Episode 135: Rabbanit Yael Leibowitz "Ezra-Nehemiah and Covenantal Responsibility"

Episode 135: Rabbanit Yael Leibowitz "Ezra-Nehemiah and Covenantal Responsibility"

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today December 8, 2025 Duration: 41:14

In this episode, we sit down with Rabbanit Yael Leibowitz to explore the bold ideas at the heart of her work on Ezra–Nehemiah. She explains why she frames the book through the striking theme of a 'Retrograde Revolution,' and how this lens reveals a story of renewal that moves forward specifically by returning to the foundations of Jewish identity. Rabbanit Leibowitz then walks us through her distinctive approach to studying Ezra–Nehemiah—not primarily as political history, but as a deeply literary and theological text—and how this perspective reflects her broader understanding of what Tanakh is and how it relates to history. We also address a surprising reality: despite being part of the biblical canon, Ezra–Nehemiah remains one of the least-studied books among regular Torah learners. Rabbanit Leibowitz explains why these chapters are essential for today’s Jewish reader and what timeless lessons they offer for community, belonging, and spiritual restoration. Finally, we discuss her powerful chapter, “What Is a Jew,” which examines the complexities of Jewish identity as they emerge in the book of Ezra and how those ancient questions continue to resonate in the modern world.


---


*This episode is dedicated to the refua shelema of Sarah Miriam bat Tamar, Binyamin ben Zilpa, and our dear friend Yaakov ben Haya Sarah Malakh


---


• Bio: Yael Lei­bowitz is an Israeli edu­ca­tor. She holds a Master’s degree in Juda­ic Stud­ies from Colum­bia Uni­ver­si­ty, taught at the Upper School of Ramaz, and is a for­mer fac­ul­ty mem­ber of Yeshi­va University’s Stern Col­lege for Women where she taught advanced Bible cours­es. She cur­rent­ly teach­es at Matan Women’s Insti­tute for Torah Learn­ing and Midreshet Lin­den­baum Col­lege for Women.


---


• Get her book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ezra-Nehemiah-Retrograde-Revolution-Yael-Leibowitz/dp/1592647073


---


• 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, Rod Ilian, Gold Patrons: Dovidchai Abramchayev, Lazer Cohen, Travis Krueger, Vasili Volkoff, Vasya, 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 115: Dr. Erica Brown "The Torah of Leadership" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:35
Leadership isn’t just a modern concern—it’s embedded in the DNA of the Torah itself. In this episode, Dr. Erica Brown unpacks the centrality of leadership in Jewish thought, drawing on insights from The Torah of Leadersh…
Episode 114: Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet "From Creation to Covenant" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:49
How does Genesis lay the foundation for humanity’s covenantal relationship with God? Rabbi Dr. Zvi Grumet joins us to share insights from his groundbreaking book Genesis: From Creation to Covenant. Together, we explore h…
Episode 113: Joshua Skarf "Torah Through the Lens of Architecture" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:53
In this episode, we sit down with architect and author Joshua Skarf to discuss his fascinating book, ArchitecTorah: Architectural Ideas in Judaism and the Weekly Torah Portion. Skarf offers a unique perspective on how th…
Episode 112: Rabbi David Aaron "Off the Derekh" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:05
What drives individuals to leave the Orthodox path, and how have modern influences like digital culture shaped this phenomenon? Rabbi David Aaron addresses these pressing questions and more, offering profound insights in…
Episode 111: Reb Zvi Goldstein "The End of Days" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:58
We’re thrilled to welcome Reb Zvi Goldstein to the podcast for an in-depth exploration of three monumental topics in Jewish thought: Mashiach, Olam Haba, and Techiyat HaMetim. These concepts are often conflated, particul…
Episode 110: Channah Cohen "Guardians of the Flame" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:49
In this episode, we sit down with Channah Cohen, author of Guardians of the Flame: A Historical Fiction About the Wars of the Maccabim, to explore the inspiration behind her novel set during the time of the Maccabees. Ch…
Episode 109: Rabbi Simi Lerner "Rediscovering Rav Hirsch's Wisdom" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
Episode 108: Rabbi Gil Student "Articles of Faith" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:54
Join us as we sit down with Rabbi Gil Student to explore his groundbreaking work in Jewish thought and scholarship. We begin with his journey as the founder of the influential Hirhurim/Torah Musings blog, delving into th…
Episode 107: Rabbi Abe H. Faur "Alphabetic Judaism" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:59
In his third appearance on the show, Rabbi Abe H. Faur joins us for a thought-provoking conversation about the evolving dynamics of leadership and tradition within the Jewish community. We begin by examining the concepts…