The rabbis go at each other on whether the old-time image of a predetermination of the coming year is accuate, and useful. As well as some thoughts about Charlie Kirk's assassination as the Oct. 7th of serious Christians.
Does one's inner moral voice count, or are all moral questions adequately addressed in halachic sources? Especially since those sources already have plenty to say about going beyond the letter of the law? Does a Torah-honed conscience add to - or interfere with - Hashem's expectations of us?
So many groups couch their arguments in overheated exaggeration. It works wonders for the adoring base. When people begin believing their own rhetoric, they cease to become people who can win the sympathies of others... as in the recent meeting between two gedolei Yisrael and Mike Huckabee.
Even if you are not usually into the world of segulot, berachot from holy men et al, there's no harm in trying it occasionaly, right? Or is there? Are we becoming more preoccupied with the metarational, and does it matter? Listen as the two rabbis go at each other.
When a politician like Zohran Mamdani speaks out against Israel, should the Jewish community sound the alarm—or take a step back? Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Adlerstein debate whether Mamdani’s ideology is utterly without merit. In a perfect world, how would the Torah want us to deal with the concerns he raises? Does any of that carry over to our imperfect world? The two rabbis go at each other, and ultimately find some things to agree upon.
There are dangers and pitfalls in seeing too many things as miraculous - and in seeing too few. Your hosts get into the weeds about this, including of course an examination of what our mesorah says. By the end, they are not disagreeing. Too much. Miraculously.
Dr. Moshe Krakowski reports on the findings of the first part of a research project commissioned by the OU to study attrition from Orthodoxy. A professor at the Azrieli graduate school at YU, Dr. Krakowski also studies charedi education, consistent with his own roots. We speak about his own journey, the reasons why the community needs to invest in empirical reseach about the issues that concern us, and the seperate lessons gleaned from the study for Modern Orthodox and charedi parents. How do we keep our kids so attached to Yiddishkeit that they never achieve the "escape velocity" necessary to move away from it?
Does living a truly engaged Torah life require shielding ourselves from all foreign influences? Are there greater - or fewer - reasons for advocating insularity at the moment? Are there different answers for different communities - and individuals? Can you filter out the undesirable without blocking out the good as well?
A thoughtful, balanced exploration of segulot uestioning their origins, meaning, and role in our lives. We dig deep, stay respectful, and don't shy away from the tough questions.
Do You Really Need a Hashkafa? Plus- Why not all Anglo charedim are walking lockstep with the American Moetzes. A spirited defense. Read Rav Adlerstein's writings at www.cross-currents.com.
Charlatans promoting spiritual snake-oil, newfangled segulos, stifling creativity. All are part of a disturbing trend away from critical thinking. We allow this at our own peril. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com.
Does Hamas Believe in G-d? Plus - defending the indefensible. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com.
Disappointed By Gedolim? How to deal with it, without endangering your Olam Habo - or your sanity. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com.
To Whom do you take your kids for a bracha? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a fascinating conversation about how the meaning of "Gadol" has changed in recent decades, as well as where it - and we = are heading.
It sometimes feels like many Anglos live a contradition. They call themselves Charedim, while many of their beliefs and practices stand in sharp contrast to the Israeli definition of the term. How do they deal with that - and why?
Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner as they analyze the misguided analogy of religion and race in Israel (even as they disagree about what, exactly, is misguided). And, how to deal with positions they expect you to believe when you really can't.
Now that the US elections have come and gone, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a stimulating and sometimes surprising conversation. We want to hear from you! Write to 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com to let us know what you think.
Is kiddush Hashem always coupled with the performance of mitzvos? Can it be performed even without intention? Even at the same time as doing an aveirah?
Join us as we interview pioneer podcaster Rabbi Avremel Kivelevitz. You can find Rav Kivelevitz's podcasts here.
What is the Torah's preference about dealing with challenges to our way of life?