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PODCAST

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition

Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today

Hosted by lifelong friends Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni, Judaism Demystified was founded to explore topics often overlooked in conventional Jewish education. Through long-form conversations with leading religious thinkers, scientists, and historians, the podcast draws from the Geonic-Maimonidean tradition while embracing the intellectual legacy of Rabbi Sacks. Our goal is to reignite a passion for classical Jewish wisdom, returning to foundational ideas and fostering meaningful engagement with Jewish

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

01:26:49

Episode 114: Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet "From Creation to...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2025/02/03

How does Genesis lay the foundation for humanity’s covenantal relationship with God? Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet joins us to share insights from his groundbreaking book Genesis: From Creation to Covenant. Together, we explore how the Torah portrays the patriarchs—Avraham, Yitzhak, Yaakov, and Yosef—as central figures in this process, with the recurring use of the word 'toldot' weaving a cohesive narrative of covenantal development. Rabbi Dr. Grumet outlines his unique threefold understanding of history in

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00:50:53

Episode 113: Joshua Skarf "Torah Through the Lens of...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2025/01/26

In this episode, we sit down with architect and author Joshua Skarf to discuss his fascinating book, ArchitecTorah: Architectural Ideas in Judaism and the Weekly Torah Portion. Skarf offers a unique perspective on how the principles of architecture and engineering can deepen our understanding of Torah, shedding new light on iconic narratives and themes. We explore the inspiration behind his work and the four categories into which the book is organized, each demonstrating the profound connections

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00:42:05

Episode 112: Rabbi David Aaron "Off the Derekh"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2025/01/17

What drives individuals to leave the Orthodox path, and how have modern influences like digital culture shaped this phenomenon? Rabbi David Aaron addresses these pressing questions and more, offering profound insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Orthodox Judaism today. This episode delves into the emotional and relational struggles families experience when a loved one chooses a different path, providing practical guidance for navigating these complex dynamics. Rabbi Aaron also

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01:41:58

Episode 111: Reb Zvi Goldstein "The End of Days"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2025/01/10

We’re thrilled to welcome Reb Zvi Goldstein to the podcast for an in-depth exploration of three monumental topics in Jewish thought: Mashiach, Olam Haba, and Techiyat HaMetim. These concepts are often conflated, particularly in discussions about reuniting with loved ones who’ve passed away. The Rambam delves deep into each category, and we’re here to untangle these ideas and gain a clearer understanding of his views. We start with the Rambam’s take on Mashiach, delving into what it means for

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00:47:49

Episode 110: Channah Cohen "Guardians of the Flame"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/12/24

In this episode, we sit down with Channah Cohen, author of Guardians of the Flame: A Historical Fiction About the Wars of the Maccabim, to explore the inspiration behind her novel set during the time of the Maccabees. Channah shares how her work connects to the idea of reviving "heroes" in Jewish culture and discusses her take on the "shiddukh crisis," addressing the absence of compelling male figures in Jewish literature. We dive into the creation of her protagonist, Gilad, and the impact she hopes

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01:02:23

Episode 109: Rabbi Simi Lerner "Rediscovering Rav...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/12/15

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Simi Lerner to explore the enduring relevance of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a thinker whose insights into faith, identity, and modernity deserve far more attention. Rav Hirsch’s teachings, though often overlooked, offer a powerful framework for modern Jews striving to live with purpose and clarity in a complex world. Rabbi Lerner reflects on his personal connection to Rav Hirsch’s revolutionary ideas and explains why he is passionate about bringing them to a

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01:21:54

Episode 108: Rabbi Gil Student "Articles of Faith"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/12/01

Join us as we sit down with Rabbi Gil Student to explore his groundbreaking work in Jewish thought and scholarship. We begin with his journey as the founder of the influential Hirhurim/Torah Musings blog, delving into the motivations behind creating this pioneering platform and its lasting impact on the Jewish intellectual landscape in the internet era. Rabbi Student shares insights from his latest book, Articles of Faith, where he examines Judaism's nuanced stance on other religions, drawing on

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01:17:59

Episode 107: Rabbi Abe H. Faur "Alphabetic Judaism"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/11/24

In his third appearance on the show, Rabbi Abe H. Faur joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about the evolving dynamics of leadership and tradition within the Jewish community. We begin by examining the concepts of "Gedolim" and "Daas Torah," cornerstones of Haredi influence. Rabbi Faur shares his perspective on whether these ideas align with Torah values and how they shape the Haredi community's approach to authority and decision-making. Next, we turn to the groundbreaking work of his

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00:55:54

Episode 106: Rabbi Moshe Taragin "Reclaiming Redemption"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/11/14

In this episode, we are honored to welcome back Rabbi Moshe Taragin to discuss his latest book, Reclaiming Redemption: Deciphering the Maze of Jewish History. This profound work examines the progression of Jewish history toward its ultimate goal—redemption—exploring how prophecies, the teachings of Chazal, and historical events shape our understanding of geulah as both a process and a principle of Jewish belief. Our conversation delves into the role of collective identity in sustaining the Jewish

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01:02:55

Episode 105: David Curwin "Neighbors Behind Fences"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/10/31

