Why Halakhah Is not Law

Jewish Studies, Naturally

In this episode of 'ADERABA,' hosts Rafe Neis and Gilah Kletenik delve into so-called nature, the natural, and the unnatural in Jewish Studies. The discussion opens by addressing Rabbinic approaches to nature and the ways in which such texts are excluded from what is conventionally deemed "science" and "scientific." Then, they discuss how the naturalism of medieval Islamic and Jewish philosophy present alternatives to the hegemony of Christian transcendence from nature, conceits of escapes from the natural. Particular attention is granted to Maimonides and Spinoza. The conversation then turns to analyze the ways in which notions of "deviance," "natural law," and the "natural," are deployed today in the realms of reproduction, sexgender, and the family. They conclude by considering the ways in which certain Jewish studies scholarship perpetuates certain Christian frames of thinking, as regards reproduction and the nuclear family, notions of freedom, and radical individualism. Mention is made of affect theory, feminist scholarship, and possibilities for future study. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:40 Nature in Rabbinic Texts 02:32 The Exclusion of Jewish Sources in the History of Science 04:52 Rabbis and Their Approach to Nature 17:05 Medieval Jewish and Islamic Philosophy on Nature 20:21 Nature, Law, and Morality 30:37 Modern Science and Its Theological Underpinnings 45:07 Conclusion and Reflections

What's Wrong with the "West"?

In this episode of ADERABA: Jewish Studies on the Contrary, hosts Gilah Kletenik and Rafe Neis critically examine the construct of the so-called "West," through the fields of Classics and Philosophy. They discuss the problematic exclusion of Jewish ideas and texts from what is traditionally considered the "West," and delve into the historical and ongoing marginalization of Jewish Studies across fields of the humanities. The episode explores how ancient Jewish history and texts are sidelined in favor of a mythologized Greek and Roman past and highlights efforts by scholars to decolonize these disciplines. Additionally, they touch on the ways German Jewish thinkers claimed a Jewish influence on "Western" culture, while register modern Jewish movements that resisted such moves. They unpack the ideology undergirding the current valorization of a so-called "Western" tradition in certain educational precincts and its political implications. 00:00 Introduction to the Episode 01:16 Defining Classics and Its Criticisms 04:33 The Influence of Classics on "Western" Thought 07:39 The Political Dimensions of Classics 08:37 Reckoning with the Field of Classics 12:44 Jewish Studies and Its Intersection with Classics 17:38 The Broader Context of Ancient Studies 23:15 Ethical Considerations in Historical Studies 27:38 The Ethical Minefield of Artifact Provenance 28:52 The British Museum and Greek Antiquities 29:48 Modern Greek Identity and "Western" Civilization 30:34 Jewish Studies and Ethical Reckoning 31:17 German Jewish Thinkers and "Western" Exclusion 33:14 Jewish Scholars and the Canon 38:35 Jewish Orientalism and the Golden Age of Spain 43:51 Hegel's Supersessionism 48:31 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Stories music by Dali Muru & the Polyphonic Swarm - FITH [https://www.facebook.com/dicenir.FITH?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] art/logo by Rafael Rachel Neis [https://www.facebook.com/rachel.neis.5?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] cosponsors UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UWStroumCenter?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] and UM Frankel Center for Judaic Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UMJudaicStudies?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R]

Why Halakhah Is not Law

In this episode of ADERABA, hosts Gilah Kletenik and Rafe Neis delve into the complexities of the term 'Halakha'. They discuss its multifaceted meaning, historical context, and the problems with equating it to 'Jewish Law.' The hosts emphasize the diverse genres covered in rabbinic literature, which cover ritual practices, hermeneutics, and narratives but also what would today be classified as natural science, medicine, mathematics, epistemology, and so much more. They explore how Halakha has been interpreted and misinterpreted over time, particularly its reception in the Middle Ages and its modern implications, including its intersection with state laws. The conversation also touches on the influence of Christian and Islamic jurisprudence on Jewish law and the contemporary stakes in advocating for Jewish traditions in a legal context both in Israel and in the US. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:11 Exploring the Concept of Halakha 01:08 Jewish Law vs. Halakha 02:19 Personal Encounters with Jewish Legal Theory 02:57 Academic Perspectives on Jewish Law 04:25 The Role of Jewish Law in Modern Contexts 17:12 Halakha and Its Historical Context 26:27 Exploring Halakhah in Everyday Life 27:03 Jewish Law vs. Christian Law 27:51 Authority and Audience in Law 30:31 The Babylonian Talmud: An Introduction 30:55 Halakha and Aggadah: A Problematic Binary 33:04 Anti-Semitic Insults and Jewish Legalism 34:42 Philo of Alexandria and the Torah 36:40 The Evolution of Jewish Law 46:50 Maimonides's Mishnah Torah 50:13 Jewish Law in Modern Contexts 53:21 Colonialism and the Interpretation of Jewish Law 54:53 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions music by Dali Muru & the Polyphonic Swarm - FITH [https://www.facebook.com/dicenir.FITH?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] art/logo by Rafael Rachel Neis [https://www.facebook.com/rachel.neis.5?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] cosponsors UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UWStroumCenter?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] and UM Frankel Center for Judaic Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UMJudaicStudies?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R]

What's Bad about Being in the Image of God?

