This is a quick introduction to Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today podcast. 

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In the thought-provoking episode of "Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today" entitled "Torah as Art and Adele's Oda to Abraham's Failure," host Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman engages guest Rabbi Eliyahu Fink in a spirited discussion on viewing religion as an art form and exploring the depths of personal truth in religious interpretation.

Rabbi Fink, a rabbi turned businessperson, traces his extraordinary journey from yeshiva student to synagogue rabbi and finally to his current venture in the business world. The focus is on his time as a rabbi at the Synagogue on the Beach in Venice, Los Angeles, his role as a writer for the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, and his experiences as a social media consultant. Rabbi Fink's aim has always been to bridge Jewish values and popular culture, creating a connection between religion and everyday life.

The crux of the conversation centers around Rabbi Fink's intriguing interpretations of biblical events and his novel approach to religion as an art form. Of particular interest is his take on the Akedah, wherein he posits that Abraham failed God's test by accepting the command to sacrifice Isaac out of fear, rather than questioning it out of love. This fascinating perspective forms the core of the episode, tying together the broader themes of love, fear, and personal growth in the religious context.

Throughout the discussion, Rabbi Fink emphasizes the role of kindness in religious observance and individual interpretation in understanding and approaching religion. He proposes viewing religion not as a singular truth but a personal truth influenced by individual interpretation, encouraging personal growth and understanding over prescribed beliefs and behaviors.

The episode concludes with Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman commending Rabbi Fink's contributions, affirming how they perfectly encapsulate the podcast's mission: to explore the nuances between understanding one's individual truth and The Truth.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today, host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman is in conversation with Dan Rickman. Dan discusses his life journey from growing up in a Jewish family in North London, studying mathematics and algebraic topology at Oxford and his thoughtful spiritual journey within Judaism, moving from embracing, earlier on in his life a more Haredi to acceptance of the United Synagogue's broad and varying approach to Judaism, as well as his desire to comprehend his Judaism both traditionally and academically, earning an MA in Hebrew and Jewish Studies, which proved "revelatory."

Emphasizing a humanistic approach to Judaism, Dan critiques elements of Halachic (Jewish law) interpretation that discriminate between Jews and non-Jews. 

In this light, Dan discusses the position he famously took opposing the teaching of the Chabad magnum opus, known as "The Tanya" – a text that posits that Jewish souls are superior – at his synagogue. He upholds that such beliefs do not align with United Synagogue values.

The conversation further explores Jewish identity, religious tribalism, interpretation of religious texts, and the influence of different Jewish movements on the United Synagogue. Dan reminisces about the more academic and open Judaism of the past United Synagogue and expresses regret over the influence of religious Zionism on the synagogue body.

Ultimately Dan advocates for a tolerant, less tribal, and loving Judaism that balances tradition with the realities of the world, meeting people where they are and reaching out to broader society.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this thought-provoking episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Levi Brackman chats with Harvard PhD candidate JJ Kimche, who delves into the intersection of modern European philosophy and post-enlightenment Jewish thought. Covering a wide range of topics, including Jewish philosophy, theology, and history, they discuss key issues like the authorship of the Torah, biblical criticism, Chassidut, and free will.

They explore the tension between traditional religious beliefs and academic perspectives, with a spotlight on Rabbi Louis Jacobs, a key figure of controversy for his non-traditional views on Torah authorship. They also delve into the definitions and boundaries within Jewish Orthodoxy and the debate around them, highlighting the Maimonidean view of the Torah's divine dictation.

The conversation moves on to social factors in sectarian divisions, demonstrating how education, place of residence, and social status may shape one's religious affiliations, with a historical example of the reform movement in 19th century Germany. Reflecting on personal experiences, they explore how minor ideological differences can lead to major conflicts within a community.

A major focus of the discussion lies in the intersection of religion and science. They critique the misuse of historical religious texts in contemporary religious discussions and express the need for modern responses to contemporary issues. They acknowledge the challenges of biblical criticism, especially in balancing evidence-based argument and conjecture, and express a desire for more Orthodox scholars to engage with these issues.

The episode features a deep analysis of late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks's work on reconciling religion and science. They discuss the complications of this reconciliation, acknowledging the public's preference for clear-cut answers and the challenges in convincing them to embrace a more nuanced, science-integrating view.

Towards the end, they emphasize the importance of intellectual honesty in scientific inquiry, acknowledging the existence of 'guardrails' based on personal convictions and foundational tenets. The discussion wraps up with a brief exploration of human agency and its place in various disciplines such as philosophy, neuroscience, and religion.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores contemporary American Judaism with Mark Oppenheimer, Ph.D. (Mark believes only medical doctors should be called "Doctor"). They start the conversation with Levi asking Mark about the perceived shift from a more spiritual, "enchanted" religious world to a "disenchanted" one with less active religious traditions. 

They discuss the challenges Judaism faces in America's religious free market due to Judaism's high barriers to entry, such as language barriers and complex customs as well as the lack of proselytizing.

