What is the Talmud?

If you spend time on X/Twitter (which I would never waste my time doing), you’ve probably seen a bunch of internet morons talking about how “they’ve read the Talmud and here’s this horrendous thing it says.” Today, we discuss why they are full of nonsense (this is family programming).But first, we begin discussing a recent Pew Research poll that shows that the decades-long slimming of American religious affiliation may have seen a stemming of the tide, especially among younger people. I asked the rabbi if he had seen this among the Chosen People.We then move into the Talmud by discussing its structure and the central role it plays in Judaism. We delve into the complexities of Talmud study, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation, respect in disagreements, and the intricate nature of Jewish law. The Rabbi introduces us to the concept of “the meandering Talmud,” its purpose in legal arguments, and the balance between human interpretation and divine will. We close out the episode by discussing a typical Talmudic story, The Oven of Akhnai, and how a typical Talmudic story analysis would occur.Links from the episode:Chabad Teen ProgramJohnathan Sacks/Richard Dawkins debateDaf Yomi descriptionThe Oven of AkhnaiRabbi Perelmuter’s Talmud series