The messianic idea has been part of Jewish thought since the writings of the prophets who developed the notion that a restored Israel, housing the presence of the Divine, could lead to a transformed world. In this podcast episode, David explores the idea and manifestation of messianism in Judaism and examines several fascinating examples of …

Continue reading "#58 How to Convert the Pope: Successful and Failed Attempts to Bring the Messiah"

Wine has played a central role in Jewish life from the very beginning. In this podcast episode, David draws together the themes of wine, the High Holidays, Kabbalah, and the natural world in a talk given in New York in 2008. David explores the significance of wine in Jewish culture and spirituality, its status and …

Continue reading "#57 Wine and the High Holidays"

The concept of teshuva – usually translated in English as “repentance” but literally meaning “return” – is, as David discusses in this episode, a phenomenal idea in Judaism that a person can be defined, not simply by what they do, but by their ability to change. This podcast episode, coming in advance of Yom Kippur, …

Continue reading "#56 The Power of Teshuva"

A Podcast on the Prophets of Israel in Tanach (Hebrew Bible) The Trei Asar, known in English as the twelve ‘minor’ prophets, have been fundamental to the transmission of ideas and moral perspectives through the past two and a half millennia. In this podcast episode, the final instalment of this four-part series on the prophets …

Continue reading "#55 The Prophets: The Twelve ‘Minor’ Prophets"

A Podcast on the Prophets of Israel in Tanach (Hebrew Bible) The Book of Ezekiel has been enormously influential on Jewish spirituality for two-and-a-half millennia, including as the foundational inspiration for subsequent Jewish mystical ideas and texts. In this podcast episode, David examines the life and work of the Prophet Ezekiel (Yechezkel), believed to be …

Continue reading "#54 The Prophets: Ezekiel"

A Podcast on the Prophets of Israel in Tanach (Hebrew Bible) It is impossible to understand the impact of the prophets of Israel without placing them in their historical and cultural contexts. In this podcast episode, David sets the fascinating historical background to the emergence of the second of the ‘major prophets’, Jeremiah (Yeremiyahu). He …

Continue reading "#53 The Prophets: Jeremiah"

A Podcast on the Prophet Isaiah in Tanach (Hebrew Bible) The Prophets of Israel were a unique and revolutionary spiritual phenomenon with profound impact across the ages. In this podcast episode, the first of a four-part series on the prophets scheduled for Elul, David examines the context, character, and inspirational message of the Prophet Isaiah …

Continue reading "#52 The Prophets: Isaiah"

A Podcast on Women in Jewish History  Recent decades have seen many examples of Jewish women who have significantly influenced Jewish history and, more generally, world history. In this podcast episode, David examines the characters and contributions of more than 20 extraordinary Jewish women from the past hundred years. He explores their fascinating and sometimes …

Continue reading "#51 Women in Jewish History: 20th to 21st Centuries"

A Podcast on Women in Jewish History  From mystics and messianic figures to writers, activists, and politicians women made enormous contributions to Jewish and world history during the four centuries examined in this lecture. In this podcast episode, David explores the characters and contributions of a collection of “remarkable and extraordinary” women from the mid …

Continue reading "#50 Women in Jewish History: 18th to 20th Centuries"

A Podcast on the Book of Job in the Hebrew Bible The Book of Job (Iyov) is a philosophical discussion on the nature of divine justice in relation to human suffering. In this podcast episode, David provides a fascinating overview of the story of Job whose tragic circumstances cause him to demand an explanation from …

Continue reading "#49 When Being Righteous is not Enough: A Study of the Book of Job"