Podcasts about bnai zion

Modeh ani l'fanekha, I thank you, are the first words uttered by observant Jewish women and men every day of their waking life. The first conscious thought is one of gratitude. The impulse to give thanks is a natural human sentiment, as we are reminded during this American season of thanksgiving.  How does gratitude appear in the biblical text, and how does the Hebrew Bible's moral teaching instruct the natural impulse to gratitude? On this week's podcast the CEO of Bnai Zion, the rabbi and scholar Ari Lamm—who has thought deeply about the biblical text, its drama, and its cultural and religious significance—discusses these questions with Mosaic's editor Jonathan Silver.

Two rabbis on ChinaTalk? What am I even doing? Zohar Atkins of the wonderful Meditations with Zohar podcast alongside Ari Lamm of Bnai Zion come to discuss and process the aftermath of the Oct 7th attack. Outtro music: Ishay Ribo - Seder Ha'Avoda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECy3CMxShIQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zohar Atkins of the wonderful Meditations with Zohar podcast alongside Ari Lamm of Bnai Zion come to discuss and process the aftermath of the Oct 7th attack. Outtro music: Ishay Ribo - Seder Ha'Avoda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECy3CMxShIQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Ari spoke with Brooke Ashley Hall - one of the biggest creators on social media, across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube - about the opportunities and responsibilities of creating content for tens of millions of people on a daily basis. Along the way they talked about Brooke's journey towards becoming an influencer; what an influencer's day-to-day looks like; portraying motherhood from the Bible to TikTok; authenticity in traditional media vs. digital media; Arthur Clarke and scientific progress; how Brooke almost lost her son; the power of prayer and community; Brooke's approach to comedy; Brooke's advice for aspiring creators; and much more! Guest Quote:“It's incredible the amount of impact that you have, and I also think it's a great responsibility for what you share and the message that you're putting out. That's one thing that my husband and I decided whenever we started doing this, that we were going to stay on the line of being family friendly, maintaining our values, and always staying true to ourself in that way, because with great power comes great responsibility, right?” -Brooke Ashley Hall Time Stamps* (:01) Intro* (04:45) Brooke's creative journey * (11:23)  Authenticity on social media* (13:41) Motherhood portrayed from the Bible to TikTok* (15:27) A day in Brooke's life * (21:30) Technology as magic* (24:20) Influencers vs. celebrities* (27:46) Brooke's near-loss of her son* (39:37) The power of prayer and community * (44:49) Brooke's comedic approach* (47:37) Brooke's inspirations* (49:57) Advice for aspiring content creators Good Faith Effort is a production of SoulShop, Bnai Zion, and Caspian Studios LinksFollow Ari on TwitterFind out more about BrookeBrooke's Youtube ChannelBrooke's TikTokBrooke's InstagramWatch on YouTube

On today's episode, Ari spoke with the best-selling author and historian of English and American history Nick Bunker about the Mayflower Pilgrims and how the Hebrew intellectual and religious tradition shaped their world, and ultimately birthed the United States of America. Along the way they talked about how Nick, a Roman Catholic from London, spent his most formative years immersed in the Jewish community of the Upper West Side of Manhattan; the importance of King James I; the rise of English interest in Biblical Hebrew; the origins of the Puritans; why the Pilgrims were fascinated by the medieval Jewish scholar Maimonides; Nick's career in investment banking and how it molded his work as a historian; and much more! Guest Quote“And one of the things you have to do as a historian is to show that process by which the events in one country and the other country interacted with each other. Information flowed back and forth, people flowed back and forth. There was a transatlantic economy that was created which linked England, New England, Virginia, the West Indies. And it was through these kind of interflows back and forth that this kind of Atlantic world was created. And that was how the United States eventually came into being from this process of kind of interaction.” - Nick Bunker Time Stamps* (:01) Intro* (04:49) Connection between American and English history* (07:13) Nick's journey* (18:52) Significane of King James I * (21:39) Origins of the Puritans* (24:42) Biblical book of kings influence on non-conformists* (28:11) Decoding the Puritan Quadrilateral* (32:07) The rise of English interest in Biblical Hebrew* (36:19) Unmasking the original Thanksgiving* (37:04) Maimonides and the Pilgrims* (40:18) Judaic impact on history * (46:13) Jewish political and intellectual influence on England* (51:08) Fueling curiosity amidst demanding careers* (54:28) Sneak peek into Nick's new book Good Faith Effort is a production of SoulShop, Bnai Zion, and Caspian Studios LinksFollow Ari on Twitter Find out more about Nick In the Shadow of Fear: America and the World in 1950 Making Haste from Babylon: The Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World: A New History An Empire on the Edge: How Britain Came to Fight AmericaWatch on YouTube

On today's episode, Ari spoke with the greatest character actor in the history of Hollywood, the legendary Stephen Tobolowsky, about his lifelong journey to understand the Hebrew Bible.Along the way they talked about growing up around members of the Nazi Party; Stephen's love of Shakespeare; being comfortable with weirdness; Stephen getting held at gunpoint during a hostage situation; Deuteronomy and the Shema prayer; thinking about death; why Ned Ryerson is the most Jewish character in the history of American film; and much more!Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShopGuest Quote"There is such a positiveness in Judaism, that when you become a part of it, you realize how absolutely life-affirming it is. Even in death, it gets you through all the terrible transitions: from Genesis to Exodus, Leviticus to Numbers to Deuteronomy. It can get you through every one of those walls, every one of those challenges.“ - Stephen TobolowskyTime Stamps* (5:06) Jordan Calhoun's “Piccolo is Black”, and growing up without a Jewish Community* (11:23) Stephen opens the Pandora's Box of rediscovering Judaism* (22:45) The 5 Books of Moses, as a story of life * (24:28) Californication, and Stephen's decision to write a spiritual memoir* (30:57) Magic exists, and Stephen's tale of finding God while being held hostage at the grocery store* (40:33) Visiting the Bible throughout your life* (44:44) Importance of saying the Shema* (54:55) Is Ned Ryerson the most Jewish movie character?Good Faith Effort is a production of SoulShop, Bnai Zion, and Caspian StudiosLinksFollow Ari on Twitter - https://twitter.com/AriLammFind out more about Stephen: https://stephentobolowsky.com/My Adventures With God, on Amazon Books: https://www.amazon.com/My-Adventures-God-Stephen-Tobolowsky/dp/1476766460Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@GoodFaithEffort

