Orthodox Conundrum
Scott Kahn
The Orthodox Conundrum is a forum in which we look honestly at the Orthodox Jewish community, identifying what works well and what does not, so that, through an honest accounting, we can find solutions that will be successful. We will examine some of the major issues that affect the Orthodox world, without exaggeration, whitewashing, or pretending that they don’t exist. Our hope is that the Orthodox Conundrum will spark wider discussion that will enable Orthodox Judaism to continue moving forward in the areas at which it excels, and to rectify the areas that need improvement.
The Vanishing Art of Jewish Conversation (and What To Do About It), with Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble (239)
The act of talking - dignified and informative conversation, where people connect on a serious level with one another - is essential to the Jewish experience. This goes back to the very creation of Adam; the Torah describes God as breathing a breath of life into Adam, after which he became a nefesh chaya - a living soul. Targum Onkelos famously translates that phrase as ruach memalela - a speaking spirit. Accordingly, the fact that man is able to converse is part of his very essence. In a simila
Religious Jews and Dishonesty: Tax Fraud, Zoning Violations, Downplaying Risk, and More, with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder (238)
The Torah is very clear that theft is forbidden; no one doubts that this is true. It is, accordingly, very disturbing that religious Jews as a community don’t seem to be more ethical in these matters than people who don’t see the Torah as their guide to life. I am not suggesting that Orthodox Jews are worse than anyone else in these matters; I cannot possibly know if that’s true. It does seem, however, that Orthodox Jews as a whole are not better than any other community when it comes to honesty
The Ethics of Population Transfers & Prisoner Swaps, Defining "Innocent Civilians," and Other Urgent Ethical Dilemmas, with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody (237)
Ever since President Trump presented his plan (or his idea, as it’s unclear how planned out this really is) about resettling the Arab population of Gaza, the Jewish world has been in an uproar. Very loud voices on both sides of the issue have been talking not so much about its feasibility - many are extremely skeptical that this could ever come to fruition - but about whether it is ethical. Some insist that this is nothing less than ethnic cleansing, with all the negative implications that the t
When the Doctor Becomes the Patient: A Conversation with Dr. Avi Rockoff (236)
What is it like for a doctor, who has spent his life treating patients, to become a patient himself? That was the experience of Dr. Avi Rockoff when he learned that he had a very serious form of prostate cancer, and which he chronicles in his new book, When the Doctor Becomes the Patient. He was exposed to what he terms “the medical industrial complex” from the other side of the physician's desk, and learned about some of the aspects of healthcare that he had taught for years, but from a very di
History Repeating Itself: Diaspora-Israel Tensions in 200 BCE and 2025 CE, with Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich (235)
William Faulkner in Requiem for a Nun famously wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” I repeatedly thought of that line as I read Dr. Malka Simkovich’s recent book, Letters From Home: The Creation of Diaspora in Jewish Antiquity. In that book she investigates the relationship of Jews living in the Land of Israel and Jews who remained in the diaspora after the conclusion of the Babylonian Exile, when the majority of Jews chose to remain outside of Judea rather than return back to th
The Fragility of Jewish Existence Comes to Israel: Applying the Thought of Rabbi Sacks to a Post-October 7th Jewish World, with Dr. Tanya White (234)
I recorded this episode hours before the first three Israeli hostages were slated to be released, and as a ceasefire was just beginning to be implemented by Israel and Hamas. Many people have noted that while Hamas is parading throughout Gaza and claiming victory - which is an absurd inversion of reality - and while the vast majority of the world is celebrating the end of hostilities (at least for now), the population which is the most muted about it are the residents of Israel, who have extreme
The Ceasefire: What It Means, Who Benefits, and What Must Happen Next, with Dr. Matthew Levitt (Orthodox Conundrum Special Episode)
With the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, Scott spoke to counterterrorism and intelligence expert Dr. Matthew Levitt to learn what the ceasefire entails, in what ways this falls short of Prime Minister Netanyahu's insistence upon total victory, how victory should be defined, why this ceasefire is happening now, whether Hamas is deterred, the the possibility of another October 7th taking place, what happens if a power vacuum forms in Gaza, the future of Palestinian stat
Do You Care Enough About Israel? (And Do Israelis Care Enough About You?) (233)
Do Jews outside of Israel care enough about Israel? This is a loaded and perhaps unfair question. How could anyone make that determination? Nevertheless, it’s something I’ve been grappling with for some time, and I decided to pose this question on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook. Many people commented, both on the group and in private communications. And today's episode confronts that question directly through a panel discussion with Israel-engaged individuals in both Israel
Downplaying Sexual Abuse, and Writing to a Judge to Request Leniency: When Good Intentions Go Very, Very Wrong (232)
This episode of the Orthodox Conundrum discusses sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material. Listener discretion is advised. Sexual abuse is a problem everywhere, and the Orthodox community is no exception. While there unquestionably is more awareness of the problem today than there was in the past, there is still a long way to go before we can be proud of our record. One of the ongoing and very upsetting issues is when people in power cover up and downplay sexual abuse perpetrated by people w
“The Torah is Hospitalized and in Bandages” - The Thought of Rav Shagar on Chanukah, Israel, Religious Choice, and More (Special Chanukah Episode)
We live in times in which, I believe, we in the Orthodox world need to open ourselves to new ideas and new thinking that will help enhance our love and appreciation for God and His Torah. Maybe the best example of a contemporary thinker who has opened the doors of perception while remaining fully committed to Torah, halacha, the Jewish people and the Land of Israel is Rabbi Shimon Gershon Rosenberg, colloquially known as Rav Shagar. I spoke with Rabbis Zachary Truboff and Yehoshua Engelman about
Children Under the Radar: A Live Orthodox Conundrum Conversation (SPECIAL EPISODE)
An almost insidious problem that affects so many kids is being “under the radar”... that is, they’re generally ignored in school, camp, or other social settings by the teachers or group leaders because they’re doing “fine” - and I use that word advisedly. He or she is not the class genius, not the kid who asks questions, not the troublemaker, not the class clown. I’m talking about kids who likely have so much more to offer, but are never given that opportunity when the people who should inspire
It's Time for a Jewish Middle Earth: Cultivating Imagination in Torah Teaching with Olivia Friedman (231)
Is Jewish education too focused upon a rationalist and scientific worldview, such that we sometimes don’t leave enough room for the imagination? I think that this may be true for large segments of the Orthodox world, particularly among the Modern Orthodox population. While we dare not undermine the great advances that our scientific worldview has given humanity, an overemphasis on rationality can also eliminate wonder and mystery from our understanding of the universe - and that can undermine ou
Inviting God Into Partnership: Finding Resilience with Rachel Sharansky Danziger (230)
While the Jewish people, and all people of good will, continue to face deep uncertainty about what’s happening in Israel and around the world - as I record this on Sunday afternoon, we are just beginning to process the end of Assad’s rule in Syria and trying to figure out if it’s a net positive or negative for democratic countries in general and Israel in particular - we all are in some ways looking for sources of resilience. What are the ways that we can move forward and figure out our roles, w
'Tis the Season to Spend Lavishly: Confronting the New Orthodox Materialism, with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt and Professor Chaim Saiman (229)
"Anything is permitted, as long as it's for a mitzvah." Really? We live in a world where consumerism and materialism are not only dominant themes of everyday life, but also positive values in their own right. It’s disturbing that the Orthodox Jewish community is not at all immune to this influence; in fact, many sub-communities within the Orthodox world revel in materialism to the point that any argument that an overemphasis on materialism is not in line with Torah values would likely be met wi
Hope, Gratitude, and Faith in a Time of Anxiety, Pain, and Despair, with Dr. Erica Brown (228)
Every time I speak with Dr. Erica Brown, I come away enriched by her deep thinking and religious and emotional sensitivity. And this conversation, which delves into psychological and theological questions surrounding anxiety, hope, gratitude, and faith, may be our most memorable discussion yet. The Thanksgiving holiday takes place later this week in the United States; three days later, Erica’s newest book, Morning has Broken: Faith After October 7th, will be released. Those two events, along wit
"Just Because It Didn't Happen, Doesn't Mean It Isn't True": Analyzing and Appreciating Aggadah with Gila Fine
There was a time not long ago when aggadah - which, broadly speaking, refers to the non-legal passages in the Talmud - was largely ignored; students studying in yeshiva would run through these texts quickly, if at all, using almost all of their mental energy and time thinking through the halachic, or legal passages of the Gemara. While that was likely a successful methodology for most Talmud students in the past, we have witnessed in the 20th and 21st centuries a renewed emphasis on aggadah; an
Chareidi Political Influence in Jewish Life, and Why It Truly Matters: A Conversation with Rabbi David Stav (226)
Over the past two weeks, there has been increasing conversation in Israel among the Religious Zionist community about the continued refusal of many ultra-Orthodox Jews to consider enlisting in the Israeli army. Many of us have been discussing this issue for months or years; but it came to a head in the past couple of weeks largely because of the attempt by the Chareidi political parties in the Knesset to enshrine this exemption through legislation. The most recent attempt was the so-called Dayca
Why Orthodox Jews Should Vote for Trump... Why Orthodox Jews Should Vote for Harris: Two Rabbis Make Their Best Pitch (225)
With the United States presidential election only hours away, I wanted to offer a supporter of each major presidential candidate the opportunity to explain why Jews in general, and Orthodox Jews in particular, would be better off supporting either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris for president. To that end, I invited two politically involved Orthodox rabbis, Rabbi Pesach Wolicki and Rabbi Benjamin Kelsen, to explain why you should give your vote to their candidate. This is not a debate; I spoke to
The Biggest Desecration of God's Name (224)
Today I’m talking about something that I’ve spoken about before, repeatedly, both on this podcast and on my Substack, Orthodox Conundrum Commentary: the problem of a large number of Chareidi, or ultra-Orthodox Jews, who receive army exemptions, usually (though not always) because they’re learning in yeshivot. Why am I talking about this again? Haven't we dealt with this issue too many times already? No. There's more to say, and there's good reason to say it. I think that this issue represents, i
Biblical Criticism, Academic Bible Study, and Orthodox Judaism with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (CLASSIC EPISODE)
As we complete our seventh season of the Orthodox Conundrum, we're pleased to present a classic episode from three years ago, in which Professor Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University discusses academic Bible study, Biblical criticism, and Orthodox Judaism. It was a very interesting episode, which raised crucial questions that Orthodox Jews need to confront, as well as suggestions of how we should do so effectively. Because we soon complete the annual cycle of Torah readings and begin again in les
The Day That Never Ended... And What We Can Learn From It, with Rav Chayim Soloveichik (223)
"Today marks one year since one of the worst days of all of our lives, October 7th. I actually was unsure of how to record an appropriate episode; what, exactly, could I add to the conversation? What is there to say that hasn’t yet been said? And how can I relate it to the season in which we find ourselves, right in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?" Fortunately, Scott was joined by the outstanding rav of his shul in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Rav Chayim Soloveichik, who provided insights and guida
Gavriel Bloom z"l: A Hero in a Land of Heroes (222)
Later this week we will celebrate Rosh Hashanah, also known as the Day of Remembrance, Yom HaZikaron. According to Chazal, Hashem (so to speak) remembers us on this day for the good… and we, too, should look at those people who set sterling examples for us over the past year, and try to learn from their deeply meaningful lives. One of those people whose life was exemplary was Gavriel Bloom, zichrono livracha. Gavriel was killed on January 8th during a mission in central Gaza. He was the second
Reorganizing the Letters of Reality: A Mystical and Chassidic Approach to Prayer, with Rabbi Dovid'l Weinberg (221)
One of the beautiful aspects of Torah Judaism is its insistence on eilu v’eilu divrei Elokim chayim - that two different and even potentially contradictory approaches can both represent the words of the living God. Opening our minds to differing ways of seeing Torah - that, in the words of many ancient texts, there are seventy facets to the Torah, and accordingly endless ways of explaining its ideas - is not merely a theological truth, but also a mandate. By accepting that, in the words of Rav S
How Does Prayer Work? A Rationalist Approach to Tefilah, or What Larry David Got Wrong (220)
We stand in the middle of the month of Elul, and are moving quickly towards Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - days largely spent in the synagogue in prayer. Throughout those days as well as the rest of the Ten Days of Repentance, we ask that God grant us a year of life, goodness, and peace. While we have so much to be thankful for, we may be forgiven for looking at the past year - and the prayers we offered last Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - and wondering if our prayers failed. We may even wonder
"The Gamblification of Everything" - Gambling, Orthodox Jewish Adolescents, and the Big Problem That's Getting Worse (219)
Many people often talk about addiction and dependence; and in doing so, they may use those terms inexactly. When it comes to gambling, however, those words are, unfortunately, correct. Problem gambling is a growing problem in the United States - particularly online gambling, which has been growing exponentially since the Supreme Court decided, in 2018, that the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act violated the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. This in turn meant that states, rather
Teaching Our Students to be Zionists Rather than "Pro-Israel": A Conversation with Dr. Noam Weissman (218)
Scott recorded this interview with Dr. Noam Weissman on Monday afternoon, the day after we learned about the terrible execution of six hostages soon before they were discovered by the IDF, presumably in order to make sure that they did not make it back home alive. And today, Hamas continued its psychological torture by saying that it will release video of these six victims. The pure, unbridled evil implicit in these acts and so many others is a reminder of the existential battle that Israel is i
The Ongoing War, and a Potential Mental Health Crisis in Israel and the Diaspora (217)
This podcast is being released less than a day after the Israeli army preemptively struck thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in Lebanon, doing so just fifteen minutes before those launchers were supposed to fire hundreds of missiles into northern and central Israel. Thank God that as of now, Israel clearly won this exchange. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but for now we can breathe just a bit easier than we did when we first heard the news early this morning. This event, like many
Is Israel a Light Unto the Nations... And Should It Even Bother Trying? A Conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi (216)
The October 7th massacre, and the subsequent war against Hamas, other Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and Iran itself, have caused many people throughout the Jewish world to reconsider what Israel means to them, and what kind of society Israel should create. Many continually return to the idea that Israel should be a light unto the nations, an Ohr laGoyim, or a Medinah l’Mofet, an exemplary nation and society. Although, given the rampant anti-Israel and antisemitic attitudes that
Tisha B'Av and Bad Theology: A New View of Megillat Eicha with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (CLASSIC EPISODE)
“What does Eichah have in common with climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, Holocaust deniers and those that claim that the 2020 presidential elections were stolen?” Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman sent this to Scott, who was intrigued and immediately invited him back onto this podcast to discuss what he meant. More than anything else, we need a way to relate to Megillat Eicha in a world which seems so distant from that described in the book. And even the world described in Eicha is complicated; it’s of
Ikar HaDin, Chumra, and Minhag: The Phenomenon of Greater Stringency in the Orthodox World, with Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky (215)
Sometimes it’s called a move to the right. Other times it is seen as a rejection of lax religiosity. Some people think of it as an admirable commitment to serving God as best as possible. Others decry it as representing an unacceptable change from traditional Jewish practice. All these and more are reactions to the unquestionably real phenomenon of greater stringency in the Orthodox world. Determining whether this is a positive or negative development, however, is not simple. Scott spoke with Ra
Arrests and Mob Violence at Sdei Teiman: What Happened, What It Means, and Why It Matters (BONUS EPISODE)
This is a rush-release bonus episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, to help us all get to the bottom of what happened yesterday at the military detention center at Sdei Teiman. We will learn what the nine arrested soldiers were accused of, the manner that they were arrested, and the reason for the protests of numerous right-wing members of Knesset. What does it mean, and why should you care? What is the rationale of those who decry the arrests, and is there validity to their complaints? What does t
Can the Glass Ceiling Be Broken? Women's Leadership and Its Limits, with Joanne Greenaway (214)
One of the most difficult issues facing Modern or Centrist Orthodox Jews today is the question of how to increase and encourage the participation of more women in leadership roles, while also working within the halachic parameters that set limits on how extensive those leadership roles are allowed to be. When we add two thousand years of socialization where women’s leadership was quite rare, along with the reality that advanced Torah education for women is a relatively new phenomenon, we should
When Reverence Becomes Pseudo-Idolatry: The Phenomenon of Gadol Worship, with Rav Yitzchak Shurin (213)
