Jewish Thoughtflow

Over 4000 years ago, Hashem decided to restart the world, destroying the earth, and its inhabitants in a great flood. Only through building the ark were Noach and his family able to survive, and save enough animals for the world to continue. This story, described in the beginning of Genesis, has been subjected to many questions. How did Noach have the capability to build such an advanced ship? How did he collect all the animals? How did they fit? Why is there so much localized human diversity, if we are all descendants of one family? Why is there no geological evidence of a massive flood? Why do the histories of civilizations seem to predate the flood, which would have been the rise of those civilizations? Join Jewish Thoughtflow on our voyage through the deluge of questions.

Ever wonder where Kabbalah comes from? Was it a system of thought developed in the middle ages, or an oral tradition dating back to Har Sinai? What do Nevuah and Kabbalah have in common? Does our Kabbalistic mesorah have the same strength as our halachik mesorah? All this and more on the latest episode of Jewish Thoughtflow!For all questions, comments, and concerns, please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com or whatsapp following this link:https://wa.me/message/V7Y76456IVZQK1

Abortion in Halacha and Hashkafa, abridged version. For more information, please listen to the main version! For all questions, comments, and concerns, please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com or whatsapp following this link:https://wa.me/message/V7Y76456IVZQK1

Jewish Thoughtflow Presents: Coversations - Morality Without God Ft. Avi CohenWhat ways do atheists attempt to explain right and wrong? What is the problem with naturalistic morality? Is right and wrong a function of physical pleasure? Do we naturally sense what is good and what is evil, and can that feeling ever influence particular decisions? Join us in a fascinating conversation with Avi Cohen and gain new perspectives on morality, religion, and God.

What is the halacha regarding abortion? Is it different for Jews and non-Jews? Why do atheists shift so much and so quickly on moral issues? Was Roe V. Wade being overturned a good thing for Jews?

What is Darkness? Was it created, or just our description of 'lack of light'? What does science have to say, and do we care? All this and more, in our new 7 minute format, Abridged Jewish Thoughtflow

INTRODUCING A BRAND NEW FORMAT!!! For those who don't have a 45 minute attention span, we have condensed the basic sugya into a manageable 7 minutes. For more information, please listen to the regular version!

Were the Luchos written in Ksav Ivri or Ksav Ashuri? Is there psak in Hashkafa? Did Ezra really create a new Ksav? Did the Jews steal their holy ksav from the goyim? Was the ע in the Luchos floating? Join Jewish Thoughtflow as we tackle these questions and more on the latest episode - The Luchos - Ksav Ivri or Ashuri?

A fascinating read on it's own right, the Megillah contains amazing hints to the history of the Jews. From the Pogroms in 1648, to the holocaust, the letters in the Megillah foretell the future suffering at the hands of Amalek through history. Perhaps the most famous of which, is the hanging of the ten Nazis following WWII. While many have heard of the famous words shouted at the gallows, the immense amount of hints and references contained in the Megillah will amaze even the most skeptical mind! The exact year of the hanging, the amount of Nazis hanged, the axis alliance, and even the name of the hangman! Join Jewish Thoughtflow as we do a deep dive in to the fantastic predictions from the Megillah and the Gemara, regarding the Nazis, the modern manifestation of Amalek.

Pamphlet Regarding the species of the Chilazon - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-1cpXr7LPHy5OMKuYYuHKZ7KEZqX0mUgDxapJ5J9u0E/edit?usp=sharing Pamphlet regarding sources in gemara and rishonim dealing with the Chilazon chapters: 2-3 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-nmQrxrkit6LDfhFNnOXg_bBigClkyle/view?usp=sharing 4-7 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEeLBSeVu6R1KZbvGirOrRQtUYRQHC5w/view?usp=sharing 7-8 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/12pwWVExIJOPxvEBS_ytndQm0X0N25Lak/view?usp=sharing Teshuva from Rabbi Kleinman - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r-N1QQkMcilK7y7JS8sHghD-fEtmURc1/view?usp=sharingfile:///Users/user/Downloads/Chilazon%20Identity%20Chapter%202-3.PDF

