Philosophical Jew

Ep. 9 - Why Judaism Lost Prophecy — and How to Get It Back

In this deep and wide-ranging conversation, Rabbi Shnayor Burton joins The Philosophical Jew to explore his “Daat Hashem” (Knowledge of God) series — a profound re-examination of what it means to truly know God.Drawing on Tanakh, Rambam, and prophetic consciousness, Rabbi Burton argues that humanity’s highest calling isn’t wealth, status, or even meaning — but Da’at Hashem, a lived familiarity with divine reality.Together, we discuss:Why “knowing God” is central to the prophets but absent from the Torah itselfThe loss of prophecy — and how rationalism, idolatry, and Greek philosophy reshaped Jewish consciousnessThe danger and beauty of anthropomorphizing GodThe prophetic four-step path to Da’at Hashem: baring the soul, refining character, cultivating faith, and attaining experiential knowledgeWhat it means to “walk with God” in an age of science and skepticism📖 Rabbi Burton’s blog: Unapologetics (https://shnayor.substack.com) Check out Rabbi Burtons Pod - The Great Sources 📚 Explore the Daat Hashem series: [https://linktr.ee/rabbishnayorburton]✡️ Subscribe to The Philosophical Jew for more conversations bridging Torah, philosophy, and modern thought: [philosophicaljew.substack.com]#Judaism #Philosophy #RabbiBurton #DaatHashem #Prophecy #PhilosophicalJew #TorahThought #JewishPodcast

Ep 8 - Ask Hillel: The AI🤔 That Thinks Like a Jewish Ethicist

📜 Episode Description: In this groundbreaking episode, I sit down with the anonymous Substack writer Elder of Ziyon to explore his bold new creation: Ask Hillel [http://askhillel.com], an AI built to think like a Jewish ethicist. How might Jewish ethics reshape secular moral discourse—and could AI help? Join us as Elder of Ziyon explains the design of Ask Hillel, an AI framework that distills halakha methodology into a tiered value system. We explore pikuach nefesh, din v’rachamim, and more, examining what happens when millennia of Jewish thought meet cutting-edge technology. From defining Jewish values outside halakha to challenging the limits of secular moral philosophy, we dive into what it means to encode thousands of years of Jewish ethical tradition into a machine—and why that might be exactly what our confused moral discourse needs. You’ve never heard AI—or Jewish ethics—discussed like this. Purchase Elder’s Book on Anti-Semitism here - https://a.co/d/euJKfx6

Ep.7 - From Golems to ChatGPT: AI, Halacha & Humanity 🧠📜 with Rabbi Gil Student from Torah Musings!

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Rabbi Gil Student—author of Articles of Faith 📘 and editor of the popular blog Torah Musings—as we explore the Jewish perspective on Artificial Intelligence 🤖🧠. 🧩 In this episode: 1. 🦾 AI al regel achat: What is AI, really? And why does it matter halachically? 2. 🧱 AI vs. Golem: Why comparing ChatGPT to the Maharal’s golem might not be so far-fetched 3. Responsibility & ethics: If an AI causes damage, who’s responsible—owner, creator, or AI itself? 4. ❤️ Emotional AI & loneliness: Can tech “solve” human suffering—or does it risk replacing real connection? 5. 🙊 Saying ‘please’ to machines?: What the Rambam and Ramban might say about our etiquette with AI 6. 🕍 Halachic categories: Where does AI fall on the spectrum of human, animal, and object? 🔗 Featured Links: 📝 Read Rabbi Student’s full article: “AI, Golem, and Not-So-Silly Questions” on Torah Musings: https://www.torahmusings.com/2025/04/ai-golem-and-not-so-silly-questions/ 📚 Check out his book: Articles of Faith https://www.amazon.com/Articles-Faith-Traditional-Jewish-Internet/dp/B0DJ1459L4 (Also available wherever Jewish books are sold) 🌐 More from Rabbi Gil Student: https://www.torahmusings.com/ 🎧 Subscribe to Philosophical Jew for deep dives into Torah, philosophy, ethics, and the big questions that shape our generation. 🧠✨ If you enjoyed this episode, like, comment, and share! Let us know: What do you think—should we treat AI like a golem, a gadget, or something entirely new? 👇

Ep 6 - Physics, Fine-Tuning & the Fingerprints of God with Rabbis Elie Feder and Aaron Zimmer🎙️

What if the very fabric of our universe was whispering something deeper?In this episode of The Philosophical Jew, I sit down with Rabbi Elie Fader and Rabbi Aaron Zimmer—co-hosts of the Physics to God podcast—for a deep and fascinating exploration of the fine-tuning argument for God. This isn’t about plugging gaps in science—it’s about following the evidence wherever it leads.We cover:✅ What physicists mean by “fine-tuning”✅ Why certain constants are shockingly precise✅ How fine-tuning reshapes the debate about God and the multiverse✅ What it all means for science, faith, and our own livesThese Rabbis aren’t just smart—they’re clear, engaging, and passionate about making these complex ideas accessible to everyone. Whether you're into science, philosophy, religion, or just wondering what this universe is all about… this episode is for you. 💫📺 Watch, think, subscribe—and join the conversation.🔗 Subscribe to Physics to God: https://www.youtube.com/@PhysicsToGod 📰 Read their Daily Wire article: "Why Modern Physics Points to God" https://www.dailywire.com/news/why-modern-physics-points-to-god?author=Elie+Feder+and+Aaron+Zimmer📚 Explore Rabbi Elie Feder’s books:Gematria Refigured → https://a.co/d/4GULi7EHappiness in the Face of Adversity: Powerful Torah ideas from a Mom's parting words → https://a.co/d/canNC6S 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Do you find the fine-tuning argument compelling?#philosophicaljew #PhysicstoGod #finetuning #cosmology #godandscience #Multiverse #modernphysics #jewishphilosophy #theology #intelligentdesign #podcast

Ep. 5 - Media, Meaning, and Torah

🎧 NEW EPISODE “Media, Meaning, and Torah” w/ Rav Mo (@MenschSense)* 🎬 What if your favorite show... was sacred? 💭 Rav Mo breaks down how Torah + pop culture can tell the same deeper story.From X-Men ➡ Kabbalah ➡ spoken word 🎤 This one’s 🔥 for thinkers, seekers, & storytellers.📲 Tap the link in bio to listen! 👂🎙 #JewishPodcast #TorahAndCulture #MenschSense #DeepTalks #PhilosophyVibes In this episode of The Philosophical Jew Podcast, we sit down with Rav Mo (@MenschSense)—rabbi, poet, YouTuber, and cultural thinker—for a rich and inspiring conversation about seeing life as a story. Check out his channel here https://www.youtube.com/@menschsense1 We explore how pop culture, from The Simpsons to X-Men to Jordan Peterson, can actually mirror ancient Jewish wisdom. Rav Mo shares his journey from a media-saturated childhood to deep Torah study, and how he now uses spoken word, rap, and modern storytelling to bridge secular culture with spiritual growth.Together, we unpack the concept of “dynamic perfection,” the redemptive power of imperfection, and how even the most unlikely moments can be part of a sacred narrative. Whether you’re navigating your Netflix queue or your personal growth, this episode will help you see both through a deeper lens.