Podcasts about rabbi shai held

How can we successfully bring our vision to life to fill the gaps we see in the world? What challenges may arise along this journey, and how can we navigate them with wisdom and grace? In our quest to change the world, how do we engage in meaningful dialogue with those holding opposing viewpoints and arrive at a deeper, collective understanding? And how might grace, gratitude, and generosity become the three central pillars to guide us in all we do?Find out from Rabbi Shai Held, exclusively in conversation with Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa on Intersections Podcast.Rabbi Shai Held is a philosopher, theologian, and a Bible scholar, and currently serves as President and Dean at the Hadar Institute, a center of Jewish life, learning, and practice that builds vibrant egalitarian communities in North America and Israel, which he co-founded in 2006. Rabbi Held has received the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, and has been named multiple times by Newsweek as one of the fifty most influential rabbis in America and by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the fifty most prominent Jews in the world. He has authored a number of books including Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence, The Heart of Torah, and his most recent, Judaism is About Love. He is also the host of Hadar Institute's newest podcast, Answers WithHeld.In this episode, Rabbi Held reveals:- His own journey of bringing his vision for Hadar Institute to life, the challenges that ensued and how he overcame them successfully- A profound understanding of grace, gratitude and generosity, and how to cultivate these qualities in all that we do

This week Rabbi Shai Held joins the podcast to discuss his latest book "Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life". It goes without saying that there are A LOT of misconceptions about Judaism within the Christian tradition. To say it even more bluntly, there are a lot of Anti-Semitic and Anti-Jewish teachings and doctrines plaguing the Christian tradition today. In this conversation Rabbi Held explores how love isn't just a sentiment but a theological and ethical imperative deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition. We discuss the radical nature of love in the Hebrew Bible and address many of the misconceptions and false teaching about the Jewish tradition. This is a thought provoking conversation that only just scrapped the surface of Rabbi Held's book. Enjoy the conversation and snag a copy of his book! RESOURCES: Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (Book) The Hadar Institute Join the Patreon *A special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys

Over the past year, Rabbis Yitz Greenberg and Shai Held each published major works in Jewish thought, The Triumph of Life and Judaism Is About Love, respectively. In honor of the recent appearance of Rav Yitz's book, join Hadar for a freewheeling discussion between Rav Yitz and Rav Shai-- about Judaism's celebration of life, about its insistent focus on love, and about the relationship between those two ideas. Moderated by Hadar's Rabbi Tali Adler.

As you probably know by now, 2024 was a big year for Commonweal, marking one hundred years of continuous publication.  It was also an important one for the podcast, which for five years—and nearly one hundred and fifty episodes—has been bringing you reflective conversations with inspiring writers, thinkers, artists, and political and religious leaders.  On this episode, we're revisiting four of our favorite episodes from the past year: Marilynne Robinson and Christian Wiman on Genesis Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman on the ethics of having children Vinson Cunningham on criticism as a way of life Rabbi Shai Held on Judaism's loving heart. 

In this special episode, Dr. Dru Johnson interviews Rabbi Dr. Shai Held, president and dean of the Hadar Institute, about his book, Judaism is About Love. The conversation explores the intricate relationship between love and law in Judaism, offering insights for both Jewish and Christian audiences. Rabbi Held emphasizes that, in Judaism, law is not opposed to love but serves as its manifestation, challenging the common dichotomy in some Christian traditions. He highlights the centrality of love in Jewish rituals and commandments, portraying them as pathways to cultivate love for God and others. Through examples like the Torah's command to love the stranger and the ritual practice of gratitude, Rabbi Held illustrates how Jewish thought integrates love into every aspect of life. The episode also delves into Rabbi Held's methodology, blending traditional Jewish interpretations with modern academic approaches. He discusses his book's aim to present Jewish spirituality in an accessible yet deeply reflective way. For those curious about Hebraic and Jewish thought, this episode provides a compelling perspective on the transformative power of love, the joy of being commanded, and the communal and spiritual dimensions of the Torah's teachings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Shai Held and His Work 05:18 The Relationship Between Torah and Love 10:06 Methods of Jewish Thought and Love 13:36 Rituals and Their Role in Instilling Love 17:35 The Interplay of Love and Ritual 21:18 Understanding Love in the Context of Divine Love 24:53 Comparing Approaches to Love in Jewish Thought 30:39 The Call to Love in Contemporary Society 36:21 Exploring Jewish Humor and Its Depths 37:19 Influential Works in Biblical Studies 37:46 A Fun Game of Love Songs

