Orthodox Conundrum Podcast

20/11/2024

Mark Twain needs a 2024 update. Just read The Washington Post and you'll know what I mean.

Mark Twain needs a 2024 update

19/11/2024

Explore the intricate nature of truth and morality through the lens of Talmudic tales. We delve into the beauty of holding opposing viewpoints and how the wisdom of the rabbis teaches us to embrace complexity in our own lives.

18/11/2024

There was a time not long ago when aggadah – which, broadly speaking, refers to the non-legal passages in the Talmud – was largely ignored; students studying in yeshiva would run through these texts quickly, if at all, using almost all of their mental energy and time thinking through the halachic, or legal passages of the Gemara.

While that was likely a successful methodology for most Talmud students in the past, we have witnessed in the 20th and 21st centuries a renewed emphasis on aggadah; and given the fact that Talmud study is far more widespread today than it was in the past, along with an obvious thirst for greater spirituality and a deeper connection with God, this can only be considered a very positive development.

At the forefront of the study of aggadah today is my guest, Gila Fine; and she offers a fascinating, compelling, and perhaps controversial view of how we should look at aggadah. Gila said that we may be the first Jews since the days of Chazal who can truly relate to the radical spirit in the aggadah. In her words, “The rabbis were extremely radical… and then, as generally happens, they lose that radical edge; those subversive elements disappear. [Postmodernism] has allowed us to reconnect to a certain radical property of rabbinic storytelling that has gone underappreciated for most of Jewish history.”

We discussed how aggadah is a path to knowledge of God; the way that it gives space for outsiders and people who feel burned by Jewish law; the manner in which it is radical and subversive, and offers a chance for rabbinic self-critique; how aggadah is multivocal, allowing in different ideas and positions rather than one consistent voice, and not necessarily trying to resolve that inherent tension; the way that someone learning Talmud should develop an honest relationship with the text; the difference between the way that God is presented in the Bible versus a much lonelier portrayal in the aggadah; whether aggadah should be regarded as fiction and, if so, whether that undermines its authority; and much more.

There was a time not long ago when aggadah - which, broadly speaking, refers to the non-legal passages in the Talmud - was largely ignored; students studying in yeshiva would run through these texts quickly, if at all, using almost all of their mental energy and time thinking through the halachic, o

17/11/2024

"Just Because It Didn't Happen, Doesn't Mean It Isn't True": Analyzing and Appreciating Aggadah with Gila Fine - dropping tonight on the Orthodox Conundrum Podcast!

13/11/2024

Are there schemes and hostilities directed against Torah learners? Absolutely not - and those who say otherwise are not telling the truth.

11/11/2024

Over the past two weeks, there has been increasing conversation in Israel among the Religious Zionist community about the continued refusal of many ultra-Orthodox Jews to consider enlisting in the Israeli army. Many of us have been discussing this issue for months or years; but it came to a head in the past couple of weeks largely because of the attempt by the Chareidi political parties in the Knesset to enshrine this exemption through legislation. The most recent attempt was the so-called Daycare Bill, which, if passed, would mean that the status of the father would not be taken into account when determining if a couple is eligible for state subsidies for daycare. This might seem like an obscure bill, but it is understood by almost everyone as a backdoor attempt to effectively legalize draft dodging by the Chareidi population by removing one of the financial disincentives to ignoring a draft notice.

The question of Chareidi avoidance of the draft opens up a number of questions about Chareidi political influence on the wider Israeli public. This is obvious in numerous areas, including, most recently, the election of new chief rabbis of the State of Israel. Because the vote for the two chief rabbis is heavily influenced by political factors and by politicians, the Chareidi political parties have a huge influence on who is chief rabbi – more than any other sector – even though, ironically, their communities are largely unaffected by the rabbinate’s authority.

There are many other areas where Chareidi political influence is affecting the rest of Israeli society, including kashrut, personal status, marriage and divorce, and conversion. As Rabbi David Stav, the founder of Tzohar, says, the problem is not Chareidi influence; the problem is Chareidim determining the law of the land, while not being bound or affected by the consequences of those laws. This is a serious issue for Jews no matter where they reside – and I was honored to speak to Rabbi Stav about the current situation, and what needs to change.

PLUS: A personal editorial comment about the recent election of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States.

Over the past two weeks, there has been increasing conversation in Israel among the Religious Zionist community about the continued refusal of many ultra-Orthodox Jews to consider enlisting in the Israeli army. Many of us have been discussing this issue for months or years; but it came to a head in

04/11/2024

With the United States presidential election only hours away, I wanted to offer a supporter of each major presidential candidate the opportunity to explain why Jews in general, and Orthodox Jews in particular, would be better off supporting either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for president. To that end, I invited two politically involved Orthodox rabbis, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Rabbi Benjamin Kelsen, to explain why you should give your vote to their candidate.

This is not a debate; I spoke to both of my guests separately, and tried to give each of them a fair chance to make the best case that they could. This resulted in two informative and entertaining conversations. Whether you already have a preferred candidate or not, I think that these interviews will help you better understand what voters on both sides are thinking.

With the United States presidential election only hours away, I wanted to offer a supporter of each major presidential candidate the opportunity to explain why Jews in general, and Orthodox Jews in particular, would be better off supporting either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for president. To that

28/10/2024

Today Rabbi Yitzchak Blau and I talk about something that I’ve spoken about before, repeatedly, both on this podcast and on my Substack, Orthodox Conundrum Commentary: the problem of a large number of Chareidi, or ultra-Orthodox Jews, who receive army exemptions, usually (though not always) because they’re learning in yeshivot.

Why am I talking about this again? Haven't we dealt with this issue too many times already?