On today's episode, Ari spoke with Joshua Berman, Professor of Bible at Bar Ilan University and author of “Created Equal: How the Bible Broke With Ancient Political Thought”, about the revolution that the Bible introduced into human affairs. In a world dominated by some of the most renowned civilizations in history — from Mesopotamia to Egypt — how did the Bible re-envision the idea of the good society?Along the way they talked about the idea of “covenant” — both inside and outside the Bible; Plato vs. the Bible on universalism; monarchy in Biblical thought; why the Bible conceives of a particular land as holy; how the American Founders wrestled with Biblical political theory; the Biblical concept of atonement; and much moreGood Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShopLinksFollow Ari on TwitterCheck out Good Faith Effort on Youtube!

On today's episode, Ari spoke with the extraordinary classical educator and University of Virginia professor Angel Adams Parham about the Black intellectual tradition and how it has been shaped by—and in turn can shape our contemporary understanding of—the classics.Along the way they talked about why Phillis Wheatley was fascinated by death; the importance of poetry in classical education; Frederick Douglass's oratory; classical education for all; faith and providence in Martin Luther King Jr.'s thought; Biblical literacy in America; the Greek tradition vs. the Biblical tradition; the Book of Lamentations; and much more!Guest Quote“In so much of Western culture, we have focused on “truth”. Truth and goodness, but especially truth. We've taken these truth-first approaches to understanding what it means to be a good society. What about beauty? What if we were to flip that and take beauty at the beginning? Beauty as our root to truth and goodness, and not always have beauty last. There's something about the tradition of philosophical critique that's led us to where we are today, that seems to strip things down to their most kind of mechanically rational in a way that can become anti-human.” - Angel Adams ParhamTime Stamps* (:01) Intro* (5:42) How Angel fell in love with the Classics* (14:09) Phyllis Wheatley, and the start of the African-American religious tradition* (21:33) Elegies and everyday poetry* (31:58) What's a Classic anyways?* (37:55) Faith within the Black intellectual tradition* (45:24) The Bible as the basis for Western LiteratureGood Faith Effort is a production of SoulShop, Bnai Zion, and Caspian StudiosLinksFollow Ari on TwitterFind out more about AngelThe Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature on Amazon Books

On today's episode, Ari sits down with Seth Rogovoy, writer, producer, cultural journalist, and author of Bob Dylan: Prophet, Mystic, Poet.On this episode, Ari and Seth dive into the life and history of Bob Dylan through the lens of Jewish spirituality. What are his songs really about? How does the Bible show up in the different eras of his song writing? How do protest and folk songs relate to the Jewish tradition? Dubbed as the number one Jewish Bob Dylan scholar, Seth carefully pulls apart the Biblical references through Dylan's discography, and sheds light on how he's artfully woven the Jewish tradition into his entire persona as an artist, and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

On today's episode, Ari spoke with Rainn Wilson, who's not only the actor behind Dwight Schrute, one of the most iconic characters in TV history, but also the author of the magnificent new book on faith and culture, “SoulBoom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution” (Hachette Books).On today's episode Ari and Rainn talked about some of life's biggest questions. Why believe in a religion you got from your parents? How should you go about seeking truth? Why does willingness to travel have to do with faith? Is Dwight Schrute “millennial Fonzie”? What does The Office have to teach a spiritual seeker? What's the most important verse in the Bible? What is sacredness? Why is religious ritual important? What did Rainn, a devout member of the Baháʼí Faith, learn from visiting a Baháʼí sacred site in Israel? What does religion have to say about technological advancement? Should religions have heroes? And much more!Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

Attention, Good Faith Fam! We've been on a brief hiatus, but the podcast is making a triumphant return! We'll resume our deep dives into the amazing world of the Bible, from the profound to the perplexing. We're talking politics, pop culture, and everything in between.  And... because you've all been so patient… just a cool little spoiler for you: our triumphant comeback will be with none other than Rainn Wilson - a.k.a. Dwight from The Office! Good Faith Effort is coming back soon, and it's ready to take your eardrums on a biblical rollercoaster ride. Don't miss it! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

Attention, Good Faith Fam! We've been on a brief hiatus, but the podcast is making a triumphant return! We'll resume our deep dives into the amazing world of the Bible, from the profound to the perplexing. We're talking politics, pop culture, and everything in between.  And... because you've all been so patient… just a cool little spoiler for you: our triumphant comeback will be with none other than Rainn Wilson - a.k.a. Dwight from The Office! Good Faith Effort is coming back soon, and it's ready to take your eardrums on a biblical rollercoaster ride. Don't miss it! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