For the past two thousand years, Torah observant Jews have acknowledged that our greatest scholars deserve respect, and have an extraordinarily deep and broad understanding of the vast sea of the Torah sheba’al peh, the Oral Law. In recent times, however, proper respect for talmidei chachamim has often morphed into a pseudo-idolatry of gedolim, where they are seen not just as great experts in Torah, but also as oracles who are, for all intents and purposes, close to infallible. There’s no questi
Nepotism, Greed, Power, and Politics: The Tragic Self-Inflicted Fate of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate (212)
68 years ago, Rav Soloveitchik zt'l identified the timidity of Orthodox Jews as representing a failure to respond to the miracle of renewed Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel. Today, tragically, we seem to have the opposite problem. In 2024, Israel has a religious establishment which has completely lost its sense of shame, and is not only involved in nepotism alongside a lust for money and power, but barely even tries to hide it. To put it bluntly: it’s almost unimaginable that someone wo
"Our Faith is in the Question": Teaching Emunah to Our Children, Our Students, and Ourselves, with Rabbi David Aaron (211)
This podcast is dedicated לעילוי נשמת אלעזר בן ישראל, a man who accepted the vicissitudes of life with a simple and pure faith. What does it mean to believe in God? This question is absolutely fundamental to Jewish life and living - yet many people feel uncomfortable discussing God at all. In our educational institutions, we often have a broad curriculum that includes subjects such as Talmud, Chumash, Nach, Halacha, and more - but questions in emunah are frequently shunted aside or ignored altog
"The Vast Unconscious of the Jewish People": Learning How (and Why) to Learn Midrash with Simi Peters (210)
When you learn Torah, do you consider yourself to be in dialogue with Chazal? According to Scott's guest, Simi Peters, a key element of learning midrash aggadah is being able to become participants in a conversation that began thousands of years ago and continues today. But in order to do so, we need to become students of midrash: learning how to approach it, understanding both the methodologies Chazal used and why they conveyed their messages in that way, and adopting effective methods in orde
Hareidi Messaging in Modern Orthodox Institutions: Are You Aware of What Your Children Are Being Taught? With Rabbi Yitzchak Blau (209)
Schools which identify with the Modern Orthodox world and espouse a Centrist Orthodox hashkafa, nevertheless will sometimes hire teachers who profess a Hareidi worldview. In some ways, this is a welcome development; breaking down the barriers that separate our various communities is generally a good thing, and we should be pleased when we discern a willingness to engage Jews with different viewpoints. On the other hand, it often seems that Modern Orthodox institutions are more willing to hire To
"A Theology of Distraction": Exploring the Conundrums of Kohelet with Dr. Erica Brown (Originally released on September 26, 2023)
(This episode was originally released on Septetmber 26th, 2023, but its message is perhaps even more relevant now, after October 7th and its aftermath, than before. Scott will be back with a new episode next week.) Megilat Kohelet is one of the most difficult books in Tanach: it jumps back and forth between conflicting assumptions, it lacks any obvious narrative or thematic structure, and its statements sometimes seem at odds with what most people would consider standard Rabbinic theology. Peopl
The Revolution in Women's Torah Learning: What We've Achieved, What Still Needs to Happen (208)
We’re approaching the holiday of Shavuot, when we celebrate and commemorate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Rambam explains that our belief in Torah and in Moshe is predicated upon the fact that all of us were present at Sinai, where we together heard God talking to Moshe. And we have a longstanding tradition as well that God did not stop speaking once ma’amad Har Sinai was over; in fact, He never stopped speaking at Sinai. What made the revelation 3300 years ago unique was not that
Does the IDF Care Enough About the Safety of Its Soldiers? (207)
Is the Israeli army taking care of its soldiers? That’s a question with a potentially painful answer. Daniel Mael has helped donate over 13,000 helmets to IDF soldiers, along with thousands of vests and other equipment - and he argues that the army’s behavior in procuring equipment has been nothing less than scandalous. In fact, he claims, the Israeli army knows that its protective equipment is often out of date and faulty, but for whatever reasons continues to provide that flawed equipment to i
Kids Going "Off the Derech": Reasons, Reactions, and Responses, with Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson (206)
Just as many young people who are not religious become Orthodox, so do many young Orthodox Jews leave Orthodox practice behind. Colloquially, this is often called being “off the derech” - that is, off “the” way of traditional Torah practice. The phenomenon of Orthodox Jews becoming less classically religious is real, and it’s important to think about why it happens. Is it simply a question of disbelief or doubt regarding dogma? Are there other reasons that we, as parents and educators, should ta
Tzniut, Integrity, and Leadership: Reframing the Concept of Tzniut, with Rabbi Moshe Simkovich (205)
Any discussion surrounding tzniut (loosely - and, perhaps incorrectly - translated as “modesty") is inevitably fraught with challenges and difficulty. Indeed, there are few topics in Orthodoxy that are as triggering to so many people. Rabbi Moshe Simkovich offers a traditional yet unique approach to tzniut, and he attempts to redefine the concept altogether, moving it further away from quantitative questions about dress and sexuality, and towards a vision that, he says, is more in line with what
Shattering a Religious Monopoly Versus Ideological Conformity: The Challenges Facing Religious Zionism Today (204)
In his classic work Kol Dodi Dofek, Rav Soloveitchik asserts that God’s gift of the State of Israel demands a response. God wants a dialogue where we answer his generosity by using His gifts to make Him present in the world. The major challenge for Religious Zionism, then, is to decide, as best as we can, what that response should be. Does it mean settling every square kilometer of the Land? Does it mean creating a medinah l’mofet, an exemplary society in every way possible? Discovering what thi
Remembering My Dad (203)
It’s the little things that hit hardest. The big moments when I expect to be emotional have generally felt unremarkable; I seem to have experienced them with relative ease. The surprises come when I’m taking a walk, talking about a silly childhood memory, or seeing an old friend. Above all, I’ve learned that my emotions are often hidden - from myself as well as from others - and then I think that I’m done having feelings. But I repeatedly learn that they lie barely below the surface, ready to em
The Dangers of a Living Prophetic Judaism: Rabbi Yosef Blau Responds to Rabbi Alex Israel (BONUS EPISODE)
In episode 201, Rabbi Alex Israel, citing Rav Kook, asked whether nowadays we need to add a greater prophetic element to Judaism, alongside our continued commitment to halacha. Perhaps today we need a new infusion of prophecy - both in terms of its spiritual content, as well as through a renewed emphasis on Torah values that may sometimes be lost in standard halachic discourse. In that episode, Rabbi Israel and Scott talked about the sad reality that some people feel that halacha alone does not
How Much of the Exodus Story is Historical - and Does It Actually Matter? A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum (202)
Did the Exodus from Egypt happen exactly as the Torah describes? How should we contend with archeological evidence that seems to indicate that certain aspects of the Torah's narrative don't make sense? And, for that matter, how can we contend with similar questions that surround other historical Biblical narratives? Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum, Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) and the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, addresses these and other pressing questions in this s
Creating a Living Prophetic Judaism for the 21st Century, with Rabbi Alex Israel (201)
For over two millennia, the Jewish People has lived in a world largely defined by Jewish law, or halacha. While the Tanach is filled with what might be called prophetic Judaism - a Judaism, that is, which is dominated by those who spoke in the name of God - the Judaism that emerged during the era of the Second Temple and thereafter placed a greater emphasis on the minutiae of halachic practice and the intense study of Torah. This halachic Judaism has been a massive success, and has kept the Jewi
Hollywood, Antisemitic Tropes, and Anti-Orthodox Messaging: A Conversation with Allison Josephs (200)
Jews control Hollywood - or so everyone seems to believe, for better and very often for worse. And it’s true that there are many Jewish people who work in the entertainment industry. But this fact is quite distinct from the question of how Jews are typically portrayed in movies and TV shows - and in that realm, there are serious problems, both regarding the depiction of Jews in general, and the depiction of Orthodox Jews in particular. According to Allison Josephs, founder of Jew in the City, th
The Present and Future of Religious Zionism (Part Two): More on the Palestinian Future, Military Service, Culture Wars, Political Direction, and More (199)
Last week’s episode of the Orthodox Conundrum was supposed to be a wide-ranging conversation about the present and future of Religious Zionism, including a discussion of our relationship with the Palestinian population in Yehuda v’Shomron and Gaza. As it turns out, Scott and his guests, Daniel Goldman and Rabbi Elie Mischel, ended up spending the entire podcast speaking about that one issue, so they came back this week to discuss many of the topics that they had not yet addressed. That episode g
The Present and Future of Religious Zionism (Part One): Settlements, a Palestinian State, Tanach as History or as Prophecy for Today, and More (198)
In some recent episodes of this podcast, Scott and his guests have discussed numerous issues relevant to the Religious Zionist world, including some of the ways that Religious Zionism differs from Modern Orthodoxy. But Religious Zionism is not a monolith; there are many different paths within Religious Zionism, and the differences between these paths can sometimes be vast. For example, the Mafdal - that is, Mifleget Dati Leumi, the old Religious Zionist Party which dominated Religious Zionist po
"It Was Never 'Heal the World' at the Expense of Yourself": Antisemitism in AASECT - and Fighting Back - with Talli Rosenbaum, Dr. Logan Levkoff, and Dr. Shoshana Bulow (197)
After October 7th, Jews around the world have felt besieged by some erstwhile allies, as some have been silent in the face of rampant antisemitism, and others have openly supported Hamas and its genocidal goals. While there have been many who openly support Jews and Israel, the war in Gaza has also provided a moment of reckoning as we discovered some unhappy surprises about people we thought were our friends. A good example is the reaction to October 7th by the American Association of Sexuality
Overcoming the Eisav Complex: Raising Orthodox ADHD Kids, with Dr. Simcha Chesner and Dr. Sara Markowitz (196)
35 years ago, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was essentially unknown among the general public; today, it is spoken about all the time. We’ve learned that some behaviors that were once considered signs that a child didn’t care about school or achievement, or simply lacked normal self control, are actually indicators of a difference in the way the mind works - and instead of criticizing the people whose minds work this way, we need to find ways to help them succeed. Indeed, when u
"Where Does a Jew Belong? Where Do the Jewish People Belong?" Post-October 7th Conversations About Israel, with Rabbi Yehoshua Fass (195)
What does Israel mean to you? For years, this was a theoretical question for many people who live in the diaspora. Given Israel's war against Hamas and its army of terror, however, the question has gained additional resonance and, in some ways, can no longer be put off; it demands an answer. With Israel under military attack, and the Jewish people experiencing verbal attacks unlike any seen since World War II, Jews outside of Israel have been forced to consider what kind of relationship they hav
Ultra-Orthodox Integration, Military Service, and More: Understanding the Chareidi Point of View, with Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz (194)
In Episode 184, Scott spoke with Michael Eisenberg and Rabbi Yehoshua Hershberg about their conviction that the time has come for the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel - often referred to as the Chareidim - to participate more fully in Israeli society, specifically by ending what has effectively become a blanket exemption from military service, and by their becoming integrated into Israel's economic life. What was lacking, however, was an explanation of the Chareidi point of view on these matte
Giving a Voice to Diaspora Jews: What Should Israelis Expect After October 7th? (193)
A week or two ago, on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook, Scott posted a question about the propriety of Jews living outside of Israel going on fancy vacations while the Israeli population is experiencing a world where there are kidnapped Jews trapped in Gaza, where we continue to mourn the loss of 1200 victims of October 7th plus over 200 soldiers who have died in the aftermath, and when almost every family is directly experiencing the anxiety of having family currently fightin
“Sometimes I Wonder Why We Have to Be So Afraid”: Women, Gender, and Jewish Law, with Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash (192)
In episode 190, Scott and Dr. Mijal Bitton talked about the idea of creating synagogues that follow Orthodox halacha while embracing an egalitarian aesthetic. One of the ideas that they discussed was the balance between using our Torah texts to determine normative Jewish law, versus what Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik famously described in his seminal essay “Rupture and Reconstruction” as the preeminence of the mimetic tradition - that is, a way of living that is less learned than it is imitated, o
Diaspora Modern Orthodoxy and Israeli Religious Zionism: Similarities, Differences, Opportunities, and Challenges, with Shayna Goldberg (191)
The war in Israel, which is now well over one hundred days old, has in some ways highlighted the commonalities between all Jews across the world, no matter where they live, and in other ways demonstrated the gaps that continue to exist between an Israeli public that is dealing with the reality of war on their doorsteps, and a non-Israel Jewish world which, despite its emotional investment in Israel, obviously is not experiencing war in the same way that Israelis do. The highlighting of these sim
Orthodox Halacha, Covenantal-Traditional Community, Egalitarian Aesthetic: Orthodoxy Moves Into the Future, with Dr. Mijal Bitton (190)
This podcast is called “The Orthodox Conundrum” and many of us self-identify as Orthodox, pray in Orthodox synagogues, affiliate with Orthodox institutions, and consider ourselves part of the wider Orthodox world. But is that term “Orthodox” - and perhaps the concept of denominations in general - a help or a hindrance? Do denominations lead to the building of walls that separate us, and the creation of institutions that are cornered into an inability to change? And let’s say that they do; is tha
Staying Human in a Time of Inhumanity: Spiritual Growth Amid Despair and Gratitude, with Dr. Erica Brown (189)
Dr. Erica Brown has been a guest on the Orthodox Conundrum twice in the past six months: once, in episode 170, about leadership, and again in episode 176 about the theology of Kohelet. It's unprecedented to have a guest back so frequently in a short time frame, but Erica’s voice is one which needs to be heard by as many people as possible. Erica composed a type of memoir or spiritual diary in the two months between Simchat Torah and Chanukah, where she openly discussed her thoughts and feelings
The Ethics of War, Torah Values, and the IDF: Is the Israeli Army Actually the Most Moral Army in the World? With Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody (188)
“The IDF is the most moral army on earth.” We hear this said, and we hope that it’s true. But what does it mean? How is morality defined in wartime? Is the IDF Code of Ethics in line with Jewish teachings? Does the IDF in fact follow its own Code of Ethics? Alongside these general questions, are specific questions that relate to the Torah viewpoint regarding what an army is obligated to do ethically when it is at war. What does Judaism have to say about the ethics of war, and are these ethics es
The Inability to Hold Two Truths at the Same Time: Addressing the Sexual Violence of October 7th, with Rahel Bayar (187)
It has been tremendously disheartening to hear the reactions (or lack thereof) to Hamas’s crimes of October 7th. One of the most obvious instances of this has been the silence of too many organizations dedicated to the protection of women, regarding the rape and mutilation of Israeli victims by Hamas terrorists as they rampaged through southern Israel. There is abundant evidence of gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas. However, many people who choose to support Hamas are engaged in gasligh
Three Approaches to a Different & Unique Chanukah: Conversations with Rabbi Judah Mischel, Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, and Dr. Malka Simkovich (186)
So many people have noted that there are significant parallels between the Jewish world as it exists after the October 7th pogrom and the subsequent war with an enemy determined to wipe Jews and Judaism off the map, and the themes that we pay attention to on Chanukah. In order to discuss some of these ideas in greater depth, and consider the ways that we can uniquely relate to them in 2023, Scott was honored to invite three favorite podcast guests back to the Orthodox Conundrum: Rabbi Judah Misc
Effective and Honest Hasbara: Learning How to Do It Right, with Eylon Levy and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (185)
Since Israel’s war against Hamas began following the horrific events of October 7th, one of the singular challenges Israel faces has been explaining its position to the world, or what’s called in Hebrew, hasbara. It’s never easy defending Israel in the media, never mind going on the offensive; with a natural skepticism of everything that Israel does, combined with some obvious latent antisemitism, many often portray Israel as seemingly having nefarious intentions, and regularly violating the rul
"A Biblical-Level Event": October 7th, the Chareidi Draft, and the Future of Israel, with Michael Eisenberg and Rabbi Yehoshua Hershberg (184)
Many believe that the events of October 7th and their aftermath will lead to a major realignment in many aspects of Israeli and Jewish life. One of the most acute and obvious is the issue of ultra-orthodox deferments from the Israeli military. These deferments are granted based on the assumption that the Torah study in yeshivot is a vital part of the war effort, and on a metaphysical level is a major reason (and perhaps the major reason) for the Israeli army's success. But is this based on an ac
Living with Tension: Maintaining Faith and Dealing with Doubt in the Wake of October 7th, with Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbi Johnny Solomon (183)
The events of the past six weeks - the massacre on October 7th, the kidnappings, the sudden sense of insecurity within Israel - alongside the almost immediate and massive increase in antisemitism around the world, and open calls for the end of the State of Israel in ways that we have never experienced before - have thrown many Jews for a tailspin. Many people have expressed a desire to increase their religious devotion, while others have questioned God and wondered how He could have let this ha
