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PODCAST

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions

Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

A look at events, trends and people important to Anglo-Charedim, through the eyes of two rabbis with moxie. One is a newbie to Israel - Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein - the other a veteran - Rabbi Simi Lerner. And if that"s not enough for them to disagree, they"ll interview interesting folks, who may or may not be rabbis or rebbetzins.

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

39:59

The Story We Choose: Narratives, Identity, and the...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/03/30

As Pesach approaches, we prepare to retell the story of the Exodus. But what if the Seder is about far more than simply recalling the past? In this episode, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner explore the idea that we do not encounter facts in a vacuum. We see the world through a framework, through a narrative that gives shape and meaning to everything we experience. In a time when competing narratives about war, politics, and society are so stark, the Torah's mandate to relive the Exodus

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35:16

Tucker Carlson Accidentally Started a Good Conversation

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/03/17

A surprising claim by Tucker Carlson becomes the unlikely starting point for a serious discussion about messianism. After Carlson suggested that the war in the Middle East is being driven by Jewish dreams of rebuilding the Temple—and even blamed Chabad for pushing the United States toward war—Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner step back to examine the deeper question: what role does messianic belief actually play in Judaism? The conversation explores the difference between destructive and

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38:00

Conspiracy, Responsibility, and the Draft: A Hard...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/03/09

When difficult questions arise inside a religious community, loyalty can sometimes replace honest inquiry. In this thoughtful discussion, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner analyze remarks from a recent public forum about the Israeli draft crisis. Claims of secret Zionist plots, hidden agendas, and century-long conspiracies are put under scrutiny. The rabbis argue that Torah itself demands intellectual integrity: if accusations are made, they must be supported with evidence. If challenges

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35:30

How Do I Love Thee? The Purpose of Learning Torah

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/02/17

In this continuation of their discussion on Judaism's "mission statement," Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner turn to the question that lies at the heart of Jewish life: what exactly are we doing when we learn Torah? Is Torah primarily preparation for mitzvah observance, a path to personal growth, an intellectual pursuit, or something far more fundamental? Why has the Torah world sometimes been suspicious of searching for meaning in learning, insisting instead on Torah lishmah? And how can

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39:31

Why Are We Doing This? Mission, Meaning, and the...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/01/28

In a world overflowing with mitzvos but often short on meaning, what does it mean to have a Jewish mission? Rabbis Adlerstein and Lerner explore whether modern religious life has lost the language of purpose, and why clarity about why we serve Hashem may be just as important as knowing what to do. A thoughtful conversation about meaning, agency, and responsibility in contemporary Jewish life. Make sure to check out Rabbi Simi Lerner's podcast Judaism From Within.

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36:25

In Praise of the Naive Anglo: Why Anglo sensibilities...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2026/01/13

For decades, we've been told that we just don't get how Israeli realities dictate how Torah politics need to be conducted. What happens, however, when those sensibilities are part of the Torah mission statement, as you've been taught it? Are such mission statements quintessentially valuable, or useless baggage in Avodas Hashem? Make sure to check out Rabbi Simi Lerner's podcast Judaism From Within.

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36:25

The Appeal for Anglo-Charedi Loyalty: The Ramat Beit...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/12/29

"Theirs not to reason why/ Theirs but to do and die" worked for the Light Brigade, but can it work for all of us? Can Anglos who were taught to value critical thought, and to think for themselves, leave their questions at the entrance door to charedi participation? If not, what do they do?

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36:56

FRUM CULTURE: The advantages and pitfalls of having...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/12/08

Cultural independence can be a good thing, except when the topic gets dicey. Exploring what was dead wrong about Satmar's explanation of why they endorsed Mamdani - and why Mishpacha giving them cover is completely incomprehensible.

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14:48

Rabbi Aubrey Hersh Responds (BONUS EPISODE)

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/12/03

Having been critiqued by us as a milquetoast, Rabbi Hersh responds, and dishes it out to us. Genteely, of course. Like a Brit. Also - an intro to our next series, on the place and impact of home-grown frum culture.

