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JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and TraditionAuthor: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today
Hosted by lifelong friends Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni, Judaism Demystified was founded to explore topics often overlooked in conventional Jewish education. Through long-form conversations with leading religious thinkers, scientists, and historians, the podcast draws from the Geonic-Maimonidean tradition while embracing the intellectual legacy of Rabbi Sacks. Our goal is to reignite a passion for classical Jewish wisdom, returning to foundational ideas and fostering meaningful engagement with Jewish thought. Language: en Genres: Judaism, Religion & Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Episode 135: Rabbanit Yael Leibowitz "Ezra-Nehemiah and Covenantal Responsibility"
Episode 135
Sunday, 7 December, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Rabbanit Yael Leibowitz to explore the bold ideas at the heart of her work on Ezra–Nehemiah. She explains why she frames the book through the striking theme of a 'Retrograde Revolution,' and how this lens reveals a story of renewal that moves forward specifically by returning to the foundations of Jewish identity. Rabbanit Leibowitz then walks us through her distinctive approach to studying Ezra–Nehemiah—not primarily as political history, but as a deeply literary and theological text—and how this perspective reflects her broader understanding of what Tanakh is and how it relates to history. We also address a surprising reality: despite being part of the biblical canon, Ezra–Nehemiah remains one of the least-studied books among regular Torah learners. Rabbanit Leibowitz explains why these chapters are essential for today’s Jewish reader and what timeless lessons they offer for community, belonging, and spiritual restoration. Finally, we discuss her powerful chapter, “What Is a Jew,” which examines the complexities of Jewish identity as they emerge in the book of Ezra and how those ancient questions continue to resonate in the modern world.---*This episode is dedicated to the refua shelema of Sarah Miriam bat Tamar, Binyamin ben Zilpa, and our dear friend Yaakov ben Haya Sarah Malakh---• Bio: Yael Leibowitz is an Israeli educator. She holds a Master’s degree in Judaic Studies from Columbia University, taught at the Upper School of Ramaz, and is a former faculty member of Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women where she taught advanced Bible courses. She currently teaches at Matan Women’s Institute for Torah Learning and Midreshet Lindenbaum College for Women.---• Get her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ezra-Nehemiah-Retrograde-Revolution-Yael-Leibowitz/dp/1592647073---• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Thank you to...Super Patron: Jordan Karmily, Platinum Patron: Craig Gordon, Rod Ilian, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Vasya, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel M., Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal, Fred & Antonio, Jeffrey Wasserman, and Jacob Winston! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!
