The Koren Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Themes of Hope with Dr. Yael Ziegler Jul 13, 2021

Show notes

We were joined by the inimitable Dr. Yael Ziegler to start preparing for Tisha B'Av.

We talked about Dr. Ziegler's new book Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World, messages we can take into Tisha B'Av, and lessons of hope we can take out.

We spoke about how we can learn lessons from recent tragedies to not only grapple with the sadness of the day, but also give us a sense of the original hurbanot.

You can get 10% off Dr. Yael Ziegler's new book, and all other titles at www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.

Talking Antisemitism with Rabbi Marvin Hier Jun 20, 2021

Show notes

This week we continue our conversation about Jew-hatred, anti-Jewish racism, and antisemitism. We were honored to be joined by Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and president of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance.

Rabbi Hier has dedicated his life to fighting all forms of hatred and has been on the front lines of the fight against antisemitism for over 50 years. We spoke about the early days of the Simin Wiesenthal Center and the help that came from the most unlikely of places. We discussed how anti-Jewish hatred has shape-shifted over the years, what causes some people to hate Jews and what we can do to defend ourselves.

If you have been affected by anything discussed in this or any previous episode, please do not hesitate to reach out via email, podcast@korenpup.com, or on social media @korenpublishers.

Rabbi Hier's book, Meant to Be, is available from www.korenpub.com, save 10% with code PODCAST at checkout.

Bonus Episode LIVE from Shavua HaSefer in Jerusalem Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Alex and Aryeh spent the evening at the book fair at the First Station in Jerusalem as part of Shavua HaSefer HaIvri - Israel's national book week.

Our hosts were joined by:

Shira Lankin Sheps (Layers)

Judy Klitsner (Subversive Sequels in the Bible)

Dr Yael (Ruth and Lamentations) and Rabbi Reuven Ziegler (Oz VeAnava and Chairman of Koren Publishers Editroial Board)

Prof. Tova Ganzel (Ezekiel)

If you are in Israel, head on down to The First Station in Jerusalem for a wonderful atmosphere and some incredible deals.

Friends in the diaspora can get all of these books and more for 10% off with code PODCAST at checkout from www.korenpub.com and, for a limited time only, can get a free gift with all orders of $30 or more.

Jewish Pride with Ben M. Freeman Jun 01, 2021

Show notes

The last few weeks have, as rockets fired by Hamas rained down on Israel, we saw a sharp rise in anti-Jewish racism and antisemitic attacks across the world. We were shocked to see intimidation tactics and physical attacks against Jewish people, perpetrated by violent thugs claiming to stand up for the oppressed and protecting human rights.

We sat down with educator, campaigner, and author Ben M. Freeman to talk about some of the causes of antisemitism, what Jews around the world can do to build the confidence to stand up to anti-Jewish hatred. Most importantly, we spoke about building Jewish pride. No matter your denomination, practice, or belief, being proud to be Jewish is the greatest sign that we will no longer cower in the face of those who hate us.

After 1000s of years of persecution, we are currently engaged in the greatest act of decolonization, ensuring the safety of Jewish people around the world. Israel is not only the realization of millennia of yearning but is the manifestation of our assertion of our basic Human Rights.

Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Koren Podcast wherever you are listening and follow @benmfreeman for more of his expert insight on antisemitism and the conflict in Israel and make sure to buy his debut book Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People, available now.

Useful Links:

Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People by Ben M. Freeman - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913532135/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_api_i_V6yPFbEBT6AM7

Ben Freeman on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BenMFreeman

Ben Freeman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/benmfreeman/

Jew in the City on "The Talk" - https://jewinthecity.com/2020/07/you-know-the-talk-blacks-have-with-their-sons-you-never-heard-of-the-one-jews-have/

Tom Aharon responds to John Oliver - https://youtu.be/D81jhypLzUc

Israel Under Fire with Rav Aviad Tabory May 18, 2021

Show notes

The events of the past few weeks have compelled us to record an episode to try to make sense of it all. We sat down with Rav Aviad Tabory of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi to talk about some of the issues in halakha and hashkafa that arise in times of heightened conflict.

It would be impossible to address all of the issues facing Israel and world Jewry as a result of the current conflict but we hope we are able to provide some food for thought, perhaps some comfort, or at least sow a seed of discussion to help you the listener make sense of things.

This episode was recorded between Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot, many of the issues that are currently at the forefront of discussions had not yet taken place, while others may already seem like ancient history.

If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this episode you can contact us at podcast@korenpub.com or on social media @korenpublishers and @korenpubjerusalem.

But It's Only a Midrash! With Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot and Simi Peters May 04, 2021

Show notes

Midrashim play a central role in the way in which we learn ḥumash and tanakh. Unfortunately, many modern Jews have never learned midrash in a serious fashion and this has given rise to people either dismissing midrashim or confusing, even conflating, midrashim with the actual text of the tanakh.

We sat down with two experts on the world of midrash, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot (Mikra and Meaning: Studies in Bible and its Interpretation) and Simi Peters (Learning to Read Midrash) to talk about what midrash is, why it is so important, the modern/centrist orthodox approaches to midrash, and how we can teach it better.