Mark notes the current trends within American Judaism, including decreasing synagogue attendance, increasing intermarriage rates among non-Orthodox Jews, and declining birth rates even among Orthodox communities, and expresses uncertainty about the future of non-Orthodox Judaism. 

While maintaining that a potential shift towards a predominantly Orthodox Jewish world would change the landscape of global Judaism (not necessarily negatively), Mark encourages reimagining Judaism as a global family and critiques American Jewish denominationalism, and instead suggests emphasizing the central role of the Torah in Jewish tradition. He warns against oversimplifying Judaism to elements like cuisine or film, arguing this could exclude specific Jewish communities. The Torah, he asserts, is the unifying factor that can bring all Jews together.

Mark highlights the profound influence of the Jewish tradition on the world and the importance of Jews as custodians of Jewish texts and traditions. He advocates for the relevance and importance of viewing Judaism as a family and the profound task of preserving the literary tradition embodied in the Torah.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this enlightening episode of "Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman engages in an insightful conversation with his former teacher, Professor Daniel Rynhold, dean and professor of Jewish philosophy at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. Their discussion centers on the intersection of practice and theory in Judaism and the unique insights that arise from this interface.

Diving into Rynhold's critically acclaimed book, "Two Models of Jewish Philosophy: Justifying One's Practices," the duo explore two primary rationales for practicing Judaism: the priority of practice and the priority of theory. They delve into the intricacies of this dynamic, questioning the conventional approach of prioritizing theory to justify practice, with Rynhold proposing the revolutionary idea that practice itself might impart a unique, irreducible form of knowledge that cannot be communicated solely through theory.

The conversation further broadens to examine the nuanced relationship between faith, practice, and theoretical understanding in the modern, disenchanted world. The concept of "reasoned confidence" is introduced, highlighting the importance of rationality in fostering conviction, while discussing the shifting attitudes towards religion in philosophy, from skepticism to an open-minded perspective.

A fascinating portion of the dialogue revolves around the influence of the internet on philosophy and the rationality of religious belief, emphasizing the changing dynamics of knowledge exploration and acquisition in the digital era.

The episode reaches its zenith as it delves into one of the most profound philosophical conundrums – comprehending God, especially from a religious perspective. Drawing from Joseph B. Soloveitchik's teachings, they explore the aesthetic approach to understanding God as illustrated in the Hebrew Bible, with Rynhold suggesting that the Torah can be interpreted much like literature to reveal profound truths beyond factual accuracy. The discussion concludes with a controversial exploration of characters who operate on unique moral planes and how this might extend to an understanding of God.

This thought-provoking episode sheds light on the deep-rooted complexities of Jewish philosophy, pushing the boundaries of conventional thought and offering a new perspective on the relationship between faith, practice, and understanding. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the interplay of philosophy, religion, and modern society.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this enriching episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman engages Rabbi Dr Zev Farber in a fascinating conversation. Farber, a Research Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute with a unique blend of Yeshiva education and academic training from Hebrew University and Emory University, shares his journey of harmonizing diverse educational experiences. He discusses his work with thetorah.com, aiming to make critical Bible scholarship accessible, and reflects on wrestling with religious dogma. Farber underscores the significance of extracting inherent value from teachings rather than following them solely due to divine command.

Taking cues from Maimonides, Farber underlines the importance of learning from past thinkers' processes and adapting their insights to the present. He critiques nationalistic approaches to religious traditions, arguing that understanding, not blind loyalty, should determine their value.

The conversation navigates the complexities of faith communities, with Farber advocating a tolerant attitude towards religious interpretation and practice differences. It explores the relationship between religion and science, addressing fears of faith erosion when embracing modern scientific understanding.

Brackman and Farber discuss the internet's impact on younger generations, resulting in the proliferation of baseless theories, polarization, extremism, and challenges arising from postmodernism. They delve into the evolution of religious traditions, the teachers' role, and the trend of adhering to departed teachers' teachings.

Exploring the dynamic between religious leaders and their followers, the conversation illuminates potential hazards when individuals claim to represent specific beliefs, leading to gatekeeping, intimidation, and power misuse.

Discussing religious communities' conformity and the problems of religious authority, the dialogue highlights the difficulty of presenting nuanced truths while preserving community unity. Brackman draws parallels between religious leaders and politicians, emphasizing the need for nuanced discussions of complex issues.

The episode concludes with Farber offering insights into his nuanced understanding of faith, which involves perceiving a divine presence and finding the world meaningful without adhering to traditional God conceptions. He discusses the fine balance between intellect and emotion in faith, cautioning against imposing personal truths onto others.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

Welcome to the second episode of the fourth season of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" podcast (formerly Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life). In this episode, host Levi Brackman engages in a thoughtful conversation with Zevi Slevin, founder of the "Seekers of Unity" YouTube channel. Renowned for his insights on Jewish thought and philosophy and his series on Maimonides' teachings, Zevi deepens our understanding of Jewish philosophy and mysticism, exploring its intricate balance between orthodoxy and individual interpretation.

