Episode 117: Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel "Getting to Know Rashi"

Episode 117: Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel "Getting to Know Rashi"

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today March 13, 2025 Duration: 1:35:22

As our 'Getting to Know the Rishonim' series continues, we explore the towering figure of Rashi with Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel, one of the foremost scholars of medieval Jewish thought. French Jewry produced a remarkable corpus of Torah commentators—from Rashi to Rashbam, Bechor Shor, Rav Yosef Kara, and Hizkuni. What makes this school of biblical interpretation unique, and is there a common thread in their methodologies? We also examine the process by which Rashi’s Torah commentary achieved a near-canonical status—how early did this happen, and why? One of the most debated aspects of Rashi’s legacy is his relationship with Peshuto Shel Mikra. While Rashi famously states that his goal is to explain the simple meaning of the text, he frequently incorporates Aggadah. How should we understand his approach to peshat and his use of Midrash? Are peshat and aggadah fundamentally intertwined in his conception of biblical interpretation? Finally, we discuss whether the way Rashi is studied today aligns with how he originally intended his commentary to be understood. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into Rashi’s methodology, influence, and lasting legacy.

---

• Bio: Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Kanarfogel is the E. Billi Ivry University Professor of Jewish History, Literature and Law at Yeshiva University, where he teaches and directs doctoral dissertations at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. He researches the fields of medieval and early modern Jewish intellectual history and rabbinic literature. Rabbi Kanarfogel received his PhD from Yeshiva University’s Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and his rabbinical ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is the author or editor of nine books and nearly 100 articles, and is a winner of the National Jewish Book Award, the Association for Jewish Studies’ Jordan Schnitzer Book Prize, and the International Book Award sponsored by the Goldstein-Goren Center for Jewish Thought at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.


• 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 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!



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 106: Rabbi Moshe Taragin "Reclaiming Redemption" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:54
In this episode, we are honored to welcome back Rabbi Moshe Taragin to discuss his latest book, Reclaiming Redemption: Deciphering the Maze of Jewish History. This profound work examines the progression of Jewish history…
Episode 105: David Curwin "Neighbors Behind Fences" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Episode 104: Dr. Paul Copan "Is God a Moral Monster?" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:27
Renowned Christian philosopher and theologian Dr. Paul Copan joins us to explore our shared values and address the ethical questions people are faced with when reading the Bible. He discusses how modern readers often ove…
Episode 103: Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum "Questioning Belief" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:41
Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum offers a refreshingly different approach to the deep questions of faith, one that immediately stands out from the typical answers often heard in outreach settings. For those who think critically a…
Episode 102: Rabbi Steven Pruzansky "Repentance for Life" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:49
In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Rabbi Steven Pruzansky to explore the rich themes of his latest book, "Repentance for Life" (Kodesh Press). Rabbi Pruzansky begins by sharing the inspiration beh…
Episode 101: Rabbi Yaakov Beasley "Facing the Storm" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:12:04
In this insightful episode, we welcome Rabbi Yaakov Beasley to discuss his book "Joel, Obadiah, and Micah: Facing the Storm," part of the acclaimed Maggid Studies in Tanakh series. Rabbi Beasley begins by sharing his bac…
Episode 100: Rabbi Abe H. Faur "The Jewish People at a Crossroads" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:47
Prepare for a timely, sensitive, and important conversation as Rav Abe Faur makes his much-anticipated return to the podcast. In the wake of the traumatic and transformative attacks on October 7th, Hakham Faur has become…
Episode 99: Rabbi Avi Grossman "Halakha Demystified" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:20
In this episode, we sit down with Rabbi Avi Grossman to explore the complexities of Halakha and its relevance to contemporary Jewish life. Rabbi Grossman begins by discussing why "Demystifying Halakha" is crucial for und…
Episode 97: Rabbi Moshe Taragin "Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:56
Join us as we sit down with Rabbi Moshe Taragin to explore his deeply thought-provoking book, "Dark Clouds Above, Faith Below." We begin by delving into the motivations behind his writing and how recent tragedies have in…