A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held―one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today―recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. In Judaism Is about Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), he shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held―one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today―recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. In Judaism Is about Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), he shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held―one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today―recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. In Judaism Is about Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), he shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

A dramatic misinterpretation of the Jewish tradition has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is the religion of love, and Judaism the religion of law. In the face of centuries of this widespread misrepresentation, Rabbi Shai Held―one of the most important Jewish thinkers in America today―recovers the heart of the Jewish tradition, offering the radical and moving argument that love belongs as much to Judaism as it does to Christianity. Blending intellectual rigor, a respect for tradition and the practices of a living Judaism, and a commitment to the full equality of all people, Held seeks to reclaim Judaism as it authentically is. In Judaism Is about Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), he shows that love is foundational and constitutive of true Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/van-leer-institute

There's a common misconception that Judaism is a religion of law and Christianity is a religion of love. But the very love commandments at the heart of Jesus's teaching are direct quotes from Deuteronomy 6. Jesus, after all, was Jewish.Joining Miroslav Volf in this episode is one of the most important Jewish thinkers alive today: Rabbi Shai Held—theologian, educator, author—is President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at the Hadar Institute in New York City. He is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence and The Heart of Torah, a collection of essays on the Torah in two volumes. His latest book is Judaism is about Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life.Image Credit: “Vienna Genesis”, 6th century, Manuscript (Codex Vindobonensis theol. graec. 31), 333 x 270 mm, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, ViennaFollow us on Instagram: @forthelifepod @yalefaithandculture @lifeworthliving.yaleFollow us on YouTube: Yale Center for Faith & Culture Life Worth LivingAbout Shai HeldRabbi Shai Held—theologian, educator, author—is President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at the Hadar Institute in New York City. He is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence and The Heart of Torah, a collection of essays on the Torah in two volumes. His most recent book is Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life.Show NotesGet your copy of Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish LifeTwo stories that set the course for Judaism Is About LoveDeuteronomy 6 and the Love CommandsIs Judaism really a “loveless religion”?Christian students who don't realize what wells Jesus drank from“The very inclination to dichotomize between love and law leads almost, I think, ineluctably to a misunderstanding of traditional Jewish spirituality, for which law is never an alternative to love,  but a manifestation of love.”“The deed is an expression of a posture of love. The deed cannot replace the posture. It has to express it.”“A majority culture telling a minority  culture that it is inferior and loveless.”Interpreting both Judaism and Christianity through a moral or ethical lens, rather than the mystical, affective, and spiritual dimensions of bothUnconditionality of God's loveObedience to law vs unconditionality of love“My argument is that divine love, biblically speaking, comes without conditions, but with expectations. God does not say, do this or I will stop loving you. God says, I love you and I want you to do this.”Analogy to parental love for children“God believes in the centrality and urgency of human agency.”Eliezer Berkovits: embrace of human agency in JudaismZero sum games and God's will and human agencyPerformance-oriented society, and “measuring up”Competition and being better than othersNot earning, but striving to live up toGraceWhat objectives exist for us toJohn LevinsonChosenessMoshe Weinfeld: “you were not chosen because you were wonderful.”Election isn't earned, but don't let grace become capricious.Abraham's blessing and God's love for IsraelRabbi Akiva: “Every human being on the face of the earth is loved simply by being created in the divine image.”Centering theology around creationNoah's flood and a universal covenant with humanity as a wholeGod and Moses's chutzpah to ask for forgiveness because Israel is so stubbornGrace is a Jewish idea, not invented by Christianity or the New Testament“Culture stripped of grace”Arbitrariness of electionExodus 34Psalm 145:9 God is good to  all. God's mercies are upon all of God's  creations.Mercy on everything that God has made, including animals and all sentient beings“Very good” and God's assessment of creationLove for stranger and love for the enemyJudaism and expanding circles of concern“The temptation  to dehumanize is one that must always and everywhere be resisted. … every human being on the face of the earth is infinitely valuable without exception.”John Levinson's “universal horizon of biblical particularism”Just War Theory“At the end of the If the Middle East and the land of Israel are ever to become less blood soaked,  what will be required is two  peoples engaging in profoundly empathic listening to one another's stories. There is no other way.”Moshe Una and the Religious Zionist Peace Movement“Jews dreamed of this place for thousands of years, and that this is a unique place where God's commandments can be fulfilled, and this is a place of religious yearning, religious aspiration, historical connection. And the second is, we have to teach our children that there is another people who feels the same way.”“So much of the protest of this war has, it seemed to me, really lacked empathy and actually perpetuated really destructive ways of thinking about this conflict.”What is Rabbi Shai Held's vision of a life worth living?Medieval Mishnah on Genesis 1:27: “The human being  is created in God's image, but whether we become God's likeness is a function of the choices we make.”Production NotesThis podcast featured Shai HeldEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Alexa Rollow, Kacie Barrett, and Zoë HalabanA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Rabbi Shai Held joins the Jewish Review of Books Podcast to discuss his new book, "Judaism is About Love." The post Shai Held, Judaism, and Love appeared first on Jewish Review of Books.