Were the branches of the menorah straight or curved? If you ask your average person (try it) you will generally recieve the response: It's a machlokes Rishonim. If you ask a more academic leaning person, the answer may be 'it was definitely rounded, haven't you seen the arch?'. However, the Lubavitcher Rebbe was adament that it was in fact straight. Who is correct? Sources used in the episode: תרומה כה:לב - וְשִׁשָּׁ֣ה קָנִ֔ים יֹצְאִ֖ים מִצִּדֶּ֑יהָ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה ׀ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֗ה מִצִּדָּהּ֙ הָאֶחָ֔ד וּשְׁלֹשָׁה֙ קְנֵ֣י מְנֹרָ֔ה מִצִּדָּ֖הּ הַשֵּׁנִֽי רש'י תרומה כה:לב. - לְכָאן וּלְכָאן בַּאֲלַכְסוֹן, נִמְשָׁכִים וְעוֹלִין עַד כְּנֶגֶד גָּבְהָהּ שֶׁל מְנוֹרָה שֶׁהוּא קָנֶה הָאֶמְצָעִי. רמב'ם ביאת המקדש 3:2 - וְשָׁלֹשׁ רַגְלַיִם הָיוּ לָהּ. וּשְׁלֹשָׁה כַּפְתּוֹרִים אֲחֵרִים הָיוּ בִּקְנֵה הַמְּנוֹרָה שֶׁמֵּהֶן יוֹצְאִים שֵׁשֶׁת הַקָּנִים. שְׁלֹשָׁה מִצַּד זֶה וּשְׁלֹשָׁה מִצַּד זֶה. פירוש המשניות מנחות ג:ז. - ראיתי לצייר בכאן צורת המנורה שלימה... ואני מצייר עכשיו הצורה הזאת שהגביעים צורת דבר משולש והכפתור עגולה והפרח חצי עגולה כדי שיהיה קל להצטייר שאין הכוונה בצורה הזאת להודיע בה צורת הגביע על אמתתו לפי שכבר בארתי אותו לך אבל הכוונה להודיע בה מספר הגביעים וכפתורים והפרחים ומקומותם והשיעור הנשאר מעמוד המנורה שאין בו שום דבר והמקומות שהיו בהן הפרחים והכפתורים וכולה איך היתה וזו היא צורת כל זה: אברהם בן הרמב'ם תרומה כה:לב - בכור שור תרומה כה:לא - וכל הקנים היו שוים במדה אחת ועשוים כמין ענפי האילן קנה גוף המנורה גבוה מכולם שנים שבצדו נמוכים ממנה מעט כפי האלכסין והשנים נמוכים מן הראשונים כפי שהם יוצאים בנמוך והשלישיים יותר כפי שהם יוצאים בנמוך Menachos 28b - ר' יוסי בר רבי יהודה אומר אף של עץ לא יעשה כדרך שעשו מלכי בית חשמונאי אמרו לו משם ראיה שפודים של ברזל היו וחיפום בבעץ העשירו עשאום של כסף חזרו והעשירו עשאום של זהב אבן עזרא כה:לב - וששה. טעם קנים. עגולים ארוכים חלולים braaisa in midos 46 (yalkut brings down pretty much the same) - שבעה נרותיה כנגד שבעה כוכבים המשמשין את העולם ואלו הן שצ״מ חנכ״ל https://templeinstitute.org/menorah-archeological-evidence/ https://outorah.org/p/5720/

נשים דעתן קלות - Roughly translated as "Women's intellect is light/weak", this phrase has, by many, been slotted into the "ancient misogynistic attitudes" category. For, as is well known, women are just as capable as men at intellectual capabilities. Differences between men and women are caused by social stigma, and have been rapidly decreasing as our societies become more egalitarian. Just look at average SAT math scores, which had men outperforming women at rates of 10:1 in the 80's, and just 2.5:1 in the 90's as the women's rights movement gained in popularity. So why would the Talmud make such a claim about women? Join Jewish Thoughtflow in their long awaited episode exploring the intellect of the man and the women, as well as the implications for our every day life.

