Torah – Not a Code of Law
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Release Date: 02/20/2025
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...
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Background and Context
The Torah is often viewed as an all-encompassing legal code, dictating every aspect of Jewish life. However, Umberto Cassuto, writing in the newly formed state of Israel, presents a revolutionary perspective. He argues that the Torah's laws should be understood in the context of existing legal traditions in the ancient Near East.
Cassuto's approach is groundbreaking. He suggests that to truly understand the Torah's legal sections, we must examine them alongside other ancient legal codes, such as the Code of Hammurabi. This comparison reveals the Torah's unique contributions and its transformative impact on existing legal norms.
Key Insights and Takeaways
1. The Torah as a Responsive Document
Contrary to the idea that the Torah created a legal system from scratch, Cassuto argues that it responds to and builds upon existing legal traditions. This perspective challenges our understanding of the Torah's role in ancient Israelite society.
2. The Religious Nature of Torah Law
While other ancient Near Eastern legal codes were primarily secular, the Torah introduces a religious dimension to law. As Rabbi Adam Mintz points out:
"What's surprising in Judaism is the laws come from God. And the reason for that is because they practice monotheism... Monotheism allows for religious law. Idolatry doesn't allow for religious law."
3. Three Ways the Torah Interacts with Existing Laws
Cassuto identifies three primary ways the Torah engages with existing legal traditions:
- Introducing amendments
- Opposing or invalidating certain aspects
- Confirming and elevating worthy aspects
This nuanced approach shows how the Torah acts as a catalyst for change while acknowledging existing societal norms.
4. The Sanctity of Human Life
One of the most significant innovations of Torah law is its emphasis on the sanctity of human life. Geoffrey, quoting Cassuto highlights this point:
"The Torah wishes to affirm and establish the principle in the name of divine law that human life is sacred, and whoever assails this sanctity forfeits his own life, measure for measure."
This principle leads to more compassionate laws, even for those who have committed crimes.
Challenges and Practical Advice
1. Rethinking Biblical Interpretation
Cassuto's approach challenges us to reconsider how we interpret biblical texts. By understanding the historical and legal context, we gain new insights into the Torah's teachings.
2. Balancing Tradition and Innovation
The Torah's interaction with existing legal codes provides a model for how we can approach societal change today. It shows us how to respect tradition while pushing for ethical improvements.
3. Applying Ancient Wisdom to Modern Challenges
Umberto Cassuto's work offers a fresh perspective on the Torah's legal sections. By viewing them in the context of ancient Near Eastern legal traditions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the Torah's innovative and transformative nature as well as it’s limitations. The Torah laws were not meant to replace or undermine all existing norms, customs and social behavior.
This approach provides a model for how religious traditions can respect, engage with and elevate societal norms. It challenges us to think critically about the interplay between religious teachings and secular laws in our own time and in general and in the State of Israel, in particular.
As we continue to grapple with complex ethical and legal issues in the modern world, the Torah's example of building upon existing foundations while introducing higher ethical standards remains profoundly relevant.
To dive deeper into this fascinating topic and hear the full discussion, be sure to listen to the entire episode of Madlik and check out the Sefaria Source Notes https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/626312