Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today

In this insightful episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves deeply into the complexities and implications of postmodernism. The episode is a continuation of a series that explores the origins and development of postmodern thought, particularly in relation to the Enlightenment era's emphasis on science and empirical data. Brackman skillfully n...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, listeners are invited to explore a thought-provoking journey through history, viewed through Jewish wisdom. Building on the themes discussed in the previous episode, Levi delves into the historical context of various ideologies, tracing their evolution from ancient times to the modern era. The episod...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of season five of our insightful podcast series, hosted by the Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. This season promises to embark on a thought-provoking journey, diverging from the familiar to explore the complex interplay between postmodernism, philosophy, and Judaism. Brackman, with his distinctive blend of candidness and intellectual rigor, aims to challenge conventional p...

This episode marks the final installment in Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman's series on the Kabbalah, where he concludes his exploration of this mystical Jewish tradition. He begins by recapping the journey through the Kabbalah, focusing on the concept of Tikkun, a central theme in Kabbalistic thought, especially in the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria. Tikkun, meaning repair or fixing, is explained as...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman begins by wishing listeners a joyful Hanukkah and explaining the metaphorical significance of lighting the menorah, relating it to Kabbalistic concepts like the sefirot and the divine attributes. The discussion shifts to the intricate ideas of lights and vessels in Kabbalah, focusing on the concept of the "Breaking...

In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, the focus is on the profound concepts of Kabbalah, particularly exploring the aftermath of the 'great contraction' and the creation of 'vessels.' Brackman delves into the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria as explained in the book "The Tree of Life." The discussion revolves ar...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explains mystical concepts from Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. Specifically, he delves deeper into the concept of "tzimtzum" - the notion in Kabbalah that God contracted His infinite light to allow space for the world to be created. The episode begins with a recap of the critical points cove...

In this rich exploration of Lurianic Kabbalah, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman dives deep into the concept of Tzimtzum, the primordial "contraction" or concealment of God's infinite light that allowed for the possibility of creation. He frames the discussion by recapping key foundational ideas previously covered in the podcast. First, God created the universe to actualize what was previousl...

In this week’s episode of “Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today,” host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman marks the completion of the order of Nashim in the Talmud, which covers topics related to women, marriage, and gender. Brackman creatively ties this milestone for Daf Yomi participants to an analysis of the current war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. He explains how the Jewish concept of marriage involves a...

The episode continues a discussion about Lurianic Kabbalah and its teachings on how the world was created. It looks at the philosophical debate between Aristotle's view of an eternal universe versus the Jewish view that God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing). According to Lurianic Kabbalah, before creation there was only the Or Ein Sof, the infinite divine light that is incompreh...

In this episode, Rabbi Brackman explores profound explanations from Lurianic Kabbalah and the Zohar for why God brought the universe into being. He dedicates the episode in memory of his late father, Dr. Derek Samuel Brackman, who imparted to him a deep thirst for knowledge and critical thinking. According to Lurianic teachings, before creation, there was only Ein Sof, the infinite, pure essence o...

In this raw and heartfelt episode, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman processes the horrific aftermath of the genocidal attack in southern Israel. He describes the sheer depravity of the killings, calling the perpetrators "genocidal maniacs" representing a barbarism unlike humanity has ever seen. Compelled by the disturbing images, Brackman explains it's vital to grasp the profound evil behind...

In this episode, host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman analyzes the festival of Sukkot from two radically different perspectives – the rationalist approach of medieval philosopher Maimonides and the mystical approach of kabbalist Isaac Luria. This analysis provides a window into divergent interpretations of Judaism. Sukkot is a biblical Jewish festival taking place a week after Yom Kippur. Traditional Jews...

The Zohar stands as the central text of Jewish mysticism, profoundly shaping Judaism since its emergence in 13th century Spain. Yet the Zohar's origins remain shrouded in mystery. Traditionalists claim it represents an ancient tradition tracing back to the 2nd century sage Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. But compelling evidence indicates the Zohar was actually authored much later by Moses de Leon an...

In this insightful episode, host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves deep into the intricate world of Kabbalah, the age-old Jewish mysticism that finds its foundation in ancient texts and has since seen continuous evolution. This episode serves as a prelude to the intricate teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria, fondly known as Lurianic Kabbalah. The episode starts with an exploration of revered ancient texts...

Welcome to another episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" with your host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. Today, we explore the profound insights from a lesser-known yet pivotal work by Rabbi Chaim Vital, a key figure in the Kabbalistic tradition. Born in Italy in the 16th century, Vital is best known for being a chief disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria and for his work on 'Eitz Chaim,&apo...

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Levi Brackman explores the deep roots of Kabbalah, a form of Jewish mysticism, challenging the notion that its principles originated only in the 13th century. Using examples from the Torah and rabbinic texts like the Talmud, Levi argues that the mystical elements have always been an integral part of Judaism. The episode kicks off...

Welcome to a new season of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today" focused on theology and Kabbalah. In this episode Levi Brackman offers an insightful exploration of the Kabbalah, with an emphasis on the teachings of the Lurianic Kabbalah, attributed to Rabbi Isaac Luria from the 16th century. Kabbalah, meaning 'to receive', provides a deeper understanding of Jewish teachings and th...

In the final episode of the 4th season of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, listeners are treated to a comprehensive review of the season's guests and the core takeaways from their discussions. The podcast has been a space for conversations with individuals who embrace the idea of multiple truths and pathways. Guests this season include: - Zevi Sl...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today." Today's conversation delves deep into the pathways of connecting with the divine, guided by the insights of Rabbi Reuven Stepsky. Rabbi Stepsky, an introspective yet joy-spreading personality, feels a natural tether to the divine, a connection he has nourished throughout his life. Drawing inspiration from...

Today, we have a distinguished guest, Rabbi Professor Michael Broyde, joining Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman in a compelling dialogue that delves deep into the intricate tapestry of Jewish law and thought. Our discussion pivots around a central idea — that as Professor Broyde insightfully notes, the law or Halacha in Judaism is comparable to what economists term 'the commanding heights.' A disc...

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today." In this episode, we explore the multifaceted landscape of Orthodox Judaism, delving into its boundaries, changes, and theological variations.  Our distinguished guest, Professor Don Seeman, wears many hats as a rabbi, anthropologist, and professor of Jewish studies at Emory University. Engaging in an enlightenin...

This is a quick introduction to Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today podcast.  Support the show Levi Brackman is a rabbi, Ph. D. in psychology, best-selling author of Jewish Wisdom for Business Success , and founder of Invown , a platform for real estate fundraising and investing.

In the thought-provoking episode of "Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today" entitled "Torah as Art and Adele's Oda to Abraham's Failure," host Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman engages guest Rabbi Eliyahu Fink in a spirited discussion on viewing religion as an art form and exploring the depths of personal truth in religious interpretation. Rabbi Fink, a rabbi turned businessperson, t...

In this episode of Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today, host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman is in conversation with Dan Rickman. Dan discusses his life journey from growing up in a Jewish family in North London, studying mathematics and algebraic topology at Oxford and his thoughtful spiritual journey within Judaism, moving from embracing, earlier on in his life a more Haredi to acceptance of the United Syn...