Torah – Not a Code of Law
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Release Date: 02/20/2025
Thank God for the Rebellious Son
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Why Some Torah Laws were Meant to be Heard not followed Live at the JCC’s new Shtiebel, Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz ask: what do we learn from laws that never happened? From the rebellious son to Bialik’s Halakha and Aggada, discover halakhah as a language of Jewish life. In this week's episode of Madlik, we delve into a fascinating exploration of Jewish law that challenges our conventional understanding of mitzvot (commandments). As we navigate through the complexities of Halakhah, we uncover a profound truth: sometimes, the most impactful lessons come not from observance, but...
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Intentional and Unintentional Holiness
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Are there times were we should strive not to be present or in the moment? As we enter the month of Elul and approach the High Holidays, many of us instinctively tighten our grip on spiritual practices. We double down on prayer, intensify our focus, and strive for flawless kavanah (intention). But what if true holiness sometimes emerges when we loosen our hold? In this week's Torah portion, Ki Teitze, we encounter a surprising perspective on mitzvot (commandments) that challenges our assumptions about intentionality and control. Let's explore how embracing the unintentional might deepen our...
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Can You Bribe God? Rethinking Yom Kippur
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The Torah bans bribery — so why do our holiest rituals look like payoffs? We're diving into a provocative topic as we enter the month of Elul - bribes, sacrifices, and cosmic payoffs in Judaism. We explore the tension between Deuteronomy's clear prohibition on bribery and the sacrificial rituals found elsewhere in the Torah that look suspiciously like attempts to curry favor with the divine. Key Takeaways The language of bribery and ransom intersects with concepts of atonement in Jewish texts Deuteronomy emphasizes internal purification over ritualistic practices Rituals like Kaparot and...
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Secularization and Sacralization in Deuteronomy
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The Radical Contraction and expansion of Ancient Israelite Religion The book of Deuteronomy presents a radical shift in religious practice that continues to shape modern Judaism and beyond. Far from expanding religious institutions as empires typically do, Deuteronomy takes the surprising approach of contracting and centralizing worship while simultaneously broadening its reach into everyday life. This week's Torah portion, Re'eh, highlights this revolutionary approach. It restricts temple worship to a single location and forbids importing practices from other cultures. At first glance, this...
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How Sound Shapes Jewish Identity
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The Dangers of a world seen on a screen: What Judaism Knew All Along In our visually-dominated world, we're raising a generation that can see but not hear. This week's Madlik episode challenges us to reconsider the primacy of listening in Jewish tradition and its profound impact on our spiritual and emotional lives. Key Takeaways Deuteronomy emphasizes listening 92 times, highlighting Judaism's unique focus on auditory over visual experiences. Memory and Music: We explore how sound and music are deeply connected to memory and emotion, even in cases of dementia. High Fidelity Judaism: From the...
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Beyond Faith: The Unexpected Joy of Torah Study
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The Torah's allure is so powerful, rabbis had to warn against misusing it. Exploring the concept of "limud" (learning) unique to Deuteronomy, we uncover the rabbis' complex relationship with Torah study. From the joy of learning to the fear of misuse, the discussion spans intentionality, secular study, and the power of Torah to attract even non-believers. We delve into the debate between studying "lishma" (for its own sake) vs. applied learning, and examine how different Jewish movements approach Torah study. The rabbis recognized the profound allure of Torah study, to the point where they had...
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Moses last word: Judicial Independence
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
Ancient Jewish texts offer surprising insights into contemporary debates on judicial activism, restraint and independence Join us as we delve into a fascinating exploration of Moses' farewell address in Parashat Devarim. This episode uncovers striking parallels between ancient concerns about judicial integrity and modern debates over judicial reform in Israel. Key Takeaways Moses' emphasis on judicial reform highlights its critical importance to societal stability The tradition of leadership farewell addresses often includes moral warnings for the future Ancient Jewish texts offer surprising...
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What the Haredi Draft Crisis Says About Israel
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
70,000 mothers are fighting for Israel's future - one draft notice at a time. Mothers on the Front Line founder Agamit Gelb joins us to discuss the contentious issue of Haredi military service in Israel. We explore biblical parallels from Numbers, where Moses confronts tribes seeking exemption from conquest. The conversation delves into the social contract, national solidarity, and the unique perspective mothers bring to this debate. Agamit shares her organization's efforts to promote equality in service and challenge exemptions through legal and grassroots means. Agamit Gelb and her...
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Serach - The Keeper of Israel’s Collective Memory
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
The only Israelite to go down to Egypt and enter the Promised Land was a woman. In the years after the Civil War, heritage groups began honoring a rare category of Americans: Real Sons and Real Daughters — children born to aging veterans of that war. Not grandchildren. Not great-grandchildren. Their actual children. Living, breathing links to a fading past. Today, the same honor is given to the children of Holocaust survivors. These are voices that don’t just remember history — they carry it. In the Torah, there is one figure who embodies this idea more than any other. Her name is Serach...
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Understanding Anti-Semitism Through History
Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism
What happens when the sacred victim becomes the sovereign nation? We delve into a provocative exploration of Jewish identity and otherness in this week's episode. Drawing inspiration from the Torah portion Balak and a thought-provoking essay by Hussein Aboubakr Mansour, we challenge long-held beliefs about Judaism's role as the quintessential "other" in society. Have we been misinterpreting our own history? Key Takeaways The concept of Jews as universal "others" may be more modern than we realize Embracing particularism might be more authentic to Jewish tradition than universal symbolism...
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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