The Kotzk Podcast

By Rabbi Gavin Michal

Join Rabbi Gavin Michal for a look at some of the lesser-known events, books, and people in Jewish history. New episodes weekly based on articles from the Kotzk Blog, www.kotzkblog.com. This podcast w... more

88 ratings

FAQs about The Kotzk Podcast:

How many episodes does The Kotzk Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.

The Kotzk Podcast episodes:

December 13, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 041: Kabbalah: To print or not to print the ‘lost’ mystical tradition
Kabbalah: To print or not to print the ‘lost’ mystical tradition (Kotzk Blog 496)

This article ꟷ based extensively on the research by Avraham Oriah Kelman[1] ꟷ examines the little-known crisis in Kabbalistic transmission that became evident between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries.
...more
1h 11min
December 01, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 040: Inverted hierarchies: Humans making G-d more moral
Inverted hierarchies: Humans making G-d more moral (Kotzk Blog 494)
This article ꟷ based extensively on the research by Professor Dov Weiss[1] ꟷ examines how late Palestinian Midrashim, particularly the Tanchuma Yelamedeinu (fourth to ninth centuries CE), depict humans challenging G-d over morally problematic issues expressed in the Torah. In these cases, biblical figures are audaciously portrayed as both teaching and counselling G-d, as it were, convincing Him to adopt a more moral and ethical approach. The Midrashic work, Tanchuma Yelamedeinu exhibits about fifty examples of humans making G-d ‘more moral.’
...more
1h 10min
November 15, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 039: Carrying on Shabbat: From Jeremiah to the Mishna
Carrying on Shabbat: From Jeremiah to the Mishna (Kotzk blog 493)
This episode ꟷ based extensively on the research by Professor Alex P. Jassen[1] ꟷ examines how four pre-Mishnaic texts show evidence of the origin and expansion of the prohibition against carrying on Shabbat. The specific textual prohibition against carrying on Shabbat first begins with Yirmiyahu’s (Jeremiah’s) prohibition against carrying a ‘load’ (מַשָּׂא֙, massa), for trade and commercial purposes, and only in Jerusalem. It then underwent a process of expansion during Second Temple times as it passed through the four texts of Nechemiah (Nehemiah), the Book of Jubilees, the Dead Sea Scrolls and finally became the Mishna’s general Halachic prohibition, as we know it today, against carrying ‘anything’ to or from ‘any’ domain. We shall trace and map this textual progression. Our focus is on the textual trail, as the oral tradition (which we briefly discuss at the conclusion) is not possible to track in the same way.

...more
58min
November 04, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 038: Are Halachic rulings (Piskei Halacha) open to critical analysis or do they represent Divine Will?
Are Halachic rulings (Piskei Halacha) open to critical analysis or do they represent Divine Will? (Kotzk Blog
492)
This episod – based extensively on the research by Professor Adiel Schremer[1] − takes an in-depth and forthright look at the sometimes mysterious process of Halachic decision-making as practised by the Posek (Halachic judge or decisor). The Torah teaches that if any matter of law shall arise in the future that is too difficult for people to determine by themselves, then they must approach the “judge who shall be in those days” (Deut. 17:8-11) for adjudication:
...more
1h 27min
October 28, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 037: A source trail defending the Baal haTanya’s definition of the soul as ‘a part of G-d’
A source trail defending the Baal haTanya’s definition of the soul as ‘a part of G-d’ (Kotzk Blog 491)

