A Book Like No Other - Aleph Beta

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Ep. 5 What About Moses? Jun 02, 2024

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In the concluding episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu delve deep into the perplexing issue of Moshe's legacy. In a thought-provoking discussion, they explore the paradox of Moshe – how could a leader uniquely equipped to empathize with those of mixed heritage, have no compassion for the Mekallel, a man who shared his challenging beginnings? The conversation traces back to Moshe's own experiences balancing justice and compassion as a young man, and explores how Moshe, as a leader, consistently displayed these qualities—until a pivotal moment when something changed. Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they navigate the twists and turns of this intriguing narrative, shedding light on the complexities of Moshe's character and leaving listeners with a deeper understanding of the profound legacy he leaves behind. Don't miss the powerful conclusion to a series that challenges assumptions and invites reflection on the intricate nature of leadership and empathy.

A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph Beta, and made possible through the generous support of Shari and Nathan Lindenbaum. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide.

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Ep. 4 The Mekallel’s Return to Eden May 26, 2024

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Is there any redemption for the mekallel? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu head back to Leviticus to explore a fascinating connection between the mekallel, the utopian laws of the Jubilee year, and the Torah’s original utopia, Eden. This new thread of evidence shines a more uplifting light on our dark text – while unlocking unexpected insight into how we as a society may be able to offer disenfranchised individuals, like the mekallel, a more genuine and meaningful sense of belonging.

To learn more about how meaningful service – avodah – is a path back to Eden, listen to this episode of Meaningful Judaism.

Ep. 3 The Philosophy of Blasphemy and Micah’s Idol in the Book of Judges May 19, 2024

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In this episode, Rabbi Forhman and Imu finally discuss two long-awaited topics. Firstly, what really is so wrong about blasphemy? After all, blasphemy is just words. How can words hurt God? And secondly, the much-promised epilogue to the story of the Mekallel, buried in the book of Shoftim (Judges). And as it turns out, the epilogue deals with the exact same theological issue: the human instinct to control God.

Ep. 2 Moshe and the Mekallel: A Tale of Two Outcasts May 12, 2024

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Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue to search for justice in the Mekallel’s harsh punishment. Does the answer lie in the strange connection they found last episode between the Mekallel and Moses? To find out, they dive into Moses' coming-of-age story in Exodus, and discover an even deeper bond between these two men who on the surface couldn’t be more different.

Ep. 1 The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Full Season Now Available] May 05, 2024

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Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu on a surprising journey, raising provocative moral questions about God’s judgment and uncovering an unlikely connection between the condemned blasphemer and one of the Bible’s greatest heroes.
For more information about our upcoming course on Midrash click here. When registering for this course you automatically become a member of the Patrons Circle. Click here for more information on becoming a Patron and its perks.

A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer Mar 09, 2024

Show notes

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following wherever that leads. Together, we'll unwrap remarkable patterns and surprising connections that lie just beneath the Torah's surface, revealing the beauty and insight that truly make the Torah a book like no other.

Join Us for a Meaningful Tisha B'Av Jul 27, 2023

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Support Book Like No Other today and gain access to tons of meaningful Tisha B'av content on the Aleph Beta website. Visit www.alephbeta.org and use the coupon code BOOK2023.

What is “Meaningful Judaism”? (Introducing Aleph Beta’s brand-new podcast) Apr 30, 2023

Show notes

Meaningful Judaism is Aleph Beta's latest podcast, dedicated to exploring why we do what we do in Jewish life, by diving deep into the Torah text. So many of our practices can feel like they’re just there; we go through the motions, but they don’t feel especially meaningful. In Meaningful Judaism, we search for that meaning. Each episode will take you on a journey, tackling questions such as “Why can’t we mix milk and meat?” and “What’s the meaning behind the laws of niddah?” Join our host, Imu Shalev, along with Rabbi David Fohrman and Aleph Beta’s other wonderful scholars, for this special journey.

Meaningful Judaism is a project of Aleph Beta Labs. Aleph Beta is a Torah media company dedicated to spreading the joy and love of meaningful Torah learning worldwide. For our full library of over 1,000 videos and podcasts, please visit www.alephbeta.org.
To support this podcast, subscribe to Aleph Beta.

Epilogue: What the Tree of Life Teaches Us About Returning from Exile Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Join Rabbi Fohrman for a live Q&A on March 16 and ask all your burning questions on the season. Click here for more info.

The exile from Eden might have been the first time humanity experienced being estranged from God’s word and presence, but it certainly wasn’t the last. How do we cope with feeling distant from God? What is a roadmap for a return to the closeness of Eden? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu in this bonus epilogue episode as they explore Parshat HaTeshuva, the Torah’s emotional roadmap for how any of us can come back.

To learn more about how God bears witness to the Israelites’ trauma in Egyptian servitude, check out the course, The Three Great Lies of the Exodus, which Imu mentions in this episode.

Ep. 6: How to Grow a Garden Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

In the sixth and final episode of this series, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu grapple with some of the big picture questions that emerge from their theory of the Tree and its connection to Torah – and consider what the Tree may ultimately be teaching us about how to connect to God’s words.

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