Rivka is an Israeli Haredi political administrator. Since 1999, she has worked for Israeli politician Reuven Rivlin, first as his bureau chief and campaign adviser, and, since his election as President of Israel in 2014, as his chief of staff. She has received extensive media coverage for being a frum mother of 12 in a high-profile political position.   Ravitz considers her high-profile position an opportunity to display her religious commitment and make a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's name). She wears modest clothing, and covers her hair with a wig. She does not fraternize with male colleagues or participate in "staff-consolidation days", and refrains from shaking hands when greeting men, in keeping with halacha.   During Rivlin's 2015 visit to the Vatican, a photograph showing Pope Francis bowing to Ravitz. Despite it being a high profile visit, the Pope had bowed to her in respect of her religious resilience.   During Rivlin's visit to the United States towards the end of his term, President Biden kneeled before Ravitz upon hearing that she is a mother of 12 children.   She has incredible stories with Putin, Wonder Woman and other high profile kings, queens and leaders of the world.   Special Thank You To - Rabbi Yoel Gold of  @hashkifa   go watch his epic vid about Rivka: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOyGuavJxks&t=24s&ab_channel=YoelGold   Also thank you to The Orthodox Union's Woman's Initiative for connecting me  with Rivka.   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSORS OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________    ▶ The OU Women's Initiative is EPIC   The OU Women's Initiative implements national programming for women of all ages and stages of life to help each woman find her personal and communal leadership voice.   It's brilliant and you can get involved!   See all that they're doing here: https://www.ou.org/women/   ____________________________________ ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED! ....LIVE   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   On June 1st, at 8 PM you can hear Steve interview Yaakov Katz, Former Editor in Chief of the Jerusalem Post, in the Five Towns at The Young Israel of Lawrence - Cedarhurst (Spruce ST, Cedarhurst, NY)   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unrestricted/ or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TSSQffc73Z25LOKBOVnh0   ____________________________________ This episode is in memory of:  • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima  • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe    Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here:  • USA: (712) 432-3489  • UK: 0333-366-0154  • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088     Follow us on social media for more content:    • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.com   Lchaim.

The inspiring story of a 7-year-old Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust. Despite the unimaginable horrors that he faced, Shimon Felder never lost hope and persevered through the most challenging circumstances.   We learn about his experiences during the war, how he and his family were forced into hiding, and the incredible acts of kindness that saved their lives. Through his story, we'll gain insight into the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in even the darkest of times.   This video serves as a tribute to all those who suffered during the Holocaust, and a reminder that we must never forget the lessons of history.   Simon Felder served as the mayor of Lawrence, one of the towns in the Five Towns, from 2013 to 2017. During his time in office, he worked on various initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents, such as expanding public safety programs, improving local infrastructure, and enhancing community services. He also served as a member of the Lawrence Board of Education and was involved in several community organizations.   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________    ▶ Join The SIMCHATIME Revolution   Do an act of kindness every day. Go out of your way. Discuss it during "SimchaTime" at your Shabbos table. It's time to bring more simcha into this world. Look here: https://www.SimchaTime.org   In memory of: Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Sponsored by Marc Belsky Ltd ____________________________________  ▶ THE NATION'S FAVORITE STATUS   "Sparks Of A Nation" gives you an inside glimpse at the most epic scenes from the Jewish Nation.   WhatsApp 323-792-0613 to join or click here: https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=13237920613&text=I+want+to+join+Sparks+of+A+Nation   ____________________________________  ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED!   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: http://bit.ly/40JaGGx or here: http://bit.ly/3U90ULr ____________________________________  This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe and  • Avraham Yisroel ben Reuven   Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (712) 432-3489 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088   Follow us on social media for more content: • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com    WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes:  914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.com   Lchaim.  

Whether you know it or not, a few couples in your life are having a very hard time having a baby.   Rabbi Yosef Shapiro grew up in Baltimore and learned in different yeshivas, while also completing his MBA in investment banking. He received smicha from the Jerusalem Kollel under the leadership of R' Yitzchok Berkovits and now is the Senior Rabbi of the Brookhaven Kollel, a kiruv/outreach community that he and his wife, Rookie, started from scratch that now services hundreds of young Jews.    He recently published a book about infertility and challenge, titled IN IT TOGETHER, and spends a lot of his free time helping couples struggling with infertility around the world.   If you'd like to speak to Rabbi Shapiro about his availability to speak in your community or if you have any questions for him about infertility he can be reached at 678-693-0365 or ryosefshapiro@gmail.com   Get his book here: bit.ly/4362LVk   ▶ Going Through Infertility Challenges? You are NEVER Alone!   Bonei Olam is here to provide you with  guidance, referrals AND funding for a myriad fertility services. Including male and female primary and secondary infertility,  genetics, fertility preservation, and more complicated infertility diagnoses.    If you or someone you know can use one of Bonei Olam services, you can reach out to 718-373-2000 or at services@boneiolam.org   More here: http://boneiolam.org/   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________    ▶ Join The SIMCHATIME Revolution   Do an act of kindness every day. Go out of your way. Discuss it during "SimchaTime" at your Shabbos table. It's time to bring more simcha into this world. Look here: https://www.SimchaTime.org   In memory of: Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Sponsored by Marc Belsky Ltd ____________________________________    ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED!   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: bit.ly/40JaGGx or here: bit.ly/3U90ULr   ____________________________________  This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (712) 432-3489 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088   Follow us on social media for more content: • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com    WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes:  914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.comLchaim.   Lchaim.

On today's episode, Ari spoke with renowned Bible teacher and scholar Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom about one of the most common question asked by Good Faith Effort listeners (or Why Read The Bible In Hebrew readers on Twitter!): what is the “Jewish” way of reading Scripture? Along the way they talked about developing a methodology for Scripture study; the difference between reading a text critically and “text criticism”; why it matters that the Biblical Hebrew vocabulary is relatively small; why the Bible cares about political history; the geography of the Joseph narrative; why you can't read the later books of the Bible until you've read the earlier ones; how to find other excellent Bible teachers; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