No. There's more to say, and there's good reason to say it.

I think that this issue represents, in a real way, the test - the Akeidat Yitzchak - of our time... and some people are simply failing this test. This is the most important issue in Orthodoxy today; so we need to talk about it extensively, and establish clear and irrefutable arguments. I hope that this podcast will contribute to that ongoing need, and that you will share it widely so that this message will be heard by those who need to hear it.

Today I’m talking about something that I’ve spoken about before, repeatedly, both on this podcast and on my Substack, Orthodox Conundrum Commentary: the problem of a large number of Chareidi, or ultra-Orthodox Jews, who receive army exemptions, usually (though not always) because they’re learn...

27/10/2024

Yes, we've talked about it before.

But this is, I believe, the singular issue facing Orthodoxy today - and we need to face it squarely and explain what has to happen.

Join me and Rabbi Yitzchak Blau on the newest Orthodox Conundrum Podcast as we discuss the problem of a large number of Chareidi Jews who receive army exemptions, usually (though not always) because they’re learning in yeshivot... even if they have no business being in yeshiva at all.

Dropping this evening!

20/10/2024

Two statements, six years apart, both representing the same foolish (and sometimes antisemitic) mindset

14/10/2024

As we complete our seventh season of the Orthodox Conundrum, we’re pleased to present a classic episode from three years ago, in which Professor Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University discusses academic Bible study, Biblical criticism, and Orthodox Judaism. It was a very interesting episode, which raised crucial questions that Orthodox Jews need to confront, as well as suggestions of how we should do so effectively. Because we soon complete the annual cycle of Torah readings and begin again in less than two weeks with parashat Beresh*t, this is an excellent opportunity to revisit this crucial issue.

As we complete our seventh season of the Orthodox Conundrum, we're pleased to present a classic episode from three years ago, in which Professor Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University discusses academic Bible study, Biblical criticism, and Orthodox Judaism. It was a very interesting episode, which rai

10/10/2024

In order to better facilitate our understanding of what each of the 13 Attributes are, and how we can internalize them into our own lives, I composed a PDF that summarizes them according to the Ramak’s commentary in his book, Tomer Devorah. The relevant words in Shemot are followed by the parallel phrases in Micha in parentheses; this is then followed by an explanation of what each particular Attribute means, and the Ramak’s suggestion of ways that we can internalize each Attribute in our own lives.

I hope that this will help make our tefilot on Yom Kippur more meaningful, and will enhance our relationship with both God and humanity. I pray that the knowledge of God’s infinite love, expressed in part through His constant willingness to forgive, will inspire all of us to become the best people we can be, and to give everyone who needs it a second, third, and fourth chance to do better.

Gmar chatima tova!

(Click on the link in this post, and download the PDF directly from there.)

A printable PDF to put in your machzor

09/10/2024

During the Ten Days of Repentance, we ask for "good life and peace." What are we actually trying to say... and does it make sense when Israel is at war?

07/10/2024

Listen to the Orthodox Conundrum Podcast - which just dropped NOW:

“Today marks one year since one of the worst days of all of our lives, October 7th. I actually was unsure of how to record an appropriate episode; what, exactly, could I add to the conversation? What is there to say that hasn’t yet been said? And how can I relate it to the season in which we find ourselves, right in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?”

Fortunately, Scott was joined by the outstanding rav of his shul in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Chayim Soloveichik, who provided insights and guidance as to how to think about this first anniversary of October 7th – even though, he acknowledges, October 7th never really ended. Rav Chayim discussed what he has learned from the events of the past year, the ways in which our liturgy during the Ten Days of Repentance is more relatable than ever before, approaches to divine providence and miracles (as well as their apparent absence), how to foster unity in the Jewish people, why the obvious importance of Torah study does not exempt the Chareidi world from serving in the Israeli army, whether there is hope for peace in the future, and more.

"Today marks one year since one of the worst days of all of our lives, October 7th. I actually was unsure of how to record an appropriate episode; what, exactly, could I add to the conversation? What is there to say that hasn’t yet been said? And how can I relate it to the season in which we find ...

01/10/2024

Sometimes we need to consider the consequences of our actions... and sometimes doing so leads to disaster.

30/09/2024

Later this week we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Day of Remembrance, Yom HaZikaron. According to Chazal, Hashem (so to speak) remembers us on this day for the good… and we, too, should look at those people who set sterling examples for us over the past year, and try to learn from their deeply meaningful lives. One of those people whose life was exemplary was Gavriel Bloom, zichrono livracha.

Gavriel was killed on January 8th during a mission in central Gaza. He was the second of David and Jennifer Bloom’s six children.

David wrote up a series of remembrances and lessons that we all can learn from Gavriel’s life. This episode begins with David’s reading the words that he composed. After that, David and Scott have a conversation about Gavriel. They also delve into some serious and painful social topics, such as the general ultra-Orthodox refusal to serve in the IDF, as well as other very troubling trends involving common Chareidi attitudes towards the people of Israel as a whole.

Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the past year – which has unquestionably been one of the most fraught and difficult years that many of us have ever experienced. We are honored that David was generous enough to share his thoughts and memories of Gavriel with us. There could not be a more meaningful way to go into this coming Rosh Hashanah.

(Additional links in the comments)

Later this week we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Day of Remembrance, Yom HaZikaron. According to Chazal, Hashem (so to speak) remembers us on this day for the good… and we, too, should look at those people who set sterling examples for us over the past year, and try to learn from...

29/09/2024

Gavriel Bloom z"l: A Hero in a Land of Heroes

A special pre-Rosh Hashanah episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, dropping tonight.

28/09/2024

A thought on Selichot and defrauding the government.

A thought on Selichot and defrauding the government