Third Rail Judaism

Send us Fan MailChosenness in Judaism: Superiority, Responsibility, and Divine Love (with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer)Host Blake Cohen interviews Rabbi Elie Kaunfer of the Hadar Institute about the Jewish concept of chosenness and why it is often misconstrued as superiority. Kaunfer distinguishes rabbinic views—chosenness as being selected to enact and model Torah morality—from the Torah’s depiction of God choosing Israel and Abraham without stated merit, framed as an irrational love in Deuteronomy (“I chose you because I love you”). They discuss midrashim about other nations rejecting the Torah, a view that Israel needed Torah more, and questions about leaving the covenant, forgiveness after the Golden Calf, and why suffering and punishment accompany being “singled out,” including a Talmudic account where Rav Safra is silent. Kaunfer connects “kingdom of priests,” holiness as separateness, and “light unto the nations,” highlighting Torah laws like Shabbat and commerce ethics, and notes the Torah blessing’s phrasing ties chosenness to receiving Torah.00:00 Welcome and Setup01:56 Why Chosenness Sounds Superior04:15 Rabbinic View Mission Model08:10 Why Only Jews Got Torah14:59 Can You Leave the Covenant20:18 Desert Doubt and Amalek25:52 Torah View Love and Election34:28 Chosen Yet God of All38:04 God Loves Other Nations40:41 Chosen and Accountable42:47 Suffering and Silence48:11 Kingdom of Priests55:44 Priests as Intermediaries01:01:24 Teaching the Nations01:05:28 Torah Wisdom in Practice01:11:49 Ethics in Commerce01:14:27 Chosenness Through Torah01:16:15 Closing and Where to LearnSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

Send us Fan MailIs Antisemitism Divine? The Shape-Shifting Hatred of Jews and Judaism’s Metaphysical ClaimHost Blake Cohen introduces Third Rail Judaism and examines why Jews are hated, noting the term “antisemitism” was coined in 1879 and that Jew-hatred uniquely mutates into contradictory accusations across civilizations, including places with few or no Jews, and persists even after assimilation, as in Spain’s post-1391 blood purity laws. He links modern anti-Zionism to older tropes and corrects exaggerated beliefs about Jewish numbers and power. Cohen interviews writer Tzvi Kilov, who distinguishes antisemitism from broader “anti-Judaism,” argues Western civilization has a special antagonistic relationship with Jews, and suggests sociological theories explain only local incidents. Tzvi frames Jewish identity as covenantal, irreducible, and not choice-based, rooted in Sinai, law-centered doctrine, and a distinctive metaphysics, proposing antisemitism is a built-in feature of Jewish existence that ends only with messianic resolution; practical “fighting” is limited, and Jewish unity and practice are emphasized, with the Holocaust treated as an inexplicable aberration and post–Oct. 7 antisemitism described as paradoxically clarifying Jewish identity.00:00 Why Jews Are Hated00:26 Defining Antisemitism01:09 Contradictions and Mutations02:11 Limits of Social Theories05:01 Assimilation and Spain06:10 Anti Zionism Today07:04 Power and Numbers Myths08:24 Torah Prophecy Frame09:11 Guest Introduction10:50 Term Debate and Anti Judaism15:29 Torah Origins Purim18:50 Particularity and Idolatry25:14 Europe Revolutions Keep Hate29:16 Divine Theory Question43:06 What Is a Jew45:02 Sinai Epistemology47:05 Law Over Doctrine49:40 Sinai Metaphysics51:27 Antisemitism Root Claim53:42 Law Versus Universalism01:01:11 Hanukkah Greek Clash01:04:52 Ritual Details Offend01:06:39 Irreducible Jewishness01:10:09 Mission And Repair01:14:46 Chosenness Compared01:18:44 Family Identity Paradox01:22:20 Golda Meir Quote01:23:17 Covenant Beyond Belief01:25:11 Two Lamps Midrash01:27:28 Jewishness Over God Concept01:29:55 Divine Antisemitism Questions01:31:10 Metaphysical Tension and Messiah01:35:59 Holocaust as Aberration01:39:16 Post Apocalyptic Judaism01:43:00 Fighting Antisemitism Doubts01:48:11 ADL Debate and Holocaust Causality01:57:56 How Worried Should We Be02:00:28 Antisemitism as North Star02:05:09 Closing ThanksSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

