The Kotzk Podcast

Rabbi Gavin Michal

Join Rabbi Gavin Michal for a look at some of the lesser-known events, books, and people in Jewish history. New episodes weekly based on articles from the Kotzk Blog, www.kotzkblog.com. This podcast was originated as conversations between Rabbi Gavin Michal and Dr Jordan Wosnick.

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24 episodes
Avg 1 hr 16 min
English

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October 4 · 1 hr 12 min
Kotzk Podcast 099: The murder of Rabbi Avraham Kohn: A contested history
This article examines the contested history surrounding the murder of R. Avraham Kohn on September 6, 1848. He was a student of the Chief Rabbi of Prague, Shmuel Landau, who ordained him in 1831. He was also a graduate of Charles University of Prague. R. Kohn, himself, later became the Chief Rabbi of Lemberg (Lviv) (Kotzk Blog 559)
October 4 · 50 min
Kotzk Podcast 098: The Temple Mount in Religious Zionism: Yesterday’s radicals - today’s moderates?
This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Isaac Hershkowitz—examines the transformation of the Temple Mount from a previously marginal symbol to a current central component of Religious Zionism.. (Kotzk Blog 558)
September 26 · 1 hr 18 min
Kotzk Podcast 096: The Babylonian Talmud in its original Persian-Iranian context
The Babylonian Talmud in its original Persian-Iranian context: This article looks at recent research into possible Sasanian-Persian influences on the Babylonian Talmud (Kotzk Blog 556)
September 26 · 1 hr 32 min
Kotzk Podcast 097: The Roaring Lion returns: A contemporary polemic against Jewish mysticism
This episode examines Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah from a historical, psychological and analytical perspective. If you prefer not to read such treatments of mysticism, you may wish to skip this piece (Kotzk blog 557)
September 18 · 1 hr 22 min
Kotzk Podcast 095: 555) Resisting the friendship impulse: Relationships in the teachings of Ishbitz
This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Israel Koren—explores a most unusual approach to sociability, friendship and family, in the teachings R. Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica (Ishbitz) (1800-1854) (Kotzk Blog 555)
September 18 · 1 hr 24 min
Kotzk Podcast 094: Rabbinic perspectives on honour killings
This episode traces how Renaissance rabbis alternately absorbed and resisted Mediterranean honour codes in confronting honour killings (Kotzk Blog 554)
September 18 · 1 hr 18 min
Kotzk Podcast 093: The forgotten legacy of Philo of Alexandria
This episode shows the circular route followed by Philo's teachings before they made their way back, in some form, to Judaism (Kotzk blog 553)
September 18 · 1 hr 24 min
Kotzk Podcast 092: The added blessing in the Amidah: Who are we cursing?
The added blessing in the Amidah: Who are we cursing?This article examines a possible target of the curses as found in the extra blessing of the Amidah (veLamalshinim) (Kotzk blog)
September 17 · 1 hr 19 min
Kotzk Podcast 091: R. Joseph Ber Soloveitchik’s adaptation of German Volk elements.
R. Joseph Ber Soloveitchik’s adaptation of German Volk elements.This article examines how R. Soloveitchik adopted elements from German Volk ideology popular during the interwar period (Kotzk Blog 551).
September 17 · 1 hr 6 min
Kotzk Podcast 090: Likutei Halachot: Reinterpreting Halacha as a means to connect with the Tzadik
This episode examines the memory triggers (mnemonics) embedded within the writings of R. Natan, the student of R. Nachman of Breslov. (Kotzk Blog 550)
September 16 · 1 hr 7 min
Kotzk Podcast 089: From Serafim to Sefirot: The Kedusha and the rise of human participation in the cosmic drama
This episode traces the shift in Jewish mysticism from a form of angelology and demonology to a more sophisticated system of theosophy and Sefirot.(Kotzk Blog: 549)
September 16 · 1 hr 15 min
Kotzk Podcast 088: Early Mussar: Displacement of the Divine and demonic threat management (Kotzk Blog 548)
This episode examines the often daunting, if not intimidating genre of early Mussar writings, which tend to sideline both the Divine and human agency in the pursuit of moral and ethical refinement. (Kotzk Blog 548)
S1 · E87
September 16 · 2 hr 1 min
Kotzk Podcast 087: From the Nile to Safed: Egyptian Judeo-Sufism as an influence on Lurianic Kabbalah
This episode explores centuries of Jewish mystical engagement with Sufism, focusing on the Egyptian Judeo-Sufi Period and its possible link to Lurianic Kabbalah. Kotzk Blog: 547) From the Nile to Safed: Egyptian Judeo-Sufism as an influence on Lurianic Kabbalah
March 22 · 1 hr 27 min
Kotzk Podcast 086: Jewish Mystics and Rationalists seeking Islamic Fatwas during the Maimonidean Conflicts
This article explores how Cairo Geniza documents may demonstrate how two opposing Jewish factions sought Islamic religious edicts (Fatwas) to settle internal theological debates, during the 13th century. (Kotzk Blog 546)
S1 · E85
March 15 · 1 hr 39 min
Kotzk podcast 085: Psychedelics: Cutting-edge science or shamanic ritual?
This article examines the claim of "cutting-edge academic research into psychedelics" as often touted by psychedelic adherents; and suggests we may be witnessing the birth of a new Jewish spiritual movement, already known as "Chassidelics." (Kotzk blog 545)
March 15 · 1 hr 29 min
Kotzk Podcast 084: Acculturating Alcohol and Sanctifying Psychedelics: It’s time to stand up
This article discusses the increasingly widespread use of alcohol and psychedelics in our communities (Kotzk Blog 544)(http://kotzkblog.com)
March 14 · 1 hr 23 min
Kotzk Podcast 083: Where are the first Chassidic texts?
The first Chassidic book appeared in 1780, two decades after the Baal Shem Tov’s passing. What, then, was the nature and content of the abundant manuscripts produced in that interim? (Kotzk Blog 543)
February 23 · 28 min
Kotzk Podcast 082: Zoharic Kabbalah as mystical resistance to Christianity
This article examines how Zoharic Kabbalah may be read as a detailed mystical response to Christian polemics and persecutions. (Kotzk blog 542)
February 7 · 56 min
Kotzk Podcast 081: Theo-politics of early rabbinic printing and the race for first publication
This episode examines how the race to publish first, often shaped the scholarly priorities and study material of future generations. (Kotzk Blog 540)
January 26 · 1 hr 10 min
Kotzk Podcast 80: The new Rebbe of Thieves
This episode looks at the resurgence of interest in Reb Shayele of Kerestir who had emerged the de facto protector of thieves and swindlers. (Kotzk Blog 539)

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