Misfit Torah

On hierarchy and miscommunication

What does Power reveal about Shaul?

I did not know Avidan before we recorded this. We hit it off. It's a very cool Maamar with lots of different applications. Just trust me, this one's really cool.

After being Facebook friends for years, I finally "meet" Aryeh and get into a really good conversation, telling stories, pulling books off shelves, making interesting observations, and its going great until we realize we need to start recording the episode. 

I think this is the best one so far. This episode goes lots of different places and a covers a lot of cool ideas and interesting discussions with a person who does cool stuff. Listen to it, or don't, I'm not your mom. 

PY Pesach, Samech Tet. A favorite of mine. Just Akiva on this one

The thing about R. Klapper is that I genuinely do not know where he's gonna end up when he starts talking.
This goes to some fun places. 

Our first episode with a guest welcomes Avigayil Halpern, author of the "Approaching" parsha substack and namer of this podcast, to talk with us about Shavuot 13, and the possible applications of a wider definition of limmud Torah. 

Episode One of my "Judaism from the Ground Up" series, an attempt to articulate a philosophy of Judaism for those who, like me, have had a lot to rethink over the past 6 years or so.
In this episode: Order vs. Chaos, Tzimtzum, Division of Labor in society, words I may or may not have pronounced correctly. 

A New Podcast Series, with guests (hopefully). This episode with me, Akiva Weisinger, talking about Purim 4

The Kli Yakar and his commentary are discussed. Heinreich Graetz is dragged. The ramifications of secret chavrutas in the Moreh Nevuchim are explicated. Future episodes are alluded to. Paternity is hedged. Manichaeism is too briefly mentioned. The line between mysticism and rationalism is blurred. The color red becomes important at one point. Half-measures are accepted as the best we're gonna get from the 1600's. The nature of the corrupting influence of wealth is pondered. 

Why have I had a religious crisis? What is this series trying to do? 

Binaries are proposed and rejected. The author's alma mater is briefly mentioned. Italians' rationality is defended. Historical headcanons are proposed. Context is continuously provided. Quotes are read in a haughty voice. Aesthetics become spiritual, but are clumsily explained. The limits of ethical apologetics are pondered.  The ability to step outside one's context is questioned, both practically and prescriptively. 

Part 10 of the "Who the Heck is that Guy" series. Modernity is discussed, existence is pondered, paths around the sun are considered. Comparisons to hit musicals are made, prolific writing is marveled at, our protagonist rapidly gain power and just as rapidly loses it, rabbinic jokes are made and explained, the utility of questions is explained lines to the American Revolution are drawn, revolutionary zeal is pondered. 

Part 9 of the "Who The Heck is that Guy" series

Akiva wraps up the unit on medieval commentators with a roundup of commentators that are important but didn't get their own episode. Authors are thanked and remembered. Listeners are urged to read. Saadia Gaon is called a badass. Mahari Kara's name is mispronounced, maybe. Bechor Shor's astuteness is applauded. Radak is complimented as boring. Ibn Kaspi's character is pondered. Rabbeinu Bahya's role model is revealed. Mental flowcharts are explicated. Promises about future episodes are made. 

The Zohar is discussed. Stories of young firebrands getting shut down are told. Hearts are warmed. Things get a little raunchy. The limits of rationalism are probed. The word "theosophy" presents some trouble. Promised edits never arrive. The significance of sea monsters is discussed. Gaps appear between vocabulary and pronunciation. Davidic improprieties are pondered. Communal priorities are thought over. Paths forwards are hesitantly pointed towards.

The relationship between religion and truth is pondered. The Ralbag is introduced. A joke about Maimonidean esotericism is clumsily made. An article is promoted. Stories are rationalized, naturalized, and reinterpreted. The podcast becomes PG-13. Some wacky comments of The Ralbag are read. Light misogyny and body shaming is awkwardly handled. Death stares become literal. Exhortations to never give up are made.