Episode 109: Rabbi Simi Lerner "Rediscovering Rav Hirsch's Wisdom"

Episode 109: Rabbi Simi Lerner "Rediscovering Rav Hirsch's Wisdom"

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today December 15, 2024 Duration: 1:02:23

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Simi Lerner to explore the enduring relevance of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a thinker whose insights into faith, identity, and modernity deserve far more attention. Rav Hirsch’s teachings, though often overlooked, offer a powerful framework for modern Jews striving to live with purpose and clarity in a complex world. Rabbi Lerner reflects on his personal connection to Rav Hirsch’s revolutionary ideas and explains why he is passionate about bringing them to a wider audience. We dive into Rav Hirsch’s unique approach to aggadic literature and midrash, his masterful engagement with science, and his ability to harmonize faith and reason. Rabbi Lerner also shares examples of Rav Hirsch’s stunning interpretations of the weekly parasha, showcasing the brilliance and depth of his thought. This conversation is a reminder that Rav Hirsch’s wisdom is not just timeless—it’s timely, offering profound insights for anyone seeking to live a meaningful Jewish life today.

---

• Bio: Originally from Edgware, UK, Rabbi Simi Lerner now lives in Bet Shemesh, Israel, with his wife, Rivka, and their four sons. He teaches Jewish philosophy at several institutions, including Midreshet Rachel, Midreshet Tehilla, and Shapells, and serves as Senior Educator for Lema'an Achai. Rabbi Lerner hosts the podcast Judaism from Within and 2 Rabbis 3 Opinions, shares video discussions with his wife on Facebook, and lectures online. In addition to his scholarly work, he works as a licensed electrician, teaches woodworking, and works part-time as a science teacher at a local primary school. • Check out his 2 podcasts here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XqnWJWjgLusI6tJ35wd0Phttps://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/two-rabbis-three-opinions/id1707357552https://outorah.org/series/4128/• 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: 100

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition
Podcast Episodes
Episode 138: Dr. Thane Rosenbaum "Beyond Proportionality" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:51
In this episode, we speak with Professor Thane Rosenbaum about his book Beyond Proportionality: Israel’s Just War in Gaza, a sharp critique of how international law, media narratives, and moral language are applied to Is…
Episode 132: Rabbi Shnayor Burton "Rambam on Mashiach & Redemption" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:56
In this episode we sit down with Rabbi Shnayor Burton to explore Rambam’s view of Mashiach and Redemption. On the surface, the final chapters of Mishneh Torah read like a simple account of the messianic age, but a closer…
Episode 131: Adam Scott Bellos "The Future of Jewish Advocacy" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:24
Why is Jewish leadership failing the very people it claims to serve? In this unfiltered conversation, Adam Scott Bellos—founder, builder, unapologetic strategist—sits down with Jewish Demystified to torch the polite myth…