After establishing the rules of reinterpretation in episode one, we move on to the greater challenge of actually dealing with the problem at hand. The verses say one age, thee science says another. What to do, what to do. Perhaps if the verses can't be taken non-literally, science can. Maybe the scientists have made a colossal blunder! Perhaps the light moves faster than we think, every dating method is off (conveniently so, as the mistake doesn't apply to any of the practical sciences), and fossilization happened within the past 6000 years! Maybe, but probably not so defensible for anyone with even a basic level of scientific knowledge. (this is not to say the science is perfect, it is too suggest there is a range of reasonably expected error, a topic Jewish ThoughtFlow will go more in-depth at a later time) Another famous explanation coined the Omphalos Hypothesis is that Hashem created the world in a completed state. Put simply, Hashem wanted a functioning universe for man. In order to do so, he created a world that was inhabitable. This includes full mountains, rivers, sun with starlight reaching the earth, and all the other luminaries. As simple as it sounds, this answer actually raises many philosophical problems. First, if we are assuming the world was created formed, with a suggested but non-real history, what is stopping us from suggesting that the world was in fact created last Thursday!? This is termed the "Last Thursdayism Problem", and is the main attack on the Omphalos Hypothesis. Second, the Omphalos Hypothesis is by definition unfalsifiable. There is no way to disprove that the world was created formed. If so, this should make it scientifically untenable. Third, the suggestion that the world was created old is to suggest that Hashem is misleading us with information. He is expecting us to believe Him and not our own eyes. Is this really what Judaism expects from us? Lastly, what is the purpose? I understand Hashem wanted a complete world. Fine. I can accept that part of a functioning world is sunlight, starlight, etc. Fine. But why the Earthly history? Why the fossils of animals that never really existed? Why the history of humans who never existed?? Why are there strata of Earth, suggesting an evolution which never happened? What is the purpose? As usual, Jewish ThoughtFLow goes where few have gone before, delving into the opposition to make sure the Torah perspective, perfect as we know it to be, can be understood by those with questions. And the way to figure out the answers? Delving into the sources to reveal the way Hashem wants us to view the world.

The Age of the Universe has been debated for millennium. The Jewish perspective through the years has been, for the most part, that the universe was created approximately 5781 years ago. The Non-Jewish perspective has shifted from Eternal, popularized by the great philosophers Aristotle and Plato, to a more finite number in the mid 19th century, which has slowly (and sometimes quickly) grew from 10's of millions, to the current number scientists run with today; 13.81 billion years old. As we know, the scientific assumption has never really matched, or been close to the number a literal reading of Genesis will give us. So what do we do..... Well, the simplest thing to do, when dealing with an issue of a text and empirical data, is reinterpret the text. Unfortunately, in this case, the text is the Torah, and the writer was the greatest prophet in history, transcribing Hashem's story to the Jewish people, making it more difficult to just allegorize. In "The Age of the Universe: Part 1", we go in depth into the four rules of reinterpretation, so beautifully categorized by the Great 10th century Rabbi, Rav Saadia Goan, in his magnum opus, Emunos V'Daos. Think all Verses are literal? Think again! Think no verse needs to be understood literally? Think again! Learn (or hear again) the difference between logic and reason, vision and extrapolation, Aristotle and Plato, and much much more in the latest episode from JewishThoughtFlow!

Sources - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zcuhhDnTDku9n-JQsP6u97NgMH77KU-OePz-C2F79Hs/edit Women's faces are mysteriously absent from many religious publications, and many are surprised or disgusted by this omission. Isn't this objectifying women? Isn't this presenting the nature of man in a horrible light? Why is the woman's job to protect men? Join us as we explore the nature of man, the nature of women, and the Torah's philosophy to perfect both. Please like, subscribe and SHARE! any questions, comments, concerns, can be addressed to jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com, or through personal communication (Avi - 248-952-7071, Mottie - 248-410-5973)

Should Jews be involved in social activism? Do police exhibit excessive NON-lethal force towards blacks? Does disparity in races imply racism? Avi and Mottie answer questions from the listeners about their controversial episode "Should Jews Support Black Lives Matter?"

