The Kotzk Podcast

In this episode—based extensively on the research by Dr Leore Sachs-Shmueli and Eynel Kapach examines the question of whether the Maharal of Prague  (1512-1609) was a philosopher or a Kabbalist (Kotzk Blog 562).

This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Gideon Freudenthal—explores the possibility of a unio mystica (mystical union) attainable through Maimonidean philosophic and rationalist endeavours (Kotzk Blog 561)

This article examines the contested history surrounding the murder of R. Avraham Kohn on September 6, 1848. He was a student of the Chief Rabbi of Prague, Shmuel Landau, who ordained him in 1831. He was also a graduate of Charles University of Prague. R. Kohn, himself,  later became the Chief Rabbi of Lemberg (Lviv) (Kotzk Blog 559)

This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Isaac Hershkowitz—examines the transformation of the Temple Mount from a previously marginal symbol to a current central component of Religious Zionism.. (Kotzk Blog 558)

The Babylonian Talmud in its original Persian-Iranian context:
This article looks at recent research into possible Sasanian-Persian influences on the Babylonian Talmud (Kotzk Blog 556)

This episode examines Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah from a historical, psychological and analytical perspective. If you prefer not to read such treatments of mysticism, you may wish to skip this piece (Kotzk blog 557)

This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Israel Koren—explores a most unusual approach to sociability, friendship and family, in the teachings R. Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica (Ishbitz) (1800-1854) (Kotzk Blog 555)

This episode traces how Renaissance rabbis alternately absorbed and resisted Mediterranean honour codes in confronting honour killings (Kotzk Blog 554)

This episode shows the circular route followed by Philo's teachings before they made their way back, in some form, to Judaism (Kotzk blog 553)

The added blessing in the Amidah: Who are we cursing?This article examines a possible target of the curses as found in the extra blessing of the Amidah (veLamalshinim) (Kotzk blog)