The Importance of Not Getting What You Want: Sefer Devarim and its Relevance to the New Israel, with Dr. Micah Goodman (182)
Two months ago, on September 8th, Scott recorded an interview with Dr. Micah Goodman about Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy. The interview was fascinating, both because of the theological insights that Micah provided, and also because of the way that he was able to relate Moshe’s words to current events in the State of Israel. The terrible Hamas massacre of October 7th has changed everything - and Micah Goodman's insights in this interview are now more relevant than ever. He sees Moshe’s
The Worldwide Rise in Antisemitism, and What Comes Next: A Conversation with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (181)
Everyone who listens to this podcast has heard about the waves of antisemitism that have been engulfing the world ever since October 7th; I’m sure that many people who listen have also experienced some of that antisemitism first hand. There is something so fundamentally Orwellian when the reaction to the slaughter of 1400 innocent people and the kidnapping of about 250 hostages is to demonstrate against the victims of the massacre. And that was before Israel responded; now that Israel is defendi
While Israel Slept: Questions, Puzzles, Issues, and Options Related to the War in Gaza, with Yaakov Katz (180)
There are so many questions about where the State of Israel is heading after this war, and so many puzzles about how we ended up in such a precarious position in the first place. We are rightly proud of the sense of unity that we are currently experiencing; but we cannot let it blind us to the reality that things have to change in the future in order to make sure that Israel is not again lulled into a false sense of security. In this episode, Scott spoke with Yaakov Katz, senior fellow at the Je
G-d Wants Us to Fight Evil: Thinking About the War Through the Lens of Jewish Law and Thought, with Rav Yoni Rosensweig (179)
Israel's war against Hamas has brought the Jewish people together in ways many of us have never before experienced. It also has brought new halachic and hashkafic challenges to light that, as religious Jews, we are obligated to address. In this episode, Scott spoke to Rav Yoni Rosensweig about some of these challenges, including the right and wrong way to engage in self-reflection, what sorts of actions we can all be doing now in order to help the war effort and ourselves, the ways that we shoul
I'm So Proud of the Jewish People, and Other Thoughts: Living Life While Israel is at War (BONUS EPISODE)
After ten days of war in Israel, Scott talks about the Jewish People, the Divine Presence, people who are emulating the wicked son from the Pesach Seder, why Jews Who Matter need to read the Book of Esther, meaningful support from wonderful people who are not Jewish, and more. It might be disorganized, and it might seem random... but maybe that's the most honest kind of podcast after the events of the past week. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Ortho
The Catastrophic Success of Hamas, and Israel's Massive Response: A Deeper Look at Israel's War Against Hamas, with Dr. Matthew Levitt (178)
There are so many questions, and people want to know what's actually happening. In this special rush-released episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with Dr. Matthew Levitt about Israel's war against Hamas. Among the issues they discuss are why Hamas decided to commit these atrocities now, what Hamas expected to occur and what actually took place, whether Hamas anticipated Israel's full response, the possibility of a multi-front war, if Jews should be concerned about Khaled Mashal's cal
There Was Before... And Now There's After: Reflections on the War in Israel with Talli Rosenbaum and David Lange (177)
In this special episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott spoke with Talli Rosenbaum to discuss ways to deal with the very real trauma and emotional distress that the war in Israel has caused, whether or not we live in Israel. He also talked with David Lange of Israellycool.com to get a brief overview of the way that this conflict has been portrayed in the media and over social media - both the good and the distressing. Scott also offers his own reflections on what the war means, and how people w
"A Theology of Distraction": Exploring the Conundrums of Kohelet with Dr. Erica Brown (176)
Megilat Kohelet is one of the most difficult books in Tanach: it jumps back and forth between conflicting assumptions, it lacks any obvious narrative or thematic structure, and its statements sometimes seem at odds with what most people would consider standard Rabbinic theology. People didn’t discover these problems today, of course; the Mishnah in Masechet Yadayim questions whether Kohelet was canonized as part of the Bible or not. Moreover, Masechet Shabbat 30b reports in the name of Rav that
Guilt and Shame, Repentance and Redemption: A Deeper Dive into Teshuva with Elisheva Liss (175)
The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are dedicated to teshuva, commonly translated as “repentance” or “return.” According to the Rambam’s classic formulation, repentance consists of three elements: regret, determination not to repeat the sin in the future, and confession. In many ways it sounds relatively simple… though in practice, it’s often much more difficult. Moreover, from a psychological perspective, the processes of repenting, apologizing, and forgiving are very complex. Wha
"It's About Holding People in their Pain": Infertility and the Orthodox Community, with Dr. Aimee Baron (174)
Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment, but it also represents renewal, hope, confidence, and optimism as we look toward the future. This is expressed in many ways, but perhaps most obviously in the Torah reading of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, where we read that Sarah, after a lifetime of being unable to have children, gave birth to Yitzchak at the age of ninety. In the haftarah of that same day, we read the similar story of Chanah, who was barren until G-d accepted her prayer; she gave birth t
When God Says No: A Pre-Selichot Conversation with Rebecca Sarchi (Special Episode)
The tefilot of the Yamim Nora’im - starting from Selichot and continuing through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - are deep and meaningful, but also long and often quite hard to understand. But that difficulty is minor compared with the theological problem of how to relate to God when our prayers go unanswered... when He seems to have abandoned us... when rather than a divine nod of approval, we feel like we are getting God’s cold shoulder. This is a topic which Scott discussed over the past two we
"I Didn't Know There Could Be a Bad Rabbi": Confronting Emotional and Religious Abuse, with Rabbi Mark Dratch and Mrs. Rachel Dratch (173)
What may a teacher or kiruv professional do in order to make people frum? Do the ends of bringing people closer to Torah justify the means of manipulating them emotionally? And even if the methodology is valid in some way, does it even work? According to Scott, playing mind games in the service of religion is not just wrong, but literally abusive. It potentially causes trauma, and further cements, in both the teacher and the students, the damaging idea that the teacher has special access to spir
Should We Sympathize with Sexual Offenders? (Special Episode)
A podcast hosted by an Orthodox comedian recently featured a controversial interview with a child sex offender. In response, Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum created a panel to discuss whether there are potential benefits to learning more about people who struggle with attraction to minors and do not offend, as well as those who do. (This episode contains explicit material regarding sexual abuse that some readers may find disturbing.) Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know
A Blight Unto the Nations: The Decline and Fall of the Chief Rabbinate, with Rachel Stomel (172)
Is the biggest danger to Torah coming from Israel's own rabbinic establishment? Over the past thirty-plus weeks in Israel, there has been lots of talk about the pros and cons of judicial reform, and about the ways that it should and should not be done. While that issue has taken center stage, other important legislation has also been proposed or passed which has been largely ignored... yet many of these changes will have far-reaching - and potentially detrimental - effects on the nature of relig
Hedonism, Materialism, and Conspicuous Consumption: What Is Orthodoxy's Upper Limit? With Rabbi Jeremy Wieder (171)
In Episode 99, entitled "The Orthodox Community's Obsession with Materialism," Scott spoke with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder about lavish weddings, luxurious vacations, over-the-top camp programs, and more. But unfortunately, the topic wasn't exhausted; the problem is still here, and there are many other issues that need to be addressed. Among these are whether materialism per se is a violation of Torah, or only if that consumption is conspicuous; in what ways hedonism is inimical to spiritual growth and
"Leadership Is Not Comfortable": Discussing Jewish Leadership, Role Models, Successes, and Failures with Dr. Erica Brown (170)
Many people are troubled by what appears to be a dearth of moral leadership in the Jewish world in general, and in the Orthodox world in particular. Of course, no one is asserting that there are no admirable leaders; rather, in addtion to these good leaders, there are too many leaders who are incompetent, cowardly, selfish, or immoral. For that reason, Scott was honored to talk with Dr. Erica Brown about whether this common impression is right, what constitutes good leadership according to Jewis
Santa Claus, Tisha B'Av, and a Necessary Corrective to Our Theology: A New View of Megillat Eicha with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (169)
“What does Eichah have in common with climate change deniers, anti-vaxxers, Holocaust deniers and those that claim that the 2020 presidential elections were stolen?” Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman sent this to Scott, who was intrigued and immediately invited him back onto this podcast to discuss what he meant. More than anything else, we need a way to relate to Megillat Eicha in a world which seems so distant from that described in the book. And even the world described in Eicha is complicated; it’s of
The High Price of Orthodox Life & the Dangers of Keeping Up with the Goldbergs, with Rabbi Avrohom Leventhal and Rachel Krich (168)
The high cost of living an Orthodox life is a big problem. In the United States, for example, the high cost of day school or yeshiva tuition, combined with everything from the need to purchase kosher food to buying a lulav and etrog for Sukkot, adds to a family’s annual bills significantly. When we factor in the reality that standards are getting higher - semachot, for example, are very expensive, while overnight camps often have increasingly elaborate programs that in turn make the price go up
Ascending the Temple Mount, and Finding Meaning During the Three Weeks, with Rabbi Danny Myers (167)
It’s sometimes challenging to feel the aveilut, the mourning of the destruction, when the Jewish people live in a time of unparalleled prosperity, when we can visit and live in a thriving State of Israel, and when we see a beautiful city of Jerusalem filled with Jewish people from around the world. Am Yisrael still absorbs terrible blows; terrorism, the deaths of young soldiers, antisemitism and more continue to plague us. For many people, however, our day-to-day lives are comfortable enough tha
Authority Versus Autonomy in Orthodoxy Today, with Rabbi Chaim Ozer Chait (166)
One of the most important conflicts that many Orthodox Jews face in the 21st century is the clash between authority and autonomy. Orthodox society is largely based upon following the tradition that has been handed down to us, and that tradition is often seen to be largely in the possession of great scholars. Accordingly, it seems like a violation of Torah principles to ignore the directives of gedolei Torah and to do what we want instead. On the other hand, autonomy - the ability and right and e
Converting to Judaism at the Hotel California: Opportunities, Risks, and Jewish Law, with Rabbi Chuck Davidson (165)
Many people give little thought to the issue of conversion, and the challenges that people who convert face. In contrast, Rabbi Chuck Davidson, a leader in establishing non-coercive Orthodox alternatives to Israel’s’ Chief Rabbinate for over a decade and the av beit din of an independent conversion court, has spent years researching the halachic background of conversion. In this episode, Scott and Rabbi Davidson address the debate over the halachic requirements for conversion, what is being done
The YU Pride Alliance, Chassidic Schools & State-Mandated Curriculum, Funding for Jewish Schools, and More: Discussing Church and State with Michael Avi Helfand (164)
Several well-publicized events in the Orthodox world over the past year have brought the issue of the separation of church and state into sharp relief. These include Yeshiva University’s refusal to recognize the YU Pride Alliance - a refusal which, one year ago, Judge Lynn Kotler of the New York County Supreme Court said was a violation of the New York City Human Rights Law; the case is currently under appeal. Another important situation is the recent uproar over the apparent refusal of numerous
A Staring Contest with Hashem: Living with Disability and Faith - and Advocating for Accessibility - with Rivka Herzfeld (163)
When Rivka Herzfeld was younger, she had a feeling that her muscles were not working the way that they should. During her year in Israel after high school, things got serious enough that her research intensified - and she soon discovered that she has an extremely rare degenerative condition that has seriously impacted her ability to use her muscles effectively. Doctors don’t know what to call it, so they use the inexact term “childhood-onset ALS” - and this condition has affected her life in man
Kol Isha and Orthodox Women Performers: A Panel Discussion (162)
It is forbidden to listen to the voice of a woman singing if she is not his wife. (Aruch HaShulchan 21:3) One of the issues that bothers many poeple in the Orthodox world is the halachic concept of kol isha - that is, broadly defined, the prohibition for men to listen to a woman when she is singing. The exact parameters of this halacha are debated, such as whether this includes recordings, if it applies to a woman singing by herself or to a choir as well, and much more. There are, frankly, a wid
Helping Frum Jews Die: What We Need to Know When It's Time to Die, with Dr. Blima Marcus (161)
In our last episode, Scott spoke with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody about bringing greater awareness to issues associated with end-of-life and organ donation. This opened up an important conversation - but there’s much more to say, particularly as it relates to clinical insights from people who actively work with dying patients and their families. To that end, Scott spoke with Dr. Blima Marcus, who was a guest in episode 81 of this podcast. Blimi spoke about the very serious questions regarding how Ort
Organ Donation, Living Wills, DNR, Dementia, and More: Confronting End-of-Life Before the End of Life, with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody (160)
The 49th chapter of Bereshit describes the vivid scene of Yaakov Avinu offering his final words and testament as his children, the progenitors of the twelve tribes, stand around his bed. In many ways, this represents an ideal death: confronting it with time to prepare, with nothing left unsaid, with a faithful family surrounding the person whose life is ending. Of course, very often it doesn’t work that way. Frequently, there are difficult decisions that the patient, or the patient’s family, nee
A Person is a Subject, not an Object: New Traditional Perspectives on Tzniut, with Bracha Poliakoff and Rabbi Anthony Manning (159)
Tzniut is triggering. That became clear when the Orthodox Conundrum Podcast released episode 145 entitled, “The Challenges of Teaching Tzniut & the Challenges of Being Tzanua, with Shayna Goldberg.” That episode, in which Scott asked Shayna to focus on issues related to tzniut (modesty) and clothing, addressed some of the most pressing concerns, and the conversation generated quite a bit of discussion. Today’s conversation is again about tzniut, this time about tzniut as a whole, and from the pe
Orthodox Women & Talmud Study: Setting Higher Standards and Goals, with Rabbanit Michelle Cohen Farber (158)
Last month, it was reported that due to low enrollment, the beginners and intermediate Talmud courses for women at Yeshiva University’s Stern College would not be offered next year, meaning that the only remaining Talmud course would be the advanced class. We also learned that GPATS - the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmud and Tanach Studies - would only have one Talmud track instead of two, as it did in the past; and that YU was not going to hire a new teacher to replace Rav Moshe Kahn z’l, wh
Casual Cruelty, Social Media, and Troubling Orthodox Discourse: Lashon Hara in 2023, with Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman (157)
An important issue raised by our increased reliance on social media is the question of what it has done to the quality of our discourse: that is, the things we say, and the way we say them. It seems that too often, a willingness to engage in casual cruelty has emerged along with the social media revolution; and this has a serious effect on the way we live our lives away from our screens. And, of course, it raises many issues regarding the halachic propriety of how we write and talk. Is it a viol
Don't Put All Our Eggs in the Israeli Basket: Defending & Celebrating Diaspora Jewish Communities, with Maharat Ruth Friedman (156)
In last week's episode, Episode 155, Scott spoke with Rabbi Mark Wildes of the Manhattan Jewish Experience about whether diaspora Jews have enough engagement with Israel, whether they care enough about Israel, and if they have the moral right to actively try to affect Israeli policies. They talked about whether diaspora communities have independent integrity, or if they should instead be seen as waystations on the way to encouraging all Jews to move to Israel. They addressed other issues, too, l
Do Diaspora Jews Care About Israel... Enough? (155)
With the terrible and heartbreaking news that came out of Israel over the course of Pesach - a mother and two children murdered by terrorists, a car ramming in Tel Aviv with an Italian tourist dead and others injured, plus rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon and Gaza - some have noted a disconnect between the attitudes of Jews who live in Israel, and those who live in the diaspora. The two groups sometimes seem to possess different mindsets - that is, very different ways of thinking about ev
Making Your Seder Engaging and Meaningful for Everyone (Bonus Episode)
As we approach the first night of Pesach, many people are looking for ideas that will enhance the Seder, and divrei Torah that will be meaningful to people who sit with us around the table. To that end, Scott spoke with the morning seder faculty of Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah, the yeshiva that he directed alongside Rabbi Pesach Wolicki for eleven years. Along with Rabbi Wolicki, he was joined by Rabbi Yaakov Arram, Rabbi Yisrael Herczeg, Rabbi Adi Krohn, and Rabbi Moshe Lichtman. In this conversat
Crisis in Israel, Judicial Reform, and the Future of the Jewish State: Getting the Real Story, with Haviv Rettig Gur (154)
Israel is in crisis, and Israeli society is deeply torn over the government's proposed reforms to the judiciary. However, while many people talk about what the Likud-led government is trying to do, there is less information about what is actually happening and its ramifications. With the dramatic events of this past week, when Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly suggested that the government needs to pause the reforms, then was fired by Prime Minister Netanyahu the next day, which then led to
The Most Commonly Asked Questions About Hilchot Pesach, with Rav Chayim Soloveichik (153)