Sunday 27 October 2024491) A source trail defending the Baal haTanya’s definition of the soul as ‘a part of G-d’
This podcast based extensively on the research by Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs (1920-2006)[1] − traces possible sources that the author of the Tanya, R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi, also known as the Baal haTanya (1745-1812), may have used, to formulate what is sometimes described as his ‘controversial’ definition of a soul being an actual ‘part’ of G-d
Signature of the Lubavitcher Rebbe in a copy of the Tanya in 1979
...more
1h 29min
October 19, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 036: How the rabbis used interpretive tools like Kal vaChomer to assert their independence and unseat the Second Temple sects
This episode examines the methodology and the moment in history when the rabbinic class (Pharisees) unseated the priestly class (Sadducees) who had previously dominated the Temple for a thousand years. It examines the eye of the revolutionary storm as Hillel emerged as the new style of rabbinic leader defining the future Judaism we know today. (Kotzk Blog: 490)
...more
53min
October 01, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 035: Pharisees and Sadducees: The politics of Sages and Priests
Pharisees and Sadducees: The politics of Sages and Priests (Kotzk Blog 489)

This chapter – based extensively on the research by Professor Eyal Regev[1] − examines the theological differences between the Sadducees (צָדוֹקִים - Tzadokim) and Pharisees (פְּרוּשִׁם - Perushim). It identifies the differences between the early class of Jewish priests, known as the Sadducees, and an emerging rabbinic class, known as the Pharisees. It focuses on the moment when rabbinic Judaism, as we understand it, became the more dominant force in the future development of Jewish history, as the nascent rabbinic sages (Pharisees) began to displace the established Temple priests (Sadducees)
...more
1h 1min
September 29, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 034: Gershom Scholem’s messianic claim
Gershom Scholem’s messianic claim (Kozk Blog 488)
Based extensively on the research by Professor Boaz Huss[1] and Professor Michael Brenner[2] − explores aspects of the life story and personal thought of Gershom (Gerhard) Scholem (1897-1982), the first researcher and professor of Jewish mysticism.
...more
1h 12min
September 29, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 033: Self-promotion or natural authority of the Halachic decisor: The case of Chavot Yair (Second one)
Kotzk Podcast 031: Self-promotion or natural authority of the Halachic decisor: The case of Chavot Yair ⁠(Kotzk Blog 487)⁠

based extensively on the research by Professor Jay Berkovitz⁠[1]⁠ − examines the charismatic image and commanding authority of the Halachic decisor, known as the Posek, whose task is to determine Jewish religious law. In this case, the rabbinic authority, R. Yair Chaim Bacharach (1638–1702) is used as an exemplar of the rise of the modern Posek. He is known as the Chavot Yair after the title of his Responsa by that name, and he was active around the city of Worms in Germany. Responsa is sometimes called Sheilot uTeshovt (questions and answers) or Shut literature). The Chavot Yair was known for his innovation in law and independence of thought.
...more
56min
September 08, 2024 Kotzk Podcast 032: Self-promotion or natural authority of the Halachic decisor: The case of Chavot Yair (Part one)
Kotzk Podcast 031: Self-promotion or natural authority of the Halachic decisor: The case of Chavot Yair (Kotzk Blog 487)

based extensively on the research by Professor Jay Berkovitz[1] − examines the charismatic image and commanding authority of the Halachic decisor, known as the Posek, whose task is to determine Jewish religious law. In this case, the rabbinic authority, R. Yair Chaim Bacharach (1638–1702) is used as an exemplar of the rise of the modern Posek. He is known as the Chavot Yair after the title of his Responsa by that name, and he was active around the city of Worms in Germany. Responsa is sometimes called Sheilot uTeshovt (questions and answers) or Shut literature). The Chavot Yair was known for his innovation in law and independence of thought.
...more
40min

FAQs about The Kotzk Podcast:

How many episodes does The Kotzk Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 42 episodes available.

More shows like The Kotzk Podcast

Seforimchatter

271 Listeners

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Confronting the Challenges of This Generation

28 Listeners

Share The Kotzk Podcast

Sign up to save your podcasts

The Kotzk Podcast

FAQs about The Kotzk Podcast:

How many episodes does The Kotzk Podcast have?

The Kotzk Podcast episodes:

FAQs about The Kotzk Podcast:

How many episodes does The Kotzk Podcast have?

More shows like The Kotzk Podcast

Seforimchatter

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Confronting the Challenges of This Generation