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Hosted by Unknown Host · 🇺🇸 US · EN · 36 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
Judaism is a civilization built on big ideas—about God, morality, community, purpose, and what it means to live a meaningful life. But in a rapidly changing world, how do these timeless concepts speak to our modern reality? The Curious Jew is a forum for thoughtful conversation, spirited debate, and intellectual exploration of Judaism’s most enduring questions and contemporary challenges. Through engaging discussions with leading rabbis, scholars, authors, and communal figures, we go beyond the surface to examine the core ideas shaping the Jewish future. Hosted by Rabbi David Silverstein and produced by Yeshivat Orayta, our goal is not simply to provide easy answers, but to cultivate curiosity, challenge assumptions, and inspire a more thoughtful, self-aware, and committed Judaism for the twenty-first century. Whether you're deeply learned in Torah text or just beginning your intellectual journey, The Curious Jew invites you to join the conversation. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed? Let us know: thecuriousjew@orayta.org Intro music by Mykola Odnoroh.
Unknown Host hosts The Curious Jew, a education show with 36 episodes published.
In this special AMA episode of The Curious Jew, the tables turn: producer R’ Corey Gold steps out from behind the scenes to put host R’ David Silverstein in the hot seat, tackling questions submitted directly by listener
Are we turning our backs on 90% of Klal Yisrael? If Modern Orthodoxy has the perfect vocabulary to engage the contemporary world, why has it abandoned the field of outreach? In this episode of The Curious Jew , Rabbi Dav
Rabbi David Silverstein sits down with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer — dayan, author, and founder of the Iyun Institute — to ask one of the most charged questions in contemporary Israeli Jewish life: how does the Haredi world a
In the inaugural episode of The Curious Jew Podcast, host Rabbi David Silverstein sits down with Rav Avishai Lax of Machon Har Bracha to explore the grand enterprise of Rav Eliezer Melamed’s Peninei Halakha and its revol
Is 'fundamentalist Islam' a misnomer? What Muslim voices authentically represent traditional Islam? In this episode Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rav Yaakov Nagen to discuss these issues as well the larger question
Gemara learning dominates the Centrist Orthodox Yeshiva curriculum. Do Centrist Orthodox Yeshivot approach Gemara differently than their Chareidi counterparts? Are there varied perspectives within the world of Centrist O
How should we understand the central role of the Talmud Bavli in Chareidi communities? What are the goals of the 'Ivies' of the Yeshiva World? How does intensive focus on the Gemara create a certain student and society?
Many observant Jews have a seder night custom to spill out some wine from their cups during the recitation of the ten plagues. What is the source of this custom? Does it reflect a Jewish instinct to mitigate happiness wh
This Shabbat, Jews across this world will read the Torah portion describing the requirement to eradicate Amalek. Does this mitzvah have any practical relevance nowadays? What about the moral challenges associated with th
![When Even Grandparents Are Drafted with Rav Binny Freedman [Israel at War, Part 8] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/TwNtToThgvI_30h-DbK3D0d2EPWfndauzJuvuz-asfc/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE3Mjc1MjIv/MTcwNzY4MzAyMy1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
After serving for many years as a Company Commander in the IDF, Rav Binny Freedman has experienced himself in a new role since October 7th—‘drafted,’ as a grandparent. Like hundreds of thousands of other families, the Fr
![What We Misunderstood Before October 7th with Akiva Bigman [Israel at War, Part 7] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/3IBCxQEm6ersSbMFjtgFhBmQYSejkVAKpgIXaQ-QzDg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE3MDYyODMv/MTcwNjM3ODk3Ny1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
Prior to October 7th, the Israeli political and military establishment mistakenly thought that Hamas was deterred from attacking Israel. What other misconceptions lay behind Israeli thinking? How can the Israeli governme
![October 7th & National Teshuva with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman [Israel at War, Part 6] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/do95Iq0MOTGCBXv9iQ3aFQKFR12WjjgPFW0Bd9rS1Cs/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE2ODgyNzAv/MTcwNTE4NTIxNi1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
Traditional Jewish theology understands that a national crisis can serve as a catalyst for collective reflection and teshuva. What can we learn from the horrors of October 7th? What national sins must be rectified moving
![A Civic Vision for the Day After with JJ Sussman [Israel at War, Part 5] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/29tNZW3qrpnJX-Vd814TKjdSVkgMp4HUu72x1W__7xU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE2NjUwNzIv/MTcwMzg0NDEzNy1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