More than any other Jewish holiday, Pesach is associated with questions. That’s obviously true for the Seder, but it’s also true when it comes to the intense preparations that precede the chag. Jewish law regarding cleaning for Pesach is very extensive, and the misconceptions are often very prevalent. For that reason, we're proud to present a conversation with Rav Chayim Soloveichik shlit’a, where Scott asked some of the most common questions people ask as they prepare for Pesach. We thank Rav C
The Anxieties of Being Orthodox... and Preventing Mental Health Crises Before They Happen, with Rabbi Dr. Eitan Eisen (152)
As Orthodox Jews, we usually find the experience of mitzvah observance and participation in the Orthodox community to be a source of great religious meaning, comfort, and fellowship; Torah Judaism is the way that Orthodox Jews interact with G-d, and that reality, alongside the communal and social aspects, has made Orthodoxy a source of pride and joy. We must also recognize that aspects of Orthodox life can be a real source of anxiety and stress. This includes the pressures associated with shmira
"A Good Question is Better than a Not Good Answer": Finding Meaning After Staring Into the Abyss, with Ephraim Rimel (151)
Nietzsche said, “When you look long into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.” Today's episode deals with a horrible situation where someone retained his sense of meaning, faith, and belief despite staring into the abyss. Ephraim Rimel experienced just about the worst thing that a person could experience, and somehow moved forward with his belief in G-d and Torah intact. He acknowledged that his values were updated, but the same values that drove him before still drive him today. This was a
Alcohol Abuse and the Orthodox Community: Do We Have a Problem? (Originally released in February, 2020)
In preparation for Purim, the Orthodox Conundrum is rereleasing an episode from 2020 with Dr. Zev Ganz, dealing with teenagers and alcohol abuse. Purim is, if not the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, then certainly the most "fun." And therein lies the problem: are we teaching our children and students that having fun requires alcohol? Is teenage alcohol abuse a real danger, or is it healthy to let loose given that it's only one day a year? Is worrying about Purim drinking and the effe
The Meaning of Amalek for Orthodox Jews Today, with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper (Originally released in March, 2022)
In preparation for Parashat Zachor, the Orthodox Conundrum is rereleasing an episode from last year with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper, dealing with questions surrounding Amalek. How should Orthodox Jews relate to the mitzvah of wiping out Amalek - a Torah law that might seem immoral? What are we remembering when we think of Amalek, and is there a message within that resonates with committed Torah Jews living in the 21st century? We hope this episode will give you food for thought as we move toward Parash
OTD, Datlash, and the Religious Spectrum: When Orthodox Jews Leave Orthodoxy, with Rabbi Alex Israel (150)
There’s a phenomenon in the Orthodox world which is called by various names, though most commonly “Off the Derech” or OTD, and “Datlash,” short for “Dati Leshe’avar” - that is, formerly religious. For a community which prides itself on continuity and on passing the tradition from one generation to the next, the idea that people leave Orthodoxy is simultaneously painful and threatening. Why did he or she leave? What didn’t work? Why don’t they see what I see… or perhaps, if we’re being truly hone
"Keep It, Reformulate It, or Discard It": Losing and Regaining Faith, with Rabbi Pesach Sommer (149)
It is widely assumed that Jewish law requires the acceptance of certain principles of faith - most commonly associated with the thirteen foundational principles that the Rambam wrote about in his Commentary on the Mishnah in Masechet Sanhedrin. These principles, very broadly summarized, include G-d’s existence, His unity and incorporeality, the fact that G-d is the eternal first cause and that prayer must be directed to G-d alone; that prophecy exists, that Moses was the greatest prophet, that t
A Vision of Separating Halacha & State, not Religion & State: A Conversation with Rabbi Aaron Leibowitz (148)
In our previous episode, Scott talked with Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll about the challenge to faith that takes place when some rabbis betray their calling by not acting as they should. When leaders fail us, they leave wreckage in their wake - the wreckage of failed expectations, of disappointment, of crisis, and of course the practical issues like, as Shoshanna related, needing to wait years for a get and more. This episode is a type of follow-up to last week’s. The Israeli Chief Rabbinate was form
Disappointment, Disillusionment, and Dejection: When Rabbis Let Us Down, with Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll (147)
One of the saddest and most poignant emotions is disappointment - that is, when your illusions are shattered, when you anticipated something great, or magical, and it doesn’t happen. Disappointment often means that a piece of innocence is irretrievably lost. What do we do when people we believe in, people we look up to as paragons of virtue, disappoint us? What happens to our faith when great rabbis in whom we trusted actually, like Hans Christian Andersen's emperor, have no clothes? Join Scott
Rav Moshe Kahn ZT"L and the Future of Women's Torah Study (146)
On January 18th, Rabbi Moshe Kahn passed away at the age of 71. The tributes to him as an ideal teacher, talmid chacham, and rebbe immediately started pouring in across social media. As one of today’s guests asserted, if a woman wanted to engage in serious Talmud study in New York for the past four decades, Rav Kahn was the address. The obvious love and dedication shown towards him by his students from Stern and Drisha made it clear that he was someone whom we all should know more about, and con
The Challenges of Teaching Tzniut & the Challenges of Being Tzanua, with Shayna Goldberg (145)
Tzniut, or modesty, is one of the most controversial issues in the Orthodox world today. Indeed, different people see the issue of modesty through different lenses. Some wonder about how to teach students and children about tzniut so that they’ll be more inclined to follow the halachot and established Orthodox customs; others ask questions from the opposite vantage point, wondering about whether tzniut is an inherently oppressive system that leads to an unhealthy body image, increases a sense of
LGBTQ+, Jewish Law, and Compassion, with Rav Yoni Rosensweig (144)
One of the most difficult issues confronting the Orthodox world today is the question of how to welcome people who identify as LGBTQ+, while simultaneously affirming the Biblical injunction that forbids sex between two men, and the Rabbinic prohibition that forbids sex between two women. This initial question opens up a host of additional challenges, including: how do we explain a mitzvah that appears to many people to be immoral? Can we be welcoming to gay couples without undermining the Torah
Jewish-Muslim Dialogue: Serious Challenges and Unique Opportunities, With Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen (143)
Just over a month ago, the Orthodox Conundrum released an episode of this podcast entitled, Confrontation 2022: Jewish-Christian Dialogue and Its Questions, with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki. Pesach discussed why he believes that his work has value, what kind of pushback he’s received, whether he’s providing an opening for missionary activity, how he justifies speaking in churches, and more. Today’s episode is, in some ways, a follow-up to that episode. Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen is one of the leading advoc
Does Modern Orthodoxy's Attitude Toward LGBTQ+ Represent A Moral Failure? Responding to Ben Shapiro (142)
On December 12th, well-known political commentator Ben Shapiro published an article in the Jewish Press entitled "Modern Orthodoxy’s Moral Failure." Its opening paragraph reads, “Modern Orthodoxy is in a state of crisis. It is in a state of crisis because its leadership has, in large measure, abandoned its central principles in favor of political expedience, surrendering long-term interests for short-term tactical maneuvering.” While it's unfair to summarize a reasonably long article in just a f
Different Roles, Different Relationships, & Different Skills: Rabbinic Counseling and Psychotherapy with Rabbi Larry Rothwachs (141)
This podcast has frequently alluded to the problems that arise when rabbis mistakenly don’t stay in their own lane, and end up advising people in areas that require more than the pastoral counseling they might have learned when studying for semicha. Indeed, there is reason to be concerned about the intersection between rabbinic counseling and psychotherapy, and how the professional - and the congregant or client - knows which is required in any given situation. And the answers are not always so
The REAL History of Chanukah... And Why It Matters Today, with Dr. Malka Simkovich (140)
Something about Chanukah speaks to almost all of us... which highlights the fact that the message of Chanukah retains enough ambiguity that different groups can understand it in different and even contradictory ways. This ambiguity goes back to the very earliest days of the holiday’s celebration while the Second Temple still stood; it’s reflected in Rabbinic sources and in our liturgy, as well. And that, in turn, leads to a number of fascinating questions about what Chanukah is really about, whe
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"L (Part 2): His Thought and Philosophy (139)
On November 14th, the Orthodox Conundrum released a panel discussion dealing with Rav Jonathan Sacks zt’l’s life, leadership, and legacy. Today we offer a sequel to that episode, as Scott speaks with Dr. Tanya White and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens about the thought and philosophy of Rabbi Sacks. They address many important issues, including Rabbi Sacks’s originality, his idea of covenant, the importance of individual responsibility, for whom he was writing, the controversy around his book The Dignit
Confrontation 2022: Jewish-Christian Dialogue and Its Questions, with Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (138)
Scott and his close friend Rabbi Pesach Wolicki founded a yeshiva, Yesodei HaTorah, over 18 years ago. Yesodei HaTorah was dedicated to skill building in reading Jewish texts, and helping each student develop an independent Torah philosophy. And in 2015, the yeshiva closed down when it didn’t recruit enough students to keep it going. At that point, Scott moved into the podcasting sphere. Pesach, in turn, became deeply involved in Jewish-Christian dialogue. Now, seven and a half years later, Pesa
The Chaim Walder Case, One Year Later: What Has Changed... and What Hasn't, with Shana Aaronson (137)
On November 12, 2021, Haaretz first reported that several women alleged that popular author Chaim Walder had sexually assaulted them for years, in some cases starting when they were children. Soon after, many more people came forward with similar accusations. And on December 27, 2021 Walder was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, lying next to his son’s grave. This all took place approximately a year ago. Earlier that same year, in March, police opened an investigation regarding alle
Is the Orthodox World Moving Away From Kindness? A Conversation with Rabbi Todd Berman (136)
Torah Judaism offers a vision that is kind, loving, just, and G-d-centric. Some Orthodox Jews, however, feel that the community has begun to lose its way, as too many people emphasize peripheral elements at the expense of the Torah's core values. Rabbi Todd Berman wrote about this in a well received Times of Israel blog post entitled, Choosing a Kinder, Gentler Religious Zionism, and Scott spoke to him about where our community may be going, and what we should do to effect change. They discussed
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"L Panel Discussion (Part 1): His Life, Leadership, and Legacy (135)
Today, the 20th of Cheshvan, is the second yahrzeit of Lord Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l. His impact was enormous; in so many ways, his life represented a sanctification of the Divine name. While many of us are familiar with his important writings and divrei Torah, fewer know about who he was as an individual. To that end, Scott was honored to host Joanna Bennaroch, Rabbi Dr. Daniel Rose, and Rabbi Gideon Sylvester to talk about Rabbi Sacks the human being. The discussion ranged from Rabbi Sa
The Future of Religious Zionism... Or A Dangerous Distortion? A Conversation Over Coffee About the Past and Future of Religious Zionism (134)
The Religious Zionist Party in Israel, headed by Betzalel Smotrich, has been vilified as mainstreaming racist, misogynistic, and homophobic attitudes. Yet last week, that party - or, more appropriately, the three parties that ran together under the Religious Zionist banner - won 14 seats in the Knesset. That means that the Religious Zionist Party represents percentage-wise close to 12% of the Knesset. Scott refuses to believe that all or most of the voters who voted for that party fully support
Building a Non-Orthodox Orthodoxy: Discovering Rav Shagar zt'l with Rabbis Zachary Truboff and Yehoshua Engelman (133)
Increasingly, members of the Religious Zionist community in Israel have discovered the thinking and writings of Rabbi Shimon Gershon Rosenberg, better known by his initials, Rav Shagar. The more they read the many books that have been released after his early passing in 2007 at the age of 57, the more they are challenged, excited, and inspired by his depth, creativity, and authentic religiosity and spiritual longing. Nevertheless, the larger English-speaking Orthodox world remains largely unfa
The New World of Social Media, and What It Means for Orthodox Jews, with Dina Rabhan (132)
“The medium is the message” said philosopher Marshall McLuhan, and the idea that the way we receive information is likely more important and influential than the information itself, is now truer than ever. Because of social media, our world has changed far more than we realize. For Orthodox Jews, who have lived behind literal and symbolic walls for the past 2000 years, the change is one that may completely upend the way we understand the world at large and even the Torah itself. Some communities
Jewish-Catholic Dialogue: Potential Rewards and Possible Dangers, with Dr. Malka Z. Simkovich (131)
On October 28th, 1965, as part of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI promulgated Nostra Aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions. That event cleared the way for a potentially better relationship between Roman Catholics and Jews. Crucially, the Catholic Church also has officially rejected attempts at converting Jews to Christianity. Despite this positive start, the relationship between Jews and Catholics remains a complicated one. Many people argue
The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy (Bonus Episode)
During the Selichot that we have been reciting for the past two weeks, we repeat G-d’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy over and over again. Many shuls have the minhag to say them three times when we open the Aron before the Torah reading on Rosh Hashanah morning, and in some synagogues they’re recited every time we open the ark during the ten days of repentance. Most significantly, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy are the central motif of Maariv on the night of Yom Kippur, and during the final pra
The Discipline of Consciousness: Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, Meditation, and Experiencing G-d (Orthodox Conundrum Special)
As we enter the period of the Yamim Nora’im followed by Sukkot, we are embarking on what might be the most intense spiritual season of the Jewish calendar. Some people find the davening on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur deeply meaningful; others find it interminably long and drawn out. One method that gives some people spiritual meaning - both in the synagogue and out - is the discipline of Jewish meditation. In order to learn about Jewish meditation - what it means, where it comes from, how it’s
Remembering Havi Lev (130)
Today’s episode isn’t about Rosh Hashanah in an overt way; but Myra Sack’s story represents one of the most powerful Rosh Hashanah stories imaginable. Myra and her husband Matt had a beautiful little girl named Havi Lev; and, in her words, We lost our first-born daughter, Havi Lev Goldstein, on January 20th, 2021, at 9:04am. She died peacefully in our bed, in our arms. She died from a cruel disease called Tay-Sachs, that strips your mind and body of every function over 12-18 months. Havi was two
Neo-Chassidut and Experiencing G-d: A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Zuckier (129)
There is a tremendous amount of Torah learning taking place today, and Orthodox Jews should be excited that such study occupies a central place in so many Jewish lives. Daf Yomi has encouraged and inspired people who never before considered learning Talmud to try to learn all of Shas over 7 and a half years. Alongside classes in Talmud, there are shiurim in Chumash, Tanach, Mishnah, Midrash, Halacha, Musar and more. Yes, we spend a lot of time learning G-d’s words. But do we sometimes forget to
Does Belief in Torah Judaism Require a Leap of Faith? (128)
Is belief in Judaism self-evident? Are our principles of faith wholly rational and perhaps even obvious to any thinking person? Or is faith in G-d and Torah more complicated and suffused with questions than many would like to assume? Do we have faith? Do we possess authentic trust in G-d? Deep down, what do we really think about the tenets of Torah Judaism? Do we accept them, doubt them, or maybe both simultaneously? Do we affirm them verbally but question them intellectually? In short, how much
Rediscovering Passionate Judaism - for Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews - with Rabbi Mark Wildes (127)
This episode is, in some ways, two distinct podcasts in one: one about outreach, and one about some major spiritual challenges that exist in the Modern Orthodox world. Many in the Centrist or Modern Orthodox world are uncomfortable with kiruv and outreach; it’s often associated with acting with condescension towards people who are not Orthodox, objectifying people who are not Orthodox, and not acting forthrightly towards people who are not Orthodox. Perhaps most concerning, though, is the suspic
18 Years and Still Waiting for a Get... and Doing Something About it: Lonna Ralbag's Story (126)
Lonna Ralbag has been demanding a get from Meir Kin for 18 years and still hasn’t received it. According to Jewish law, this means that she cannot remarry, and is effectively trapped as a type of aguna - a chained woman. Meanwhile, her estranged husband, despite public pressure, seems to revel in having become the king of the get-refusers. He has a YouTube channel and managed to remarry while leaving Lonna unable to do the same. And he does all of this while claiming to be a religious Jew, follo
Preventing Sexual Abuse in Schools, and Addressing Accusations Properly and Effectively (125)
We all know that there have been numerous high profile scandals involving sexual abuse on the part of teachers and authority figures in the Orthodox world. We also know that as light is shed on these cases, public awareness grows, and the likelihood of coverups is hopefully lessened. At the same time, we need to explore how to put protocols in place so that schools, institutions, and organizations can avoid many of the problems before they happen, and, should these problems occur, have strong gu
More Issues in Jewish Education - with Out-Of-The-Box Solutions (124)
Six weeks ago, the Orthodox Conundrum released a panel discussion with Rabbi Moshe Simkovich, Mrs. Rachel Schwartzberg, Mrs. Olivia Friedman, and Rabbi Pesach Sommer entitled The Crisis of Orthodox Teacher Retention. That episode received a fair bit of comment, and at the same time raised as many questions as it solved. For that reason, it was clear that a follow-up episode with expert educational innovators was necessary in order to address additional problems and to suggest further solutions.
