Episode 105: David Curwin "Neighbors Behind Fences"

Episode 105: David Curwin "Neighbors Behind Fences"

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today October 31, 2024 Duration: 1:02:55

In this episode, we welcome back David Curwin to discuss his recent essay, "Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits and Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik: Neighbors Behind Fences," published in Hakirah: The Flatbush Journal of Jewish Law and Thought. Curwin’s essay explores the lives and legacies of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits, two of the 20th century’s most influential Orthodox Jewish thinkers. While their biographies are strikingly similar, their legacies have taken dramatically different paths. Rabbi Soloveitchik’s impact endures strongly in Modern Orthodoxy, while Rabbi Berkovits remains relatively overlooked, though his philosophy offers urgent relevance today. Curwin guides us through a comparative analysis of their philosophical approaches, examining how each viewed the role of history, the purpose of halakha, and taamei hamitzvot (the reasons for the commandments). He shares unique insights into their different understandings of evil, particularly the Shoah, and the distinctive ways each thinker approached the nature and purpose of halakha itself. As we conclude, Curwin reflects on why Rabbi Soloveitchik’s legacy remains prominent, while Rabbi Berkovits’ contributions are still waiting for their due recognition. This conversation offers an illuminating perspective on why Rabbi Berkovits’ message is increasingly vital to Orthodoxy today, making this episode a must-listen for those interested in Jewish philosophy and contemporary Orthodox thought.---• Bio: David Curwin is an independent scholar who has researched and published widely on Bible, Jewish thought and philosophy, and Hebrew language. His writings, both academic and popular, have appeared in periodicals such as Tradition, Hakirah, and Jewish Bible Quarterly, and he blogs about language topics at Balashon.com. Curwin studied at Yeshivat HaKibbutz HaDati and currently works as a technical writer in the software industry. Born in Massachusetts, he has lived in Rochester, New York, and San Francisco, but has made his home in Israel since 1996. He resides in Efrat with his wife and family. Kohelet: A Map to Eden is his first book.---• Get his book here: https://korenpub.com/products/kohelet-a-map-to-eden---• 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, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Rod Ilian, Silver Patrons: Ellen Fleischer, Daniel Maksumov, 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!


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 139

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition
Podcast Episodes
Episode 66: Physics to God "God vs. The Multiverse" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:04
Rabbi Dr. Elie Feder and Rabbi Aaron Zimmer, both passionate about the blend of religion and intellect, initially delved into the fine-tuning argument for the existence of God through literature from Smolin and Rees. Unl…
Episode 65: Dr. Brian Crawford "The Enduring Heresy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17:30
Dr. Crawford shares his experiences visiting Spain and laments the atrocity of the Expulsion and Inquisition while discussing his stance on coercion in religion as a Protestant evangelical Christian. We also learn about…
Episode 64: Reb Alex Guttman "Voodoo Judaism" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:01
Reb Alex Guttman explores the relationship between religion and power/control; how many leaders are afraid of losing their influence or congregation if they choose to approach matters rationally instead of the current ca…
Episode 63: Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss "Can God Do the Impossible?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:05
In this fascinating interview, Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss tackles timeless questions that have ignited debates for centuries: "Can God create a rock He can't lift?" "Can God do anything and everything?" and "Can God do the i…
Episode 62: J.J. Kimche "Is the Zohar Authentic?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:42
Is the Zohar authentic? Join us as we take a deep-dive into one of the most influential and controversial works in Jewish mysticism and the book that changed Judaism forever, the Zohar. Hakham J.J. Kimche provides us wit…
Episode 60: Rabbi Josh Yuter "Sacred Slogans" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:23
Rabbi Josh Yuter, a renowned Torah scholar and teacher, takes us on a journey through the world of "Sacred Slogans." These are phrases and idioms taken from the Torah and Talmud that have been appropriated to promote var…
Episode 59: Rabbi Jeremy Rosen "Dealing with Strife & Grief" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:31
Rabbi Jeremy Rosen shares his unique perspective on the balance between rationality and mysticism growing up in a Litvish and Hassidic household. He discusses the trend in the frum world where religious observance is bec…
Episode 58: Ike Dweck "Overcoming Addiction" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:06
Ike Dweck shares his inspiring journey from being a compulsive gambler to founding The Safe Foundation and saving the lives of addicts. He discusses the challenges of dealing with the stigma of addiction in Jewish commun…
Episode 57: Rabbi Yonatan Halevy "Bridging the Religious Divide" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:55
Rabbi Yonatan Halevy shares his personal journey to becoming the rabbi of his community and sheds light on the differences between Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities with regards to halacha and hashkafa. He offers insig…