Avi and Mottie explore the roots, ideas, and claims of the popular Black Lives Matter Movement in an attempt to discover if its an organization that the Jewish Community should support. Hint, we did not think so.

Avi and Mottie answer questions on the difference between Jewish and Non-Jewish Souls, They clarify many ideas including why differences are moral, how we know those differences are inherent, and why is this conversation so important. To be part of the conversation, email us at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com

In last weeks episode we explored an abundance of sources explicitly expressing the supremacy (at least in areas of spirituality) of the Jewish soul. Not withstanding this unanimous consensus, the academics think they have found the sole (soul) dissenter: Maimomides. Unfortunately, they may have missed a few sources. Join us as we delve into the plethora of sources from the Rambams extensive corpus, as we attempt to discover the Truth of the Rambams philosophical outlook on the Jewish Soul. Look below for the sources used in the episode. Plus, if you have any questions, comments, or ideas, please email us at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com

Hi Guys! Please excuse the error early on, it got past our professional team of editors. As usual sources are below, and feel free to contact us at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com so you can be part of a mailbag episode. 

We are finally back after our Corona Hiatus, and better than ever. The show is joined by Co-host Mottie Cohen as we continue to examine Torah's worldview. As usual, please feel free to contact us at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. We do Mailbox episodes! IMPORTANT CORRECTION. Rebbi Eliezer ben Parata lived after Gamliel who had the slave Tevi, so Gamliel cannot be used as a counter-proof to the idea that Jews did in fact continue to own slaves. However, it is clear from the story itself that it was common for Jews to own slaves or else Rebbi Eliezer would not have been singled out for this accusation.

Hey Guys! Please email me with all of your questions at Jewishthoughtflow.com! Also, if you are enjoying please share!!

Hey Guys! Please email me with all of your questions at Jewishthoughtflow.com! Also, if you are enjoying please share!!

Our first ever mailbag episode. If you write in, your questions will be answered! Please Share!

Our first ever mailbag episode. If you write in, your questions will be answered! Please Share!

Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. As usual the transcript will be attached and you can reach me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Please share!

Hey guys! Sorry for the delay. As usual the transcript will be attached and you can reach me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Please share!

Hey guys, attached you should find a Transcript including sources. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Jewishthoughtflow.com. If your questions are good we may even bring them up in the next episode.

Hey guys, attached you should find a Transcript including sources. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Jewishthoughtflow.com. If your questions are good we may even bring them up in the next episode.

Hey Guys! Below you should find the sources and attached you should find the transcript. For questions or comments email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.              Source #1 Sanhedrin 21bתניא רבי יוסי אומר ראוי היה עזרא שתינתן תורה על ידו לישראל אילמלא (לא) קדמו משה במשה הוא אומר (שמות יט, ג) ומשה עלה אל האלהים בעזרא הוא אומר (עזרא ז, ו) הוא עזרא עלה מבבל.                         

Hey Guys! Below you should find the sources and attached you should find the transcript. For questions or comments email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.              Source #1 Sanhedrin 21bתניא רבי יוסי אומר ראוי היה עזרא שתינתן תורה על ידו לישראל אילמלא (לא) קדמו משה במשה הוא אומר (שמות יט, ג) ומשה עלה אל האלהים בעזרא הוא אומר (עזרא ז, ו) הוא עזרא עלה מבבל.                         

Hey! This is the first installment of a brand new series on the Sinai Proof. As usual, questions comments or concerns should be addressed to Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Attached should be the transcript. Enjoy!!

Hey! This is the first installment of a brand new series on the Sinai Proof. As usual, questions comments or concerns should be addressed to Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Attached should be the transcript. Enjoy!!