Send us Fan MailThe Fine-Tuning Debate: Intelligent Design vs. Multiverse TheoryIn this episode of Third Rail Judaism, host Blake Cohen delves into the intricacies of fine-tuning in the universe with Elie Feder and Aaron Zimmer from the Physics to God Podcast. The discussion covers why fine-tuning points to an intelligent cause or God, as well as the multiverse theory, which scientists consider an alternative explanation. The conversation touches on concepts like the cosmological constant, observer bias, and the measure problem, aiming to reconcile the implications of fine-tuning with both scientific and philosophical perspectives. This episode seeks to explore whether our finely-tuned universe indicates an intelligent designer or can be explained by an infinite array of universes, each with unique physical laws.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:45 The Concept of Fine Tuning00:56 The Mystery of Existence01:44 Scientific Perspectives on Nothingness04:52 Defining Fine Tuning08:33 The Constants and Their Significance11:17 The Role of Fine Tuning in Physics21:37 The Multiverse Theory22:06 Challenges and Counterarguments29:58 Scientific Theories and Predictions36:52 Observer Bias and Infinite Universes37:29 The Measure Problem in the Multiverse Theory39:17 Challenges and Criticisms of the Measure Problem39:56 The Role of God in Scientific Theories41:43 Philosophical Implications and the Nature of Science44:01 Intelligent Design vs. Multiverse Theory58:12 The Concept of Fine Tuning and Intelligent Cause01:05:24 Preview of Next Season: Addressing Infinite Regress01:10:49 Closing Remarks and Future ProjectsSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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Send us Fan MailIn this episode we examine the relationship between Jacob and Esau and the incident in which Rebecca and Jacob conspire to trick Isaac into giving Esau's blessing to Isaac.Support the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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Send us Fan MailExploring Homosexuality in Jewish Tradition: Historical Context and Contemporary DebatesIn this episode of Third Rail Judaism, the discussion delves into the complex topic of homosexuality in Jewish tradition. The conversation begins with an examination of the prohibition against male-to-male sexual relations as stated in the Torah and its context. The hosts explore the differing attitudes towards lesbian relationships and the interpretations within the Talmud and other rabbinic texts. Attention is given to the historical and present-day perspectives on same-sex relationships within Jewish communities, highlighting the influence of Christian moral values on Jewish attitudes. The dialogue also touches upon the prevalence of reparative therapy, its controversial nature, and its impact on the mental health of individuals who have undergone such treatments. Finally, the conversation examines the broader topic of inclusivity within Jewish law and the need for a distinctly Jewish approach to understanding and addressing LGBTQ+ issues. The episode underscores the importance of halachic discourse and the potential for new interpretations that align with authentic Jewish values.00:00 Introduction and Defining Terms00:35 Torah Prohibitions on Homosexuality02:02 Lesbian Relationships in Jewish Texts03:37 Historical Context and Interpretations04:56 Halakha and Moral Implications06:12 Rabbinic Views and Legal Perspectives12:17 Practical and Emotional Responses22:40 Reparative Therapy and Its Controversies33:54 Respecting Women in Relationships34:32 Challenges in Mixed-Orientation Marriages35:43 Historical Perspectives on Forced Marriages36:13 Halachic Discussions on Homosexuality37:14 Kabbalistic Views on Sexuality41:10 Comparing Attitudes Towards Different Sins42:54 Christian Influence on Jewish Sexual Morality54:54 Sephardic vs. Ashkenazi Approaches59:44 Personal Reflections and Halachic Studies01:04:13 The Need for Authentic Jewish PerspectivesSupport the showhttps://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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