Part two in a series of four pop-up classes with leading rabbis, all moderated by JBS's own Abigail Pogrebin. The series is entitled "Four Big Jewish Questions for This Moment." This second episode features Rabbi Shai Held (President & Dean, The Hadar Institute) and Rabba Yaffa Epstein (Senior Scholar-in-Residence, The Jewish Education Project) tackling the difficult question of whether it is a mitzvah to love your enemy, and to what extent the notion of loving enemies in general is actually a Jewish idea rather than a Christian one, as is widely believed.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The final discussion in this series centered on Chapter 16 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the meaning of loving a loving God. It took place via Zoom on August 28, 2024

Rabbi Shai Held is one of the most important thinkers in modern Jewish life. President and Dean of the Hadar Institute, he is a theologian, rabbi, educator, and author. In this interview, he joins Rabbi Micah Streiffer to talk about the Torah's command to love the stranger, and about the broader idea that Judaism is about love. Rabbi Held's latest book is Judaism is About Love. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution). For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The eighth discussion in this series centered on Chapter 15 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the meaning of loving a loving God. It took place via Zoom on August 21, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The eighth discussion in this series centered on Chapter 14 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the meaning of engaging Chosenness . It took place via Zoom on August 14, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The sixth discussion in this series centered on Chapters 13 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the ways loving kindness is a way of connecting with God . It took place via Zoom on August 7, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

A common misconception has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is seen as the religion of love, and Judaism as the religion of law. Addressing this misinterpretation, Rabbi Shai Held argues that love is as integral to Judaism as it is to Christianity.  In Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), Rabbi Held combines intellectual rigor, respect for tradition, and a commitment to equality. He demonstrates that love is foundational to Jewish faith, influencing perspectives on injustice, grace, family life, and responsibilities to others, including neighbors and even enemies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

A common misconception has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is seen as the religion of love, and Judaism as the religion of law. Addressing this misinterpretation, Rabbi Shai Held argues that love is as integral to Judaism as it is to Christianity.  In Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), Rabbi Held combines intellectual rigor, respect for tradition, and a commitment to equality. He demonstrates that love is foundational to Jewish faith, influencing perspectives on injustice, grace, family life, and responsibilities to others, including neighbors and even enemies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