The Kinot of Tisha B'Av: Explanations and Commentary (Bonus Episode Rerelease)
Join Scott Kahn in this rereleased bonus episode for commentaries on 25 of the 40 kinot (lamentations) that Jews recite on the morning of Tisha B'Av. (The time signatures for each commentary are listed below.) Along with all of the Jewish people, we pray that this be the final Tisha B’Av on which we mourn. May the upcoming year be one of gladness, joy, and redemption for us, for all of Israel, and for the whole world. Kinah 6 (שבת סורו) begins at 0:42 Kinah 7 (איכה אצת) begins at 6:17 Kinah 8 (א
Women At The Wall. Not Of. Not For. Just At. (123)
This is not an episode about Women of the Wall. It is not an episode about Women for the Wall. It is not an episode about the egalitarian space at Robinson’s Arch. Instead, this is an episode about fairness and respect and dignity - issues that should concern everyone who cares about Judaism, regardless of how you feel about non-Orthodox prayer at the Kotel or about women reading the Torah on the women’s side of the Wall. Let’s be up front about the halachic facts: men have an obligation to pray
Ending the Stigma Surrounding Anorexia: A Conversation with Judy Krasna (122)
Today’s episode deals with the very difficult topic of eating disorders from the perspective of a parent, as Judy Krasna tells the personal story of her child’s battle with anorexia nervosa. Some may wonder how this topic is relevant to a podcast that deals with issues within Orthodoxy. While Scott and Judy also discuss specifically Orthodox manifestations of anorexia, the issue of eating disorders frankly concerns Orthodox Jews primarily because we are no more immune to them than any other popu
Egalitarian Prayer at the Kotel: How Should Orthodox Jews Respond? (121)
About two weeks ago, two bar mitzvahs and a bat mitzvah took place at the Robinson’s Arch section of the Kotel, which has been designated for egalitarian prayer services. Very sadly, a relatively large number of religious zealots attempted to interrupt and disrupt them in various ways, causing a massive Chilul HaShem and doing nothing productive other than causing additional hatred - this time, perhaps not baseless hatred - in the weeks leading up to our commemoration of the Destruction of the B
Reimagining the Shul for the 21st Century: Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt and the Altneu Synagogue (120)
In this episode - a quasi-sequel to Episode 117 - Scott speaks with Rabbi Benjamin Goldschmidt of the Altneu Shul in Manhattan. Rabbi Goldschmidt spent ten years at the Park East Synagogue after which, in a story that was widely reported in the press, the senior rabbi there effectively pushed him out. From his experiences since that event, Rabbi Goldschmidt has a unique perspective that comes from starting a new shul in Manhattan, and trying to cater to a population that may be looking for new f
Abortion Not in the Abstract: Orthodox Women Share Their Stories (119)
The overturning of Roe v. Wade, which takes away the Constitutional protection of abortion rights, means that every state will decide for itself whether abortion should be permitted - and, where prohibited, what exceptions to the law will be honored. In principle, it also means that a nationwide ban on abortion, legislated by Congress, is theoretically back on the table. Scott spoke with three women, each of whom had an abortion for a different reason, each at a different point in her pregnancy.
The Crisis of Orthodox Teacher Retention: A Panel Discussion (118)
In the most recent issue of Jewish Action, Rachel Schwartzberg wrote an important article entitled, "The Great Teacher Shortage." She outlined the fundamental problem of day school teachers leaving the profession, without an equal influx of new teachers starting out. She explained some of the reasons why this problem has become acute, and some of the work that is being done to combat it. Because this article has generated a fair bit of discussion, Scott invited Rachel Schwartzberg and three vete
The Most Respected Man in Shul (Whom Everyone Disrespects): Challenges of a Rabbi (117)
The position of rabbi is perhaps the most important and central role in Jewish communal life… and no one gets as much grief from the people around him, either. The rabbi is honored and respected, unless he’s completely disrespected and disliked. It's not easy being completely honest and forthright to the people who pay your salary. Beyond the problems with congregants, being a rabbi involves other challenges, as well. The rabbi has to perform many functions and fill many roles for which he may o
Religious Zionism, the Temple Mount, and Racism: Talking with Yossi Klein Halevi (116)
Two weeks ago, on Yom Yerushalayim, many marchers walked into the Old City of Jerusalem, and honorably and admirably celebrated the reunification of Jerusalem 55 years ago. Many thousands of people said prayers of thanksgiving to Hashem Who gave us the merit to live in a time of Jewish sovereignty over a united Jerusalem - a merit that not long ago would have been utterly unfathomable. On that same day, there were some marchers who shouted at and taunted Arab residents of Jerusalem, used racist
Leah Forster: Loving and Defending the Community That Rejects Her (115)
The phenomenon of the individual who grew up in an extreme Chassidish community, then rejects it entirely while physically escaping from it, has become part of everyday discourse regarding Orthodoxy thanks to books and Netflix series such as Unorthodox. It has almost become a type of stereotype, and we might assume that most who leave hold on to bitterness, and feel extreme animosity. Yet Leah Forster does not fit this stereotype at all. She grew up in a Chassidic community in Boro Park, and aft
"Concern, But Not Worry": Advocating for Israel in 2022 with Rabbi Uri Pilichowski (114)
On Yom Yerushalayim, we thank G-d for the miraculous gift of a united Jerusalem - and, lest we forget, the miracle of winning the Six Day War which, many had originally feared, would destroy the State of Israel and precipitate a second Holocaust. While some celebrate, many others suggest that Israel doesn’t belong to us at all. In fact, they say, the entire State of Israel is an illegitimate enterprise, born in sin and destined to be transformed into a binational state without a Jewish character
Modern Orthodoxy's Challenge: Taking G-d Seriously & Fighting Spiritual Anemia (113)
One of the more troubling realities of the Modern Orthodox world today is an apparent disconnect between the tenets of Modern Orthodoxy and the beliefs of its adherents. It seems that there are many who identify with the community while lacking traditional beliefs; others live within Orthodoxy but yearn for a life of greater spirituality. What is actually going in the minds and hearts of Modern Orthodox Jews - and does Modern Orthodoxy have a future? Are these problems endemic to Modern Orthodox
Meron is Hopefully Safe... And We Should All Boycott the Celebrations There (112)
After the tragic events at Meron last year, a safety commission has put new safety protocols in place to ensure that the Lag BaOmer celebrations will proceed without any danger. What are the new rules, will they be implemented, and how effective will they likely be? Scott spoke to Jerusalem Post reporter Eliav Breuer to find out the details. After that interview, Scott offered his own perspective about the correct way for Torah observant Jews to approach Lag BaOmer in Meron this year. Please lis
Yoatzot Halacha and Women's Roles in Learning and Leadership (111)
This episode continues our conversations about the roles of Jewish women in Orthodoxy. Scott speaks to the individual who created one of the most important innovations we’ve seen so far - Rabbanit Chana Henkin, the founder of Nishmat and the force behind the Yoatzot Halacha. Yoatzot halacha, or halachic advisors, have studied in order to become experts in the laws of Nidah or Taharat Hamishpacha. It's likely that yoatzot halacha are at least as qualified, and often far more qualified, to talk ab
Abortion in Jewish Law, and Roe v. Wade in Jewish Public Discourse (110)
On Monday, May 2, Politico obtained a draft majority opinion, written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court decision that broadly granted federal protection of abortion rights. The Court has affirmed that the leaked document is authentic, but also said that it’s preliminary. Regardless, this means that the 49-year-old constitutional right to abortion may soon be overturned, and instead each of the fifty states will make its own legislative decision regard
Jewish Women as Knowledge Holders, and Commodification of Gedolim: Dr. Hannah Lebovits (109)
After the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance become embroiled in controversy last month, many people have begun questioning the future of Orthodox feminism. With that in mind, the Orthodox Conundrum will be releasing several episodes dealing with questions of women and their place in Orthodoxy. In today's episode, Scott interviews Dr. Hannah Lebovits, who discusses structural issues in right wing Orthodoxy that prevent women from becoming knowledge holders, questions regarding "commodification" o
Why I'm Not Recording an Episode This Week (108)
This isn't a regular episode of the Orthodox Conundrum; in fact, it's barely an episode at all. But I wanted to share what's been happening in our lives over the past week because, in the words of Henri Nouwen, "The most personal is the most universal, the most hidden is the most public, and the most solitary is the most communal." Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020
Did the Exodus from Egypt Happen as the Torah Describes? With Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (107)
Just in time for the Seder... so that we can approach the questions that are really bothering so many people. Many religious Jews are troubled by the findings of modern academic studies of the Bible. And few issues can be as fraught with emotion and angst as the question of whether Yetziat Mitzrayim - the Exodus from Egypt - actually happened. After all, the reality of that event is the backbone of so much of Jewish belief; our entire relationship with G-d is largely predicated upon it. So when
Child Safety 2.0: New Approaches to Preventing Abuse with Rav Yakov Horowitz (106)
It sometimes seems as though the stream of child abuse allegations is never ending. There is certainly greater awareness now than there was in the past, but are we really doing everything possible to keep our children safe? Child safety advocate Rav Yakov Horowitz says it’s time for Child Safety 2.0 - that is, to supplement what we might have done until now with added methods and better understanding and awareness. He talked with Scott about how predators groom entire communities along with thei
It's Out There, and the Stigma Must End: Confronting Substance Use in the Orthodox Community (105)
"I always thought that the first time I'd talk about my daughter publicly would be at her funeral." Last week we released an episode about problematic behaviors in Modern Orthodox high schools, with a particular focus on binge drinking. This week, Scott speaks with Lianne Forman, who founded the CCSA organization - Communities Confronting Substance Use and Addiction - along with her husband. Lianne forthrightly discusses drug use in the Orthodox community, the importance of removing the stigma,
Problematic Behaviors in Yeshiva High Schools: Binge Drinking, Gambling, and More (104)
With Purim now in the rear-view mirror, it’s worthwhile to investigate the place of drinking in our Orthodox communities. Rabbi Tully Harcsztark and Dr. Rivka Schwartz assert that it does, indeed, play a troubling role. In fact, scientific surveys have demonstrated that yeshiva high school students are involved in numerous antisocial behaviors, like binge drinking, gambling, and marijuana use - and some of them, at a significantly higher rate than American high school students in general. Parent
The Meaning of Amalek in 2022 with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper (Bonus Episode)
How should Orthodox Jews relate to the mitzvah of wiping out Amalek - a Torah law that might seem immoral? What are we remembering when we think of Amalek, and is there a message within that resonates with committed Torah Jews living in the 21st century? Join Scott as he talks with Rabbi Aryeh Klapper about Amalek, and what Parashat Zachor and Purim mean for Jews today. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook
Wholesale Vs. Retail Halacha: Understanding the Rav Eliezer Melamed Controversy (103)
Rav Eliezer Melamed, the author of the Peninei Halacha series, has recently been condemned by some very important rabbis. These well-respected individuals didn’t merely disagree with his specific opinions, but also used ad hominem language and attacked him personally. What's actually going on? To understand the attempted ban, what Rav Melamed is trying to accomplish, what specific ideas are so controversial, and why the controversy has erupted now, Scott spoke to Rabbi Elli Fischer, the editor o
The Consequences of Not Properly Teaching About Jewish Intimacy and Sex (102)
Two weeks ago, the Orthodox Conundrum hosted a panel discussion with Rabbi Moshe Simkovich, Yoetzet Halacha Tova Warburg Sinensky, and Olivia Friedman about the need for a course in yeshiva high schools that offers a frank presentation of a Jewish sexual ethic. We are now presenting Part Two, where Scott speaks with Yoetzet Bracha Rutner and Adira Botwinick. They talk about some of the difficult consequences that result from a lack of such education, and what more needs to be done - everywhere f
How Should Torah Jews Respond to War in Ukraine? With Rabbis Yonah Bookstein & Judah Mischel (101)
Russia has invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin has put Russia’s nuclear forces on alert, 40 million Ukrainians are in peril, including over 100,000 Jews, and the whole world is on edge. What should we, as Orthodox Jews, be thinking and doing? Scott spoke with Rav Judah Mischel and Rav Yonah Bookstein to hear a Torah perspective on the current war, the very mixed history of Jewish life in Ukraine, and what actions we should be taking. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you
Teaching a Jewish Sexual Ethic in High School: A Panel Discussion (100)
Should intimacy and sex be taught in religious high schools? The members of today's panel believe that it’s not only a good idea, but extremely important and imperative. Many of us have discovered that ignorance when it comes to sex and sexuality can have far reaching consequences. Particularly in light of the recent reports of a rape at Yeshiva University - where the perpetrator allegedly excused his crime by saying, “But it’s fun” - we see that a Jewish sexual ethic is not something that our c
The Orthodox Community's Obsession with Materialism: A Conversation with Rabbi Jeremy Wieder (99)
Whether we’re talking about extraordinarily lavish weddings, or over-the-top Pesach programs, or the race to beat the next summer camp with trips to ever more glamorous locations, or even the clothes we wear, it’s hard to deny that many of us are caught in a trap of overemphasis on material goods and experiences - an overemphasis which is frankly at odds with Torah values. On the other hand, even saying this can be problematic. First of all, isn’t materialism in the eye of the beholder? It’s alm
The Fissures in Jewish Society: Is Bridging Them a Lost Cause? (98)
The lack of unity among the Jewish people is as obvious as it is troubling. We all know that it’s a problem, and has been a problem for as long as there have been Jews. But the normal way of addressing it is by saying that unity is achievable… just as soon as everyone agrees with my way of seeing things. Obviously, this isn’t a method that is destined to succeed. Sometimes it seems that the gaps are too big, the disagreements too intense, the self-righteousness of all sides too entrenched. JJ Su
The Yeshiva University Rape Scandal (97)
