Orthodox Conundrum

This episode is partially a detective story, partially an analysis of daring ideas, and partially an invitation to discover new methodolgies of confronting challenges to Orthodox Judaism. Rav Kook drafted L’Nevuchei HaDor over a century ago—then the manuscript largely disappeared from view, resurfaced piecemeal, and sparked debates about redaction and “censorship.” In this follow-up to our popular episode with Professor Marc Shapiro, I speak with Rabbi Aryeh Sklar, translator of the new English edition, to unpack both the history of the text (why it was sidelined, what changed between versions, and who may have been protecting whom) and the ideas that make it urgent now: how Rav Kook navigates tensions between moral intuition and Torah; his approach to challenges from writings of the ancient Near East; why heresy can refine faith; his respectful stance toward other religions; and much more. As we approach Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we ask what this early, daring Rav Kook can offer a polarized 2025 about creative teshuva, intellectual honesty, and religious confidence without fear. Check out the wonderful new podcast, Women Talking Mitzvot, co-produced by Deracheha.org and Beit Midrash Migdal Oz, with Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. To listen, click here (Apple) or here (Spotify). We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

As one 929 cycle ends and the next begins, Scott talks with Rabbi Benny Lau—founder of 929—about why the project started, what it hopes to change in Jewish life, and what a shared, chapter-a-day cadence can build across communities. They also tackle the harder questions: the risks of using Tanach as a direct guidebook without the mediating lens of the Oral Tradition, how to engage ethically with challenging passages, and where pluralism meets red lines. Practical takeaways included: how beginners can start this week, and what to do when you fall behind. Whether you’re all-in on 929 or cautious about it, this episode is about reading Tanach deeply—and responsibly. Check out the wonderful new podcast, Women Talking Mitzvot, co-produced by Deracheha.org and Beit Midrash Migdal Oz, with Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. To listen, click here (Apple) or here (Spotify). We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

When a child shares something deeply personal about his or her sexual orientation, Orthodox parents can feel love, concern, and uncertainty all at once. In this conversation, Rabbi Yakov Horowitz reflects on what he’s learned working with families and communal leaders: how to approach the first conversations, which words can prevent hurt, and where halacha and mesorah guide our choices. We also consider what he’s heard from senior rabbinic figures, how different communities navigate these moments, and what hope might look like over time. This is a tender, honest discussion meant to help listeners think carefully, speak gently, and consider their next steps with dignity—whatever they may be. Check out Tehillim Unveiled with Ari Levisohn and Rav Jeremy Tibbetts on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify - with a new three-part series on Tehillim 27, L'David Hashem Ori, dropping just in time for Elul! To contact Kesher Families, click here. Follow Rabbi Yakov Horowitz on Instagram - @yakovhorowitz and @brightbeginningsforum. We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Why do so many young Modern Orthodox and National Religious Jews embrace the community but drift from halacha? In this episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Rabbi David Stav, head of Tzohar, joins Scott to confront the growing gap between identity and observance. Together they tackle the hard questions: Are we teaching halacha in ways that feel lifeless and irrelevant? Has secular society — from college to army service to technology — reshaped how youth see mitzvot? And most importantly, how can parents and educators reignite passion for Torah and halacha, showing a new generation that Jewish law is not just obligation, but a path to joy, meaning, and belonging? Check out the wonderful new podcast, Women Talking Mitzvot, co-produced by Deracheha.org and Beit Midrash Migdal Oz, with Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. To listen, click here (Apple) or here (Spotify). We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

From biblical lions to the bizarre “Zionist crocodile plot,” Israel’s wildlife tells a story that shatters modern anti-Israel myths. In his new book Lions of Zion, Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin reveals how the animals of the Land of Israel — past and present — reflect the Jewish people’s deep, indigenous connection to their homeland. Scott and Rabbi Slifkin tackle false narratives about “settler colonialism,” “greenwashing,” and cultural appropriation, and explore how creatures like sunbirds, jackals, and even poppies have been weaponized in the propaganda war against Israel. This eye-opening conversation blends Bible, zoology, and politics to show that in Israel, even the animals have a story to tell. To order The Lions of Zion: Biblical Natural History and the Significance of Israel, click here. We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