We delve into the complex interplay between personal belief and community belonging, highlighting the need for continual negotiation between personal values and communal norms. Our conversation takes us to the realms of Neo Hasidism, as we probe the boundaries of traditional Jewish communities, questioning orthodoxies and advocating for a more inclusive definition of being a Hasid.

Reflecting on the role of faith, community, and leadership, the conversation highlights the value of profound relationships within one's spiritual journey. We discuss how the journey of faith is not solitary but involves deep connections with peers, mentors, and spiritual leaders.

We also examine the ever-evolving nature of faith and religious institutions, underscoring the necessity for continual refreshment and renewal of faith. Our discourse further evolves into the pivotal role of religious leadership, a topic on which we hold different views. Zevi argues for a decentralized model, advocating empowered leadership where everyone channels their divine essence outwards, an egalitarianism where everyone has the potential to share immense wisdom and insight.

Levi, however, pointed out that this shift should not eliminate the possibility for extraordinary leaders to emerge from unexpected places.

Ultimately, this episode will inspire you to recognize the divine potential in everyone and empower ordinary people to do the extraordinary. So join us as we navigate this rich tapestry of Jewish wisdom, challenge traditional hierarchies, and encourage new forms of genius and leadership, fostering the belief that everyone can contribute significantly to the world.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In this podcast episode, host Levi Brackman discusses the evolving identity of his podcast and shares his thoughts on the intersection of religion, science, and philosophy.

The podcast began as a platform for sharing wisdom about business and life from a Jewish perspective. Over time, the podcast broadened to discuss philosophical ideas, spirituality, and broader life topics. Levi decided to rename the podcast as "Truths," signaling his belief that religions provide us with truths, not the absolute truth.

He distinguishes between the domains of science and religion, stating that they are fundamentally different genres and should not compete. Science deals with empirical truths based on statistical probabilities, while religion offers moral teachings - truths rather than the absolute truth. According to Levi, both fields do not make ultimate truth claims. He suggests that the competition between science and religion in previous generations was a misunderstanding of their unique roles and resulted in religions claiming to possess the absolute truth, which is not defensible.

Levi also dives into a discussion of Maimonides' work, "The Guide to the Perplexed," using the story of Adam to underscore his point about discerning truths. He asserts that humans cannot fully comprehend the ultimate truth; instead, our strength lies in determining moral truths.

The podcast's name, "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," reflects its mission to share these moral truths and wisdom from a Jewish perspective, with a focus on relevance in the modern world. However, Levi states that the name is a work in progress and might change.

The target audience of the podcast are those who appreciate nuance, are seeking self-improvement and wisdom, and are trying to navigate the complexities of the modern world. He emphasizes that the show is not for those seeking absolutes or desiring to follow religious leaders. The podcast aims to be a place for fellow travelers and seekers.

Levi acknowledges that the rapid acceleration of knowledge and technology, along with the advent of AI and non-human intelligence, has challenged centuries of thinking, rendering some traditional approaches irrelevant. He calls for a new way of thinking that acknowledges the evolving nature of our world.

The podcast's purpose is twofold: learning and sharing. Levi hopes to invite guests from whom he can learn, and in turn, share those insights with his listeners. He also plans to share his own spiritual journey and evolution, hoping it could be helpful to others.

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Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In the 50th episode of the "Jewish Wisdom for Business and Life" podcast, host Levi Brackman examines the process of reforming and understanding controversial aspects of tradition in a modern context. The primary example is the concept of the Sotah, or wayward wife, from the Talmud. This practice involved a wife suspected of infidelity being made to drink bitter waters, which would lead to her death if she had been unfaithful. Brackman highlights the inherent issues with this process, such as the unequal treatment of men and women, but also notes that the Talmud itself declares the practice obsolete.

Brackman then explores the broader topic of how societies and traditions handle outdated and problematic practices. He discusses the importance of examining, debating, and understanding these practices, even if they are no longer relevant. He emphasizes that these discussions are inherently valuable, reflecting a deep-rooted Jewish tradition of debate and study. The debates themselves serve a crucial role in shaping morality, fostering intellectual growth, and maintaining the richness of tradition.

He further articulates that it's essential to draw a line under certain practices without entirely discarding or negatively judging the tradition or the people who once practiced them. This perspective is demonstrated through his discussion of slavery both in the United States and within Jewish history.

Finally, Brackman draws parallels to the business world. He stresses the importance of organizations evolving and adapting to changing times while maintaining respect for their foundational principles and history. Failing to reform, he warns, can lead to obsolescence, as seen in examples like Kodak and Blockbuster. Thus, the wisdom extracted from Jewish traditions about reformation and debate holds significant relevance in contemporary life, business, and society.

Support the show

Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph.D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success, and founder of Invown, a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.