Iyun Podcast

Rabbi Ari Koretzky

The Iyun Podcast explores the many dynamics of chareidim in relation to the broader context of Israeli society and beyond. Hosted by long-time podcaster Rabbi Ari Koretzky, Iyun features stimulating and courageous conversations with guests from a diverse range of stakeholders in the future of chareidi society. Join us on this exciting new adventure in Jewish podcasting!

  1. Episode 32 - Tradition or Innovation: Gender Roles in Chareidi Society

    4D AGO

    Episode 32 - Tradition or Innovation: Gender Roles in Chareidi Society

    Mrs. Miriam Kosman is originally from Baltimore, Maryland, a longtime resident of Bnei Brak, and now lives in Afula in Israel’s north. The daughter, descendant, and wife of distinguished talmidei chachamim, she has emerged as one of Orthodoxy’s most compelling thinkers on the subject of Judaism and gender. Her groundbreaking work, Circle, Arrow, Spiral, draws on academic insight, psychological depth, and the esoteric teachings of Judaism, particularly those of Rav Moshe Shapiro zt”l, to offer a rich and often countercultural framework for understanding masculine and feminine spiritual energies in Torah thought. In our conversation, we explore the theological dimensions of gender in Judaism, along with contemporary expressions, common misconceptions, and some of the stranger distortions that have emerged in the current cultural moment. For more quality content, join our weekly newsletter: https://iyun.org.il/en/join-our-newsletter Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Tzarichiyun

    1h 3m
  2. Episode 31 - What is a "Kiddush Hashem" And Why Does it Matter? With Rabbi Shraga Freedman

    MAR 26

    Episode 31 - What is a "Kiddush Hashem" And Why Does it Matter? With Rabbi Shraga Freedman

    Rabbi Shraga Freedman, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, has dedicated himself to restoring the centrality of Kiddush Hashem as a defining value in Jewish life. Through the work of the Living Kiddush Hashem Foundation, he has developed programs, educational materials, and practical resources designed to inspire Jews to live in a way that reflects honor, integrity, and moral beauty. In this episode, we explore the contours of this timeless Jewish concept through its classical Torah sources, consider how it may have lost some of its central place in contemporary religious consciousness, and discuss how to restore it to a position of primacy within the lived experience of Torah observance. You can visit livingkiddushhashem.org for a wide range of resources, including the videos and educational materials featured in this episode. Contact Rabbi Freedman at livingkidushhashem@gmail.com For more quality content, join our weekly newsletter: https://iyun.org.il/en/join-our-newsletter Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Tzarichiyun

    1h 6m
  3. Episode 30 - "The Anthropology of Daas Torah" with Professor Benny Brown

    FEB 17

    Episode 30 - "The Anthropology of Daas Torah" with Professor Benny Brown

    SHOW NOTES: PROFESSOR BENNY BROWN Professor Benjamin (Benny) Brown is one of the foremost experts on charedi ideology and identity in the modern Israeli academy. He has published widely on a range of topics, including mussar and chassidus, in addition to our topic on this episode, Daas Torah. We explore what Daas Torah means, how it evolved into the operational principle governing much of charedi life today, and how it fits into the broader trends of modernity. MORE ON DAAS TORAH Professor Lawrence Kaplan, Daas Torah, A Modern Conception of Rabbinic Authority https://www.scribd.com/doc/39842329/Kaplan-Lawrence-Daas-Torah-A-Modern-Conception-of-Rabbinic-Authority Rabbi Anthony Manning’s English Bibliography on “Da’at Torah and Rabbinic Authority”: https://rabbimanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Daat-Torah-2017-Bibliography.pdf For more quality content, join our weekly newsletter: https://iyun.org.il/en/join-our-newsletterOur Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Tzarichiyun

    1h 9m
  4. Episode 29 - "When Ben Gurion Met the Chazon Ish" - With Rabbi Nathanial Helfgot

