Bechukotai 5784: Between Philosophy and Spirituality

The Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies Podcast Network

Can we approach the Torah as a rational guide for living wisely while allowing space for genuine emotional and spiritual experiences? In this week's episode, Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into the concept of reward and punishment. Elisha offers an intriguing interpretation - rather than God actively intervening, the Torah provides wisdom about how our behaviors yield consequences in the natural order of things. They'll take us on an exploration of the balance between the rational understanding of cause-and-effect with the emotional yearning for divine involvement and control. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem