Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Madlik – Disruptive Torah thoughts from a post-orthodox Jew with a life-long love and appreciation of Jewish texts and a fresh and sometimes heterodox perspective on their meaning, intent and practical (halachic) implications.

Ki ba moed – the time has come 05/15/2024

Ki ba moed – the time has come Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. We usually think of Tishrei and the Fall as a marathon of Jewish holidays, but if you count Rabbinic and Israeli holidays, the seven weeks of Spring win the holiday race with ease. Pesach, Yom Hazikaron, Yom Ha’atzmut, Pesach Sheni, Lag ba’Omer, Yom Yerushalyim and Shavuot. We use Leviticus 23 which has the most complete summary of Biblical holidays to explore the dynamic of adding new holidays and adding meaning to existing holidays. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/31329632

Yom Hazikaron - a conversation with Menachem Bombach 05/10/2024

Yom Hazikaron - a conversation with Menachem Bombach Join Geoffrey Stern, Rabbi Adam Mintz and special guest Rabbi Menachem Bombach recorded on Clubhouse. This year Yom Hazikaron; Israeli Memorial Day, will be different for many reasons and from many perspectives. We invite Rabbi Menachem Bombach, a maverick visionary in the Haredi community to join us for a conversation about the meaning, history and halachic significance of this day for Israelis in general and for the ultra-Orthodox in particular. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/31225717

Life comes first 05/03/2024

Life comes first This week’s parsha is Acharei Mot.. literally; After Death. From Rabbinic Judaism up until the present, we Jews “Choose Life”. Was it always so? Was it so obvious? Is it the secret sauce of Jewish survival? And…. Is it at the core of the current conflict? So many questions and only half an hour. Join us for Life Comes First recorded live on Clubhouse. Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/31098068

Madlik Model Seder 2024 04/18/2024

Madlik Model Seder 2024 Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. This year our Seder will be different from other seders. For the first time in many of our lives it will be a Leil Shemorim, a night of concern; a night of uncertainty, fatigue and confusion. So, let’s follow the advice of the Rabbis to see ourselves as though we too are leaving our Egypt. Join us as we recast the ancient texts of the Haggadah for our generation and our challenging times. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30878923

From Farm to Table - Organic Israeli Judaism 04/12/2024

From Farm to Table - Organic Israeli Judaism On the last day of a wartime visit to Israel, I visit the Shittim Institute; The Kibbutz Institute for Holidays and Jewish Culture, situated on kibbutz Beit Hashita in Northern Israel. I recently discovered this amazing institute when I purchased a first edition Kibbutz Be'eri Haggadah from 1950. I was researching the provenance of this new edition to my collection when I learned that Machon Shittim has the most extensive and unique archive of what I now recognize as Yahadut Yisraeli, organic Israeli Judaism. So join me as we learn about the archive, it's history and it's potential to build resiliency and unity in Israel and the diaspora. Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/04/11/from-farm-to-table-organic-israeli-judaism/ /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30792773

Where have all the helmets gone? 04/05/2024

Where have all the helmets gone? A conversation in Jerusalem with Professor Daniel Polisar, co-founder of Shalem College and his assistant, Hannah Liberman. We talk about the miraculous and sui generis emergence of the Hamal Yerushalyim; The Jerusalem Civilian Command Center at the beginning of the October 7th War. We also try to quantify and comprehend the IDF’s cataclysmic failure to provide basic protective gear for Israeli troops. Transcript here: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30695023

Haredi Soldiers Speak 04/01/2024

Haredi Soldiers Speak Join Geoffrey Stern in the Negev to meet with soldiers in the 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion, previously known as Nahal Haredi, a battalion in the Kfir Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. The soldiers are all Haredi and you will be hearing first from the commander and then from one of the new recruits, both of which spoke English and approached me to tell their story. While the government of Israel is on the brink of collapsing over the issue of haredi draft, these young soldiers provide a little light and a lot of inspiration. These soldiers were all supported by a great not-for-profit called Nahal Haredi. Feel free to lend your support and enjoy. Be sure to click on the link below to see the original videos of these two pioneers! YouTube Video Link: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30631133

Veterans of the Yom Kippur War - Optimism and Protest 03/30/2024

Veterans of the Yom Kippur War - Optimism and Protest Join us for a conversation with Elimelech Crystal; one of the leaders of Beyahad Em Lochamey Kippur 1973, an organization dedicated to supporting Israel's combat soldiers while at the same time protesting the current government. Transcipt on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30604463

