I've heard several people over the past few days express the sentiment that perhaps the devastating situation we're in is in someway related to the recent growing fracture in our nation. I'm in no position to diagnose the situation neither from a practical-political perspective not from a divine-spiritual perspective. However, having been in Israel during Operation Protective Edge, I saw first hand how war has the power to bring us together.

    learning israel unity torah uniformity operation protective edge
    Why Daven, God Knows What I Need- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 10:37


    Many of us have increased our Tefillot in the past couple days, but some of us may be grappling with the fundamental questions of Tefilla. Hashem Know what we need. If He wanted to the to change the circumstances he would, and if He doesn't want to why would asking make a difference? Today we'll take some time to discuss purpose and utility of prayer.

    Responding To Tragedy- Learning For Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 15:04


    In the aftermath of the tragic events that have unfolded over the past couple days, we may be experience many difficult emotions and struggling with many difficult questions. I thought we should start our learning for the protection and well being of Israel and its occupants by addressing the appropriate religious response to tragedy.

    Ep. 5- Fathers and Philosophers: Biblical Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 77:19


    Avraham- A revolutionary theological figure who altered the course of history with his unique relationship with God... Or so we were told. In this episode we jump into the Avraham stories without our preconceived notions and we find a different narrative. Then we bridge the gaps.

    Ep. 4- Walking Before God: Biblical Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 53:59


    We're given almost no information about Avraham before he was chosen for perhaps the most important mission in History. This week we begin analyzing the rise of Avraham, his mysterious history, and how he revolutionized the way that we interact with God.

    Ep. 3- Walking With God: Biblical Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 77:58


    This week we examine the story of Noach --Noach is described as a completely righteous individual, as having found favor in God's eyes, and as someone who walks with God. Chazal insist on comparing him to Avraham, and, on every metric Noach falls short. This may seem harsh, and overly judgmental, but Chazal are hinting to us the main theme of Noach's story.

    Humanity's Fatal Flaw- Biblical Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 85:02


    Today we explore the events of Gan Eden and illuminate how each detail gives us insight into the religious nature of human beings.

    Genesis- Biblical Origin Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 53:51


    In this episode we begin a new series analyzing the major themes and main characters in Bereishit in a way which is both true to the text and consistent with the traditional interpretation of our Sages.

    The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 39:32


    We explore the metaphysical significance of Israel and it's ability to connect heaven and earth.

    Individual Judaism V. Collective Judaism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 43:28


    We explore the foundation of our national identity as well as the balance the Torah prescribes between the nation and the individual.

    Mesorah- The Evolution of Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 44:21


    After detailing the development of Jewish Law we turn our attention to the development of Jewish Thought.

    Mesorah: The 70 Faces of Torah

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 51:49


    In this episode we explore the theological difficulties associated with debate around the word of God and the Torah perspective that there can be more than one correct answer.

    Mesorah- Exploring the Talmud

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2023 49:58


    After discussing the transmission of Torah from Moshe to Mishna we go on to discuss the next stage of our mesorah - the Talmud.

    Mesorah: From Sinai to Mishna

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 46:27


    This is the first episode of a multipart series exploring the transmission and development of Torah from Sinai to today. We're focusing on the development of our tradition from Sinai until the Mishna. In order to a convey a complex topic in a clear and concise fashion some points of discussion are simplified. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

    How Torah Changes The World

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 36:47


    We explore the unique nature of the Torah and its irreplicable contribution to society

    True Religions Don't Fear Facts- Building A Hashkafa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 54:53


    The apparent contradictions between religious belief and scientific discovery are a topic of much debate. We'll explore four different approaches to reconciling science and religion, their strengths, and their weaknesses.

    2.5 The Central Idea of the Entire Torah- Building a Hashkafa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2022 44:11


    We've discussed the content of the Torah, the sefarim, the stories, and the halachot, but now we need to look deeper. What are the central ideas that the entire Torah is trying to get across?

    2.4 Torah, Tanach, and Torah Shebaal Peh- Building a Hashkafa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2022 42:06


    We'll take a look at the word Torah and what the name may suggest about the book itself. In addition, we'll give a brief overview of Torah Shebichtav and Baal Peh as well as what it contains.