A common misconception has shaped the history of the West: Christianity is seen as the religion of love, and Judaism as the religion of law. Addressing this misinterpretation, Rabbi Shai Held argues that love is as integral to Judaism as it is to Christianity.  In Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life (FSG, 2024), Rabbi Held combines intellectual rigor, respect for tradition, and a commitment to equality. He demonstrates that love is foundational to Jewish faith, influencing perspectives on injustice, grace, family life, and responsibilities to others, including neighbors and even enemies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

This is our unabridged interview with Rabbi Shai Held.“I think part of what it means to live in an honest way with a religious tradition is to live with its ragged edges.”It's not unusual to assume that one of religion's prime functions is to give us answers. But what if some of life's hardest questions weren't meant to be answered, but rather perpetually asked?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held, author of the book, "Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life,” exemplifies this possibility, engaging the messiness and joy of life with honest grappling. He argues that some Jews have internalized traditional anti-Jewish bias and he seeks to help recover what has been lost. He shows that love and grace are at the center of a good life.Show NotesResources mentioned this episode:Judaism Is About Love by Shai HeldSimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Amy-Jill Levine: A Jewish Take on JesusJesuitical: How Young Catholics See the WorldMiroslav Volf: A Theology of JoyPete Enns and Jared Byas: The Bible for Normal PeoplePDF of Lee's Interview NotesTranscript for Abridged EpisodeJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

“I think part of what it means to live in an honest way with a religious tradition is to live with its ragged edges.”It's not unusual to assume that one of religion's prime functions is to give us answers. But what if some of life's hardest questions weren't meant to be answered, but rather perpetually asked?In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held, author of the book, "Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life,” exemplifies this possibility, engaging the messiness and joy of life with honest grappling. He argues that some Jews have internalized traditional anti-Jewish bias and he seeks to help recover what has been lost. He shows that love and grace are at the center of a good life.Show NotesResources mentioned this episode:Judaism Is About Love by Shai HeldSimilar No Small Endeavor episodes:Amy-Jill Levine: A Jewish Take on JesusJesuitical: How Young Catholics See the WorldMiroslav Volf: A Theology of JoyPete Enns and Jared Byas: The Bible for Normal PeoplePDF of Lee's Interview NotesEpisode TranscriptJOIN NSE+ Today! Our subscriber only community with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, and discounts on live showsSubscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Google | YouTubeFollow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTubeFollow Lee: Instagram | TwitterJoin our Email List: nosmallendeavor.comSee Privacy Policy: Privacy PolicyAmazon Affiliate Disclosure: Tokens Media, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The sixth discussion in this series centered on Chapters 10, 11 and 12 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the ways loving kindness is a way of connecting with God . It took place via Zoom on July 24, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The fifth discussion in this series centered on Chapters 8 and 9 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the question of whether Jewish law requires Jews (especially victims) to love their enemies. It took place via Zoom on July 17, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

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This morning we discuss the inherent contradiction between the famous words of Bilaam, Mah Tovu... (How goodly are your tents...), and almost the same words (Mah Tov...) used by the prophet Micah. Based on an essay by Bailey Newman, quoting Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Franz Rosenzweig, and Rabbi Shai Held, we understand how we are, at the same time, flawless and imperfect. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman (rabbi@adath.ca) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The fourth discussion in this series took place via Zoom on July 10, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The second discussion in this series took place via Zoom on July 3, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The second discussion in this series took place via Zoom on June 26, 2024 Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book it's author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held's analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah. The first discussion in this series took place via Zoom on June 19, 2024. Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Today's page, , discusses our duty to pay our employees in a timely fashion, but it's really underlines how justice and, yes love, drive the morals behind the commandments. Rabbi Shai Held joins to discuss his new book Judaism is about Love which mirrors the obligation in the page today. What is the Jewish take on justice, love, and grace? Listen and find out.

