A Book Like No Other

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Latest Episodes:

Ep. 5 What About Moses? Jun 02, 2024

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.

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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Ep. 5: The Second Half of the Story Feb 27, 2023

In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman reveals where we find the second half of the return of the Tree and, in the process, offers a powerful message about the impact of our actions in this world.

Fascinated by the parallels Rabbi Fohrman points out in this episode? Check out these Aleph Beta courses mentioned in the podcast to learn even more: Moshe and Tzipporah at the Inn and Shavuot: Why do we celebrate “Law-Day”?

Ep. 4: Beyond the Garden Walls Feb 20, 2023

Last episode, Rabbi Fohrman promised that the Tree of Life isn’t left behind in Eden, never to be seen again once we’re exiled from the Garden. The tree actually returns! In this episode, we find out where and when – and begin to see how the tree’s return impacts the larger narrative of the entire Torah.

To read more about An Exodus You Almost Passed Over, Rabbi’s Fohrman’s book mentioned in this episode, click here. And if you’re curious to learn more about the Aleph Beta course Rabbi Fohrman mentions, Moshe and Tzipporah at the Inn, click here.

BONUS Epilogue to Episode 3 Feb 12, 2023

Who wouldn’t want to eat from the Tree of Life and live eternally? Join Rabbi Fohrman and host, Imu Shalev, in this bonus episode as they explore the deep and meaningful implications of Rabbi Fohrman’s theory and consider what the tree — and Torah — might offer that's even better than eternal life.

To learn more about the ideas Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discuss here, check out these Aleph Beta courses mentioned in this episode: Grappling with Loss and How to Merit Long Life: A Hidden Message about Honoring our Mothers.

Ep. 3: Confronting the Theory Killer Feb 12, 2023

Last episode, Rabbi Fohrman introduced a provocative new theory that re-envisioned the Garden of Eden, and began resolving all the puzzles raised in Episode One. But this theory has a fatal flaw – it seems to flatly contradict one verse, Genesis 3:22. Can Rabbi Fohrman reconcile the evidence or are we back to square one?

Ep. 2: The Paradigm Shift Feb 06, 2023

Last episode left us scratching our heads over those two strange trees in the Garden. In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman begins answering our questions on the beginning of the Torah through the help of a clue found all the way at the Torah’s very end – and in the process, develops a single, paradigm shifting theory that re-envisions the simple layout of the Garden itself.

Want to learn more about what Rabbi Fohrman calls the two creation stories? Click here to check out his course, A Tale of Two Names, mentioned in this episode.

Ep. 1: The Elephant in the… Garden Jan 29, 2023

We all know the story of the Garden of Eden. Adam, Eve, forbidden fruit, snake. But what if there’s another layer to this story lying beneath all the obvious drama? In the first episode of this six part series, Rabbi Fohrman takes a close look at the Garden of Eden story, pointing out some glaring – but easily glossed over – anomalies in the text, and inspiring us to reconsider what we thought we knew about Eden’s most basic features. This first episode lays the groundwork for what’s to come on A Book Like No Other this season: A journey that not only reveals layers of meaning in the Garden itself, but resounding connections between Eden and the rest of the entire Torah.

To check out Rabbi Fohrman’s book, The Beast that Crouches at the Door, which he mentions in this episode, click here.

A Book Like No Other: Trailer Jan 23, 2023

Join Rabbi Fohrman for an epic journey into reading the Torah on its own terms.
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