    2.3 The Hashkafic Process- Learning Machshava Part III

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2021 48:37


    Having discussed the origins and parameters of Jewish ideas, today we'll discuss the process by which those ideas are integrated into our broader belief system.

    4.1 A Life Committed to Klal Yisrael- My Interview with Rav Doron Perez

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2021 51:13


    Rav Doron and I spoke about religious Zionism, the importance of strengthening Jewish communities all over the world, and his transformation of The Mizrachi World Movement.

    2.2 Truth Not Philosophy- Learning Machshava Part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 79:41


    In this episode we examine the difference between philosophy and Jewish Thought, as well as where we learn authentic Jewish Ideas.

    Taking Faith Into Our Own Hands: The Essence of Sukot- WT

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 43:59


    Sukot has so many different unique Mitzvot and ideas. In this episode we'll explore the common theme between them.

    Building a Relationship with God- Weekly Thoughts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 55:21


    In preparation for Yom Kippur, we explore a new avenue through which we can relate to God- A relationship. How does this understanding improve our Yom Kipur and our religious practice year round.

    Building Your Hashkafa- An Intro to Learning Machshava

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 56:49


    In this episode we explore the emphasis that the Torah places on learning Machshava (Jewish thought and ideas) —as well as the broader purpose that it serves.

    Learning Ideas (part 2): Building Your Hashkafa- Intro

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2021 39:42


    In this episode we continue our exploration of the legitimate sources for studying the truth.

    Building Your Hashkafa- Intro (1): Learning Ideas

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2021 49:22


    This series focuses on learning primary sources necessary for developing a proper Orthodox Hashkafa. In this episode we'll explore the Torah's emphasis on ideas and where we learn them.

    Maharal- Tiferet Yisrael 7: Does God Care About Mitzvot

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2021 51:16


    The Maharal explores a curious Gemara suggesting that God doesn't care how you do Mitzvot. He'll explain the idea in light of his thesis on Mitzvot.

    Maharal- Tiferet Yisrael 6: Taamei Hamitzvot

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 49:11


    The Maharal rejects the idea of Taamei Hamitzvot. He calls it the way of the philosophers and far from the Torah.

    Maharal- Tiferet Yisrael 5: The Privilege of having 613 Mitzvot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2021 27:22


    With so many commandments, the likelihood of failure is very high. The Maharal explores why having a multitude of commandments is to our benefit rather than our detriment.

    Maharal- Tiferet Yisrael 4: Our Spiritual Hunger for Mitzvot

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2021 50:18


    Maharal- Tiferet Yisrael 3: Limitless Spiritual Potential

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2020 41:50


    We explore how the potential to grow and perfect ourselves is a unique spiritual quality of human beings.

    Where the Spiritual and the Physical Meet- Tiferet Yisrael Ch. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2020 29:15


    The Bond Between Torah and Klal Yisrael. Tiferet Yisrael Ch. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 32:51


    Here we introduce the idea that there is a deep spiritual connection between the nation of Israel and the Torah.

    What is the Afterlife- Nachmanides

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2020 60:12


    We’re exploring the concepts of heaven and hell, The Garden of Eden, the Messianic Era, and the Afterlife in the thought of Nachmanides.

    Why Heaven Isn’t in the Torah

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 42:43


    One of the pillars of our faith is that punishment and reward await us in the next world in accordance with our behavior in this world. It’s a fundamental believe, but it receives no mentioning in the Torah.

    Why God Created the World: Three Approaches

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2019 58:40


    Exploring the nuanced perspectives of the Ramchal, the Maharal, and Rav Kook on why God created the world.

    Why God Created the World: Gemara and Rishonim

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2019 43:41


    We find in the Talmud and Rishonim short ideas on the creation of the world that leave much to the imagination. We’ll explore those ideas and the depth behind them.

    Why God Created the World: Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2019 45:26


    Understanding the larger ideological implications of why God Created the world.

    Why We Do Mitzvot Q and A

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2019 43:01


    Getting our questions answer and clarifying the different perspective on why we do Mitzvot

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