JL;DR

The episode delves into the variations within the Parsha system across different versions of the Tanakh and the historical controversy over writing systems f...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the importance of understanding Parsha flow and how the interconnection between different Parshas can elucidate complex ele...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the principles of prophecy and their relation to writing in the Tanach, examining how prophetic requirements inform our u...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into Rashi's use of the parsha system in his commentaries, emphasizing its importance for understanding the Tanakh. He highlig...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the significance of the Parsha system as the organic division of the Tanakh, contrasting it with the chapter system created...

The episode explores the debate over whether Rashi's commentary on the Tanach is Pshat-based or Drush-based, emphasizing the importance of context in Torah i...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores lessons from the Gaza War and delves into the intricacies of interpreting verses (pesukim) and sections (parshiot) of the Ta...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the complexities of understanding Tanakhic Hebrew, emphasizing the importance of knowing precise meanings of words in biblic...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein examines the complex relationship between academic interpretations and traditional Jewish approaches to Midrashim and Tanakh study. H...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein examines Israel's recent ceasefire with Hamas, questioning the agreement's efficacy and the challenges involved in achieving a milita...

Yoram Dori's veneration of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as Israel's best ally is criticized, suggesting that Carter couldn't fully grasp his own achiev...

The podcast explores Jimmy Carter’s presidency, emphasizing his role in the Camp David Peace Accords and assessing his overall leadership style as both a gov...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the nuances of Pshat (the simple explanation of biblical texts), its connections to rationalism, and the nature of Mesorah (...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the hesitance of the Haredi world to engage with the plain meaning (pshat) of biblical narratives (Tanakh), attributing thi...

Rabbi Wittenstein delves into the historical and interpretive tensions between Midrashim and the plain meaning (pshat) of biblical texts, examining Rashi's d...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the fall of Bashar al-Assad, highlighting its implications for Israel and the broader geopolitical landscape. He also connec...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the Vilna Gaon's editing methodology, distinguishing his profound understanding of Talmudic texts from modern textual cri...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein discusses the analysis and editing of Midrashim, focusing on the different approaches of the Vilna Gaon and his son, R. Avrohom Vilne...

Emuna, a central concept in Jewish belief, must be used wisely and not lead to blind adherence or confusion, as seen in both religious and political realms. ...

Examining the 2024 Presidential election, this episode explores the historical context and shock of Donald Trump's victory, the nature of media and public po...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the Torah's perspective on war, examining its moral complexities and the historical implications of the Gog and Magog con...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the concept of casualties in war through the lens of Jewish history and Torah teachings, comparing past conflicts with the c...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the Torah's perspective on war, focusing on military strategy and divine support throughout Jewish history. He draws paralle...

Rabbi Wittenstein delves into how the Vilna Gaon and his son, Reb Avram Vilner, viewed the relationship between Torah and secular knowledge, particularly sci...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the disproportionate global scrutiny of Israel's actions, suggesting an underlying moral imperative placed upon the Jewish p...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein analyzes the Gaza War from a Jewish historical perspective, comparing its impact to past significant events like COVID-19 and emphasi...

Rabbi Avrohom Vilner, the youngest son of the Vilna Gaon, is profiled for his scholarly achievements and his distinction from his father despite also pursuin...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into the influence of Maalos HaTorah on the establishment and legacy of the Ashkenazi Jewish community in Israel, discussing t...

In this episode, Rabbi Wittenstein explores the Vilna Gaon's perspective on the concept of mitzvot, suggesting there are more than the traditional 613. He al...

This episode explores the teachings of Rabbi Avrohom, the Vilna Gaon's brother, with a focus on his sefer, Maalos HaTorah, and its emphasis on Torah study. T...

This episode discusses the life of Rabbi Avrohom Rogeler, the brother of the Vilna Gaon, his contributions, and what lessons can be gleaned from his life. It...

This podcast episode discusses the relationship between a Rebbe and a Talmid, focusing on the understanding of this connection with the example of the Vilna ...

In this podcast episode, the discussion revolves around the appropriateness of mentioning recent national tragedies, like the events of October 7 or the 2006...

This episode reflects on the experiences of the narrator's father after their move to Israel in 1986, focusing on his interaction with the country and his co...

In this episode, the speaker reflects on how his father maximized opportunities in Atlanta's Jewish community and his significant involvement in the Skylab r...

Rabbi Wittenstein reflects on his father's gradual embrace of Jewish observance, including a significant dream that led to wearing tefillin and navigating hi...

Rabbi Wittenstein reflects on his father's journey in teaching Torah in Huntsville and his interactions with Shomer Shabbos IDF officers, highlighting their ...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the historical significance of NASA's Apollo program against the backdrop of the 1960s cultural upheavals, highlighting his ...

Rabbi Wittenstein discusses his father's career at NASA during its groundbreaking era, focusing on his contributions to the Apollo 8 mission, while also expl...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein delves into his family's history, focusing on his father's impactful college experiences and his parents' meeting, which played a piv...

The episode delves into the life of Rabbi Wittenstein's father, exploring his journey from New York to a small Southern town, his experiences with football, ...

The episode explores how the Baal HaTanya, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, ended up in Liadi instead of returning to his hometown of Liozna, and why he support...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the Jewish identity and heroism embodied by Janusz Korczak, a Polish pediatrician and writer who demonstrated profound commi...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein examines the complexities of comparing modern atrocities with historical tragedies like the Holocaust and discusses whether such even...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the complexities of interpreting ancient Egyptian history, highlighting the challenges with their documentation, which is of...

The episode examines the fascination with Egyptology and its historical importance compared to Greek and Roman history, exploring how it aligns with or contr...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores how perception of reality varies among individuals and cultures by examining the appeal of blessings from rabbis and the wid...

This episode explores the complexities of historical methodology and chronicles the unresolved machlokes between R' Avrohom Kalisker and the Baal HaTanya, fo...

Rabbi Arnie Wittenstein explores the complexities and challenges of education within the Jewish context, focusing on the historical disagreement between R. A...

R' Avrohom Kalisker's conflict with R' Shnuer Zalman (the Baal HaTanya) revolved primarily around differing approaches to Chassidic leadership and the dissem...