2023 was one of the most divisive years in Israel's history. Polarization and the debate surrounding the judicial reform lead Israel to the brink of civil war culminating in altercations on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of
![Ultra-Orthodox Jews and their Changing Relationship with the State of Israel with Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer [Israel at War, Part 4] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/Enuew7Xu-fDNur_CVCLeXsvqqKGHgkTFaFpFtkmtc0Y/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE2Mzg3ODkv/MTcwMjIwMTMzNy1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
Israeli ultra-Orthodoxy has maintained an isolationist stance toward the general public in Israel since the State’s founding. In the aftermath of October 7th, however, segments of the ultra-Orthodox community have activa
![Anti-Semitism, Free Speech, and the Challenge of the West with Dr. Russ Roberts [Israel at War, Part 3] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/g2qunm0ivggwiPJXIh6U6hArZz7LTrvWqMiveigGbY4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE2MDI4NDIv/MTcwMDE3NjIxMy1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
In the aftermath of the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7th, anti-semitic incidents have drastically increased worldwide. How should open societies committed to the freedom of expression respond? Is limiting the righ
![The Ethics of War with Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody [Israel at War, Part 2] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/pdelXqE6dwUZBY8vAd07wUobiPR3DeModHpFDayMgB0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE1OTQ4NTEv/MTcwMDE3NTU2NC1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
Western media often criticizes the IDF for "collective punishment" and a lack of proportionality in its military response to Hamas’s horrific attacks on October 7th. How are we supposed to respond to these accusations? W
![How Can Torah Sources Help Us Navigate This Difficult Time? with Rav Yitzchak Blau [Israel at War, Part 1] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/-ikL2X4GK1FiJspSd3d0pX0VaS5oJrBpo-RRjDCjBWU/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE1NzEwMDkv/MTcwMDE3NTU1OS1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
What Torah sources can we look to for guidance during our current crisis? How should we understand the rise in global anti-semitism and the shocking support for Hamas on some university campuses? In this episode, Rav Dav
![Gemara, Halakha & Chazal's Unique Conception of Law with Professor Chaim Saiman [Gemara, Part 2] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/fO9K_SXlFho1nAOR-vKLrkCHMAWlX-Qa7-ya6J168cw/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE0OTQxMjEv/MTcwMDE3NTQ1NS1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
What is halakha? Is it just a system of law or also a legal medium to discuss some of Judaism's most weighty religious questions? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by Professor Chaim Saiman to discuss thes
![Why Is Gemara So Central to Orthodox Jewish Life? with Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky [Gemara, Part 1] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/C4ZBdJfP--D1MyUR1UVqFBiGh-xdxzCZKv8WSDov11s/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lcGlz/b2RlLzE0Nzc2MTgv/MTcwMDE3NTM3NC1h/cnR3b3JrLmpwZw.jpg)
The study of Gemara dominates the daily schedule of most yeshivot. Beyond yeshiva, Daf Yomi has become an international phenomenon with people taking time out of their daily schedules to study a page of Talmud. What is G
![Personal Perspectives on Divine Providence with Rav Binny Freedman [Divine Providence, Part 2] episode artwork](https://img.transistorcdn.com/2otRjK50JdGMwyBCyxmYSphJIBxM2FA4Bn8YFbItjI0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zZTFk/NmM0NTRhMmNhODA2/YjNiODUxZGViYTQx/MjA3YS5wbmc.jpg)
After a survey of different approaches to divine providence in the last episode, Rav Binny Freedman joins Rav David Silverstein to discuss what role theology should play in our lives. Why doesn't theology occupy a larger
David Silverstein
Founder and CEO · FiveStone Group
1 appearance on this show
Yehoshua Pfeffer
rabbi and rabbinical judge
1 appearance on this show
R' Avishai Lax
Machon Har Bracha
1 appearance on this show
Yakov Nagen
Ohr Torah Stone
1 appearance on this show
Yitzchak Blau
Yeshivat Orayta
2 appearances on this show
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody
Ematai
1 appearance on this show
Akiva Bigman
Mida
1 appearance on this show
Russ Roberts
Shalem College
1 appearance on this show
Chaim Saiman
Villanova Law School
1 appearance on this show
Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky
Yeshivat Sha'alvim
1 appearance on this show
Rabbi Binny Freedman
Yeshivat Orayta
1 appearance on this show
Rav Yitzchak Blau
Yeshivat Orayta
1 appearance on this show
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The Curious Jew is hosted by Unknown Host. The show is categorised under Education (religion) and has published 36 episodes.
The Curious Jew has published 36 episodes.
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