Given the situation in Gaza, some might interpret a new book entitled Judaism Is About Love to be either satirical or slightly chutzpahdik. But its author, Rabbi Shai Held, President & Dean of New York City's Hadar Institute, is all too serious in his argument that the idea of love lies at the historic heart of traditional Jewish life. It's an intriguing, if idealistic, interpretation. Christianity, he suggests, appropriated this idea, thereby creating what he considers the anti-semitic trope of Judaism being the religion of law rather than love. Rabbi Held describes himself as a religious Jew on the left and his embrace of love might be contrasted today with the violently unloving tribalism of many contemporary right-wing religious Jews.Rabbi Shai Held-- philosopher, theologian, and Bible scholar-- is President and Dean at the Hadar Institute.  He received the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, and has been named multiple times by Newsweek as one of the fifty most influential rabbis in America and by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the fifty most prominent Jews in the world. Rabbi Held is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence (2013), The Heart of Torah (2017), and Judaism is About Love (2024) and he is the host of Hadar's newest podcast, Answers WithHeld.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

One of the misconceptions about Judaism is that the religion is concerned primarily with justice and the law, not love and grace.  That's precisely backward, argues Rabbi Shai Held, president and dean of the Hadar Institute in New York and author of the new book Judaism Is About Love. Jewish theology, spirituality, and ethics emerge as free responses to a generous, loving God. On this episode, Held speaks with associate editor Griffin Oleynick about how recovering this more accurate view of Judaism can help believers and non-believers alike lead richer, fuller, more joyful lives.   For further reading: Why Christians should read Leviticus and Deuteronomy Tzvi Novick on Jewish memory after October 7 An update on Jewish-Christian dialogue

Take on Thursday with Boyd Matheson and get past the day's biggest headlines. Learn the radical importance of Passover from Rabbi Shai Held. Listen in to Derek Browns and Brent Orrin Hatch's Utah based campaigns. Understand taxpayer’s position in clean energy with Devin Hartman and more!

In this episode. Dr. Oord interacts with the new book Judaism is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life written by Jewish Open and Relational author and theologian Rabbi Shai Held.  Rabbi Shai Held is the president, dean, and chair in Jewish thought at the Hadar Institute in New York City.

Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews celebrated author Rabbi Shai Held about his new book "Judaism is About Love" to explore what both Jews and Christians get wrong about Judaism, and how Jews and Christians can learn to disagree better.

What if I don't believe in God? What if I'm not sure? Rabbi Dr. Leon Wiener Dow joins Rabbi Shai Held to reflect on the importance of doubt and continuing to question. They identify some of the straight-jackets that we put on our thinking about God and explore the possibility of being open to a spiritual life with or without a belief in God.