In this episode of Inspiration For The Nation we get really real.   Benny, Joey and Mordy open up about the challenges they face.   Living life as a Jewish celebrity comes with many questions. The three singers talk about the role of Orthodox singers and how it shapes who they are.   Get tickets to their EPIC event here  ▶ http://www.gronnyandickyproductions.com/   Watch our skit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2q04BLgQLY&t=9s&ab_channel=LivingLchaim   Their skit was written, produced and directed by #AdsThatSlap Hire the AMAZING team here for your commercials ▶ https://bit.ly/3TQOSGs   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________ ▶ The BEST Way to Prepare for Pesach/Passover   The best haggadahs and books in the world here to help you have the best seder and the best Pesach ever.   When it comes to connecting, Feldheim Publishers has hundreds of books and seforim for you and your whole family.   PLUS: Get 10% OFF + FREE Shipping  With promo code: PESACHLL10 https://bit.ly/40y66us   Exclusions apply. ____________________________________   ▶ Join The SIMCHATIME Revolution   Do an act of kindness every day. Go out of your way. Discuss it during "SimchaTime" at your Shabbos table. It's time to bring more simcha into this world.    Look here: https://www.SimchaTime.org   In memory of: Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Sponsored by Marc Belsky Ltd ____________________________________ ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED!   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unrestricted/ or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TSSQffc73Z25LOKBOVnh0 ____________________________________ This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (712) 432-3489 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088   Follow us on social media for more content: • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.com   Lchaim.

On today's episode, Ari spoke with the University of Utah's Dean of Humanities, and renowned historian of 19th century literature and society, Hollis Robbins to talk about the state of the humanities in American education. As Hollis explains, reports of the humanities demise are greatly exaggerated. But just as important as understanding why the humanities are, in fact, flourishing, is understanding where and under what conditions they are flourishing. What lessons can we learn from answering these questions? In a wide ranging discussion, Ari and Hollis spoke about the religious culture of Utah; secularism's effect on the humanities; Orthodox Jewish pedagogy; Brandon Sanderson's novels and AI; Effective Altruism and the collapse of FTX; the Tower of Babel; Borges; Dracula; whether Descartes really understood clocks; TV and book recommendations; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

Since 1969, Ohel has provided a critical safety net of support and hope. Mental health counseling and residences. Older adult care. Residences and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. Foster care placement. Trauma and bereavement services. Shelter for victims of domestic violence.   in this week's episode, its CEO, David Mandel, talks about the challenges and struggles our community is facing when it comes to mental health.   David also opens up about the struggle his wife and he had to have a child. He describes the feeling to be blessed with a child after 24 years.   Help save lives with the incredible support Ohel provides (donate generously): https://www.ohelfamily.org/donate   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________ ▶ Join The SIMCHATIME Revolution   Do an act of kindness every day. Go out of your way. Discuss it during "SimchaTime" at your Shabbos table. It's time to bring more simcha into this world.    Look here: https://www.SimchaTime.org   In memory of: Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Sponsored by Marc Belsky Ltd ____________________________________ ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED!   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unrestricted/ or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TSSQffc73Z25LOKBOVnh0   ____________________________________ ▶ Your Health is Your Greatest Investment.   Thanks to our friends at JOWMA for the incredible health resources provided for our community.   There's no reason in 2023 that you need to be in the dark. And some of the most talented doctors and healthcare professionals in our community are here to help!        Go listen to the JOWMA podcast here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1500215343?to=page   And call their hotline 24/6 at 929-4-GEZUNT       Find out more here: https://jowma.org/   ____________________________________ This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (712) 432-3489 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088   Follow us on social media for more content: • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.com   Lchaim.

Rabbi Blech's accomplishments extend beyond his numerous books and impressive academic career. He has been recognized for his influence and contributions to the Jewish community, both nationally and internationally. In a national survey conducted by Jewsweek.com, Rabbi Blech was ranked #16 in a listing of the 50 most influential Jews in America.   Rabbi Blech's impact on the community extends beyond his leadership roles. He has hosted a popular weekly radio program in New York and has written for publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times, and Newsday. He has also made appearances on national television, including the Oprah Winfrey Show.   One of Rabbi Blech's most significant achievements was his role in securing the loan of precious Jewish manuscripts for exhibition in Israel after a personal meeting with the late Pope John Paul II.   He is currently involved in further negotiations for the return of precious Judaica held by the Vatican, which may prove to be of historic significance (The Rambam's seforim!).   A tenth-generation rabbi, Rabbi Blech is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and was the Rav of Young Israel of Oceanside for many years.   In this week's episode, Rabbi Blech tells us about how The Lubavitch Rebbe made him a secret agent chabad Rabbi, his incredible stories with the Pope, how they found some of the missing items from the Beis Hamikdash and so much more.   Get his New York Time's Best Seller book here: https://bit.ly/3TmKz5p   ____________________________________ ✬ SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE ✬ ____________________________________   ▶ Join The SIMCHATIME Revolution   Do an act of kindness every day. Go out of your way. Discuss it during "SimchaTime" at your Shabbos table. It's time to bring more simcha into this world.    Look here: https://www.SimchaTime.org   In memory of: Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Sponsored by Marc Belsky Ltd ____________________________________ ▶ Your Next Podcast: UNRESTRICTED!   Join Steve Savitsky the president of Bnai Zion on his new podcast: Unrestricted.   Steve's interviews noted public figures that have returned to a more private life, sharing stories, lessons learned, and the values and ideas that kept them loyal to their missions.   Listen here: https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/unrestricted/ or here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TSSQffc73Z25LOKBOVnh0   ____________________________________ ▶ Your Health is Your Greatest Investment.   Thanks to our friends at JOWMA for the incredible health resources provided for our community.   There's no reason in 2023 that you need to be in the dark. And some of the most talented doctors and healthcare professionals in our community are here to help!   Go listen to the JOWMA podcast here: https://plinkhq.com/i/1500215343?to=page   And call their hotline 24/6 at 929-4-GEZUNT Find out more here: https://jowma.org/    ____________________________________ This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe • Simcha Berel Dovid ben Avraham Moshe   Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (712) 432-3489 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088   Follow us on social media for more content: • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@livinglchaim • IG - https://www.instagram.com/livinglchaim/ • FB - https://www.facebook.com/livinglchaim • LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-lchaim • Website - https://www.livinglchaim.com/   Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.com WhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513   If you are interested in sponsoring an episode in memory or refuah shilama of a loved one, please send an email to hi@livinglchaim.com   Lchaim.

