The Kotzk Podcast

This article examines the contested history surrounding the murder of R. Avraham Kohn on September 6, 1848. He was a student of the Chief Rabbi of Prague, Shmuel Landau, who ordained him in 1831. He was also a graduate of Charles University of Prague. R. Kohn, himself,  later became the Chief Rabbi of Lemberg (Lviv) ( Kotzk Blog 559 )

This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Isaac Hershkowitz—examines the transformation of the Temple Mount from a previously marginal symbol to a current central component of Religious Zionism.. ( Kotzk Blog 558 )

The Babylonian Talmud in its original Persian-Iranian context: This article looks at recent research into possible Sasanian-Persian influences on the Babylonian Talmud ( Kotzk Blog 556 )

This episode examines Jewish mysticism and Kabbalah from a historical, psychological and analytical perspective. If you prefer not to read such treatments of mysticism, you may wish to skip this piece ( Kotzk blog 557 )

This episode—based extensively on the research by Professor Israel Koren—explores a most unusual approach to sociability, friendship and family, in the teachings R. Mordechai Yosef Leiner of Izbica ( Ishbitz ) (1800-1854) ( Kotzk Blog 555 )

This episode traces how Renaissance rabbis alternately absorbed and resisted Mediterranean honour codes in confronting honour killings ( Kotzk Blog 554 )

This episode shows the circular route followed by Philo's teachings before they made their way back, in some form, to Judaism ( Kotzk blog 553 )

The added blessing in the Amidah: Who are we cursing? This article examines a possible target of the curses as found in the extra blessing of the Amidah (veLamalshinim) ( Kotzk blog)

R. Joseph Ber Soloveitchik’s adaptation of German Volk elements. This article examines how R. Soloveitchik adopted elements from German Volk ideology popular during the interwar period ( Kotzk Blog 551 ).

This episode examines the memory triggers (mnemonics) embedded within the writings of R. Natan, the student of R. Nachman of Breslov. ( Kotzk Blog 550 )

This episode traces the shift in Jewish mysticism from a form of angelology and demonology to a more sophisticated system of theosophy and Sefirot. (Kotzk Blog: 549)

This episode examines the often daunting, if not intimidating genre of early Mussar writings, which tend to sideline both the Divine and human agency in the pursuit of moral and ethical refinement. ( Kotzk Blog 548 )

This episode explores centuries of Jewish mystical engagement with Sufism, focusing on the Egyptian Judeo-Sufi Period and its possible link to Lurianic Kabbalah. Kotzk Blog: 547) From the Nile to Safed: Egyptian Judeo-Sufism as an influence on Lurianic Kabbalah

This article explores how Cairo Geniza documents may demonstrate how two opposing Jewish factions sought Islamic religious edicts (Fatwas) to settle internal theological debates, during the 13th century. ( Kotzk Blog 546 )

This article examines the claim of "cutting-edge academic research into psychedelics" as often touted by psychedelic adherents; and suggests we may be witnessing the birth of a new Jewish spiritual movement, already known as "Chassidelics." ( Kotzk blog 545 )

This article discusses the increasingly widespread use of alcohol and psychedelics in our communities ( Kotzk Blog 544 )(http://kotzkblog.com)

The first Chassidic book appeared in 1780, two decades after the Baal Shem Tov’s passing. What, then, was the nature and content of the abundant manuscripts produced in that interim? ( Kotzk Blog 543 )

This article examines how Zoharic Kabbalah may be read as a detailed mystical response to Christian polemics and persecutions. ( Kotzk blog 542 )

This episode examines how the race to publish first, often shaped the scholarly priorities and study material of future generations. ( Kotzk Blog 540 )

This episode looks at the resurgence of interest in Reb Shayele of Kerestir who had emerged the de facto protector of thieves and swindlers. ( Kotzk Blog 539 )

This episode—drawing extensively on the research of ProfessorEmanuel Tov, former Editor-in-Chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls Publication Project [1] —examinesthe rabbinic rules for writing a Sefer Torah . ( Kotzk Blog 538)

This podcast explores an interesting idea known as Halachic fiction, that may have become a legal methodology in recent times ( Kotzk Blog 536 )

Was Judaism enriched by the radical thought of Maimonides, or narrowed by the conservative pragmatism of Yeshaya di Trani? ( Kotzk Blog 535 )

Did the early rabbinic tradition understand the Seven Laws of Noah as a model for a universal religion for non-Jews? (Kotzk Blog 533 )

This episode explores the shifting cosmologies surrounding the mezuzah from Talmudic times to this day. ( Kotzk Blog 534 )