Our guest, Rabbi Shai Held, talks about his recent book: Judaism Is About Love: Recovering the Heart of Jewish Life. Held reminds us that love is foundational and constitutive of Jewish faith, animating the singular Jewish perspective on injustice and protest, grace, family life, responsibilities to our neighbors and even our enemies, and chosenness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the three little words that rabbis almost never, ever, say to their congregations. Hold on, because I am about to say them. God loves you. That is the topic of Rabbi Shai Held's new book, "Judaism Is About Love,"` which is also the topic of today's "Martini Judaism" podcast. Wait a second, you are saying. Isn't this supposed to be Martini Judaism -- not Martini Evangelical Christianity? Am I reading the wrong column, or has Jeff Salkin decided to convert? Neither. Let's face it: “God loves you” is not how the world views Judaism. It's not how Jews view Judaism and God either. We have forgotten and abandoned this sublime and comforting idea, and we are the poorer for that amnesia and abandonment.  A conversation with Shai Held, regarding his new book on the topic... Our liturgy proclaims it very clearly – for starters, in the Shabbat evening liturgy: The ahavat olam prayer: "with eternal love You have loved us" – and the sign of that love? The Torah and its laws. In the Avot prayer, we chant that God will bring us redemption for the sake of our ancestors b'ahavah, in love. In the Kiddush, we chant that God gives us Shabbat b'ahavah, with love…. I like to think of Judaism as the story of a romance. Act One: God meets people. That is the patriarchal period. The Jewish people begins when God, for no apparent reason – this is how the mystics put it – God fell in love with Abraham, and with Isaac, and with Jacob. Act Two: God and people date. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the matriarchs — all have conversations with God. Act Three: During the sojourn in Egypt, God and people are out of touch. Act Four: God hears the cries of the beloved coming from Egypt. Act Five: God remembers that love. Act Six: God and the Jewish people get married at Sinai (which will happen a few weeks from now, on Shavuot). It is why on Shavuot some communities actually write a ketuba between God and the Jewish people. Act Seven: Then comes the business with the Golden Calf. A big disappointment. A bad day in the marriage. Act Eight: We endure God's perhaps petulant or even passive-aggressive silence. For much of the later parts of the Jewish Bible, God says nothing. Act Nine: We and God re-invent our relationship over and over again. The Temple is destroyed; the Jews rebuild it; the Romans destroy it again; the Jews figure out new ways of demonstrating their love for God. When we study Torah, do you really want to know what is happening? It is as if we have entered into that romance with God. We read every word of Torah, listening to its nuances and wondering aloud and in sacred community about its meaning…. If you've ever been in love, you know exactly what I mean. In the Zohar, the cardinal text of Jewish mysticism, the author imagines the Torah Herself (yes, herself – in the Jewish imagination, the Torah is always feminine). The Torah is a kind of Rapunzel, waiting coquettishly in her tower while her lover tries to find her and rescue her and even ravish her. Our love affair with Torah is perhaps the closest way that we can understand our love affair with God. Where did we lose the idea that Judaism is about love? Our history has bruised us and battered us, and it has forced us to be deaf to our own beautiful traditions. To quote the late chief rabbi of Great Britain, Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: “Once upon a time, we saw ourselves as the people that God loves. “Now, all too many of us define ourselves as the people that the world hates.” Yes, I am painfully aware of what is happening in the world right now -- and especially in this country -- with the frightening rise of antisemitism. But, the idea that we are the people whom the world hates is a pathetic distortion of our faith and our fate. Because, do you know why countless generations of Jews were able to stand up to Jew-hatred? Because no matter what befell them, they had faith in God's love. We still do. Thank you, Shai Held, for bringing that idea back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When kids ask big questions, how do you respond? Whether you are parent, educator, or just a curious person, you've probably asked yourself the same questions.This podcast doesn't have all the answers, but it can give you language and frameworks to engage meaningfully with these questions. Every week, Rabbi Shai Held invites an expert guest to explore a big question: Who is God? Why did God create the world? Why do bad things happen? No pressure.  

In this Z3 podcast episode, Rabbi Shai Held meets with our host and the head of Z3 Rabbi Amitai Fraiman to discuss the emotional and spiritual impact of the war in Gaza on the Jewish community. Rabbi Held is a philosopher, theologian, and Bible scholar who has been named multiple times by Newsweek as one of the fifty most influential rabbis in America, and by the Jewish Daily Forward as one of the fifty most prominent Jews in the world. Together, they explore finding hope and inspiration through a religious lens, while also examining the ways that Jewish tradition struggles in navigating the ethics of power and war. Rabbi Held is president and Dean of the Hadar Institute, which he co-founded in 2006, and his contributions to Jewish education were recognized with the prestigious Covenant Award for Excellence. Rabbi Held is the author of Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence (2013) and The Heart of Torah (2017). His next book, Judaism is About Love, will be published by Farrar, Straus, & Giroux in 2024. Follow Z3 here: Instagram - instagram.com/z3project/TikTok - tiktok.com/@z3project LinkedIn- linkedin.com/company/z3-project Facebook - facebook.com/Z3Project Twitter - twitter.com/Z3_ProjectWebsite - z3project.org

In several passages in the book of Jeremiah, the prophet seems to cry over the bitter suffering of his people; accordingly, Jeremiah has sometimes been referred to as "the weeping prophet." But there is another, very different way to read these passages, according to which it is God, and not Jeremiah, who is crying. In this lecture, Rabbi Shai Held explores the arguments for seeing the God of Jeremiah as "the weeping God," probing the theological implications of this startlingly anthropomorphic image. This lecture was originally delivered at Hadar's Summer Learning Retreat in June 2022.