As we approach Tisha B'Av — a day that mourns the devastating consequences of internal strife and baseless hatred — we must ask: is there a Torah model for constructive conflict resolution? Rabbi Alex Israel joins Scott to explore a striking example in Bamidbar chapter 32, where Moses engages the tribes of Reuben and Gad in what Rabbi Jonathan Sacks called, "a model illustration of positive negotiation and conflict resolution." What does this biblical conversation teach us about how to mediate conflict, preserve unity, and build a stronger community — even when we disagree? Scott and Rabbi Israel then apply these lessons to modern conflicts that divide the Jewish people in Israel and around the world. This episode offers a timely and hopeful message: disagreement doesn't have to lead to division, and conflict can become a source of growth — if we learn to listen, negotiate, and speak with respect. Check out the Tehillim Unveiled Podcast! Their episode on Tehillim 89 is especially relevant in the days leading up to Tisha B'Av - you can find it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. We're excited to announce that we at Jewish Coffee House are continuing to expand the conversation by bringing you—our listeners—into the mix. Introducing JCH Q&A, an exciting new podcast where listener-submitted questions are answered in a thoughtful, honest, and engaging way. We plan to dive deep into your pressing hashkafic, political, and philosophical questions. We will address the ideas that matter, the issues that challange us, and the topics that spark real curiosity. To submit a question for our first episode, you must be a member of the JCH Podcast WhatsApp Community. (Join here.) No question is off limits, and all submissions will remain anonymous. We're looking forward to answering your questions on our first episode! To read my article on Jewish Unity from last month, click here. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

What is kiruv really about—and what should it be about? In this thought-provoking conversation, Scott speaks with Rabbi Simi Lerner, a kiruv professional who challenges conventional assumptions about Orthodox Jewish outreach. They explore the core goals of kiruv, the philosophical and ethical pitfalls it can fall into, and how to ensure it respects the dignity and autonomy of every individual. Is the point to make people religious? Should every Jew be Shomer Shabbat? What happens when outreach causes regret—or even harm? They also discuss whether kiruv professionals objectify people, the bad habit exhibited by some kiruv professionals (and the problem with having "kivurv professionals"), and how to navigate halacha with integrity in the face of complex realities. Rav Simi emphasizes that many kiruv workers do tremendous and holy work in a careful and sensitive manner... and others do not. This is a candid and essential conversation about one of the most idealistic—and sometimes problematic—projects in the Jewish world. Check out the Tehillim Unveiled Podcast! Their episode on Tehillim 89 is especially relevant in the days leading up to Tisha B'Av - you can find it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Links for Rav Simi Lerner: Judaism From Within Podcast Two Rabbis, Three Opinions Podcast Horeb: Philosophy of law and observances from Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Classes on Kuzari at Yeshivat Darche Noam Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Obesity is now responsible for more deaths in the United States than smoking—yet the Orthodox Jewish community rarely addresses it as either a public health emergency or a halachic concern. In this eye-opening episode, Scott speaks with Dr. Sharon Grossman to explore the medical, hashkafic, and halachic dimensions of obesity, overeating, and eating disorders. They discuss startling statistics about caloric intake on Shabbat, whether extravagant kiddushes and wedding meals reflect a violation of Torah values, and how halacha approaches issues like achilat gasa, guarding one's health, and weight loss surgery. They also tackle the other extreme—unhealthy preoccupations with appearance, the dangers of anorexia, and the rise of drugs like Ozempic. Can Judaism offer a healthy, balanced view of eating, body image, and self-care? This conversation challenges us to rethink how we relate to food, our health, and our values. Jewish Coffee House - the company of which Orthodox Conundrum Commentary is a part - has plans to grow and provide additional exceptional content… and to do that right, we need your help. Our summer intern, Nathan Shapiro, put together a survey so that we can better provide the podcasts, articles, live events, and online presentations that will speak to you. We plan to produce content that will be meaningful, stimulating, and entertaining - and we need your input so that we can create the best possible version of Jewish Coffee House. We want to hear from you. Please take this short survey today! Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Is the Charedi community prepared to confront the demands of real life—economic, civic, and national—or has it built a worldview that prizes withdrawal over responsibility? In this provocative and thoughtful episode, Dayan Yehoshua Pfeffer joins Scott to explore what happens when religious ideology collides with practical reality. Drawing on his influential Sapir essay and other writings, Dayan Pfeffer explains how parts of Charedi society have defined religious life through a lens that minimizes human effort and places near-exclusive trust in divine outcomes—an attitude that discourages participation in Israel’s workforce, civic institutions, and national service. But is this mindset sustainable in a modern state? And how do Charedi thinkers reconcile it with halachic sources, economic necessity, and lived experience? Scott and Dayan Pfeffer also delve into the social, theological, and ideological obstacles to change—particularly the way certain ideas have become "untouchable" within the community. Can Charedim pursue professional careers, engage with broader society, and still maintain fidelity to Charedi identity? Or does such a shift inevitably bring them closer to the Modern Orthodox world? This is a challenging, respectful, and essential conversation for anyone concerned about the future of Torah Judaism in Israel and throughout the world. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