In this episode of ADERABA, hosts Gilah Kletenik and Rafe Neis discuss the multifaceted and often contradictory Jewish notion that humans are created in the image of God. They explore the historical context of this idea in ancient near Eastern cultures and its interpretation through Jewish and Christian philosophical traditions. The hosts delve into the dark side of this notion, including its use in exclusionary ideologies, the hierarchies it inducts, and its potential pitfalls. They also debate whether alternative theological frameworks better address contemporary issues like climate change, ultimately suggesting a nuanced approach that balances the ideal of human dignity with a broader ecological responsibility. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:37 Personal Reflections on Being in God's Image 01:53 Historical and Scholarly Context 04:48 Theological Implications and Interpretations 08:33 Modern Applications and Misuses 11:40 Rabbinic Literature and Human Dignity 18:56 Contemporary and Controversial Uses 24:16 Exploring the Concept in Biblical Interpretation 24:53 Jewish and Christian Traditions on God's Image 25:42 Medieval Jewish Philosophy and the Image of God 26:32 Biblical Traditions and God's Invisibility 27:14 Human Representations of the Deity 28:42 The Dark Side of the Being in the Image of God 30:19 Conservative and Liberal Thought 32:09 Exclusions in Jewish Ritual 34:43 Human Responsibility in the Age of Climate Catastrophe 38:01 Debating Human Specialness and Responsibility 42:17 Concluding Thoughts and Book Recommendations music by Dali Muru & the Polyphonic Swarm - FITH [https://www.facebook.com/dicenir.FITH?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] art/logo by Rafael Rachel Neis [https://www.facebook.com/rachel.neis.5?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] cosponsors UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UWStroumCenter?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] and UM Frankel Center for Judaic Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UMJudaicStudies?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R]

Have Trans People Always Existed? What Would the Rabbis Say?

In this episode of ADERABA, hosts Gilah Kletenik and Rafe Neis explore the question, 'Have Trans People Always Existed?' by examining rabbinic texts and different approaches to sexgender. They discuss the current attacks on trans people, especially youth, and the response from the trans community and their allies. The conversation examines a passage from the Tosefta, a 3rd century rabbinic text concerning the so-called "androgynous" person. It then turns to the Babylonian Talmud, a rabbinic text edited into the 8th century, to discuss Rabbi Yohanan and Resh Laqish and what a story about them tells us about gender identity in late antique Jewish culture. The hosts raise critical questions about the sexgender binary, arguing against a transhistorical, essentializing conception, which challenges the assumption that cis people have always existed. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Premise 00:26 Current Challenges for Trans People 01:32 Historical Existence of Trans People 03:38 Rabbinic Texts and Gender Diversity 06:10 The Androgynous Figure in Rabbinic Literature 08:49 Obligations and Entitlements of the Androgynous 15:21 Philosophical Implications and Practical Questions 23:48 Exploring Gender and Slavery in Rabbinic Texts 25:04 Intersectionality in Jewish Law 27:30 Economic and Social Classifications 31:16 Challenging Binary Gender in Rabbinic Sources 35:12 The Story of Rabbi Yohannan and Reish Laish 42:26 Concluding Thoughts on Gender and Rabbinic Literature music by Dali Muru & the Polyphonic Swarm - FITH [https://www.facebook.com/dicenir.FITH?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] art/logo by Rafael Rachel Neis [https://www.facebook.com/rachel.neis.5?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] cosponsors UW Stroum Center for Jewish Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UWStroumCenter?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] and UM Frankel Center for Judaic Studies [https://www.facebook.com/UMJudaicStudies?__cft__%5B0%5D=AZWlgnJ05848iGTo851IfMcLvl1huw3m79W3Tpb5q0rdAq90RAZkREPdAG5yfUNIaJSEx7tBdhKTmTs1F3tBrKTS_aBl3qRYaXuDGevQKpZfu5qdQowVq2Lk016kuTjpgExc-2P5vT94u6ZE8l2JkVC2OAZ_JSBAayy6leBnD3t5huNifCWibq1fIupctxGOgROCNuQMk3HrlLsRsTBYn6fs&__tn__=R%5D-R] ?