On today's episode, Ari spoke with American Jewish University resident scholar Rick Richman about the land, people and polity of Israel in Hollywood's imagination. What does Hollywood storytelling about Israel—from Exodus in 1960, to Top Gun: Maverick in 2022—tell us about America's perspective on the Holy Land, and perhaps more strikingly, America's perspective on itself. In a wide-ranging discussion, Ari and Rick talked about Exodus (1960); Munich (2005); Top Gun: Maverick (2022); Dara Horn's “People Love Dead Jews”; Brooklyn-based Judaism in American cinema; the effect of American racial discourse on its view of the Near East; Montesquieu's “Persian Letters”; the spouses of great political leaders; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

On this week's episode, Ari speaks with New York Times columnist and media personality David French about the future of American political and cultural virtue. What does it look like to stick to your principles in 2023, even if they're unpopular? How do we escape the ideological traps of contemporary American political life? Along the way, they discussed the idea of an “exhausted majority”; the relationship between sports and politics; theological concepts like redemption and apocalypse and their role in political philosophy; John Adams and Frederick Douglass; George Washington and Micah 6:8; how it's possible to “become” American; the cases for and against reparations; American masculinity; caring for grandparents and grandchildren; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop

On today's episode, Ari spoke with political philosopher Yechiel Leiter about John Locke—the thinker whose work undergirds all of American political philosophy. If you were to read Locke, one of the first things you'll notice is that he quotes and relies upon texts from the Hebrew Bible far more than (almost to the exclusion of) any other. And yet, for centuries, Locke scholars have almost entirely ignored his Hebraic influences. Together, Ari and Yechiel discussed how a Hebraic reading of Locke is crucial for explaining all of the most interesting and even revolutionary elements of Locke's thought. GoodFaith10 is the 10% discount code at www.sedersalt.com Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Every minority—every ethnic or religious subgroup—has its own internal conversations. Often, in the modern age, that's resulted in specialized journalistic outlets. Jewish newspapers; Christian TV stations; Muslims journals. But just as fascinating are journalists who take their particular identity, and use it as a lens through which to help general audiences view the world. What, indeed, does it mean for a reporter who is Jewish—or Christian, or Muslim, or Buddhist—to write for The Atlantic, or Business Insider? To do original reporting in Ukraine, or Somalia or Syria? On today's episode, Rabbi Lamm spoke to Tablet Magazin's Armin Rosen about what it means to learn and write about the wide world Biblically and Jewishly. They talked world travel; music festivals; the connection between death and joy in popular culture; the intertextuality of hip hop; what makes Orthodox Jews different from and similar to other Jews; Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 2007 address at Columbia University; the importance of 1st century Rome and Jerusalem for understanding contemporary politics; novels about Brazil; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

From ancient times until today, plagues and pandemics have played a transformational role in human history. And of all the intellectual and theological traditions that have reflected upon the significance of these devastating natural phenomena, perhaps the most famous and profound is the Bible. Just think, for example, of the narrative of the Ten Plagues in the Book of Exodus. So how have commentators on the Bible understood these reflections, and even developed them in new and surprising directions? In his most recent book—”The Eleventh Plague: Jews and Pandemics From the Bible to Covid-19”—Dr. Jeremy Brown (Director at the NIH and a historian of science) broke down how Jewish thinkers and communities in particular responded to widespread infectious diseases across history. And on this episode, Ari broke it all down with Dr. Brown. They discussed pandemics and the fall of Rome; humans and animals in the Book of Genesis; anti-Jewish canards during the Black Death; intellectual creativity during pandemics; responses to Edward Jenner's invention of the smallpox vaccine; mysticism during the Scientific Revolution; “plague weddings”; new perspectives on the Ten Plagues; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

How should you read the Bible? Is the Bible just a collection of nice stories mixed in with a bunch of motivational poster one-liners? What's the best way to plumb the artistic depths of this unparalleled literary and spiritual masterpiece? On this episode, Ari unpacked all of this with renowned podcaster and Biblical scholar Alastair Roberts. Over the course of this exciting, frenetic conversation, they talked about the Bible in the history and culture of England; why Alastair, a Protestant scholar, is a fan of Jewish Biblical commentator Rabbi David Fohrman; the connection between Noah's Ark, the birth of Moses and the crossing of the Red Sea; the character of Miriam; the Creation narrative and the Tabernacle in Leviticus; why Martin Luther was wrong about the Book of Esther; how the stories of Genesis illuminate the stories of Samuel and Kings; the role of the tribe of Benjamin; the Israelites in Exile; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

