JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Torah Foundations, Reason, and Tradition

In his highly anticipated return to the Judaism Demystified Podcast, Hakham Mordehai joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on some of the most important issues facing the Jewish world today. We discuss the concept of Milhemet Mitzvah (obligatory war), his perspective on the Dati Leumi movement, and how the Torah's approach to war radically differs from the glorification of warriors found throughout ancient literature. Hakham Mordehai explains how these ideas have shaped his own view of military service and what it means to wear the uniform. We also explore the remarkable growth of his YouTube channel, ⁨@shivreluhot⁩ , and the resurgence of interest in Maimonidean thought, particularly in Israel and even within segments of the Haredi world. What exactly is Maimonidean Judaism? What does it stand for, what does it reject, and what is the true purpose of halakhah according to the Rambam? The conversation then turns to the lasting influence of Shabbetai Tzvi and Sabbateanism on contemporary Judaism. Hakham Mordehai argues that its impact is far greater than most people realize and explains why identifying and removing these influences remains an urgent task. Finally, we discuss the thriving Mekorist community, the vision behind it, and several exciting upcoming projects, including a Mekorist Siddur, a new book on the Rambam's Thirteen Principles of Faith, and his forthcoming commentary on Rav Qafih's Milhamot Hashem. A thought-provoking and wide-ranging discussion that challenges assumptions and invites listeners to rethink some of the most fundamental ideas in Judaism.___*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, and l'ilui nishmat Zehara Yehudit bat Yaakov Ezra v'Ilana Shira___• Bio: Hakham Mordehai Ish Yemini is an Israeli Torah scholar, educator, farmer, father of four, and grandfather, as well as a prominent advocate of Maimonidean Judaism. Through his Shivrei Luhot platform and the rapidly growing Mekorist community, he teaches a source-based approach to Torah grounded in the thought of the Rambam and deeply influenced by the teachings of Rabbi Yosef Qafih, Hakham Jose Faur, and other scholars within the Sephardic tradition. In addition to his educational work, he operates a farm in Israel, reflecting his commitment to a Torah life connected to the Land of Israel and serving his country. His lectures on Jewish philosophy, halakhah, theology, Tanakh, and contemporary issues have attracted a growing audience in Israel and beyond, including many seeking a thoughtful and intellectually rigorous approach to Judaism.___• Check out his YouTube channel here: ⁨@shivreluhot⁩ ___• 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, Jacob Winston, Ariel Klainerman, and Michael Herskovitz! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL to get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!

Rabbi Moshe Lichtman joins us for a deep and sensitive conversation on the religious meaning of Zionism, the founding of the State of Israel, and the theological debates that continue to divide the Jewish world. We explore the widespread misconception that Zionism began with Theodor Herzl, tracing the ideological roots of the movement decades earlier and examining which rabbinic figures supported a return to the Land of Israel and why others fiercely opposed it. The discussion tackles some of the most difficult questions surrounding Religious Zionism: Can redemption begin through secular Jews who are not fully observant? What value is there in building the Land without Torah? Did Zionism unintentionally contribute to religious decline among Jews, and if so, how are we to understand the recitation of Hallel on Yom Ha’atzmaut? We also address the claim that Rav Kook stood virtually alone against the majority of rabbinic opinion and whether “following the majority” applies to these historical and theological questions. Finally, we turn to the words of the prophets themselves. Is the modern State of Israel a fulfillment of biblical prophecy? How can one identify the beginning of the messianic process, and who ultimately has the authority to define redemption? This episode confronts some of the most emotionally charged and intellectually challenging issues in contemporary Jewish thought with nuance, sources, and honesty.(We apologize that this episode is available in audio-only format due to unexpected Zoom connection issues during the recording.)___*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, and l'ilui nishmat Zehara Yehudit bat Yaakov Ezra v'Ilana Shira___• Bio: Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Rabbi Moshe D. Lichtman studied in several yeshivot in Israel, including Beit Midrash LeTorah, the Gruss Kollel, Sha’alvim, and the Meretz Kollel in Mevaseret Tzion. He received semichah from both the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University, and also holds an MS in Jewish Education from Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Institute. Rabbi Lichtman made aliyah in 1991 and has since taught in numerous post-high school programs in Israel, including the Mevaseret Institutions, Be’er Miriam, and Yeshivat Yesodei HaTorah, while lecturing regularly throughout the yeshiva and seminary world. He currently lives in Beit Shemesh with his wife and eight children. Rabbi Lichtman is perhaps best known for making major Religious Zionist works accessible to the English-speaking world, including Eim HaBanim Semeichah, An Angel Among Men, A Question of Redemption, and Rise from the Dust, as well as for authoring the widely popular original work Eretz Yisrael in the Parashah, which highlights the centrality of the Land of Israel throughout the Torah.___• Get his book here: https://a.co/d/0jfsgGED___• 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, Jacob Winston, Ariel Klainerman, and Michael Herskovitz! Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL to get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support!