Vision Magazine Podcasts

What does Jewish 'decolonization' really look like? What are the ramifications of pro-Israel figures & organizations utilizing the notion of Jewish 'indigeneity' as a shallow political talking point? Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Vision organizer Shai Hershel to discuss the recent flare up in the debate between pro-Israel & pro-Palestinian Diaspora Jews over the question of Jewish decolonization & i...

Rav Benny Eisner was a cherished student of HaRav Zvi Yehuda HaKohen Kook and a beloved teacher to thousands. In addition to spreading Torah to Jews in Israel and the Diaspora, he had the merit of meaningfully participating in Jewish history. On the tenth anniversary of Rav Benny leaving the world, Yehuda HaKohen discusses his teacher and shares a post-funeral recording of another teacher, Rav Mos...

There is a hidden understanding of our Torah that has yet to reach the English-speaking Jewish world. Why does the Torah's narrative of Creation appear to conflict with leading scientific theories? What failure of Hevel led to his murder at the hands of Kayin? What is the secret meaning of the genealogical verses tracing the descendants of Kayin and Shet?

Yehuda HaKohen is joined in New York by Zachary Schaffer to discuss the situation and mentality of young Diaspora Jews. The conversation addresses increased alienation from the State of Israel and how the next generation of Jewish leaders in the United States understands itself - and the choice to remain in exile - within the context of the larger Jewish story.

Could exploring some of the scarier areas of Israel's Torah help us find unexpected solutions to some of our generation's most daunting challenges? Enjoy this 2016 participatory discussion confronting and unpacking some of the Torah's most challenging issues (taking enemy women in battle, gentile slaves, vengeance against hostile populations within Israel's borders, etc.).

On the 86th anniversary of HaRav Avraham Yitzḥak HaKohen Kook's departure from our world, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Hart Levine of RZA-Mizrachi USA to discuss the importance of Rav Kook's Torah and its relevance to the current generation of Diaspora Jews. The two also address the challenges of relating to Jewish identity & Jewish issues within the context of a foreign civilization.

Yehuda HaKohen shares a clip from a recent interview on the Ari Louis Show, where several topics relevant to decolonization and advancing Jewish history were discussed.

What did Rudy, Noam & David unwittingly get involved in by going to film a documentary about the Igbo people in Nigeria? David Mark joins Yehuda HaKohen on the program ahead of Tisha B'Av to provide insight into the Jewish connections of the Igbo people and to explain the conflict between the Nigerian state and Biafra separatists that members of the Vision movement unintentionally stepped into. De...

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Ramallah resident Bryan Williams to discuss the protests against the Palestinian Authority that have erupted in Ramallah following Nazir Banat's murder at the hands of Western-backed PA security forces.

Yair Lapid's "change coalition" is almost totally comprised of factions representing the State of Israel's wealthiest and most westernized elites. Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Aryeh Shapiro for an analysis of Lapid's new "change government" and the need to take it down before it can cause too much harm to the State of Israel's Jewish character and working poor. The two also discuss Binyamin Netanya...

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Rav Mike Feuer from "The Jewish Story" for a discussion on the State of Israel's new governing coalition under the leadership of Naftali Bennett (Yamina) and Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid). The two also discuss the "Diasporic" approach to Jewish identity, various angles for understanding the "Sin of the Spies" & issues pertaining to Israel's national-religious sector.

In response to the recent upsurge of violence in Israel, Yehuda HaKohen criticizes the unwillingness on all sides to transcend narrow generic narratives and explains how the false image of the State of Israel crafted by the “hasbara industry” actually causes more people to misunderstand Israeli society. Only a holistic approach to the history of Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians can allow bo...

The Six Day War concluded the Zionist era, sparked a major crisis for Western civilization & began the next chapter of the Jewish people's story. Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Jerusalem educator Shammai Siskind for a discussion on Yom Yerushalayim, various Israeli political camps & the next stage of Jewish liberation.

How does the Jewish people's national story help human history attain its goal? A 2016 class on Lag B'Omer and the deeper meaning of Jewish history taught by Rav Yehuda HaKohen at Machon Meir.

Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Bethlehem activist Noor A'wad to discuss the Palestinian Authority elections scheduled to take place, as well as the need to include more "extremist" Israelis and Palestinians in meaningful reconciliation work.

How should we relate to the new dates of significance added to the Hebrew calendar since the establishment of the State of Israel? Is there something about each of these days that even most of the Jewish world doesn't fully appreciate? Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Justin Ellis of Fuel For Truth for an in depth discussion unpacking the deeper meanings of Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron, Yom HaAtzmaut & Y...

Do Western political labels like 'right' and 'left' really fit Israeli society? Yehuda is joined by Rav Mike Feuer from The Jewish Story for a discussion on freedom ahead of the Pesaḥ festival and to present new ways of understanding Israel's political spectrum.

In what way does the Sinai Covenant serve us as a ladder to transcend this world? Why was it Moshe and not Aharon who consecrated the Mishkan? In what way do the final three Books of the Torah continue separate but parallel themes featured in Sefer Sh'mot?

Ahead of the State of Israel's fourth election cycle in two years, Yehuda HaKohen is joined by Knesset candidate Elie Yosef to talk about his current hunger strike in front of the defense minister's home and how his HaLev HaYehudi (The Jewish Heart) party hopes to end Israeli arms sales to governments that violate human rights.

How were the unique orientations of Moshe and Aharon synthesized for the practical construction of the Mishkan? Why was Moshe hesitant to accept the women's copper mirrors as contributions? If Dan is the extreme expression of Yosef in the same way that Shimon is the extreme expression of Yehuda, what was the importance of appointing tribesmen of Yehuda and Dan to lead the construction of the Mishk...

What did the Golden Calf represent from a Hebrew perspective and how was it different from other forms of idolatry? What prevented Aharon from being able to stand up to the people? Why was it necessary to combine the tribal forces of Yehuda and Dan to construct the Mishkan?

How does the light of Purim and all of its rituals and customs help us to recognize HaShem behind the scenes of our reality?

How are Israel's kohanim different from the spiritual leaders of other cultures? How does the kehuna as an institution benefit the broader nation of Israel? Why does the Torah place so much importance on the details of the priestly uniforms?

The 13th of Adar was once Yom Nikanor - a holiday marking the date Yehuda Maccabee defeated the Seleucid-Greek General Nikanor at Adasa. Yehuda HaKohen shares the story of this ancient Maccabean festival that's currently experiencing a revival in the State of Israel.

A 2012 class about Yosef Trumpeldor's life, deeds and legacy in honor of the 11th of Adar that marks the day he fell in battle.