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Send us Fan Mail Chosenness 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 Setup 01:56 Why Chosenness Sounds Superior 04:15 Rabbinic View Mission Model 08:10 Why Only Jews Got Torah 14:59 Can You Leave the Covenant 20:18 Desert Doubt and Amalek 25:52 Torah View Love and Election 34:28 Chosen Yet God of All 38:04 God Loves Other Nations 40:41 Chosen and Accountable 42:47 Suffering and Silence 48:11 Kingdom of Priests 55:44 Priests as Intermediaries 01:01:24 Teaching the Nations 01:05:28 Torah Wisdom in Practice 01:11:49 Ethics in Commerce 01:14:27 Chosenness Through Torah 01:16:15 Closing and Where to Learn Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

Send us Fan Mail Is Antisemitism Divine? The Shape-Shifting Hatred of Jews and Judaism’s Metaphysical Claim Host 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 Hated 00:26 Defining Antisemitism 01:09 Contradictions and Mutations 02:11 Limits of Social Theories 05:01 Assimilation and Spain 06:10 Anti Zionism Today 07:04 Power and Numbers Myths 08:24 Torah Prophecy Frame 09:11 Guest Introduction 10:50 Term Debate and Anti Judaism 15:29 Torah Origins Purim 18:50 Particularity and Idolatry 25:14 Europe Revolutions Keep Hate 29:16 Divine Theory Question 43:06 What Is a Jew 45:02 Sinai Epistemology 47:05 Law Over Doctrine 49:40 Sinai Metaphysics 51:27 Antisemitism Root Claim 53:42 Law Versus Universalism 01:01:11 Hanukkah Greek Clash 01:04:52 Ritual Details Offend 01:06:39 Irreducible Jewishness 01:10:09 Mission And Repair 01:14:46 Chosenness Compared 01:18:44 Family Identity Paradox 01:22:20 Golda Meir Quote 01:23:17 Covenant Beyond Belief 01:25:11 Two Lamps Midrash 01:27:28 Jewishness Over God Concept 01:29:55 Divine Antisemitism Questions 01:31:10 Metaphysical Tension and Messiah 01:35:59 Holocaust as Aberration 01:39:16 Post Apocalyptic Judaism 01:43:00 Fighting Antisemitism Doubts 01:48:11 ADL Debate and Holocaust Causality 01:57:56 How Worried Should We Be 02:00:28 Antisemitism as North Star 02:05:09 Closing Thanks Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

Send us Fan Mail The Fine-Tuning Debate: Intelligent Design vs. Multiverse Theory In 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 Overview 00:45 The Concept of Fine Tuning 00:56 The Mystery of Existence 01:44 Scientific Perspectives on Nothingness 04:52 Defining Fine Tuning 08:33 The Constants and Their Significance 11:17 The Role of Fine Tuning in Physics 21:37 The Multiverse Theory 22:06 Challenges and Counterarguments 29:58 Scientific Theories and Predictions 36:52 Observer Bias and Infinite Universes 37:29 The Measure Problem in the Multiverse Theory 39:17 Challenges and Criticisms of the Measure Problem 39:56 The Role of God in Scientific Theories 41:43 Philosophical Implications and the Nature of Science 44:01 Intelligent Design vs. Multiverse Theory 58:12 The Concept of Fine Tuning and Intelligent Cause 01:05:24 Preview of Next Season: Addressing Infinite Regress 01:10:49 Closing Remarks and Future Projects Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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Send us Fan Mail In 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 show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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Send us Fan Mail Exploring Homosexuality in Jewish Tradition: Historical Context and Contemporary Debates In 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 Terms 00:35 Torah Prohibitions on Homosexuality 02:02 Lesbian Relationships in Jewish Texts 03:37 Historical Context and Interpretations 04:56 Halakha and Moral Implications 06:12 Rabbinic Views and Legal Perspectives 12:17 Practical and Emotional Responses 22:40 Reparative Therapy and Its Controversies 33:54 Respecting Women in Relationships 34:32 Challenges in Mixed-Orientation Marriages 35:43 Historical Perspectives on Forced Marriages 36:13 Halachic Discussions on Homosexuality 37:14 Kabbalistic Views on Sexuality 41:10 Comparing Attitudes Towards Different Sins 42:54 Christian Influence on Jewish Sexual Morality 54:54 Sephardic vs. Ashkenazi Approaches 59:44 Personal Reflections and Halachic Studies 01:04:13 The Need for Authentic Jewish Perspectives Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore the story of Dinah, daughter of Jacob and leah. She is kidnapped and violated by a Hivite prince, and ultimately rescued by her brothers. Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe guides us. Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism

Send us Fan Mail [email protected] Support the show https://www.patreon.com/c/ThirdRailJudaism