Hey guys! Below you will find the sources for the Podcast and attached you will find the transcript. Some of the sources are not quoted in full for some of the source was not relevant to the discussion. As usual, any questions or comments please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 4,8.נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר הִיא צוּרָתוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לוֹ הָאֵל וְהַדַּעַת הַיְתֵרָה הַמְּצוּיָה בְּנַפְשׁוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הִיא צוּרַת הָאָדָם הַשָּׁלֵם בְּדַעְתּוֹ. וְעַל צוּרָה זוֹ נֶאֱמַר בַּתּוֹרָה נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁתִּהְיֶה לוֹ צוּרָה הַיּוֹדַעַת וּמַשֶּׂגֶת הַדֵּעוֹת שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם גּלֶם. Ibid, 9.אֵין צוּרַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַזֹּאת מְחֻבֶּרֶת מִן הַיְסוֹדוֹת לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁיִּפָּרֵד הַגּלֶם שֶׁהוּא מְחֻבָּר מִן הַיְסוֹדוֹת לֹא תִּכָּרֵת הַצּוּרָה הַזֹּאת אֶלָּא יוֹדַעַת וּמַשֶּׂגֶת הַדֵּעוֹת הַפְּרוּדוֹת מִן הַגְּלָמִים וְיוֹדַעַת בּוֹרֵא הַכּל וְעוֹמֶדֶת לְעוֹלָם וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִיםIbid, 7. לְעוֹלָם אֵין אַתָּה רוֹאֶה… צוּרָה בְּלֹא גּלֶם… וְהַצּוּרוֹת שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם גּלֶם אֵינָן נִרְאִין לָעַיִן אֶלָּא בְּעֵין הַלֵּב הֵן יְדוּעִין

Hey guys! Below you will find the sources for the Podcast and attached you will find the transcript. Some of the sources are not quoted in full for some of the source was not relevant to the discussion. As usual, any questions or comments please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.Rambam Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 4,8.נֶפֶשׁ כָּל בָּשָׂר הִיא צוּרָתוֹ שֶׁנָּתַן לוֹ הָאֵל וְהַדַּעַת הַיְתֵרָה הַמְּצוּיָה בְּנַפְשׁוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם הִיא צוּרַת הָאָדָם הַשָּׁלֵם בְּדַעְתּוֹ. וְעַל צוּרָה זוֹ נֶאֱמַר בַּתּוֹרָה נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ כְּלוֹמַר שֶׁתִּהְיֶה לוֹ צוּרָה הַיּוֹדַעַת וּמַשֶּׂגֶת הַדֵּעוֹת שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם גּלֶם. Ibid, 9.אֵין צוּרַת הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַזֹּאת מְחֻבֶּרֶת מִן הַיְסוֹדוֹת לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁיִּפָּרֵד הַגּלֶם שֶׁהוּא מְחֻבָּר מִן הַיְסוֹדוֹת לֹא תִּכָּרֵת הַצּוּרָה הַזֹּאת אֶלָּא יוֹדַעַת וּמַשֶּׂגֶת הַדֵּעוֹת הַפְּרוּדוֹת מִן הַגְּלָמִים וְיוֹדַעַת בּוֹרֵא הַכּל וְעוֹמֶדֶת לְעוֹלָם וּלְעוֹלְמֵי עוֹלָמִיםIbid, 7. לְעוֹלָם אֵין אַתָּה רוֹאֶה… צוּרָה בְּלֹא גּלֶם… וְהַצּוּרוֹת שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם גּלֶם אֵינָן נִרְאִין לָעַיִן אֶלָּא בְּעֵין הַלֵּב הֵן יְדוּעִין

Hey Guys! Attached you should find a transcript. As usual feel free to email me questions at jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.  

Hey Guys! Attached you should find a transcript. As usual feel free to email me questions at jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com.  

Hey! As usual, a transcript will be included of all the basic points made in the podcast. For any questions please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Please remember to subscribe and share!

Hey! As usual, a transcript will be included of all the basic points made in the podcast. For any questions please email me at Jewishthoughtflow@gmail.com. Please remember to subscribe and share!