On August 25th, 2021 the student newspaper at Yeshiva University, The Commentator, published an anonymous opinion piece entitled, "I Thought Rape Culture Didn’t Exist at YU — Until I Was Raped." Its allegations were deeply troubling, and charged that the university was extremely negligent in its handling of the serious charge that a Yeshiva College student on the basketball team had raped a student from Stern College. In this episode, Scott interviews Shifra Lindenberg and Asher Lovy about the v
Daas Torah, Orthodox Culture, and Jewish History: A Conversation with Professor Marc Shapiro (96)
Daas Torah can be broadly defined as the belief that great Torah scholars have unusual insight in all areas of human endeavor, and that the Orthodox community as a whole (as well as its individual members) would do well - or may even be required - to consult with these outstanding rabbis before undertaking any significant action. But is this actually a traditional Jewish belief, or is it a relatively recent innovation? How much does the Charedi public truly accept Daas Torah as normative? Where
The Tragic Consequences of Daat Torah Done Wrong (95)
Accepting "Daat Torah" nowadays usually means believing that the greatest Torah scholars have unusual insight in areas outside of Jewish law and thought; for this reason, a person should or even must ask their opinion before doing… well, perhaps anything. Minimally, even communal matters that are not halachic issues per se require consultation with the authorities before moving forward. Scott discusses this concept and explains why he thinks that even people who can accept it in theory should re
Understanding Chareidi Media: Do They Believe the Stories They Publish? (94)
Apart from the horror that was engendered by the Chaim Walder revelations and his subsequent suicide, there has been significant discussion about the Chareidi media’s varied responses to the terrible situation. Some media outlets lauded Walder after his death, which apparently helped trigger the suicide of one of Walder’s victims. Ignoring truth for the sake of a supposed higher value has consequences, some potentially catastrophic. To better understand ultra-Orthodox media, Scott spoke to Dr. Y
The Crisis of Orthodox Leadership Reaches a Boiling Point, with Rabbi Yosef Blau (93)
The news that convulsed the Jewish world last week about Chaim Walder’s suicide, following many credible accusations against him of sexual abuse and harassment, highlighted Orthodoxy's leadership crisis. Some prominent rabbis in different sectors of Orthodoxy said and did the right things; but many did not. Some of what these other leaders publicly asserted was ignorant, hurtful, and damaging. Some leaders even implicitly or explicitly showed honor to Walder... and last week, a victim of Walder'
Answering New Questions About the Chaim Walder Situation with Shana Aaronson (92)
On December 27, celebrated children's author Chaim Walder was found dead after apparently shooting himself in a Petach Tikva cemetery. In November, Walder had been credibly accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment in an expose published by Haaretz; this was followed by the revelation that these particular accusations were only the tip of the iceberg. Walder, it turned out, was a monster. The news of Walder's suicide has rocked the Orthodox world. Scott asked Shana Aaronson, the executive
Fake Jewish Charities, and Real (but Really Corrupt) Charities with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (91)
Corruption. No transparency. Cover-ups. This, tragically, is too often the reality in the world of Orthodox Jewish charitable organizations. While some tzedaka funds are well-run, honest, and transparent, others are unprincipled and untrustworthy... and sometimes even worse. (Remember when you gave to help someone get a desperately needed kidney transplant? Are you sure the patient even exists?) Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt highlighted this issue in a twitter thread a couple of months ago, and Sco
The Christian Missionary Threat to Orthodox - Yes, Orthodox - Jews (90)
Jews who live in majority-Christian countries are used to being inundated with Christmas imagery during the month of December. But while that might be innocuous per se, it also raises a more serious question of whether Orthodox Jews need to be concerned about the attempts of some Christian missionaries to convert Jews to Christianity. Many of us likely believe that while we need to combat the conversion of any Jew, Orthodox or otherwise, the danger to Orthodox Jews is minimal, at worst. Rabbi To
The Orthodox Parties' Proposed "War" in Defense of the Religious Status Quo (89)
Last week, Sam Sokol of Haaretz reported that, “Israel’s ultra-Orthodox parties on Monday declared war on the 'Hellenists' in the government looking to upend the country’s religious status quo, promising to launch a joint national struggle to preserve the state’s Jewish character.” What changes are being suggested - and why do these changes make the Orthodox parties so angry? In order to discuss what the government would like to do, what the religious parties want instead, and what might actuall
Shattering the Idols of Cowardice: A Message for Chanukah
When many people think about Chanukah, they think about heroism. And that makes sense: the Maccabees were real heroes, defying the might of their Syrian Greek overlords and fighting for Jewish practice in the Land of Israel. At the same time, much of the Jewish world gets the meaning of heroism wrong... or gets it right and chooses to ignore it. What is heroism, where are we failing, and what can we do to start demonstrating real heroism in our Orthodox communities? Please listen to and share th
Domestic Violence is an Orthodox Problem: A Conversation with Rachel Stomel (88)
Thursday was the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, making this an especially appropriate time to reflect on the issue of domestic violence in the Orthodox world. Many assume that domestic violence is an issue with minimal relevance in Orthodox communities; Rachel Stomel of the Center for Women’s Justice, however, argues that this attitude is, sadly, very mistaken. She asserts that not only does domestic violence take place in our communities, but also that some of
The Chaim Walder Case, and Protecting Our Children from Abuse: A Talk with Shana Aaronson (87)
Just over a week ago, we heard the very disturbing news that the well known and influential children’s author, Chaim Walder, was accused by multiple people of sexually abusing several girls between the ages of 13 and 20. Apart from his celebrity as an author, Walder has worked as a therapist, and is the founder of the Center for the Child and Family in Bnei Brak, a talk show host, and a columnist. After these allegations were published in Haaretz and other media outlets, his newspaper and radio
Coachella and Matan Torah: The Future of Outreach with Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, Part 2 (86)
Our last episode featured the first half of Scott's interview with Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, the rabbi of the Pico Shul in Los Angeles and the founder of Shabbat Tent. In that podcast they talked about the difference between kiruv and outreach, and why that difference matters. Today Rav Yonah explains why music and film festivals have provided him with amazing opportunities for healthy Jewish outreach. He even compares the experience of music festivals with that of Matan Torah, and asserts that thi
Kiruv vs. Outreach: The Future of Outreach with Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, Part 1 (85)
The Orthodox world has often stressed the importance of kiruv - that is, working to help non-Orthodox Jews become Torah observant. But Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, the rabbi of the Pico Shul in Los Angeles, wants to make a distinction between kiruv and outreach; he personally stresses the latter in his important work with Jews across the spectrum of religiosity. What does that mean? How can we avoid being judgmental when we believe that Torah Judaism represents the proper way to actualize Judaism in o
"A Witch, Daughter of a Mamzer": Yael Braun, the Only To'enet in the United States (84)
Yael Braun is a to'enet halacha, someone who goes to the beit din (rabbinic court) in order to advocate on behalf of her clients. In fact, she says that she is the first and only to'enet halacha in the United States. What is the role of a to'enet, and has she had problems stepping into a job normally occupied only by men? But alongside telling stories and explaining the importance of her job, Yael presents a rather hopeful picture of a number of different issues. She has had a very positive expe
"A Complete State of Chaos": Grieving the Loss of a Child with Rabbi Shalom Hammer (83)
Last week Scott spoke with Rabbi Shalom Hammer about the changes that he feels we must make in order for Israeli society to better deal with mental illness in general, and suicidal ideation in particular. This week he spoke with Rabbi Hammer again, and they had a very difficult and emotional - but important - conversation. Rabbi Hammer's daughter Gila died by suicide almost two years ago; they will be commemorating her passing on chet kislev, which this year falls out on the twelfth of November.
Time is Life: Preventing Suicide Instead of Responding to Suicide with Rabbi Shalom Hammer (82)
Less than two years ago, Gila Hammer died by suicide. Since that catastrophic tragedy, her father, Rabbi Shalom Hammer, has been working nonstop to advocate for important changes in the way that the Israeli establishment - medical and governmental - treats mental illness. Rabbi Hammer has also become an important advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. He does this in Gila’s memory, in order to do whatever is possible so that other families do not go through the horror that
Fighting The COVID Deniers with Dr. Blima Marcus (81)
Another episode about COVID-19? Yes - because we need to address the fact that Am Yisrael, which should be a light unto the nations, which should be at the forefront of caring about science and expert opinion, which should be loudly proclaiming to the world that pikuach nefesh - the saving of life - takes precedence over almost anything and everything, has not collectively risen to the challenge. Twenty months into the spread of the coronavirus, we still have large groups of openly Orthodox Jewi
When Your Child Leaves Orthodoxy: Talking with Rabbi Menachem Bombach (80)
One of the most painful challenges for religious Jews is when a child leaves Orthodoxy - in the colloquial phrase, goes off the derech. This event can elicit many different emotional reactions, from anger, to guilt, to sadness, to feelings of rejection, to fears about their other children, to concerns about what the neighbors will say, and much more. Rabbi Menachem Bombach of Beitar Illit in Israel and the director of the Netzach Hareidi Educational Network, has done a tremendous service by publ
Biblical Criticism, Academic Bible Study, and Orthodox Judaism with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (79)
Some of the most serious challenges to traditional Orthodox faith come from academic approaches to the Bible, including what is generally termed Biblical criticism. The Rambam formulated thirteen principles of faith; his eighth principle is succinctly (though inexactly) summarized in the well known Ani Maamin, which says: I believe with perfect faith that the entire Torah found currently in our possession is that which was given to Moshe our teacher. And while this is far from a perfect summary
Five Practical Steps for Repentance: A Pre-Yom Kippur Talk with Rabbi Judah Mischel (78)
In preparation for Yom Kippur, the Orthodox Conundrum presents a conversation between Scott and Rabbi Judah Mischel, the author of the fine new book Baderech: Along the Path of Teshuva. Together they explore the fundamentals of repentance, in order to enable every individual to live a life of meaning and closeness to G-d. To order Baderech, go to https://www.amazon.com/Baderech-Teshuvah-Rabbi-Judah-Mischel/dp/1952370523/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=baderech&qid=1631473503&sr=8-1 Please listen to
The Broken Pump and the Bank Account: A Message for Rosh Hashanah
On Rosh Hashanah, we ask G-d to "remember us with a good remembrance." If G-d remembers everything - which we acknowledge in that same blessing - what, exactly, are we asking Him to do? Scott invokes the broken toilet pump in his basement to provide an answer. We wish everyone listening, along with all Israel and the world, a ketiva v'chatima tova and a sweet new year! Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (h
What To Expect From Your Son's Year In Yeshiva: A Panel Discussion (77)
As American high school graduates start arriving in Israel for a year or two in yeshiva, many people - including students and parents considering a year in Israel in the future, as well as the parents of students who are currently starting yeshiva - have questions and concerns. For that reason, the Orthodox Conundrum convened a panel discussion to address them honestly and forthrightly. Scott discussed many important issues with Rabbis Jonathan Cohen, Boaz Mori, Binny Freedman, and Reuven Taragi
Mental Illness, Halachic Analysis, and Pastoral Counseling: Are Some Rabbis in the Dark? (76)
There is, thankfully, much greater awareness of mental illness today than there was in the past. This naturally leads to the question of how much mental health should affect halacha, or Jewish law. Is someone with an eating disorder permitted to eat on Yom Kippur - or perhaps the question should be, is that person is allowed to fast? If a person suffering from PTSD needs to smoke on Shabbat, is there room to be lenient? If the key question is how mental illness is related to sakanat nefashot - a
Mamzerut: A Legitimate Problem That is Not Going Away (75)
Many people believe that there are essentially no mamzerim anymore. Many people believe that if someone is suspected of being a mamzer, the problem is quickly resolved. Many people believe that if a person is determined to be a mamzer, there is nothing left to do. Rivkah Lubitch, of the Center for Women's Justice and an advocate for agunot and mamzerim in Israel, asserts that all three of these assumptions are incorrect. Join Scott for a fascinating and sometimes disturbing conversation with Riv
Faith is a Verb: A Conversation with Rav Shlomo Katz (74)
What is the most effective way to generate faith in G-d? What are proper and improper outreach techniques, and how can we avoid condescension when doing kiruv? When should leaders work within the system and when is it time to create new institutions? Are the Jewish People on the right or wrong path? These questions are important and pressing, and Scott spoke with musician, author, teacher, and spiritual leader Rabbi Shlomo Katz to hear his opinion about how best to address them. Please listen to
Should Orthodox Jews Prioritize Environmental Concerns? (73)
Climate change and protecting the environment is one of the most pressing issues in the world today - and, at least anecdotally, it seems that many Orthodox Jews are behind the curve when it comes to taking it seriously. They likely have good reasons for this, including doubts about its reality, prioritizing other issues that appear more pressing or important, questions about the politics and political background of those who are at the forefront of calling for action, the assumption that nothin
Whose Business is My Unorthodox Life, Anyway? (72)
The Netflix reality show, My Unorthodox Life, has been the talk of much of the Orthodox world since it was released less than two weeks ago. It tells the story of Julia Haart, who first developed a shoe line, and quickly rose in the world of fashion. She now is the the CEO and co-owner of Elite World Group, the world’s largest modeling network. As most of you probably know, the reason that her story is different from others is that Julia was an Orthodox Jew named Talia Hendler living in Monsey.
