JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today Language: English Episodes: 100
In a world of soundbites, JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition offers a different space: long, thoughtful conversations that delve into the questions and concepts often passed over. Lifelong friends Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni host this series, bringing together voices from across disciplines-religious thinkers, scientists, historians-to examine Jewish wisdom through a specific lens. Their approach is rooted in the Geonic-Maimonidean tradition, a classical stream of Jewish thought that champions reason alongside deep faith, and they thoughtfully engage with the modern intellectual legacy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. This isn't about simple answers, but about rediscovering the robust, foundational frameworks of Torah that can speak to contemporary complexity. Each episode aims to build a bridge between ancient text and modern perplexity, reigniting a genuine passion for tradition by taking it seriously as a living, intellectual pursuit. The resulting discussions in this podcast are nuanced, patient, and designed for anyone who feels that standard explanations have left gaps in their understanding. You'll hear explorations where tradition meets rigorous inquiry, where historical context illuminates enduring principles, and where the goal is a more coherent, personally owned Jewish life. It’s a guide for the curious, the skeptical, and the devoted, all seeking a deeper anchor in timeless wisdom.
Episodes
Episode 129: Rabbi Yamin Levy "The Mystic Behind the Philosopher" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:43
Rabbi Yamin Levy returns for his second appearance on Judaism Demystified to delve into his new book, Jewish Mysticism: Essays on Maimonides’ The Guide of the Perplexed. This wide-ranging conversation explores the Rambam…
Episode 128: Dr. Tanya White "The Legacy of Rabbi Sacks" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:28
In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, we sit down with Tanya White—educator, lecturer, and creator of the Books & Beyond podcast series—to discuss the enduring legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and how his…
Episode 127: Dr. Berel Dov Lerner "Human-Divine Interactions" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
We sit down with Professor Berel Dov Lerner, finalist for the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize, to explore his phenomenal book Human–Divine Interactions in the Hebrew Scriptures: Covenants and Cross-Purposes. With a background in…
Episode 125: Dr. Ruth Calderon "The Enduring Power of Jewish Text" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:26
Dr. Ruth Calderon joins the podcast to reflect on the personal and intellectual journey behind her book, A Bride for One Night. She begins by discussing her background and the role her parents played in nurturing her lov…
Episode 124: Rabbi Dr. Yohai Makbili "Lost in Transmission" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:26
In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Dr. Yohai Makbili—a true modern Renaissance man. With a background in engineering and groundbreaking work translating and elucidating the writings of the Rambam, Rabbi Makbili brin…
Episode 123: Olivia Friedman, Author "How Accurate is House of David?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:01
In this episode, we’re joined by writer, podcaster, and Judaic Studies teacher at Jewish Leadership Academy in Miami, Olivia Friedman for a deep-dive review of the hit Amazon Prime series House of David. Going character…
Episode 121: Gila Fine "The Madwoman in the Rabbi's Attic" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:58
How are women really portrayed in the Talmud—and what happens when we look beyond the surface? In this episode, we speak with Gila Fine about her groundbreaking book, The Madwoman in the Rabbi’s Attic, where she takes us…
Episode 120: Dr. Yael Ziegler "Making Sense of Midrash" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:45
In this episode, Dr. Yael Ziegler shares her thoughtful and layered approach to the study of Tanakh. Known for her deep literary readings and her commitment to both peshat and the broader interpretive tradition, she expl…