One of the great differences between Athens and Jerusalem is that while Athens was the early master of philosophical inquiry, Jerusalem became the early master of storytelling. The Bible is the source for the greatest stories ever told—what Rabbi Sacks call “philosophy in the narrative mode”. And at least in terms of scale, perhaps the greatest storytelling civilization after ancient Israel is America since the invention of modern media. And, of course, it's no accident that one of the most profound influences on American society is actually the texts, values and ideas of ancient Israel. So how should we understand this legacy of storytelling from ancient times to today? On this episode, Ari unpacked all of this with Jordan Gorfinkel, AKA Gorf, one of the great creators and writers for DC Comics—creator of the legendary No Man's Land run in the Batman series; and creator of the Birds of Prey franchise—as well as author of the Passover Haggadah Graphic Novel. They talked the Good Faith Effort Drinking Game™; the influence of Genesis on one of the most iconic Batman comic runs; Gotham as Sodom and Gomorrah; the role of humor in great storytelling; the different eras of Batman; the creation of the Birds of Prey franchise; why Gorf had to skip dinner with Mark Hamill; whether pop culture can be sanctified; Rabbi Norman Lamm's influence on comic books (!); and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Why do celebrity advertisements work? Why do wars happen? What makes the story of Cain and Abel so compelling? What if I told you the answer to all of those questions was…the same? Enter Rene Girard, an atheist-turned-Catholic philosophical anthropologist who was also deeply influential on some of the people who have most shaped our world today—from the biggest tech founders, entrepreneurs and investors. In this episode, Ari unpacked Girard's thought with Jonathan Bi, master teacher and creator of the popular and accessible YouTube series on Girard's thought, “Interpreting Girard: Exegete of the Apocalypse”. Together they discussed misery in higher education; whether learning for its own sake is possible; the Reign of Terror and Vichy France; Emmanuel Levinas; William James and SoulCycle; Girard's belief in the imminent arrival of the apocalypse; the Jewish concept of an “eruv”; Hebraic politics; Ari's pushback on Girard's account of Judaism; and much more! Don't miss this exciting episode! And check out Jonathan Bi's magnificent YouTube series: “Interpreting Girard: Exegete of the Apocalypse” Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

How did the American Founders read the Bible? What wisdom did they find there? How did their literary sensibilities interact with their political ones in reading the Bible? And how does this history stay with us today? To unpack all this, Ari spoke with Professor at the American University in Washington D.C., and author of “Reading The Bible With The Founding Fathers”, Daniel Dreisbach. They talked the Book of Deuteronomy in the Founding Era; political order in the Bible; the Bible on the fate of nations; television as a modern American lingua franca; the sermon as public intellectual genre; the first prayer in the history of Congress; George Washington's favorite Biblical verse; Biblical law and the Constitution; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revolution…this was when we finally kicked religion out of public life, right? In fact, it was precisely in these moments that Western thinkers were most expansive and ambitious in their curiosity about religion—its texts, ideas, and practical implications. This was famously true in the case of the Bible, the greater focus on which prompted the revival of Hebrew study throughout Europe. But it was also true of the study of Jewish mysticism, which drew the fascination of some of the most famous thinkers of the Renaissance and beyond. This had implications not only for the course of European thought, but—according to an excellent new book, “Kabbalah and the Founding of America”, by Rice University historian Brian Ogren—for the founding and development of America itself. On this episode, Ari unpacked all of this with Brian. They talked about misperceptions about science and religion during the Renaissance; why Renaissance thinkers were interested in mystical thought; John Adams and Jewish literature; the importance of Ezra Stiles, president of Yale during the American Revolution; the influence of an Orthodox rabbi from the Holy Land on the American experiment; the most important commencement address ever delivered in the history of American higher education; Madonna; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The Bible is the most important work in the history of literature, so it seems like a pretty important priority should be to figure out how to read it well! What strategies can your average person use to uncover the Biblical text's meaning? Which commentaries are most important to consult? Are there new insights we can, perhaps, discover on our own? If so, how? To unpack all this, Ari spoke with the founder of Aleph Beta, the legendary Biblical interpreter and teacher Rabbi David Fohrman. In a wide-ranging conversation they discussed how to break down a text; the role of reading commentaries; the artistry behind the story of Jacob and Esau; the importance of reading Biblical names in their Hebrew original; the Biblical misanthrope Onan; literary allusions in the story of Ruth and Boaz; how to appreciate the Book of Leviticus; the future of Biblical commentary; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Why are stories important? What exactly makes them so powerful? How should great stories—whether you encounter them in literature, poetry, painting, the cinema—help human beings cultivate the good life? And can great stories, as such, really be an important part of the religious experience? To unpack this, Ari spoke with Jennifer Frey, host of the extremely popular literature, philosophy, and theology podcast “Sacred And Profane Love”, and professor of philosophy at the University of South Carolina. They talked about the countercultural act of choosing religion in a secular age; Thomas Aquinas; sidekicks from the Bible to Shakespeare to Lord of the Rings; how literature can form character; oral and textual cultures; Iris Murdoch; studying the Bible in public schools; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Who's the most influential figure in American political history? Washington? Lincoln? Martin Luther King? The answer, for any student of American history, should be clear: it's Moses. But how does this influence pan out? And how do Moses, and other Biblical figures, help us tell our own stories…even today? To unpack all of this, Ari spoke with bestselling author and New York Times columnist Bruce Feiler, author of “America's Prophet: Moses and the American Story”. They talked about the Age of Exploration; Moses as lawgiver vs. Moses as liberator; Lincoln's Second Inaugural; the Bible as text vs. the Bible as map; why Abraham's story comes before Moses'; how to improve July 4th; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The Bible is the most important and influential work ever. And nothing has been more influential on the development of the English language over the last 500 years than the translation of the Bible into English. And whether from literary, political-institutional, cultural or religious perspectives, the Bible has been deeply formative in shaping the West as we know it. So how should we engage with this text? Some say we should heed its commands; others that we should try to understand it in the context of ancient history; still others say we should examine how it has influenced the world we live in. But probably the most underrated way to engage the Bible is just…to read it. So what would it look like to attune our ears to the Bible's literary character? To unpack this Ari spoke with the most influential living Biblical scholar, and author of a magisterial translation of the entire Hebrew Bible, Robert Alter. In this epic conversation they spoke about what makes translation different than other types of interpretation; Biblical terms for physical relations; the King James Version of 1611; various “untranslatable” phenomena; the Biblical concept of “soul”; Samuel and Saul; whether the Bible thinks political order is possible; reader questions (!); Rashi; rabbinic midrash; Franz Kafka and Jewish mysticism; Moby Dick; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Why does American policy in the Middle East look the way it does? Has it always been this way? How is it intertwined with religious life and literacy in America? And how does the Jewish story—from the Bible to today—help us understand something important about the American story? To unpack all of this, Ari spoke to Walter Russel Mead—Global View columnist at the Wall Street Journal, Professor of Foreign Affairs at Bard College, and author of the fantastic new book “The Arc Of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People”. They spoke about John Adams's proto-Zionism; the English Reformation; Erastianism and religious toleration; the two sides of nationalism; Balaji Srinavasan and Theodor Herzl; Cyrus the Great in both Iranian and American politics; Russian Middle East policy from Stalin to Putin; what rising antisemitism teaches about the health of the American republic; and how the American story properly understood relates to the fate of the Jewish people. You can find Walter's latest book here: https://www.amazon.com/Arc-Covenant-United-States-Israel-ebook/dp/B01EQ2S3RY Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The Atlantic's Yair Rosenberg is one of the most prominent journalists on the planet covering global antisemitism. He's also an excellent recording artist in the Jewish music space. How do these two things fit together? As Ari and Yair discuss together, this mix is deeply emblematic of the current moment in Jewish, American, and even world history -- both fraught with existential danger and brimming with creative and moral possibility. On the latest episode of Good Faith Effort, they unpack what this means together, discussing everything from Jewish historian Salo Baron; the Biblical Hebrew word for “Passover”; Lil Wayne; the Miami Boys Choir; whether Jews are a race; the place of Israel in the Western imagination; normie cultural sensibilities; Yair's musical influences; singability in Jewish music; and much more! To listen to Yair's latest album, “Az Yashir: Songs for Shabbat”, check it out on Spotify here. Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