This week's podcast is dedicated to the memory of the 45 men tragically killed in Meron on Lag B'Omer and to the speedy recovery of all of those injured in the disaster.

The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is a part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Get 10% off your next order at www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.

Useful links:

Full text and translation of Simi Peters' favorite Midrashim

Mikra and Meaning by Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot

Learning to Read Midrash

www.korenpub.com

Learning Tanakh with Rabbis Joshua Berman and Jeremy Wieder Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

We had the distinct privilege to sit down with two preeminent Tanakh scholars to discuss different approaches in the orthodox world to biblical criticism, Tanakh scholarship, and how our community tackles the questions that challenge our faith.

Rabbi Jeremy Wieder is the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Professor of Talmud in the University's Mazer Yeshiva Program and is an Adjunct Professor of Bible in Yeshiva College. He was ordained by RIETS and holds a Ph.D. in Judaic Studies from New York University.

Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman is a Professor of Bible at Bar-Ilan University and is well known for his views on the history of Jewish belief, and on biblical criticism. He is the author of Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith published in 2020 by Maggid Books.

Rabbis Berman and Wieder were kind enough to let us sit in on their conversation which scratches the surface of this fascinating topic, we hope you enjoy.

Useful links:

https://korenpub.com/products/ani-maamin-biblical-criticism-historical-truth-and-the-thirteen-principles-of-faith

https://www.yutorah.org/rabbi-jeremy-wieder/

Rabbi Berman's reflections on his Shabbat in Williamsburg among the Satmar hassidim who found his book: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-satmar-rebbe-for-a-shabbos/

I've Got A Question!

The Koren Podcast is hosted and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker with thanks to Rabbi Mark Glass. Editing by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is the flagship show in the Koren Podcast Network.

Penguins, Unicorns, and Lions - Biblical Natural History with Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Continuing our exploration of Tanakh and different approaches to understanding the Bible, we spoke with The Zoo Rabbi, Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin who is a prolific author and the founder and director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Israel.

We discussed Rabbi Slifkin's research and conclusions about the natural history of the world of the Tanakh and Talmud, what these conclusions can teach us, and how they can alter our understanding of the world of our forefathers. Rabbi Slifkin also spoke about some of the practical ramifications of a full and accurate understanding of the world around us. Particularly relevant for the week of parashat Shemini and the Torah's description of animals that can and cannot be consumed, Rabbi Slifkin explains some differences in modern and biblical definitions of animal life.

Useful links:

www.biblicalnaturalhistory.org

www.rationalistjudaism.com

www.korenpub.com/collections/rabbi-natan-slifkin

Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout

The Koren Podcast is hosted and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of The Koren Podcast Network a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Seder Schmooze Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Join Aryeh, Alex, and the inimitable Dr. Daniel Rose as they share tips, tricks, ideas, and memories to enhance your seder this Pesah.

Dr. Daniel Rose is the mastermind behind the Magerman Edition Koren Educational Siddur Series and the Magerman Edition Koren Youth Haggada. Aryeh and Alex, as well as being co-hosts of your favorite podcast and part of the Koren machine, are both experienced educators.

The three sit down to swap ideas, pedagogy, dos and don'ts for the seder and swap memories and minhagim from sedarim past.

Useful links:

The Magerman Edition Koren Youth Hagadda - https://korenpub.com/collections/pesah/products/koren-magerman-youth-haggada

The Passover Haggada Graphic Novel - https://korenpub.com/collections/pesah/products/passover-haggadah-graphic-novelhardcover

https://infed.org/mobi/the-passover-seder-service-as-a-paradigm-for-informal-jewish-education/

Rabbi Menachem Leibtag on the Haggada - https://tanach.org/pesach.htm#shiur22

Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.

Listen to the brand-new podcast from the Koren Podcast Network, I've Got a Question! hosted by Shira Greenspan on your favorite podcast app today!

The Koren podcast is hosted and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is the flagship show of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Introducing I've Got a Question! Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

Introducing I've Got a Question!

Alex sits down with Shira Greenspan who is the host of a brand-new podcast from the Koren Podcast Network.

I've Got a Question! is a place for kids to ask the questions they've always wondered about! Why is there so much blood in the story of Pesah? What was it like at the splitting of the Red Sea? What's it like to move to Israel? How do we know Hashem is listening?

Join host Shira Greenspan as she talks to experts from all over the world to try and find answers, and even ask some of her own questions along the way!

I've Got a Question is a part of the Koren Podcast Network

In the first episode of I've Got a Question! Shira answers a question sent in by Orit from Pennsylvania: Why is Pesah so bloody? Why is there so much blood in the Pesah story?

Shira calls on Dr. Larry Stiefel and Dr. Daniel Rose to try and find the answers.

Dr. Larry, also known as the Maggid of Bergenfield, is an expert on blood and how our bodies work. Daniel Rose created the Magerman Edition Koren Youth Haggada and the Magerman Edition Koren Educational Siddur Series. He is an expert on all things Jewish and spends his time making Judaism fun and interesting for kids all over the world! You can find Daniel's Haggada and siddurim here

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