Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism Podcast Por Geoffrey Stern arte de portada

Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism

De: Geoffrey Stern
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 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. Espiritualidad Judaísmo Mundial
Episodios
  • First Fruits of Israeli Judaism

    First Fruits of Israeli Judaism
    May 22 2025

    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
    1. Balancing tradition and innovation: The pioneers show us how to breathe new life into ancient traditions while respecting their core essence
    2. Building community: The Bikurim ceremony brought people together from across the country, emphasizing unity and shared purpose.
    3. Embracing action: Rather than simply studying about the land, the pioneers actively worked it and celebrated its fruits.
    Timestamps
    • [00:00] – Opening statement about the “first fruits of Zionism” and intro to the episode
    • [01:04] – Introduction of guest Iran, CEO of the Shitim Institute
    • [02:12] – Background on the Shitim Institute and Arieh Ben-Gurion’s founding vision
    • [05:10] – Shavuot in the Torah: its purely agricultural origins
    • [07:20] – Verses from Deuteronomy emphasizing the land and first fruits
    • [10:08] – Mishnaic procedure for selecting and presenting Bikurim
    • [13:03] – Iran explains a 1920s kibbutz debate about reinventing holiday rituals
    • [17:54] – Description of the 1928 kibbutz tractor parade replacing the ox from Mishna
    • [24:10] – Rabbi Yehuda Leib Maimon’s scathing critique of the reinvented Shavuot
    • [26:50] – Rabbi Kook’s nuanced response: praise for the pioneers with theological caution
    Links & Learnings

    Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/

    Safaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/649082.39

    Transcript on episode web page:
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    34 m
  • Disabilities in Jewish Texts and Israel

    Disabilities in Jewish Texts and Israel
    May 15 2025

    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. Their insights not only challenge our perceptions but also reveal the extraordinary potential within every human being. Background and Context The Torah's perspective on those with disabilities has long been a subject of debate and interpretation. In this week's parsha, Emor, we encounter references to the blind and deaf for the second consecutive week. But rather than viewing these mentions as limitations, our guests offer a fresh, empowering perspective that aligns with modern understanding and technological advancements. Meet our esteemed guests:

    • Professor Kenneth Koslowe, Director of Professional Services at Eliyah Association for Blind and Visually Impaired Children
    • Elias Kabakov, Director of Ma'ase Oz, the Center for Deaf-Blind Persons Both have made aliyah to Israel and have found a powerful convergence of their professional passions, Zionism, and Judaism in their work.

    Key Takeaways

    1. Empowering individuals with disabilities involves treating families, not just individuals
    2. Modern technologies are revolutionizing accessibility for the blind and deaf
    3. Biblical references to disabilities can provide practical guidance as well as carry deeper metaphorical meanings

    Links & Learnings

    Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/

    Safaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/647020

    Transcript: https://madlik.com/2025/05/14/disabilities-in-jewish-texts-and-israel/
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    32 m
  • Love as Political Theory

    Love as Political Theory
    May 8 2025
    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 through the original texts and a Jewish lens and uncovering its profound implications for social and political philosophy. Key Insights: • Context is crucial: The commandment appears alongside practical economic and ethical guidelines, suggesting a broader application beyond personal relationships. • Love as action: The Hebrew phrasing implies loving what's good for your neighbor, focusing on welfare and justice rather than emotion alone. • A tool for ethical decision-making: The Bible creates a thought experiment that by considering what we'd want for ourselves, we gain a framework for fair treatment of others. • The gift of giving: Some interpretations link "love" (ahava) to the concept of giving (hav), emphasizing generosity as a core expression of love. Rethinking Love as a Social Contract Geoffrey Stern challenges us to view "love your neighbor" not just as an individual ethical guideline, but as a foundational principle for structuring society. This perspective aligns fascinatingly with the work of political philosopher John Rawls. Rawls' "Veil of Ignorance": • Imagine creating a society without knowing your place in it (rich/poor, talented/average, religious, secular etc.) • This thought experiment forces us to consider fairness for all, not just the majority • It echoes the biblical command to love your neighbor "as yourself" – putting yourself in another's position "What if 'love your neighbor' is the measuring stick we need to use when creating a just society?" - Geoffrey Stern Practical Implications: • Rethinking social safety nets: If you didn't know whether you'd be born advantaged or disadvantaged, what protections would you want in place? • Balancing opportunity and security: How do we create a system that rewards initiative while ensuring basic dignity for all? What if “neighbor” refers less to someone of the same religion, tribe or ethnicity and more for someone who one wishes to form a social contract with? • Defining community: Who counts as our "neighbor" in an increasingly interconnected world? Challenges to Consider Emotional agency: Can love truly be commanded? While we can't control feelings, we can cultivate loving actions and mindsets.Balancing self and other: How do we interpret "as yourself" without neglecting self-care or enabling codependency?Applying ancient wisdom: How do we translate these principles into modern policy and social structures? What We Learned About Love and Justice This exploration of "love your neighbor" reveals it's far more than a simple ethical maxim. It's a powerful tool for ethical reasoning, a guide for building just societies, and a challenge to constantly expand our circle of moral consideration. The next time you encounter this familiar phrase, consider: • How would your decisions change if you couldn’t determine where you stood in your social system? • What would our communities look like if we used this principle as a foundation for policy-making? • How can you actively practice this form of love in your daily interactions and civic engagement? By reframing "love your neighbor" as a radical social contract, we unlock its potential to transform not just individual hearts, but entire societies. This episode of Madlik invites us to see love not as mere sentiment, but as a powerful force for justice and human flourishing. Timestamps [00:00] — The Radical Reframe: Is “Love Your Neighbor” Really About Politics?[01:45] — How Leviticus 19 Contextualizes Love With Justice and Economics[04:02] — Ethical Laws in Detail: Gleaning, Wages, and Honesty[06:25] — Love vs. Hate: The Torah’s Practical Definitions[10:13] — Rabbi Akiva's Declaration: Why This Verse is a “Great Principle”[12:01] — How Medieval Commentaries Interpret “Love” Through Justice[17:15] — Emotional Agency and the Commandment to Love[20:17] — Christianity’s Take: How the New Testament Riffs on Leviticus[24:55] — Giving as an Act of Love: Rabbi Riskin on the Root of Aha’vah[28:02] — John Rawls and Torah: Justice, Fairness, and the Veil of Ignorance Links & Learnings Sign up for free and get more from our weekly newsletter https://madlik.com/ Safaria Source Sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/645145 Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/?p=5948
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    33 m
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