In the wake of Israel’s stunning victory over Iran—an event many have called miraculous—Jews around the world are reflecting on the nature of divine intervention and the power of prayer. Can we, and should we, pray for miracles? In this deeply thoughtful episode, Rabbi Shlomo Brody joins Scott to explore the halachic and emotional dimensions of tefillah in desperate times. What does it mean to ask for something that defies natural law? Is there a spiritual cost to praying for impossible outcomes? And how should we respond when a loved one is terminally ill—when a cure seems impossible, but giving up feels like betrayal? They also tackle a more uncomfortable question: Does excessive reliance on prayer risk becoming a substitute for human responsibility—such as voting, civic engagement, or taking necessary action in the real world? Can asking God for a miracle ever become a way of avoiding the hard work of confronting reality? This wide-ranging and nuanced conversation explores how to balance faith, hope, and the knowledge that God can do anything, with realism and the recognition that He has discouraged praying for that which is outside the realm of possibility; when to pray for mercy instead of outcomes; and how to maintain emunah without falling into magical thinking. It’s essential listening for anyone grappling with what it means to live—and pray—with integrity in the face of uncertainty and crisis. Check out the Tehillim Unveiled Podcast! Their episode on Tehillim 20 is especially relevant today - you can find it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

When the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear sites this week, the Middle East—and the world—entered a new phase of conflict. In this urgent episode, Scott speaks once again with Yaakov Katz, former editor of The Jerusalem Post, about what these strikes mean for Israel’s war effort, the potential consequences of regime change in Iran, the risks of escalation, and how this moment may redefine the geopolitical landscape. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand what’s really happening beyond the headlines. Check out the Tehillim Unveiled Podcast! Their episode on Tehillim 20 is especially relevant today - you can find it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To preorder While Israel Slept by Yaakov Katz, click here. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Two Israeli embassy staffers shot in Washington. Jewish activists burned in Boulder. A mayoral candidate in New York who refused to condemn the Holocaust gaining momentum. Antisemitism in the United States is no longer hiding in the shadows — it’s on the march, in broad daylight. In this urgent bonus episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn speaks with Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz and Andy Weiss about the troubling rise in antisemitic violence and rhetoric, the mainstreaming of hate, and how American Jews are responding — with concern, activism, and a growing sense of alarm. From Zohran Mamdani’s alarming candidacy to the broader cultural shift that’s making Jew-hatred acceptable again, this is a frank and timely conversation every Jew needs to hear — whether or not you live in New York. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

