Episode 16: Rabbi Joshua Maroof "Judaism vs. Spinoza & Atheism"

Episode 16: Rabbi Joshua Maroof "Judaism vs. Spinoza & Atheism"

Author: Ben Koren and Benzi Siouni | A Geonic-Maimonidean Approach to Torah Through the Ages and Today April 13, 2022 Duration: 1:39:47
In the recently published book 'Strauss, Spinoza, & Sinai' (Kodesh Press), it is said that both the Enlightenment and Orthodoxy rest on axioms that neither side can fully prove or fully refute (as Leo Strauss presented). Much of modern thought tries to square the circle of how to live in a world without belief. The better question is whether it is possible to recover authentic religious belief in the modern world. Rabbi Joshua Maroof puts forth a riveting "Maimonidean" response to Spinoza and makes a brilliant case for the future of Judaism in the modern age. It's only fitting that a subject of this magnitude is approached with the classical Sepharadi perspective it deserves. The Rav also touches on Rambam's Negative Theology, as ascribing an emotion to God like "He Cares" is an anthropomorphic description that is a false notion. Instead we must say He's "Not Uncaring". If that's the case, then doesn't that mean no actual relationship is possible? How does an infinite God relate to people? Furthermore, granting that He could, why would He create us in the first place if He has no Will or Need? Additionally, the Rav explains why God is NOT a mind and how Spinoza erred in his understanding, while Dr. Micah Goodman and others continue to make this mistake. We discuss if it's possible to understand the meaning or purpose behind the mitzvot? If yes, how would we go about discovering it? Lastly, are modern atheists and skeptics like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris rejecting the same false notion of God that we too reject? What are the best arguments for the existence of God? Please share this episode with anyone you feel can benefit from it. Enjoy the show!

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
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