This week we're excited to share a double-interview recorded live at the Ramah Darom Pesach retreat this past spring. Maharat Rori Picker Neiss is the Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis and an inspiring activist and advocate. Rabbi Shai Held is president and dean of the Hadar Institute and a foremost theologian, scholar, and teacher. Neither of thought they had much to say about liturgy or prayer. I would disagree! Our guests explore prayerfulness, history, Jewish parenting, t'fillah education, synagogues, the post/mid-covid world, and more. It's a reminder that not all people feel the most “prayerful” in prayer, and that Jewish life contains multitudes. So take a listen, even if you don't think of yourself as a “t'fillah person” either :) Be sure to check out this week's Transcript And show notes And follow us on facebook and instagram @thelight.lab Support our show! Become a member here or give a tax-deductible donation here, and please rate, subscribe, and share around.

Rabbi Shai Held conducts a close reading of Psalm 139. He looks at the original Hebrew and multiple translations, arguing that the literary ambiguity showcases the psalmist's relationship with God. This lecture was originally recorded in Summer 2020.

Rabbi Shai Held and Shira Hecht-Koller take a deep dive into Psalm 104. Rabbi Shai Held explores the psalm line by line while Shira Hecht-Koller considers the perspective of a psalmist and what would inspire them to compose this type of poem.

Rabbi Shai Held and Shira Hecht-Koller take a deep dive into Psalm 104. Rabbi Shai Held explores the psalm line by line while Shira Hecht-Koller considers the perspective of a psalmist and what would inspire them to compose this type of poem.

We live in a time of unprecedented climate emergency: greenhouse gas emissions are causing vast and irreversible changes to the the Earth's climate. How should religious people respond to the crisis? Rabbi Shai Held takes a theological approach and response to the climate crisis, considering how the Bible describes God's relationship with the Earth and the challenges humans face when they forget the divine role in creation. This lecture was originally delivered as a part of the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest in January 2021.

We live in a time of unprecedented climate emergency: greenhouse gas emissions are causing vast and irreversible changes to the the Earth's climate. How should religious people respond to the crisis? Rabbi Shai Held takes a theological approach and response to the climate crisis, considering how the Bible describes God's relationship with the Earth and the challenges humans face when they forget the divine role in creation. This lecture was originally delivered as a part of the Big Bold Jewish Climate Fest in January 2021.

Rabbi Shai Held discusses the the death of Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu, who brought “strange fire” to the Lord and died for their pains. In discussion with Simon Eder, they chart possible parallels with this tragic and enigmatic episode. Rabbi Shai Held–theologian, scholar, and educator–is President and Dean at Hadar. He has taught both theology and Halakhah at the Jewish Theological Seminary and also served as Director of Education at Harvard Hillel. A 2011 recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award for excellence in Jewish education, Rabbi Held has been named multiple times to Newsweek's list of the 50 most influential rabbis in America. He holds a doctorate in religion from Harvard; his main academic interests are in modern Jewish and Christian thought, in biblical theology, and in the history of Zionism. Rabbi Held's first book, Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence, was published by Indiana University Press in 2013; The Heart of Torah, a collection of essays on the Torah in two volumes, was published by JPS in 2017.

“God said, 'let us make human beings in our image'” (Genesis 1:26). Who is God speaking to and what does it mean to be made in God's image? Rabbi Shai Held dives into the midrash on this text, offering rabbinic explanations to these questions and unearthing the theological and ethical questions that come up along the way. This lecture was originally delivered as part of Hadar's Summer Learning Retreat in June 2021.

“God said, 'let us make human beings in our image'” (Genesis 1:26). Who is God speaking to and what does it mean to be made in God's image? Rabbi Shai Held dives into the midrash on this text, offering rabbinic explanations to these questions and unearthing the theological and ethical questions that come up along the way. This lecture was originally delivered as part of Hadar's Summer Learning Retreat in June 2021.