The Kinot of Tisha B'Av: Explanations, Themes, and Commentary (Bonus Episode)
Join Scott Kahn in this bonus episode for commentaries on 25 of the 40 kinot (lamentations) that Jews recite on the morning of Tisha B'Av. (The time signatures for each commentary are listed below.) Along with all of the Jewish people, we pray that this be the final Tisha B’Av on which we mourn. May the upcoming year be one of gladness, joy, and redemption for us, for all of Israel, and for the whole world. Kinah 6 (שבת סורו) begins at 0:42 Kinah 7 (איכה אצת) begins at 6:17 Kinah 8 (אאדה) begins
Seeking Justice for Malki: Talking with Arnold Roth (71)
Twenty years ago, 15-year-old Malki Roth and fourteen other people were murdered when a suicide bomber went into the Sbarro restaurant in central Jerusalem and detonated a bomb in his guitar case. Yet Ahlam Tamimi, the mastermind behind the murder, remains proud of what she did, and lives a free and charmed life as a celebrity in Jordan. Arnold and Frimet Roth, Malki's parents, are working tirelessly to bring Tamimi to justice. Their story is obviously painful; the indifference shown to them by
When Israel Won't Let a Jew Make Aliya: The Saga of David Ben Moshe (70)
When we look at the State of Israel, we can sometimes be overwhelmed with how incredible, miraculous, and wonderful it is, while simultaneously being completely flustered with how difficult the bureaucracy and other aspects of life are experienced. Very few people have experienced this as acutely as David Ben Moshe. David’s story is fascinating. He was in federal prison in the United States for drug distribution and unlicensed dealing of firearms. After he was released early for good behavior an
Thinking About What We Don't Want to Think About: The Halachic Will with Rav Menachem Copperman (69)
This episode deals with a topic that a lot of people actively avoid thinking about, but which frankly must be addressed forthrightly to avoid arguments in our families after we’re gone: the allocation of property after we die. And while many of us don’t want to think about this question, caring about our families requires us to do so. We can freely admit that the Torah laws of inheritance are quite different from what most parents would want for their children. In fact, a firstborn son receives
Elevating "The Office": Judaism and Pop Culture with Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm (68)
When the founders of Torah uMadda spoke about integrating Judaism and culture, they were thinking about Milton and Shakespeare, Bach and Beethoven; sitcoms, action movies, and hip hop are most likely far from what they had in mind. Do you think that modern pop culture can be elevated? Can it serve as a source of spirituality or, at least, as a spur to think about important issues? Or is it just a way to relax (at best) and, if people can avoid it altogether, they should? These are just some of t
Rabbi Tovia Singer: Combating the Gentile Orthodox Rabbi Christian Missionaries - Part Two (67)
In the last Orthodox Conundrum (episode 66), Scott talked with Amanda Bradley about the crazy case of Michael Elkohen, a Christian missionary who was masquerading as a Chareidi rabbi, sofer, mohel, Kabbalist, and even kohen. In fact, he wasn’t even Jewish at all, and neither was his wife; his actual last name was Elk, not Elkohen. The question still remains about what damage Michael Elk actually did. After all, Orthodox Jews might be a prime target of missionaries, but Orthodox Jews are far less
The Gentile Orthodox Rabbi Christian Missionary - Part One (66)
Towards the end of April, the Jewish world was rocked by the revelation that a supposed chareidi rabbi, mohel, and sofer living in Jerusalem, Michael Elkohen, was actually not Jewish at all, and was an undercover Christian missionary named Michael Elk. He had long claimed that he was a baal teshuva from the United States, but it became clear that he had no Jewish ancestry, that he was a believing Christian, and that the so-called yeshiva he had opened, Yarim HaAm, was actually a seminary which w
Struggle, Resilience, and Growth: Talking to Shira Lankin Sheps about Layers (65)
Shira Lankin Sheps, the creator and publisher of The Layers Project Magazine, has been conveying the challenges and triumphs of Jewish women for years, and is passionate about creating spaces for stories that need to be told and changing the dialogue around stigmatized topics. Her new book, Layers, accomplishes this in new and exciting ways. Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Shira about the book's goals, what she wouldn't include and why, the reason there isn't a Layers Project for men, and much
Struggle, Resilience, and Growth: Talking to Shira Lankin Sheps about Layers (65)
Shira Lankin Sheps, the creator and publisher of The Layers Project Magazine, has been conveying the challenges and triumphs of Jewish women for years, and is passionate about creating spaces for stories that need to be told and changing the dialogue around stigmatized topics. Her new book, Layers, accomplishes this in new and exciting ways. Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Shira about the book's goals, what she wouldn't include and why, the reason there isn't a Layers Project for men, and much
Are Younger Evangelicals Abandoning Israel? (64)
Members of the large evangelical Christian population in the United States have very often been vocal supporters of the Jewish State. But is that true for the younger generation? Can Israel count upon the support of millennial evangelicals? In the face of rising antisemitism, this question is extremely important. Join Scott as he speaks with Pastor Doug Reed and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki about whether this problem does, indeed, exist, what can be done to counter it, the need for greater and more effe
Rockets Over Tel Aviv, Attempted Lynching in Bat Yam: Israeli Society At War With Itself (63)
Hamas rockets fired into Israel are instruments of terror, and have forced millions of innocent civilians into bomb shelters; seven people have been killed in these attacks, and scores injured. But for many people who love Israel, the Arab-Jewish riots taking place in mixed Arab-Jewish cities have even longer term consequences, with serious implications about the future of Israeli society. Join Scott as he asks Daniel Goldman to explain how we got here, what's actually going on, and what needs t
When We Respond to Symptoms Instead of Causes: Talking with Rabbi Joseph Dweck (62)
In several recent episodes of this podcast, we’ve discussed issues related to what might be called ehrlichkeit as opposed to frumkeit: that is, the fact that ethics and honesty are often ignored at the expense of increased stringency in ritual. To continue that discussion, Scott was honored to speak with Rabbi Joseph Dweck, the Senior Rabbi of the S&P Sephardi Community of the United Kingdom. In this interview they talked about the move towards stringency and its consequences, whether there is a
Tears, Prayers, and No Accountability: Talking Frankly About the Tragedy at Meron (61)
The tragic events on Lag BaOmer have cut all of us deeply, and for those who lost family members the pain is indescribable. We cannot let this moment pass and assimilate it into our memories without making sure that we learn the lessons that are staring us in the face, and point fingers at those who should be held accountable. Join Scott and Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll for a difficult but necessary discussion about what happened in Meron last Thursday. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let
The Power is Ours: Working to Free Agunot with Keshet Starr (60)
Over the past couple of months, the issue of freeing "chained women" - that is, women whose husbands refuse to give them a get as Jewish law requires - has gained new momentum, thanks to a major campaign that began on Instagram. Yet the problem of get refusal remains one of the most pressing issues in the Orthodox world today. What motivates some men to withhold the get, and why do certain batei din and communities openly support their efforts? Are there cases of reverse blackmail, where the wif
The Most Ehrlich Non-Orthodox Jew I Ever Met (59)
David Schimmel z'l passed away last week. You probably never heard of David Schimmel; but that's about to change. The lessons we can learn from his life and death are lessons that need to inform our lives as religious Jews. לעילוי נשמת דוד בן שלמה ז"ל Uri Pransky may be reached in Israel at 972-52-763-8269. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all
Is Orthodoxy Losing Its Moral Compass? With Rabbi Yosef Blau (58)
Orthodox Judaism is demanding. We often need to balance competing values - including the fact that our religious inclinations sometimes lead us into questionable moral territory. Too often, we seem make the wrong decisions. Whether with regard to ignoring Netanyahu's corruption trial, celebrating the merger of Israel's Religious Zionist party with racist and misogynistic factions, supporting obvious falsehoods, or speaking with vitriol against political opponents, we sometimes appear to be losin
The Haggadah: Themes, History, and Controversy (A Special Pre-Pesach Episode)
The Orthodox Conundrum normally deals with weighty issues in Orthodox society; but in preparation for Pesach, I really enjoyed this interview with Meir Simcha Panzer and Nachliel Selavan about the history and themes of the Haggadah. Together we discussed some of the surprising ideas that underlie the Pesach Seder, as well as the importance of surprising ourselves and our families every time we read the Haggadah. Meir Simcha and Nachliel, who cohost the Artifact Podcast, never fail to find intere
Forced Marriage in Orthodoxy: Yes, It Happens (57)
Jewish law requires that both the husband and wife consent to marriage or the marriage is not valid. In practice, however, certain Chassidic communities effectively force a couple to get married - a process which, while conforming to the technical details of halacha, does not truly give either spouse much choice in the matter. To discuss this difficult topic and the issues of consent that arise from it, Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum spoke with Eve Sacks and Yehudis Fletcher, co-founders of Naha
Talking to Children About Yehuda Meshi-Zahav with Rabbi Yakov Horowitz (56)
The recent news reports about Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, the founder of ZAKA, have been extremely jarring: Meshi-Zahav, a hero to many throughout Israel, stands accused of many counts of sexual abuse. How can we use this as a teachable moment for our children? How should we deal with the prospect of another presumptive role model being revealed as something very different? And how do we balance teaching our children to be careful without frightening them? Rabbi Yakov Horowitz responds to these issues,
Experiencing Passionate Judaism with Rabbi Judah Mischel (55)
Rav Judah Mischel is one of those rare people who are permeated with insight, who possess a unique way of looking at the world, which provides those who meet them with encouragement and, frankly, joy. As we approach Pesach, Scott asked him to share his insights into faith, trusting in G-d, educating our kids, inculcating passionate Judaism, asking and addressing questions, the importance of stories, the place of Chassidut, and more. This was a deep and fun conversation; you definitely do not wan
Alcohol Abuse and the Orthodox Community: Do We Have a Problem? (Orthodox Conundrum Classic)
(In anticipation of Purim, the Orthodox Conundrum is rereleasing this classic episode from last year. The issues raised, unfortunately, apply just as much this year as last.) Purim is, if not the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, then certainly the most "fun." And therein lies the problem: are we teaching our children and students that having fun requires alcohol? Is teenage alcohol abuse a real danger, or is it healthy to let loose given that it's only one day a year? Is worrying abou
Coronavirus and the Chareidi Response: a Conversation with Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo (54)
The response to coronavirus protocols in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society has been disheartening. Of course, blaming the entire ultra-Orthodox world for the actions of a subset is absurd and unfair. And claiming that the Chareidi world somehow bears unique blame when the Tel Aviv beaches are often full, and protests against the government continue often without any concern for protocols, seems equally problematic. But we simply can’t ignore the verifiable fact that a significantly greater percenta
Kindness Boomerang: Changing Your Perspective with Orly Wahba (53)
In a world in which civil discourse is eroding, and where political or religious opponents are cast as enemies, the Orthodox community must step up and set an example... and we are failing miserably. Orly Wahba, the founder of Life Vest Inside, is actually doing something about it. Her film "Kindness Boomerang" was viewed by 100 million people, and she also created and launched Dance for Kindness, the largest annual worldwide FlashMob which has grown to be a phenomenal leadership training progra
The Power of Being Present: An Interview with Fred Rogers's Good Friend, Tim Madigan (52)
Mister Rogers has become a symbol of kindness, empathy, and understanding. Tim Madigan, who wrote I'm Proud of You: Life Lessons from My Friend Fred Rogers, says that the person on the TV screen was indeed the real Mister Rogers; and when he spoke to adults, Fred's spirituality, depth, intellect, and almost superhuman ability to be attentive and honest was readily apparent. In a world where polite discourse has too often devolved into shouting, and where those with whom we disagree are considere
"I Need a Better Picture to Make Sure She's Not Overweight": The Shidduch System in Crisis (51)
The Orthodox world prides itself on its family values; nowhere is this more apparent than in the Orthodox emphasis on marriage and children. Getting there, however, can sometimes be fraught with all sorts of problems - what has come to be called the shidduch crisis. According to Anna Sherman, a Registered Psychotherapist, Maternal Mental Health Practitioner, and Clinical Supervisor, it’s not just a problem of getting married; it’s a problem of the wrong messages being sent, creating a divorce cr
The Death of Truth: Thoughts on the Fiasco at the Capitol (50)
When protestors attacked the United States Capitol based on the president's words, both Jewish law and Jewish values were torn to shreds. Many Orthodox Jews, while not supporting violence, refuse to recognize what has happened as a result of the Trump presidency. With two weeks left before Trump leaves office, Scott Kahn looks at what too many Orthodox Jews have lost as a direct consequence of Trump idolatry. Thanks to all of our new Patreon subscribers, who now have access to bonus JCH podcasts
A Special Message from the Orthodox Conundrum
As 2020 comes to a close, Scott takes a brief look back at the past year for Jewish Coffee House, and looks forward to even more in 2021 - and explains how you can help. Listen to the podcast, then go to https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse (and do it fast to get a cup of coffee on us!).
Teaching Kids to Believe: Modern Orthodox Faith Education with Rabbi Pesach Sommer (49)
How do we teach faith and belief to our students and children, when so much of society is dismissive of faith and belief? Should intellectual acquiescence or intimate experience be our primary goal? What are the questions that bother kids the most, and what should parents and teachers do when they don't have satisfactory answers to these questions? To address these and other issues, Scott spoke to Rabbi Pesach Sommer, who has over twenty years of experience teaching in Jewish days schools. He is
"I Will Be First On Line to Vaccinate": The New Vaccine With Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman (48)
It seems that a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 will be available as soon as next month. Yet many people are nervous about the vaccine, and suggested that they might not be interested in having it administered to them - at least not right away. There are concerns about the speed at which it was developed, the possibility of short and long term side effects that might not yet have been discovered, and more. And these questions persist within the Orthodox community, as much as anywhere else. To discus
What to Expect from a Biden Administration with Ambassador Michael Oren (47)
It's difficult to deny that the Trump administration was far more pro-Israel than its predecessor; for that reason, many Israelis and others who support Israel are very nervous about what to expect from a Biden administration. Will the gains of the past four years be reversed? Will Biden reenter the Iran deal? Will Israel receive a warm embrace from Washington, or the cold shoulder? To answer these questions, Scott Kahn spoke to Ambassador Michael Oren. Michael Oren served as the Israeli ambassa
Orthodox Conundrum Editorial: Should Religious Leaders Influence Your Vote?
Should rabbis express their opinion regarding the candidate they think is better? Should they articulate "the Torah's viewpoint" when it comes to elections? What dangers could potentially result from doing so? Join Scott Kahn for a special editorial episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, where he tells you whom he voted for (surprise, not Trump), and why he respects those who voted differently... with one specific exception. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and oth
Christian Zionism and the Missionizing Impulse (46)
Many Jews have ambivalent feelings about Christian support for Israel. On the one hand, we’re thrilled to have friends and supporters; but on the other hand, at what cost? Is Christian Zionism a ploy to support Israel and, in the process, convert unsuspecting Jews to Christianity? Is the missionizing impulse a key aspect of Christian Zionism? What, exactly, do Christian Zionists really want? To answer these questions, Scott Kahn spoke with John Enarson, a Christian who comes from an Evangelical
Covid-19, Conspiracy Theories, Chilul Hashem, and Resetting Orthodoxy (45)
How can it be that wide swaths of the religious Jewish world have become enamored with conspiracy theories, do-it-yourself research in matters of life and death, and even violence, when they don't like a government's policies? This is becoming the public perception of Orthodoxy, both within and without the Jewish world - and the sad reality is that this perception is not baseless. What can we do? How can we reset everything that has gone wrong? Join Scott Kahn for a presentation of the problem.
Sex and Guilt (BONUS EPISODE FROM INTIMATE JUDAISM)
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Intimacy and sexual experiences are so closely connected with a person’s sense of identity, and so seldom discussed in many religious communities, that they often are the source of tremendous feelings of guilt. When are these feelings misplaced and when do they serve a constructive purpose? How should a religious individual manage his experience of guilt? Is there a way to reframe the experience of shame or guilt in order t
Too Early, Too Much, Too Fast: Rabbi Yakov Horowitz on Gemara - Part Two (44)
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Founding Dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, is finding solutions to enable students to learn Gemara, and to enjoy it. His talk with Scott Kahn included insights into solutions for helping students enjoy Gemara learning, effective testing and evaluation methodologies, thoughts about when students should begin learning Talmud, whether strong students also require skill building, how Rabbi Horowitz got into teaching, and much more. If you would like to order a copy of Rab
"What's So Interesting About An Ox?" Rabbi Yakov Horowitz on Gemara - Part One (43)
"Everybody moved up. It was transformational for every single kid. Every single kid." Orthodox education emphasizes Talmud. And too often, the main thing that students learn in Talmud class is how much they don't enjoy it. It gets worse: often, they spend years studying and still haven't a clue about what it means, or how to learn it properly. Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Founding Dean of Yeshiva Darchei Noam of Monsey, recognizes the problem and has set out to rectify it with a new book that attempts
Discrimination and Down Syndrome: Talking with Jodi Samuels (42)
"The answer is no and continues to be no." Jodi Samuels says that people used to say, “When we grow up, we want to be like the Samuels”; until 2008, everything about her life seemed perfect. But in February of that year, when her daughter Caila was born with Down Syndrome, her life changed dramatically, and she and her husband almost immediately became activists. And when the local Orthodox school refused to allow Caila to enroll, Jodi's activism made news around the world. Join Scott Kahn as he
(Men Discussing) Orthodox Women's Roles: A Follow-Up and Interview with Chochmat Nashim (41)
Several weeks ago, the Orthdox Conundrum released a podcast where two men discussed the Israeli Chief Rabbinate's refusal to allow women to take the exams for rabbinic ordination. The fact that no women were involved in this conversation, as well as the content of the podcast, generated a brand new controversy. Is it offensive for men to discuss women's roles in Judaism without having a woman present? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Anne Gordon, Rachel Stomel, and Shoshanna Keats-Jaskoll - the
Annexation: Brilliant or Foolhardy? A Conversation with Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn (40)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has had a plan to annex up to 30% of the West Bank... but what that plan is, and whether it will happen altogether, is open to question. What's going on? Is annexation in Israel's best interests? What could go right and what could go wrong? And how might it affect American Jewish support for Israel? Join Scott Kahn as he discusses these and other questions with Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn of Northwestern University in Chicago. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.co
Orthodox Women as Spiritual Leaders: Yes or No? A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander (39)
Israel's Attorney General recently declared that women should be allowed to sit for the same rabbinical exams as men, albeit not in order to acquire the title "Rabbi." The Chief Rabbinate, however, threatened to stop all examinations if this plan were implemented. Is the Chief Rabbinate justified? Is there a problem with women being rabbis in Orthodoxy? If so, is there an equivalent position or title which would be acceptable? And are the current steps leading down a slippery slope where traditi
Bitul Torah and Creativity: The Challenges and Opportunities of Being a Religious Artist (38)
Orthodox Judaism often has a fraught relationship with the arts, characterized by both tension and fascination. Some Torah sources emphasize the great spiritual potential in music and the visual arts, while others consider art a waste of time - or worse. In this live episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn is joined by Franciska Goldschmidt Kosman and a panel of experts - Abie Rotenberg, Simcha Leiner, Moshe Braun, and Chaim Aizenshtat - to discuss Judaism and the arts. They address the wa
Arrested by the Waqf... For Saying The Temple Mount Once Had a Temple (37)
Shaina Be Hirsch was visiting the Temple Mount and videoing it on Facebook Live, when she was accosted by a security guard who demanded that she retract her factual claim that there was a Temple on the site before there was a mosque there. When she refused, and continued to insist on factual accuracy, she was literally arrested by the Waqf. Join Scott Kahn for a disturbing interview with Shaina as she recounts her story, and discusses what has been done and what further needs to be done to ensur
How DARE You Ask For Payment! (36)
Professionals expect to be paid, and rightly so. Why, then, are so many educators and rabbis in the Jewish world expected to teach, lecture, and officiate for free - and are often viewed as hypocrites when they ask for payment? In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn speaks with veteran educator Sarah Rudolph, a teacher living in Cleveland whose frustration about this very issue inspired her to write a well-received article in The Forward, "The Injustice of Asking Jewish Educators
Living an Orthodox Jewish Life During the Coronavirus Pandemic(35)
During this time when many of us are effectively isolated in our homes, many religious questions arise. What should be done about minyan? Should weddings be delayed? Should yeshivot stay open despite the determination of government authorities? What special tefilot should we say? How can we use this time effectively? How should we explain this situation to our children? In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with Rav Chayim Soloveichik shlit"a, the rabbi of Ohr Shalom in Ramat B
Jewish, Black, and a Survivor of Racism... Perpetrated by Orthodox Jews (34)
"Until then, I only thought I was Jewish." Elisheva Rishon was born in Brooklyn to Orthodox parents, and as a young child, loved everything about being Jewish. Sadly, the response of too many Orthodox Jews to her skin color made her feel excluded from the Orthodox community, and taught her the unfortunate lesson that she would always be treated differently from others. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott interviews Elisheva about her experiences, her perspective as a Black Jewish wo
Alcohol Abuse and the Orthodox Community: Do We Have a Problem? (33)
Purim is, if not the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, then certainly the most "fun." And therein lies the problem: are we teaching our children and students that having fun requires alcohol? Is teenage alcohol abuse a real danger, or is it healthy to let loose given that it's only one day a year? Is worrying about Purim drinking and the effects of kiddush clubs alarmist, or necessary? What should be done if you suspect that your kid has a problem, and how is "problem" even defined? Jo
Suicide: A Parent's Story (32)
Gila Hammer, only 18 years old, died by suicide two months ago. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with her father, Rabbi Shalom Hammer, about Gila's life, her mental illness, the ways that the system failed her, the symptoms that parents need to know, and the lessons everyone can learn from both her life and her tragic death.