The Next Day with Ruth Calderon 03/27/2024

The Next Day with Ruth Calderon Join Geoffrey Stern in conversation with Ruth Calderon. In Israel while the war in Gaza rages on and with over 100 hostages still in captivity, we sit down with Talmud scholar and founder of Amla; Ruth Calderon to discuss the need to reclaim Jewish texts and create a shared cultural language in Israel..... now more than ever. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30567548

Torat Cohanim - Then and Now 03/22/2024

Torat Cohanim - Then and Now Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. The Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) is also called Torat Cohanim (The Priestly Torah) and has traditionally been the first book to be studied by children in the Cheder. Today there is a growing and no longer fringe group of Mikdashnikim who want to rebuild the Temple. So today, from the mouth of babes up until the present we will trace and try to understand the unique place these laws play in Jewish theology and modern Israeli politics. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30491968

Transparency, Accountability and Citation 03/15/2024

Transparency, Accountability and Citation Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Moses feels obliged to acknowledge the individuals who designed and built the Tabernacle and to provide an exact accounting of all the funds used. We explore the profound place that transparency, accountability and most of all; honoring one’s sources, play in Jewish tradition, culture and in light of the reckoning that lies ahead for the State of Israel and the Jewish People… will play in the future of our people. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30383913

Shekels Count 03/08/2024

Shekels Count Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. By tradition, the holiday of Passover is preceded by five specially named Shabbatot. The first is called Shekalim and we discuss the meaning of this shabbat in light of both Rabbinic and New Testament texts and in the process join our forebears in preparing for the Spring awakening. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30285433

Human and Divine Interactions 03/01/2024

Human and Divine Interactions Join Geoffrey Stern and rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. We invite Berel Dov Lerner the author of recently published: Human-Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures to discuss his book and his premise of Covenants and Cross-Purposes. We’ll use a simple basin made of pedestrian copper found in the Tabernacle as our point of departure. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30184458

The Sorcerers Apprentice 02/22/2024

The Sorcerers Apprentice Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. We explore the enigma of the Urim and Thummim; the priestly breastplate, especially within the context of the Torah’s explicit rejection of sorcery and divination. And we wonder …. We wonder about contemporary incarnations of divination and prophesy in the form of opinion-polling and social media engagement. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/30072573

Paradigm Shift 02/16/2024

Paradigm Shift Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbiu Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. According to Rabbinic tradition Moses was shown a paradigm of the Menorah but was uncertain how to translate the vision into reality of the moment. Bezalel had no such reservations and succeeded where Moses failed. We use this tradition to explore the modern concept of Paradigm Shift and wonder whether we are at such an inflection point today. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29980033

The Black Church and Israel 02/09/2024

The Black Church and Israel Join Geoffrey Stern, Rabbi Adam Mintz and special guest, the Reverand Dumisani Washington recorded on Clubhouse. As the rubber meets the road and the Torah begins to translate its vision of liberation into practical rules and regulations, we sense a pattern. The Torah starts by addressing a legal institution close to home; slavery, and provides laws of emancipation. Next the Torah begins to create social solidarity amongst this previously persecuted multitude. Finally the Torah addresses a natural inclination towards a victim mentality and a lens that sees only privilege and victims. We use this opportunity to invite our friend Rev Dumisani Washington to discuss the current state of the Black Church and its relationship with Israel. Sefaria source Sheet: Transcript on podcast web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29868043

Jethro and the Druze 02/02/2024

Jethro and the Druze Join Geoffrey Stern, Rabbi Adam Mintz and special guest Shikh Muhan Fares for a discussion recorded on Clubhouse.. We celebrate Yitro and our Druze brothers and sisters. We marvel at the superlatives that the Torah uses to describe Jethro and how the same characteristics of loyalty, leadership and integrity are showcased by Israeli Druze today…. and maybe in the process, we learn a little bit more about the Druze and about ourselves. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode webpage: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29763418

Nachshon and Action Bias 01/26/2024

Nachshon and Action Bias Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Nachshon is the posterchild of what Heschel called “Praying with your feet”. He personifies Judaism’s clear bias for action over the status quo, action over prayer and even action over reflection. Today we explore the darker side of Nachshon and the potential deficiencies of Action Bias in decision theory. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29657933

Entitlement Reform 01/19/2024

Entitlement Reform Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Of all the plagues, only the plague of the firstborn carries a timeless message. It represents the culmination of the Torah’s critique of primogeniture and takes on a life of its own in the Israelite law of the firstborn and first fruits. So join us as we explore how the death of the firstborn impacts the message of the Exodus. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript onm episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29555708