Welcome to More Christ, where we seek to bring some of the world's most interesting and insightful guests to discuss life's central and abiding questions. In this sixty fourth episode in a series of discussions, I'm joined by Rabbi Shai Held. In 2013, Indiana University Press published Held's first book, Abraham Joshua Heschel: The Call of Transcendence, a study of the major themes of the theologian's thought, particularly the movement from reflexive concern, where man thinks of his own needs and those of his family and community, to transitive concern, where he rises above the self to view the needs of the world from the broader perspective of God rather than his from his own ego.

Episode 16 of "What Gives?" the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network.Guest: Rabbi Shai Held, President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at Hadar

Does the commandment ‘Love Your Neighbor’ ask that we show the same level of kindness and consideration to a stranger ... as we do to a friend? Does it implore action … or intention? … does that matter? We ask philosopher and theologian Rabbi Shai Held his thoughts about the weighty mandate … Then, we ask some of our Baltimore neighbors what they think it means to love your neighbor.

I interviewed Rabbi Shai Held, author of the two-volume The Heart of Torah: Essays on the Weekly Torah Portion. We discuss the character of love in the Torah, the importance of human responsibility, finding theological gems in unexpected places, reading characters as archetypes, particularism and universalism in a pluralistic age, and Judaism’s greatest gamble… also, why we need an Isaac movie.Rabbi Shai Held is theologian, scholar, and educator. President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at Hadar, where he also directs the Center for Jewish Leadership and Ideas.This is a special episode of Love Rinse Repeat, co-presented with Insights, the magazine of the Uniting Church in Australia’s Synod of New South Wales and the ACT.Buy the Book.Visit Insights

This edition of the biweekly AJC Live radio show featured an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Rabbi Dr. Shai Held, the President, Dean, and Chair in Jewish Thought at Mechon Hadar. AJC Westchester/Fairfield Director Scott Richman interviewed him about Black-Jewish relations, social justice, millennials, his background, his books, and how to heal our fractured society. This show aired live on WVOX 1460 AM from New Rochelle, New York on Monday, November 20, 2017 and was streamed live at www.wvox.com. All AJC Live radio shows are podcasted and can be found in the AJC Live archive at www.ajc.org/westfair/ajclive.

This week on Unorthodox, we're all about 5778. Our guest this week is Rabbi Shai Held, president and dean of the continuing education institute Mechon Hadar, and the author of The Heart of Torah, a new two-volume book of essays about each weekly Torah portion. He tells us why he dreaded tackling Leviticus but learned the most from it, explains why he's optimistic about the future of Judaism, and gives us some useful advice for the new year. Come see us live on October 25 at the Manhattan JCC! Get your tickets here. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get new episodes, behind-the-scenes photos, and more! And email us at unorthodox@tabletmag.com—we’ll share our favorite notes on-air. Follow us on Twitter: @tabletmag, @markopp1, @liel, and @stuffism. This episode is brought to you by Harry’s! Get a free trial shave set (including razor handle, blades, and gel) valued at $13 when you sign up at Harrys.com/Unorthodox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Hannah Kapnik Ashar and Alyssa Kapnik discuss the beautiful thoughts and words of Rabbi Shai Held, and some thoughts on love. Inaugural episode with Seth Samuel as engineer and sound director.

Israeli voters go to the polls today to elect the next Knesset. Regardless of the outcome, undoubtedly the biggest story of the campaign season has been the rise of Naftali Bennett, a rookie politician who, against the odds, helped religious Zionism grow from a strong but discombobulated movement into an electoral powerhouse. This ideology, increasingly embraced by mainstream, secular Israelis, has its roots in the thinking of two influential rabbis: Abraham Isaac Kook and his son, Zvi Yehuda. Tablet Magazine’s Liel Leibovitz speaks to Rabbi Shai Held, co-founder and dean of Mechon Hadar, an egalitarian yeshiva in New York, about the Kooks, the history of the religious Zionist movement, and why it is such a force in Israeli politics and culture today. [Running time:39:20.] See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.