If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text TALK to the Crisis Text Li
Is Democracy the Enemy of Religious Zionism? A Conversaton with Daniel Goldman (31)
In our previous episode, we discussed the problem of racism within the Religious Zionist community. Left unanswered, however, was the question of why some Religious Zionist communities tend to move in that direction. What is it about Religious Zionist philosophy which can engender racist attitudes? Is it as big a problem as it appears? And what can be done to fight it? Join Scott Kahn and his special guest, Daniel Goldman, for a frank discussion about these and other issues. Join our team, suppo
The Rot at the Heart of Religious Zionism (30)
We are rightly proud when religious Jews act in a manner that is a kiddush Hashem. And recently, we have heard of a number of such examples. On the other hand, when there is a chilul Hashem, too often we write it off, attribute it to some bad apples, or perhaps to someone who doesn’t represent our community. For people in the Orthodox world in general, and in the Dati Leumi community in particular, it’s time to acknowledge something rotten that has made its way into our world - and we barely eve
Antisemitism on the Rise, and a March in New York: A Conversation with Shira Hanau (29)
Antisemitism is a growing problem... and 25,000 people marched in New York as a protest against it. Are we just trying to make ourselves feel better? What are its causes. and can anything be done to reduce it? How is the rise of antisemitism related to Israel, and is it forcing supporters of Israel to go underground? Are Chassidic communities, which have largely been victimized more than other segments of the Jewish world, being adequately supported by other Jews? Join me and Shira Hanau of the
The Double Betrayal: An Interview with Genendy (28)
Sexual abuse is horrific, and can ruin a person's life. When the abusers are community leaders - and the community has a vested interest in making sure that they remain leaders in good standing - there's a double betrayal. Scott Kahn asks Genendy to relate her own story of sexual abuse, along with her message of healing. Genendy was one of subjects of Dalit Kimor's documentary, Unkept Secrets, and is the author of a memoir, The Price of Truth. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com
Predators, Preparation, Protocols, and Sexual Abuse: A Talk with Rabbi Yakov Horowitz (27)
Sexual abuse continues to be a scourge in the Orthodox Jewish world; and the lack of awareness applies to all sectors of the population, whether Modern, Dati Leumi, or Chareidi. We can and must take action to address this and prevent it. What can we do? Join me as I speak with Rabbi Yakov Horowitz, Director of the Center for Jewish Family Life and Project Y.E.S., and one of the world's leading experts on sexual abuse in the Orthodox community, in a wide ranging, sometimes disturbing, but ultimat
Education for Emunah (26)
Among many Orthodox Jews, there seems to be a crisis of faith - and the issue is even more acute among our children and students. Can we teach belief? Are there strategies to help inculcate emunah? Rabbi Shmuel Feld, founding director of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge, joins me today to discuss some of the problems, and to offer practical techniques that can guide teachers and parents in their quest to develop genuine faith. Music: "Happy Rock" by Bensound.com
Do Orthodox Communities Marginalize Singles? A Conversation with Rabbi Yuter (25)
Orthodox Judaism prides itself on its emphasis on strong family life; but does that emphasis come at the expense of unmarried individuals in our communities? What sorts of challenges do singles experience, and is there more that we can do to create more a more inclusive Orthodoxy? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Rabbi Josh Yuter about this important and pressing issue. (This episode continues a discussion which began on the Intimate Judaism podcast; check it out at https://www.intimatejudaism.c
Trump, Otzmah, and Young Israel: A Conversation with Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz (24)
“President Trump is the most benevolent leader the Jewish people have ever known in their 2,000 years in their Diaspora, believe me.” So said Rabbi Yechezkel Moskowitz, chairman of the recent National Council of Young Israel dinner. Should an Orthodox synagogue organization so openly genuflect before President Trump? Does this express proper gratitude for what the president has done for Israel, or does it celebrate a person whose character represents the antithesis of Torah values? Should the Yo
Do Our Schools Teach Too Much Gemara? (23)
Talmud is the lifeblood of Jewish education; it is the centerpiece, the central pillar - and with good reason. But with so many students not enjoying or understanding Talmud, is it possible that we're doing something wrong? Is it possible that our educational system is predicated upon a wrong assumption? How can we inspire more students, without losing that which makes Jewish education unique? Join Scott Kahn as he begins the process of evaluating our educational system, on this episode of the O
A Soccer Ball, an Eye Injury, and a Second Yom Kippur (22)
The Orthodox Conundrum has been on unintentional hiatus for a couple of months... but Scott Kahn has a good excuse. He explains everything through a story about a soccer ball hitting his son in his left eye, and the heady events - physical and spiritual - that proceeded as a result of a simple schoolyard game of monkey in the middle. Plus: a dvar Torah about Naaseh v'Nishma, and the unity of Israel. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes - just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/i
Sexual Abuse and the Orthodox World: A Conversation with Shana Aaronson (21)
Sexual abuse is a terrible problem in all communities, and unfortunately, the Orthodox world is no exception. Is the Orthodox community better or worse than others? Have things improved over the past few years as awareness has increased - or have things gotten even worse? And is there reason to hope for the future? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews Shana Aaronson, the COO of Jewish Community Watch (http://www.jewishcommunitywatch.org/) about a problem that we dare not ignore. Please subscribe, ra
The Ends, The Means, and Religious Political Parties (20)
In our last episode, we asked if the ends justify the means in Torah Judaism; the answer, we stated, must be a resounding NO. Nevertheless, in the realm of politics in Israel, religious political parties often act as though any means - including the violation of Halacha - is acceptable in the service of reaching the parties' goals. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn looks at religious political parties in general, and why he feels that they are doing a disservice to Torah Juda
#NoScreensAtTheTable - Bonus Episode (19)
In this bonus mini-episode for Yom Kippur, the Orthodox Conundrum offers a reminder about something we all know, but so often forget: the message we're sending our children, spouse, and friends when we look at our phones while sitting at the table. Please take five minutes to listen, and share the message that starting today, #NoScreensAtTheTable.
The Ends, The Means, and Rabbi Yosef Mizrachi (18)
Do the ends justify the means? This old question has been debated endlessly, but within Torah Judaism, the answer must be a resounding NO. Nevertheless, too often in the Torah community, the ends are treated as so important that violations of some of the most serious prohibitions in the Torah are countenanced in the context of achieving a seemingly noble goal. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn discusses this issue in the context of the well-known kiruv rabbi, Yosef Mizrachi,
The Chief Rabbinate: Fix It or Ditch It? An Interview with Rabbi Seth Farber (17)
The Israeli Chief Rabbinate has become a lightning rod for criticism - and in many cases, quite deservedly so. The institution is broken; should we try to fix it, or junk it altogether? Rabbi Seth Farber, the founder of ITIM, believes that it can be a force for good - but only if it changes its narrow and, in his opinion, incorrect understanding of Halacha and its place in the State of Israel. In this episode of The Orthodox Conundrum Podcast, Scott Kahn discusses these and other issues with Rab
Killing Our Kids For Convenience (16)
Too often, we ignore the crucial directives implied by the concept of Pikuach Nefesh - saving a life - and allow ourselves to be reckless on the roads through speeding, texting while driving, not using seat belts, and more. When will we realize that safe driving is not only smart, but also an absolute halachic requirement? Join Scott Kahn for a short but powerful episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, where he insists that Orthodox Jews, based on their own principles, act as exemplars of road safety
"Our Orthodox Community is Very Often Governed by Shame" - An Interview with Shira Lankin Sheps (15)
We in the Orthodox community are justifiably proud of our emphasis on community. Like all good things, however, this, too, has a dark side: the possibility of people feeling excluded from what often presents itself, or at least sometimes appears, as a community that is insulated from many problems. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn talks to Shira Lankin Sheps, who is giving voice to women whose problems are often swept under the rug. Through The Layers Project, Shira is allow
Racism and Xenophobia in the Orthodox Community: A conversation with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (14)
Is much of the Orthodox community racist? What are the reasons that some members of our community express racist attitudes, use racist language, and demonstrate a lack of respect for people outside the Jewish community who are not white? Join Scott Kahn as he interviews journalist Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt to discuss how prevalent this problem is, how we got here, and what can be done to change things in the future. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes! Just go to itunes.apple.com/us/po
Teaching Outside the Box - Or Throwing Away the Box Altogether (13)
What should you do when you have a unique educational approach that isn't fully appreciated by normal institutions? If you're Rabbi Akiva Weisinger - creator of the 19,000-member strong Facebook group God Save Us From Your Opinion - you simply create a new institution for you and other like-minded individuals. Join Scott Kahn for a discussion with Akiva about why Akiva dismisses lables, how far he's willing to go outside the Orthodox box when discovering exciting new educators, what problems in
Trump and Family Separation: What Some Orthodox Jews Got Wrong, and Agudath Israel Got Right (12)
The Trump administration's policy (thankfully reversed by executive order) of separating parents and children at the US-Mexico border was cruel and inhumane, and violated basic Torah values. The Orthodox Union and, to an even greater degree, Agudath Israel of America, did the right thing by condemning this policy in clear and unambiguous terms. But what about the Orthodox Jews who support the policy - what Torah values are they advocating? When does support for Trump become a violation of Torah?
Do Orthodox Men Respect Women? - Part 2 (Episode 11)
Do Orthodox Jews respect women? That question from our last episode engendered a lot of discussion, and Scott Kahn continues the conversation by answering and discussing some of the many responses and criticisms he received in response to the podcast. Join the conversation - you won't want to miss it. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes! Just go to itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ortho…rum/id1289716034, click on "View in iTunes," and you're ready to go. Music: Happy Rock by bensound.com
Do Orthodox Men Respect Women?(10)
It is often claimed that despite their being relegated to the other side of the mechitza, women are shown tremendous respect within Orthodox Judaism. That may be true, but do Orthodox JEWS show this same respect that they claim is warranted by Jewish law? Join Scott Kahn for an honest talk about women on the other side of the mechitza, and the way that - too often - they are made to feel like second class citizens even in the space reserved for them. Please subscribe, rate, and review on iTunes!
Masturbation, Sexual Health, & Halacha: Is There A Conflict? A Conversation with Talli Rosenbaum (9)
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Halachic sources state that male masturbation is unequivocally prohibited under Jewish law. This prohibition, however, often creates serious conflict and guilt in the religious and private lives of young Orthodox men, with consequences ranging from experiencing feelings of hypocrisy, to dropping out of Orthodoxy altogether, to skewing their perceptions of what marriage is supposed to be. In this episode of The Orthodox Conu
Jewish Law as Rebellion: An Interview with Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo (Episode 8)
Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo is at the cutting edge of Orthodox Jewish thought. He does not shy away from diagnosing problems, breaking barriers, and offering novel - and perhaps disturbing - ways of looking at the tradition, while insisting upon genuine fealty to Jewish law and practice. What is lacking in the Orthodox community's religious practice? How does he suggest addresing these issues? When is halachic change warranted, should these changes come from within the tradition or from without,
Jewish Law as Rebellion: An Interview with Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo is at the cutting edge of Orthodox Jewish thought. He does not shy away from diagnosing problems, breaking barriers, and offering novel - and perhaps disturbing - ways of looking at the tradition, while insisting upon genuine fealty to Jewish law and practice. What is lacking in the Orthodox community's religious practice? How does he suggest addresing these issues? When is halachic change warranted, should these changes come from within the tradition or from without,
Censorship and Forgery in the Orthodox World: A Conversation with Professor Marc Shapiro (Episode 7)
One of the worst-kept secrets of the right-wing Orthodox world is that texts are sometimes censored to make sure that they adhere with the worldview espoused within that culture. This includes removing the words of some of the greatest rabbinic figures of all time, such as Rashi and the Rashbam, as well as literally forging the statements of important rabbis. Is this practice limited to publishers in the yeshiva world, or do other streams of Judaism do it, as well? How do those who engage in suc
Halachot of Sexuality, Wasting Seed, and the Influence of the Zohar (Episode 6)
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Rabbi Yosef Karo's halachic opinion on non-vaginal intercourse, as expressed in the Shulchan Aruch, is often seen as standard and normative. The reality, however, is much more complex. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum podcast, Scott Kahn talks with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, author of Halachic Positions: What Judaism Really Says About Passion in the Marital Bed, about the influence of the Zohar upon the presumed normati
Is Non Vaginal Intercourse Permissible? (Episode 5)
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Although most religious Jews assume that anal and oral intercourse are halachically forbidden, there is significant discussion and disagreement about this issue in the Talmud and the Rishonim. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum podcast, Scott Kahn talks with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, author of Halachic Positions: What Judaism Really Says About Passion in the Marital Bed, about this topic, and about the surprising halachi
Exploring the Six Primary Talmudic Texts Dealing With Sexuality (Episode 4)
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. In Masechet Nedarim 20a, Rabbi Yochanan ben Dehavai states that certain birth defects are caused by particular actions performed by the husband and wife during sexual intercourse; accordingly, he seems to put severe restraints on what a couple may do while having sex. On the other hand, the Sages say that a husband and wife may do whatever they like during intercourse, and that the halacha does not follow Rabbi Yochanan ben
Episode 3 - Correcting a Basic Misunderstanding About Judaism and Sexuality
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT MATERIAL. LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. While many people know that Judaism has a positive orientation toward marriage and sex, people often assume that, even within marriage, there are severe restrictions on what is allowed and what is forbidden. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn speaks with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, author of Halachic Positions: What Judaism Really Says About Passion In The Marital Bed, in order to understand the source of these
Interview with Rabbi Asher Lopatin, President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (Episode 2)
Rabbi Asher Lopatin is the president of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in New York. Chovevei Torah has long been associated with "Open Orthodoxy," but Rabbi Lopatin recently decided to retire that moniker, and wants his yeshiva to be seen as an integral part of the Modern Orthodox world. Many Orthodox Jews, however, view Chovevei Torah as standing outside of Orthodoxy. Join Scott Kahn as he and Rabbi Lopatin have a frank discussion about the meaning of Modern Orthodoxy, women's roles, gay marriage, the