In this episode, we welcome back David Curwin to discuss his recent essay, "Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Neighbors Behind Fences," published in Hakirah: The Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought. Curwin’s essay explores the lives and legacies of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits, two of the 20th century’s most influential Orthodox Jewish thinkers. While their biographies are strikingly similar, their legacies have taken dramatically different

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01:26:27

Episode 104: Dr. Paul Copan "Is God a Moral Monster?"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/10/13

Renowned Christian philosopher and theologian Dr. Paul Copan joins us to explore our shared values and address the ethical questions people are faced with when reading the Bible. He discusses how modern readers often overlook the Torah’s revolutionary impact by viewing it solely through a contemporary lens, which strips it of historical context. Together, we examine the Mosaic laws in contrast to other ancient laws, like the Code of Hammurabi, revealing just how transformative the Torah was within

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01:19:41

Episode 103: Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum "Questioning...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/10/06

Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum offers a refreshingly different approach to the deep questions of faith, one that immediately stands out from the typical answers often heard in outreach settings. For those who think critically and seek more than surface-level responses, his intellectual honesty and respect for scientific thought set him apart. In our conversation, we explore how Rabbi Zarum confronts issues like the compatibility of creation and evolution, the historicity of the flood story, and grappling

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01:06:49

Episode 102: Rabbi Steven Pruzansky "Repentance for...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/09/25

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Rabbi Steven Pruzansky to explore the rich themes of his latest book, "Repentance for Life" (Kodesh Press). Rabbi Pruzansky begins by sharing the inspiration behind the book, including the significant impact of his teacher, Rabbi Yisroel Chait. We then delve into the chapter "Repentance and the Land of Israel," where Rabbi Pruzansky sheds light on the deep connection between teshuva and the Land of Israel. Our

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02:12:04

Episode 101: Rabbi Yaakov Beasley "Facing the Storm"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/09/19

In this insightful episode, we welcome Rabbi Yaakov Beasley to discuss his book "Joel, Obadiah, and Micah: Facing the Storm," part of the acclaimed Maggid Studies in Tanakh series. Rabbi Beasley begins by sharing his background and what inspired him to write this work. He also introduces the Gush Tanakh Method for listeners unfamiliar with it, before directly addressing JJ Kimche’s criticisms from our previous interview. We then dive into the etymology and role of a נביא (prophet) and

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01:21:47

Episode 100: Rabbi Abe H. Faur "The Jewish People at...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/09/11

Prepare for a timely, sensitive, and important conversation as Rav Abe Faur makes his much-anticipated return to the podcast. In the wake of the traumatic and transformative attacks on October 7th, Hakham Faur has become increasingly vocal on social media, especially regarding issues within the Haredi community. He shares why these events compelled him to speak out more openly and discusses how this moment has shifted his approach to leadership and advocacy. We dive into the contentious issue of

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01:10:20

Episode 99: Rabbi Avi Grossman "Halakha Demystified"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/09/05

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Avi Grossman to explore the complexities of Halakha and its relevance to contemporary Jewish life. Rabbi Grossman begins by discussing why "Demystifying Halakha" is crucial for understanding and practicing Judaism today. We dive into the idea that the entire Torah was always meant to be practiced, a concept that significantly shapes our understanding of Halakha. Rabbi Grossman explains how Maimonides' Mishneh Torah stands out from other halakhic

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01:25:26

Episode 98: Rabbi Chaim Eisen & Rabbi Yitzchok...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/09/01

In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Rabbi Chaim Eisen and Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein to explore some of the most critical theological questions in Jewish thought. The conversation begins with an in-depth discussion on God's Oneness and Uniqueness, particularly through the lens of the phrase "Ein Od Milvado" ("There is nothing other than Him"), which is often misrepresented nowadays to suggest that all is God and God is all. We then address a recent viral

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00:37:56

Episode 97: Rabbi Moshe Taragin "Dark Clouds Above,...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/08/15

Join us as we sit down with Rabbi Moshe Taragin to explore his deeply thought-provoking book, "Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below." We begin by delving into the motivations behind his writing and how recent tragedies have influenced his approach to discussing faith and doubt in the modern world. Rabbi Taragin opens up about the importance of validating feelings of doubt and anger during times of crisis, stressing how crucial it is for religious leaders to acknowledge these emotions within

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00:58:33

Episode 96: Ami Kozak, Comedian "Jewish Humor in...

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/08/04

In this episode, we sit down with comedian and musician Ami Kozak, host of the Ami's House podcast and member of the band Distant Cousins, to delve into the nuances of his career and unique perspective as an orthodox Jew in the comedy world. We explore what initially drew him to comedy and the pivotal moments that solidified his path in the industry. Ami shares his thoughts on why there's a disproportionate number of Jewish comedians and how his Jewish identity shapes his material. We also

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01:23:40

Episode 95: Rabbi Shmuel Phillips "Talmud Reclaimed"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today"s Perplexed:... ·

2024/07/21

Rabbi Shmuel Phillips joins the podcast again to take us on a journey through his thought-provoking book, "Talmud Reclaimed." Join us as we explore the current state of Halakha and the subconscious reverence for the Halakhic status quo. Rabbi Phillips discusses the pivotal role of the Sanhedrin in the Halakhic system, explaining why without it, we find ourselves in a "Halakhic Exile." We examine the binding nature and legislative scope of the Talmud, and the nuanced two-tiered

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