MLK and Exodus 01/12/2024

MLK and Exodus Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. We explore Martin Luthur King Jr.’s iconic “I have a Dream” speech along with an interview he gave at the Convention of the Rabbinical Assembly for Conservative Judaism, a year after the 6 Day War and 10 days before he was assassinated. We will showcase King’s identification with a prophetic tradition which saw the universality of the Exodus story without diminishing its unique message for the Children of Israel. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29454843

Exodus and the birth of a nation 01/05/2024

Exodus and the birth of a nation Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam MIntz recorded on Clubhouse. Following Classical Rabbinic sources that show a link between the Family Story of Genesis and the Birth of a Nation Story of Exodus we review a recently published book: Why the Bible Began: An Alternative History of Scripture and its Origins by Jacob Wright and reflect on what made the Hebrew Bible so unique and its message so eternally timely. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode website: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29350043

Until Shiloh Comes 12/29/2023

Until Shiloh Comes Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. As we complete the book of Genesis, we look at a few verses that have been interpreted by both Jewish and Christian exegetes and explore how these commentaries may have been a conversation rather than a polemic. In the process, and without ignoring the divisive nature of religion, we wonder at the power of scripture and the potential for religion to bring us together. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29266838

A Wonderful Life 12/22/2023

A Wonderful Life Join Geoffey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Joseph is confronted with his long-lost family who thought he had died. It is the so called: “holiday season” which can be a difficult time. While many of us celebrate, some of us wonder, with the passing of another season, of another year, what difference has our life made. In wartime, with our finest youth being cut down before the prime of their life we anguish, what difference could they have made. So join us as we ponder: A Wonderful Life Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode website: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/29195528

Appeasement in its time 12/01/2023

Appeasement in its time Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Jacob, now called Israel, approaches is estranged brother with trepidation. He splits his clan in half in order to minimize any losses and he sends gifts and otherwise tries to appease Esau. We explore appeasement and compromise in the Torah and Rabbinic Literature. Sefaria Source sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28879668

Conflict Resolution 11/23/2023

Conflict Resolution Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. In a week where indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by Qatar and with pressure from the public and the US have appeared to have reached a tentative and partial hostage deal, we explore, what according to Rabbinic tradition was the first instance of an anti-Israel campaign and its resolution. Is this a model of how we deal with our neighbors with whom we disagree? What are the lessons to be learnt? Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28767528

In Conversation with Rabbi David Stav 11/16/2023

In Conversation with Rabbi David Stav Rav Stav is the co-founder of the Tzohar, a rabbinical organization which aims to provide religious services to and create dialogue with the broader Israeli population. He also serves as the rabbi of the city of Shoham. Previously he served as the rabbi of the religious film school, Maale, and was one of the founding heads of Yeshivat Hesder Petach Tikva. He is the author of Bein Ha-Zemanim, a book about culture and recreation in Jewish thought and law. One of Israel’s most visible rabbinic figures, he regularly appears on Israeli television and radio, and lectures to a wide range of audiences. We discuss his organization and the challenges and opportunities presented by the war and its aftermath. /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28676613

Women Wage War 11/10/2023

Women Wage War Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. In the only parsha named after a woman we continue our exploration of issues raised by Israel at war. In the Jewish State, Jewish law (Halacha) has exclusive jurisdiction over marriage and divorce for Jews. One area where Orthodox women have radically broken with Rabbinic authority is with regard to divorce. Traditionally women have been at the mercy of the patriarchy, whether their husbands or the rabbinic courts. These women, the NGOs and Rabbis who support them have used Biblical and Rabbinic texts to claim rights long denied. The primary source relates to King David and a single verse in the Book of Samuel protecting military wives. Join us as we explore these initiatives and texts. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28577838

Making a Place for the Displaced 11/03/2023

Making a Place for the Displaced Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Over 250,000 innocent civilians have been displaced since the advent of the Oct 7th war from both the South and the North of Israel. Volunteers, non-government organizations and tech workers who were organizing protests a month ago have taken the lead in welcoming these fugitives and providing all sorts of support, both physical, spiritual, social and psychological. Join us as we study a parsha that celebrates the hosting of guests. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28504175

Abraham and the Birth of the Jewish Problem 10/27/2023

Abraham and the Birth of the Jewish Problem Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. What about Abraham was so radical? What about Abraham has created such extremes of love and hate… such rivalry, such animosity, such promise and such despair? Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on episode web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28438361

A Tzaddik in Peltz 10/20/2023

A Tzaddik in Peltz Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Noah has been denigrated for saving only himself and his family and not for saving all of humanity. In a world where victims and survivors of terrorism are vilified and protecting ones life and the security of ones family a sin, we look at Noah differently and learn something about ourselves and our enemies. Sefaria Source Sheet: Transcript on Episode Web page: /episode/index/show/madlik/id/28372559

Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

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