Category Archives: Podcasts

An Honest, Reasonable and Rational Examination of the Veracity of the Torah

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:22:25 — 37.7MB)

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The debate over the authorship of the Torah is a very important one; and not only for us Jews but the majority of humanity accepts this document as the dictation of God to Moses. In this class we continue our quest to logically assess both sides of the arguments as to the authenticity of the Torah by logically examining some of the evidence and attempt to formulate a perspective and perhaps a conclusion to this important question.

Sources in the order that they were presented:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/science/camels-had-no-business-in-genesis.html?_r=0

Exodus 19, 9: “Behold I am coming to you in a cloud of smoke so that the nation shall hear when I speak to you, and also in you they will believe forever”

Deuteronomy 4, 32: “You might inquire about times long past, from the day that G-d created man on earth, from one end of heaven to the other. Has there ever been anything like this great thing or has anything like it been heard? Has a people ever heard the voice of G-d speaking from the midst of the fires as you have heard, and survived?” 

 Leviticus, 25, 1-4: “Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather in its produce. But in the seventh year a Sabbath of solemn rest it shall be for the land … your field you shall not sow, and your vineyard you shall not prune. That which grows by itself you shall not reap, and the grapes of your vine you shall not gather.”

Leviticus 25, 20-22: “And if you will say: ‘What shall we eat in the seventh year? Behold, we may not plant nor gather in our produce!’ I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce for the three years. And you will plant in the eighth year and eat of the old produce until the ninth year, until her produce comes in, you will eat the old produce.”

Exodus 34, 23-24: “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord your God, the God of Israel. I will throw out the nations before you and enlarge your borders: neither shall any man desire your land, when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times during the year.”

Are the Miracles, Revelations and Prophecies of the Torah Myths or Realities?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:08:09 — 31.2MB)

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The Torah weaves law and instruction with dialogue and narrative; often miraculous and supernatural events and stories like the Exodus narrative of the Ten Plagues, the splitting of the sea into 12 walkable dry paths and the momentous national prophecy at the foot of Mount Sinai. Supernatural narratives are not unique to our religion; rather a claim of revelation of some kind is always at the formation of every religion. In this class we attempt to construct a logical analysis of the veracity and historicity of the Jewish miraculous narratives. Did we actually consume heaven sent manna on a daily basis for 40 years in the wilderness? What evidence do we have to prove this and the many other miraculous claims of the Torah?

Man of the Millennium: A Biographical Sketch of Maimonides

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:28:16 — 40.4MB)

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“From Moshe till Moshe no one arose like Moshe”

This epithet which is engraved on the tombstone of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, the Rambam, sheds light on the enormity of his impact and influence upon the Jewish people. The mere claim that the Rambam’s contributions and leadership was surpassed only by Moshe Rabbeinu is a testament to his remarkable accomplishments. In this talk we attempt to capture a flavor of who Maimonides was and what he represented, but more importantly we analyze his mind-boggling literary accomplishments and examine their pivotal role in continuing the process of uninterrupted and accurate transmission of the Torah throughout the generations.

A History of the Torah

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:17:06 — 35.3MB)

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No mission is as critical to the success of humanity as the mission that began at the Mount Sinai and continues to this very day of transmitting the Torah from generation to generation accurately. After all, the Torah is what differentiates the Jewish people from the nations of the world; it is what we mean when we say chosen people – the nation entrusted by God to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation”; to be a beacon to the nations; to be a the world’s moral guardian and spiritual guide – as per the instructions of the Torah. Our national success or failure, and in turn the success and failure of humanity is contingent on our maintaining the Torah and teaching it and observing it with absolutely zero deviation from the way Moses received it from God Almighty. Over the course of the 3,000+ years since that most monumental event, there have been times where the continued transmission in total accuracy was in jeopardy and the great leaders of the time had the vision and the foresight to prevent that catastrophe from happening. How was the Torah transmitted so accurately? What were the innovations and adaptations that were instituted? What is the deal with all the disagreements? Who were these people and why does all this matter?

This is part 2 of a series. For Part 1 click HERE

Breakdown of Aggada and Halacha in Talmud and an insight into Talmudic disagreements

Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:05 — 9.2MB)

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There is an important difference between the Aggadic portions of the Talmud – the ethical and philosophical sections, and the Halacha/law portions. Also, learn why the study of the Babylonian Talmud supersedes the study of the Jerusalem Talmud, despite that fact the the latter was written 180 years earlier.

Orthodox, Conservative and Reform: What are they and what are the differences.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:54 — 6.4MB)

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Historically, the Jewish people remained almost completely free of sectarianism, and that is one of the reasons for our continued survival as a people and as a religion against all odds throughout the millennia. Yet in the 19th Century several modern splinter sects sprang up, namely the Reform, the Conservative, and to a lesser extent, the Orthodox, movements. What caused their formations and what today are their – increasing narrowing – differences

Breakneck through the Bible (Genesis Chapter 31)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:02:10 — 28.5MB)

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Learn about Jacob informing his wives’ about his proposed clandestine flight away from his father in law’s home. What lessons can we deduce from the peculiar methods Jacob employs when trying to convince Leah and Rachel of the merits of leaving?

Was Pinchus a psychopath?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:47 — 6.3MB)

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In the book of Numbers we read about the heroic actions of Pinchus who avenged God’s fury and murdered a Jewish leader who was publicly fornicating with Midyanite woman. The Torah accords him with much honor for his courageous acts. What is the deal with this? Are we allowed to take the law into our own hands and mow down sinners?