    JAN 29

    Episode 29 - "When Ben Gurion Met the Chazon Ish" - With Rabbi Nathanial Helfgot

    On November 19, 2025, Rabbi Nathaniel (“Nati”) Helfgot - a congregational rabbi and Judaics teacher at SAR in Riverdale - wrote an article at The Lehrhaus titled, “Ben Gurion and Hazon Ish: The Sequel.” In the article, Rabbi Helfgot traces the history of the iconic encounter between these secular-political and chareidi leaders, respectively, in the State of Israel’s earliest days. He then proceeds to document the little-known continuing correspondence between the two figures. This encounter - both the actual historical event and its larger metaphorical import - helps us understand the origins of the ideological fault lines that remain entrenched today, despite a heavily altered demographic landscape. We also examine ways in which chareidi norms have shifted since October 1952, and how the meeting in question might inform relations in our current moment.

    55 min
  5. Episode 28 - "Chareidim on the Political Left" with Pnina Pfeuffer

    JAN 14

    Episode 28 - "Chareidim on the Political Left" with Pnina Pfeuffer

    We tend to assume that all chareidim sit on the political Right in Israel. This week’s interview with Pnina Pfeuffer interrogates that assumption. As a chareidi woman firmly stationed on the Israeli Left, Pnina Pfeuffer, founder of the “New Chareidim” organization, promotes the embrace of progressive values while maintaining fidelity to chareidi standards of observance and communal affiliations.

    1h 30m
  6. Episode 27 - The Golden Path: A R' Moshe Hauer zt"l Tribute

    12/25/2025

    Episode 27 - The Golden Path: A R' Moshe Hauer zt"l Tribute

    On Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah 5786/2025, the Jewish world lost a titanic leader, Rabbi Moshe Hauer, a man who modeled Jewish living and leadership in an extraordinary manner. Rabbi Hauer was the Executive Vice President of the Orthodox Union, as well as Rabbi Emeritus of Baltimore's Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion. He spearheaded a wide variety of communal initiatives while occupying a rare "middle ground" - passionately committed to core Torah principles, but respectful of and connected to all precincts of the Orthodox community, and beyond. In tribute of this great figure, who exemplifies the ideals that Iyun promotes, we speak with Rabbi Yisroel Motzen, rabbi of the Ner Tamid synagogue in Baltimore, a longtime rabbinic student of the late Rabbi Hauer, as well as his associate at the OU. Rabbi Motzen helps us sketch the contours of Rabbi Hauer's unique personality and hashkafa, and shares principles of his that we might incorporate into our own lives.

    1h 2m
  7. Episode 26 - "Can the Chareidi Workforce Grow?" With Yitzik Crombie

    12/09/2025

    Episode 26 - "Can the Chareidi Workforce Grow?" With Yitzik Crombie

    Yitzik (pronounced "Itzkik") Crombie is a long-time tech entrepreneur who founded Mego, a training program aimed at integrating into the higher-level Israeli workforce. The work is supported through the Kemach Foundation. Yitzik also runs Bizmax, a co-working space geared for chareidim, among other ventures. Several years ago, he published a book, "When the Chareidim Will Be the Majority," (Hebrew) exploring the challenges and solutions relevant to this community, and beyond.

    1h 17m
  8. Episode 25 - "My Month in Basic Training" with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer

    11/24/2025

    Episode 25 - "My Month in Basic Training" with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer

    Iyun Institute founder and director Rabbi Yehoshua Pfefferrecently “put his body where his pen is,” enlisting in the IDF in its “Shlav Bet” program within the Homefront Command. Fresh off a month-long basic training, R’ Pfeffer shares his reflections and takeaways from the field.

    43 min
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4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

The Iyun Podcast explores the many dynamics of chareidim in relation to the broader context of Israeli society and beyond. Hosted by long-time podcaster Rabbi Ari Koretzky, Iyun features stimulating and courageous conversations with guests from a diverse range of stakeholders in the future of chareidi society. Join us on this exciting new adventure in Jewish podcasting!

Information

  • Creator
    Rabbi Ari Koretzky
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Rabbi Ari Koretzky
  • Show Website
    Iyun Podcast

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