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35:29

Stop Kvetching!: Do Jews yell "fire" too often, when...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/11/18

Perhaps Jews just ought to let go of the irritations of slurs, graffiti, etc. That's just part of living in galus. Or maybe mah yafis will just make things worse? Listen as the distance between proper English gentlemen and brash Americans opens wider than ever.

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37:44

The Rally and the Rift: Wrestling with the Million...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/11/05

Many found the huge gathering inspiring. Others were less than enthusiastic about the political messages. What options do we have in reacting? More importantly - the answers are not simply theoretical.

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34:28

Silver Linings?: Time to start taking inventory of...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/10/21

Is it permissible - and in good taste - to reflect upon positive consequences of a pogrom that took 1500 lives, and a war that took another 916? Can we point to gains that were made - military, politically, socially and spiritually? Is there some kind of a pairing of Midas HaDin and Midas HaRachamim? Your two rabbis duke it out. To read Rabbi Adlerstein's moving tribute to Rabbi Moshe Hauer z"l, click here.

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31:18

Are We Literally Judged? Fear and trembling over...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/09/21

The rabbis go at each other on whether the old-time image of a predetermination of the coming year is accuate, and useful. As well as some thoughts about Charlie Kirk's assassination as the Oct. 7th of serious Christians.

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32:58

Conscience at War: Moral Relativism, Jewish Law, and...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/09/03

Does one's inner moral voice count, or are all moral questions adequately addressed in halachic sources? Especially since those sources already have plenty to say about going beyond the letter of the law? Does a Torah-honed conscience add to - or interfere with - Hashem's expectations of us?

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47:49

The Pitfalls of Believing Your Own Rhetoric

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/08/14

So many groups couch their arguments in overheated exaggeration. It works wonders for the adoring base. When people begin believing their own rhetoric, they cease to become people who can win the sympathies of others... as in the recent meeting between two gedolei Yisrael and Mike Huckabee.

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31:23

Dial-a-Kabbalist

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/07/29

Even if you are not usually into the world of segulot, berachot from holy men et al, there's no harm in trying it occasionaly, right? Or is there? Are we becoming more preoccupied with the metarational, and does it matter? Listen as the two rabbis go at each other.

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37:23

Missing the Point? Jews, Mamdani, and the...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/07/17

When a politician like Zohran Mamdani speaks out against Israel, should the Jewish community sound the alarm—or take a step back? Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Adlerstein debate whether Mamdani’s ideology is utterly without merit. In a perfect world, how would the Torah want us to deal with the concerns he raises? Does any of that carry over to our imperfect world? The two rabbis go at each other, and ultimately find some things to agree upon.

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31:42

It's A Miracle!

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/07/01

There are dangers and pitfalls in seeing too many things as miraculous - and in seeing too few. Your hosts get into the weeds about this, including of course an examination of what our mesorah says. By the end, they are not disagreeing. Too much. Miraculously.

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43:32

Who Is Leaving Yiddishkeit: A Conversation with Dr....

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/06/10

Dr. Moshe Krakowski reports on the findings of the first part of a research project commissioned by the OU to study attrition from Orthodoxy. A professor at the Azrieli graduate school at YU, Dr. Krakowski also studies charedi education, consistent with his own roots. We speak about his own journey, the reasons why the community needs to invest in empirical reseach about the issues that concern us, and the seperate lessons gleaned from the study for Modern Orthodox and charedi parents. How do we

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36:46

Living In The Bubble: The Pros and Cons of Insularity...

Two Rabbis, Three Opinions ·

2025/05/29

Does living a truly engaged Torah life require shielding ourselves from all foreign influences? Are there greater - or fewer - reasons for advocating insularity at the moment? Are there different answers for different communities - and individuals? Can you filter out the undesirable without blocking out the good as well?

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41 results

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