In this spontaneous and unfiltered episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott shares heartfelt reflections on Israel’s war against Iran—not from a political or military perspective, but through personal experience and the lens of faith. What does it mean to believe in Divine providence during a time of fear and uncertainty? How should we grapple with the moral and spiritual implications of war? Without a script or agenda, this episode wrestles with the difficult questions that arise when religious conviction meets the harsh realities of conflict. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Twenty months into the war with Hamas, many Israelis and supporters abroad are asking the same urgent question: how will this end? In this in-depth episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn is joined by Yaakov Katz, one of Israel’s most respected journalists and author of While Israel Slept, to examine whether Israel’s military goals are still realistic — or even defined. They discuss the uncertain state of the war, Netanyahu’s political maneuvering, the role of the Chareidi parties, international pressure, and the trust gap between the government and the public. It’s a sobering but essential conversation for anyone who cares about Israel’s future. To preorder While Israel Slept, click here. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Megilat Rut — the Book of Ruth — is one of the most beloved and widely read books in the Hebrew Bible. Because we read it annually on Shavuot, many people are familiar with its basic storyline. But its very familiarity can sometimes obscure its most powerful messages. In this episode, I’m joined by Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman of Bar Ilan University, who offers a fascinating lens through which to revisit Ruth’s story: the world’s most popular fairytale — Cinderella. By comparing the two narratives, Rabbi Berman uncovers striking parallels and, more importantly, profound differences that highlight essential Torah values. This conversation will change how you read Megilat Rut and offer fresh insight into the values that give Jewish life depth, direction, and meaning. Listen to the Tehillim Unveiled podcast here or wherever you find your podcasts. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Can science be a vehicle to get closer to God? The Rambam famously answered in the affirmative. In the second of the 1000 chapters of his Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah chapter 2, the Rambam writes, “What is the method towards loving and fearing God? At the moment that a person investigates His wondrous and massive actions and creations, and sees through them His endless and infinite wisdom, he immediately loves, praises, and extols, and desires tremendously to know the great Name. In the words of David, ‘My soul thirsts for God, the living divine.’ And when he thinks about these things themselves, he immediately recoils backward and is awestruck and fears, realizing that he is a small, lowly, and beclouded creature, with minimal and superficial knowledge compared to God’s perfect intellect. As David said, ‘When I see your heavens… what is man that You should acknowledge him?’ According to these ideas I will clarify important principles of the works of the Master of the worlds so that they will be an introduction to one who understands in order to love God. As the Sages said with regard to love, from this you recognize the One who spoke and the world came into being.” The Rambam then proceeds to give an introduction to the Aristotelian world view that was presumed true in his time. While we no longer accept the Rambam’s science as accurate, his principle that knowledge of the universe is a vehicle to loving and fearing God remains an essential principle. What about using science to demonstrate God’s existence? The Rambam, again, was willing to use philosophical arguments for this purpose; but others recoil from the concept. Many people have no interest in examining theories such as intelligent design and creationism, and find them absurd. There’s a different but somewhat similar phenomenon which Professor David Shatz calls “bold concordism,” where scientists attempt to demonstrate that the first chapter of Bereshit and modern physics are in complete agreement, as long as the words of the Torah are read in a literal, albeit non-obvious way. Some people find this inspiring and helpful, while others dismiss it altogether. My guests today, Rabbi Aaron Zimmer and Rabbi Dr. Elie Feder, propose something quite different. They use established scientific facts based on up-to-date physics - scientific facts, that is, which no one denies - and argue that the most logical conclusion from this science is that the universe was created by an intelligent designer. This has nothing to do with the argument of intelligent design from biology, and is not based on any verses in the Torah. It doesn’t even deal with questions around divine providence or other aspects of Jewish belief. Instead, they argue that modern physics has offered a brand new and extremely compelling version of the argument from design: that the values of the constants are so unusual and so inherently unlikely, that the most obvious conclusion by far is that they were designed so that our complex universe, which includes atoms, molecules, stars, galaxies, and life, would come into existence. As they explain, almost all serious physicists were bothered by the problem of why the constants are what they are; physicists almost universally acknowledge that the reason that the constants have the values that they do is a huge mystery. Elie and Aaron only differ with most other physicists in that many others try to solve this mystery by positing the existence of a multiverse - that is, infinitely many worlds, each with different values of the constants; whereas my guests argue that this is far more unlikely than the obvious answer: that something with intelligence chose these constants for a reason. Regardless of whether you like the idea of using science to demonstrate God’s existence or disagree with the enterprise, Elie and Aaron’s argument demands serious attention. I’m honored to present it today, and look forward to hearing what you think. To learn more about Physics to God, to listen to the podcast, or to watch it on YouTube, click here. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com  

Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics and uses explicit language. Listener discretion is advised. Today, the Orthodox Conundrum is releasing a new episode of Intimate Judaism that my Intimate Judaism co-host, Talli Rosenbaum, and I recorded with Yonina Rubinstein, where we explore how parents can approach conversations about sexuality with sensitivity, clarity, and confidence. How can we talk to kids about sex in a way that’s honest, healthy, and grounded in Jewish values? Yonina offers practical strategies for different ages and stages, explains the importance of modeling a positive attitude toward intimacy, and discusses how halacha and tradition can serve as a guide—not a barrier—to raising sexually healthy children. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or just thinking ahead, this episode offers an essential roadmap for both navigating and redefining “The Talk” in a way that’s both open and deeply rooted in Jewish life. This episode is being released simultaneously on Intimate Judaism and the Orthodox Conundrum. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Last Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago became Pope Leo XIV. While Jews may believe that this shouldn’t matter to us at all, this is most likely false. The pope commands the allegiance of well over a billion Roman Catholics worldwide, and his ability to help shape their opinions about the Jewish people and Israel should not be underestimated. To discuss what his election means for the Jewish people, and to review his predecessor Pope Francis’s record towards Jews and the Jewish state, I was honored to speak to Dr. Malka Simkovich. Malka has an interesting vantage point, as she is not only a well-known expert in Jewish-Christian relations, but she also spent ten years as the Chair of Jewish Studies at the Catholic Theological Union, which is where the pope studied in the early 1980s.  This Tuesday night, the Orthodox Conundrum Podcast will release a regular episode - co-produced with Intimate Judaism - about how parents should talk about sex and intimacy with their kids. So look for that 48 hours after this bonus episode drops. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com  

The thought of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, who died in 1935, remains extremely influential today in religious Zionist circles. Rav Kook’s ideology, particularly as interpreted by his son, Rav Tzvi Yehuda Kook, in books like Orot, has helped to set the agenda for much of the dati leumi world. Over the past couple of decades, however, additional works written by Rav Kook have been published, and some of the ideas they contain are extraordinarily fascinating and at times radical, even as they often have little to do with the Land of Israel or Zionism. These ideas, far from being dated, speak to Orthodox Jews today and often palpably address areas that concern us in 2025. Rav Kook addresses issues such as the limits of Talmud study in forming the religious character of yeshiva students, the importance of establishing a broad curriculum of both holy and secular studies in yeshivot, the possibility that following Jewish law may not be the highest form of spiritual achievement, the wisdom of the masses that at times supersedes that of scholars, the place of natural law and innate morality when it contradicts our understanding of the Torah, whether certain narratives in the Torah need to be taken literally or even may use the prevailing scientific assumptions of those who received the Torah in order to convey a deeper message, the possibility that other religions may be divinely inspired, and much more. I’m encouraged by thinkers who move boldly in directions that others are reluctant to go; the combination of absolute commitment to God, Torah, and the Jewish people alongside heroic courage and honesty is both indispensable and atypical. Both in terms of his ideas, and in his willingness to ask questions, Rav Kook embodied this commitment and courage, and can serve as a role model for Orthodox Jews today.  For that reason, I was honored to speak with Professor Marc Shapiro, author of the new book Renewing the Old, Sanctifying the New: The Unique Vision of Rav Kook, to learn more about Rav Kook’s ideas, and their application to the Orthodox world today. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Colonel John Spencer, one of the world's leading experts on urban warfare, joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about Israel’s war against Hamas. We dive deep into the realities of modern combat, the strict standards of international law, and the false accusations of "genocide" being leveled against Israel. Colonel Spencer also shares insights from his recent high-profile debate alongside Dave Smith on Piers Morgan Uncensored, where he pushed back against the misinformation dominating media narratives. We talk about the dangers of influencer-driven disinformation, the moral challenges Israel faces on the battlefield, and what the world gets wrong about the rules of war. We also discuss whether Israel is succeeding in its stated goals, and how the war can conclude without turning into an endless quagmire. No matter your stage of life, Nishmat's Summer Beit Midrash is the place for you. This program offers transformative Torah learning for women of all backgrounds, in the heart of Jerusalem. Visit nishmat.net/summer-beit-midrash to learn more. Check out Orthodox Conundrum Commentary on Substack and get your free subscription by going to https://scottkahn.substack.com/. Please listen to and share this podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. Also visit https://www.jchpodcasts.com/ to learn all about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com