Death Cults vs. Israel: Why Judaism Chooses Life
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Death rituals reveal a civilization's deepest beliefs. But what if a religion rejects the cult of death entirely? In this episode we explore Judaism's unique perspective on death and mortality. It is almost a cliché that Judaism is all about “Choosing Life”, but in our conversation we rely heavily of the academic research of Biblical scholar Baruch Levine who uncovers how the Torah's approach to death rituals stands in stark contrast to ancient Near Eastern practices. This normally under spoken scholar exclaims: “death rids the community of death!” Key Takeaways In this episode we...
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Pluralism in Judaism
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
How a failed biblical uprising reveals the power of productive disagreement. Mark Friedman, author of "Come Now, Let Us Reason Together," joins Madlik to explore Judaism's embrace of disagreement. We dive into the Korach story, contrasting it with the debates of Hillel and Shammai to illustrate how Judaism values constructive conflict. Friedman connects ancient Jewish wisdom to modern philosophical concepts, drawing parallels between Talmudic discourse and Karl Popper's theories on truth-seeking. The episode challenges the notion of absolute truth in religious interpretation, advocating for...
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A Different Spirit
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The Surprising Link Between Biblical Spies and Modern Warfare The Torah doesn't celebrate team players. It celebrates disruptors. This week on Madlik, we explore the story of Caleb, a biblical figure who defied groupthink with fierce truth. In our latest episode, we dive into the fascinating tale of the biblical scouts and focus on Caleb Ben Yefuneh, who possessed a "ruach acheret" - a different spirit. We unpack what this spirit means and why being a holy troublemaker might be exactly what God wants. In light of Israel's recent surprise attack on Iran, we explore what it means to not just...
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Embracing the ambiguity of transition
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The magic of twilight isn't just for vampires—it's a cornerstone of Jewish ritual and philosophy. Twilight in Judaism is more than just a daily transition—it's a liminal space rich with spiritual significance and halachic implications. We explore the concept of "bein hashmashot" (between the suns) in Jewish law and philosophy, examining its role in Shabbat observance, Passover rituals, and prayer timing. The episode delves into rabbinic debates on defining twilight and its duration, revealing how this ambiguous period embodies uncertainty and celebrates mystery in Jewish thought. Key...
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Haredim: A Path Forward
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
October 7th shattered more than Israel's security - it's challenging core Haredi beliefs. In the wake of October 7th, a seismic shift is occurring within Israel's ultra-Orthodox community. The long-standing exemption from military service for Haredi yeshiva students is facing unprecedented scrutiny – not just from secular Israelis, but from within the Haredi world itself. This week's Torah portion, Bamidbar (Numbers), offers a timely lens through which to examine this complex issue. As we explore the biblical census and military draft, we uncover surprising parallels to today's debate over...
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First Fruits of Israeli Judaism
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
What if everything you knew about Shavuot was rooted in exile, not the land? Join us as we explore how the early Zionist pioneers revolutionized Shavuot, transforming it from a purely spiritual celebration into a powerful expression of connection to the land of Israel. Key Takeaways Balancing tradition and innovation: The pioneers show us how to breathe new life into ancient traditions while respecting their core essence Building community: The Bikurim ceremony brought people together from across the country, emphasizing unity and shared purpose. Embracing action: Rather than simply studying...
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Disabilities in Jewish Texts and Israel
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Societal Stigma and Technological Advances in Disabilities Empowering the Blind and Deaf: Lessons from Israeli Innovators When was the last time you truly appreciated your ability to see and hear? For many of us, these senses are so fundamental that we rarely pause to consider their significance. But what if I told you that understanding disability could bring us closer to revelation? In this eye-opening episode of Madlik, we dive deep into the world of visual and hearing impairments, guided by two remarkable Israeli experts who have dedicated their lives to empowering the blind and deaf....
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Love as Political Theory
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The biblical command to love others might be more about social contracts than warm fuzzy feelings. What if "love your neighbor" wasn't just a moral cliché, but a radical political theory? In this week's Madlik episode, we explore how the biblical concept of love in Judaism goes far beyond sentiment, representing a powerful social contract that shapes how we build just societies. Challenging Conventional Wisdom Many associate "love your neighbor as yourself" with Christian teachings, unaware of its origins in Leviticus. This episode aims to reclaim this foundational concept, examining it...
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Simone deBeuvoir reads the Torah
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
This episode explores the biblical and rabbinic perspectives on gender, sex, and reproduction through the lens of Leviticus 12. We examine how the Torah's language of "seed" and agricultural metaphors connect childbirth to creation and redemption. We explore the biblical imagination where women's reproductive power links her to primal creative forces. What does it mean that a woman's body mirrors the act of creation? The Torah's description of childbirth in Leviticus 12 might seem straightforward at first glance. However, the use of the word "tazria" (to seed) opens up a world of...
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Kosher Laws and Identity
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Passover, which we recently celebrated, bans bread. Leviticus bans pigs. Ashkenazim banned rice, but Mizrachim and the rabbis of the Talmud did not. What do these bans and dietary practices actually say about us? For 2,000 years the Jewish people have been doing something that nowadays is indispensable... reading food labels. It's required nowadays to list whether a food contains lactose or gluten. Was this made in a factory where they also process peanuts? Is it organic and sustainable? But the ancient Israelites and modern-day Jews have been understanding the importance of diet for a...
info_outlineThis week on Madlik, we're diving into a fascinating exploration of the Jewish calendar - a topic that's not just about marking time, but about renewal, liberation, and the very essence of what it means to be Jewish.
In our discussion of Parashat Bo, Rabbi Mintz and I unpack the significance of the first commandment given to the Israelites as a nation: establishing their own calendar. We examine how this seemingly simple act was actually a radical departure from other ancient calendars, and how it embodied core Jewish values of human agency and imperfection.
Some highlights from our conversation:
- Why the lunar-solar Jewish calendar was seen as revolutionary by other cultures
- The deeper meaning behind witnessing the new moon
- How the Essenes and early Muslims viewed the Jewish calendar
- The beautiful tension between divine perfection and human imperfection in our timekeeping
This episode really drove home for me how our calendar reflects so much about our worldview as Jews. I hope it sparks some thoughtful reflection for you too.
Tune in for a mind-expanding journey through time, Torah, and Jewish thought!
Please also be sure and give the Sefaria Source Sheet Link in the notes: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/620499