The Kotzk Podcast

Rabbi Gavin Michal
  • 5.0 (8)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
The Kotzk Podcast

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 was originated as conversations between Rabbi Gavin Michal and Dr Jordan Wosnick.

  1. DEC 1

    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.’

    1h 9m

  2. NOV 15

    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.

    58 min

  3. NOV 4

    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:

    1h 27m

  4. OCT 28

    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

    1h 29m

  5. OCT 19

    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)

    52 min

  6. OCT 1

    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)

    1h 1m

  7. SEP 29

    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.

    1h 12m

  8. SEP 29

    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.

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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 was originated as conversations between Rabbi Gavin Michal and Dr Jordan Wosnick.

Information

  • Creator
    Rabbi Gavin Michal
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rabbi Gavin Michal
  • Show Website
    The Kotzk Podcast

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