This week, Justin sits down with author and life coach Chana Mason to hear how an armed home invasion as a child led her to Israel as well as to seek a larger purpose in her life. On Thirty-Six, Justin Hayet, a self-proclaimed pessimistic millennial attempts to find the thirty-six righteous people on whose merit the world stands. Thirty-Six is a production of SoulShop and Bnai Zion.

This week, Justin sits down with United Hatzalah's CEO and Founder, Eli Beer, for a conversation about how close he came to death in March 2020 and how this experience illuminates the urgency behind his work at the helm of one of the most impactful organizations in Israel. On Thirty-Six, Justin Hayet, a self-proclaimed pessimistic millennial attempts to find the thirty-six righteous people on whose merit the world stands. Thirty-Six is a production of SoulShop and Bnai Zion.

The American experiment—even the future of liberalism—feels exhausted. What's a theologian to do about this? How can serious thinking about religion contribute uniquely to a flourishing political and moral discourse? How can it be done with both a sense of conviction, but also a spirit of humility? To unpack this, Rabbi Ari spoke to his good friend, fellow podcaster and professor of theology at Baylor University, Matthew L. Anderson. They talked: how to do public theology; is there an evangelical intellectual tradition?; religion and digital media; what you learn as a preacher's kid (or grandkid!); pronatalism; the perils and value of nations; the future of liberalism; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The Bible tells stories about individuals, families, and nations. But it also tells stories about institutions—the chosen and unchosen social structures that range from marriage, to news media, to the Supreme Court. Today, many people see major institutions as weak, corrupt, or untrustworthy (sometimes correctly). In this episode, Dru welcomes Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm back to the podcast for the fourth time to discuss the idea of institutions in the Hebrew Bible. Ari surveys the role of institutions the biblical narratives, looking at the earliest chapters of Genesis, the story of Abraham, the golden calf narrative, and the nations of Egypt and Babylon. They also discuss the right response to broken and corrupt institutions, the dangers of "spiritual highs," and the corrective role of prophetic voices. Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm is the CEO of Bnai Zion, an organization that aims to strengthen Israel and Jewish people, as well as the host of Good Faith Effort, a podcast that examines the Bible and its interactions with society. He studied Judaism and Christianity at University College London and Princeton University, and received his rabbinical ordination at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He frequently writes and speaks about Jewish values and their positive impact on the world. Show notes: 0:00 The biblical view of institutions 2:30 Biblical "false starts" 7:15 Abraham and the Bronze Age 10:07 How institutions come to exist 14:27 Unchosen obligations 19:40 Egypt and Babylon 23:38 Being born into corrupt systems 27:22 Spiritual awakenings and religious practices 34:08 The most important verse in the Bible 36:36 The political structure of biblical Israel 44:48 Dealing with broken institutions Show notes by Micah Long

“What's the biggest problem with America these days?” Imagine if someone answered that question by saying that Americans don't spend nearly enough time in…cemeteries? Well, on this episode of Good Faith Effort, it's precisely that thesis that we try to defend! Rabbi Ari had on brilliant up-and-coming writer Chaya Sara Oppenheim to discuss the ‘cemetery culture' that has grown up around the town of Monsey, New York, just 45 minutes north of Manhattan. Along the way they discuss why dead people are more important than you think; how prayer works; the importance of localism; some unexpected ways you can learn about the place you live; Fiddler on the Roof; Cynthia Ozick; the tension between homeland and diaspora; belief in miracles; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

This week, Justin welcomes famed Israeli Major General Amos Yadlin into his apartment for a conversation about the past and future of The State of Israel. On Thirty-Six, Justin Hayet, a self-proclaimed pessimistic millennial attempts to find the thirty-six righteous people on whose merit the world stands. Thirty-Six is a production of SoulShop and Bnai Zion.

