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_outlineThe Art of Stealing: Unraveling the Complexities of the Eighth Commandment
"Thou shalt not steal" seems straightforward, but is it? This week's episode of Madlik delves into the intricate world of Jewish law and ethics surrounding theft, revealing surprising insights that challenge our assumptions about this fundamental commandment.
Background and Context
The Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics, but their interpretation is far from simple. In this episode, we explore the eighth commandment, "Thou shalt not steal," uncovering layers of meaning that go far beyond the obvious prohibition of theft.
Rabbi Adam Mintz and Geoffrey Stern guide us through a fascinating journey, examining rabbinic interpretations that span millennia. From the Talmud to Maimonides, we discover how Jewish scholars have grappled with the concept of stealing, expanding it to encompass a wide range of ethical considerations.
Key Insights and Takeaways
1. Kidnapping vs. Theft
Contrary to popular belief, the rabbis interpreted "Thou shalt not steal" in the Ten Commandments as referring specifically to kidnapping, not theft of property. This interpretation stems from the context of the other commandments, which deal with capital offenses.
> "Scripture here is speaking about a case of one who steals human beings, whilst the command in Leviticus, 'you shall not steal,' speaks about a case of one who steals money from another person's property." - Rashi
This distinction highlights the gravity with which Jewish law views the theft of a person's freedom, placing it on par with murder and adultery.
2. The Spectrum of Stealing
While the Ten Commandments may focus on kidnapping, Jewish law expands the concept of stealing to cover a wide range of actions:
- Theft of property
- Deception (geneivat da'at)
- Stealing sleep (gezel sheina)
- Unfair business practices
- Plagiarism
This broad interpretation encourages us to consider how our actions might "steal" from others in less obvious ways.
3. The Psychology of Stealing
Maimonides warns against stealing even in jest or with the intention to return the item:
> "It is forbidden to steal as a jest, to steal with the intent to return, or to steal with the intent to pay, lest one habituate oneself to such conduct."
This perspective emphasizes the importance of cultivating ethical habits and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.
4. The Social Impact of Theft
Nachmanides (Ramban) connects the prohibition against stealing to the broader social fabric:
"If you do any one of the Thou Shalt nots in the second tablet, you are breaking the social network that is formed by saying God created everyone in His image, and your parents are partners in that."
This interpretation encourages us to view ethical behavior not just as individual actions, but as part of maintaining a harmonious society.
Challenges and Practical Advice
1. Redefining Theft in the Modern World
As our world becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, we face new challenges in defining and preventing theft. Consider:
- Intellectual property rights
- Data privacy
- Time theft in the workplace
Action Step: Reflect on your digital interactions. Are there ways you might be "stealing" that you haven't considered before?
2. Cultivating Ethical Habits
Maimonides' warning about habituating oneself to stealing applies to many areas of life. How can we build positive ethical habits?
- Practice mindfulness in your interactions with others
- Regularly reflect on your actions and their potential impact
- Seek feedback from trusted friends or mentors on your ethical conduct
3. Balancing Intent and Impact
The rabbinic discussions highlight the complexity of ethical decision-making. Sometimes, good intentions can lead to harmful outcomes.
Challenge: Think of a situation where you tried to help someone but may have inadvertently caused harm or discomfort. How could you approach similar situations differently in the future?
What We Learned About Stealing
Our exploration of "Thou shalt not steal" reveals that this commandment is far more nuanced and far-reaching than we might have assumed. It challenges us to:
1. Consider the broader implications of our actions
2. Cultivate ethical habits in all areas of life
3. Recognize the interconnectedness of individual ethics and social harmony
By delving into these ancient texts and interpretations, we gain valuable insights that can guide our ethical decision-making in the modern world. The Jewish tradition's expansive view of stealing encourages us to be more mindful of how our actions impact others and to strive for a higher standard of ethical behavior.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let's carry these insights with us, always striving to uphold the spirit of "Thou shalt not steal" in its fullest sense.
Ready to dive deeper into this fascinating topic? Listen to the full episode of Madlik for more insights and join the conversation about ethics, law, and the timeless wisdom of the Jewish tradition.
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