One of the climactic moments of the Renaissance was the European rediscovery of the Hebrew language. Knowledge of Hebrew—and intensive study of both the Hebrew Bible and Jewish rabbinic literature—would sweep across Europe, and end up fundamentally reshaping everything from personal spirituality to the nature and structure of politics in the West. And yet, at the very same time all of this was underway, a plot was hatched to completely eradicate Judaism forever in the Holy Roman Empire—a plot that, had it succeeded, could have swept across the rest of Europe as well. Only one person was prepared to take a principled stand against it. That man was a Christian scholar named Johannes Reuchlin. And his fight to defend Jews and Jewish learning would shape the moral and political trajectory of the West to this very day. Reuchlin studied Hebrew and Jewish literature with some of the legendary figures in Jewish history—including Rabbi Obadiah Sforno—and would be remembered by towering figures of later periods as one of “the righteous among the nations”. But few people today know his story. So on this episode, Rabbi Ari unpacked it together with the Vanderbilt University historian, David Price, who literally wrote the book on Reuchlin! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

How do we navigate in an age where our access to information is limitless? How do we read better? How do we write well? How do we seek out valuable new things? And why is it also more important than ever to hold on to—or discover!—the virtues of ancient wisdom? To unpack all of this, Rabbi Ari spoke with David Perell—one of the most prolific writers, teachers and podcasters in the world of new media; host of the North Star podcast; author of the “Friday Finds” and “Monday Musings” newsletters; and teacher of the legendary masterclass for online writers, “Write of Passage”. They talked about how to cope with information overload; the virtues of orality vs. writtenness; informational monotheism vs. informational paganism; why Westerners should read the Bible; the value and perils of a canon; Cain and Abel; the Tree of Knowledge; VCs and prophecy; how to be productive in the digital age; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

If you want to tell the story of popular music globally in the last century, you really can't do it without telling the story of American pop music. And if you want to tell the story of AMERICAN pop music, well, that story begins and ends with the Black American community: jazz, the blues, gospel music, rock n' roll, R&B, and hip-hop. And if you want to tell the story of that community, you also need to understand the Bible—the Exodus, the prophets, and beyond. But who could possibly tell this entire story from start to finish? Basically only one person: multiple Grammy award winning artist and producer Warryn Campbell. He's worked and won awards with the biggest names in music, from Kanye and Alicia Keys, to Mary Mary and Missy Elliott, and more. And he's also an ordained pastor out in California who has a deep understanding of faith and spirituality in American life. This week Ari and Warryn talked about the history of American music; what it means to bear the divine image; religious and secular music; the backstory behind one of Kanye's earliest hit singles; Abraham and counterculture; what we can learn from Dr. Dre; Moses in the Jewish and Black American communities; and the next great artist you need to keep your eye on! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

Human equality. Justice for all. Political liberty. Hope in the face of despair. We take all of these for granted as essential components of a good life and virtuous society. But where do they come from? Will you find them in Plato and Aristotle? In Cicero or Plotinus? What if we can't? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari sat down with Dru Johnson, Professor of Biblical Studies and Director of the Center for Hebraic Thought at the King's College, to talk about why the world we live in is incomprehensible without the Hebrew Bible. They talked what's wrong with the Greek philosophers; what the Hebraic world is all about; what ritual can teach us; why it's important to fold your underwear; what punk rock has to do with the Bible; whether our body is something we should try to escape; the greatest Biblical story you've never heard of; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

When we think of the Biblical story, we usually think of a beleaguered population of former slaves fleeing for their lives into a desert. But if you read the Bible's account of the Israelite story, you'll see that they're consistently called upon to take up arms in their own defense. What insight could we gain from interpreting the Bible from a military perspective? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari talked unpacked all this with the 40th Inspector General of the entire U.S. Navy—and highest ranking Jew on the Seas—former Vice Admiral Herman Shelanski. They spoke about what it means to be a warrior; whether the United States should adopt a mandatory national service program; what it means to be a part of Jewish history as an immigrant; the reason why sailors of all backgrounds love Passover; President Harry Truman's Torah scroll; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

The emperors of Rome traditionally promoted themselves as deities—as human beings who had ascended to godhood by virtue of their political might. In America, of course, we do not have god-kings, nor do we deify the great leaders of our past. But if there were any political figure in American history about whom it could be said that he had achieved some sort of genuine transcendence beyond the usual political acclaim, it would be Abraham Lincoln. So what made Lincoln great? What were his flaws and triumphs? What does the success of the Lincoln presidency tell us about the American story at large? How, in particular, did his unusual embrace of the American Jewish community make sense within the wider context of the American experiment? On this week's episode, Rabbi Ari talked unpacked all this with legendary historian at Brandeis, and author of several books on the Lincoln era, Jonathan Sarna. They spoke about Lincoln's leadership; his attitude towards antisemitism; his Biblical wit and wisdom and his relationship with the Holy Land; whether it's a hindrance or a help to have political heroes; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

John Selden. A name most people today have never heard. But at one of the most crucial political turning points in the history of the West —17th century England — he was widely known as the most brilliant man in Europe, England's most accomplished lawyer, and a leading Member of Parliament so respected that both sides of the English Civil War desperately sought to recruit him to their side. His ideas were deeply influential on the future of Western liberty, and to this day remain the best alternative to the secular materialism of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. He was also the most rabbinically learned non-Jew in world history, and a vocal proponent of ancient rabbinic tradition as the best basis for a virtuous political system. Who was this fascinating thinker? What was his story? And why are his ideas so critical today? To unpack all of this, Rabbi Ari brought on historian Ofir Haivry, author of John Selden and the Western Political Tradition. Haivry is also Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Herzl Institute, and Director of its National Strategy Initiative. They talked all things Selden — the most important Western thinker you've never heard of! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.

What will it take to build a dynamic future for our society? We talk a lot about infrastructure, manufacturing, supply chains, defense, biotech. But what about restoring a sense of mission, purpose, community and shared values? A truly bright future needs a new Great Awakening—it needs faith. But how do we build that in the world of digital media and tech? To unpack all this, Rabbi Ari brought on Matthew Potter, co-founder of Pray.com, the #1 daily prayer app on the entire planet. They spoke about building out of tragedy; what differentiates faith from other group activities; how faith fits in Silicon Valley; single-player vs. multi-player prayer; what makes a company worth building; the future of faith in Gen Z; and much more! Good Faith Effort is a production of Bnai Zion and SoulShop.