I did not know Avidan before we recorded this. We hit it off. It's a very cool Maamar with lots of different applications. Just trust me, this one's really cool.

Podchad Yitzchak 5: Shabbos 9 with R. Aryeh Bernstein

Mar 2nd, 2023 1h 37m

After being Facebook friends for years, I finally "meet" Aryeh and get into a really good conversation, telling stories, pulling books off shelves, making interesting observations, and its going great until we realize we need to start recording

Podchad Yitzchak 4: Pesach Samech Tet

Feb 15th, 2023 54m 27s

PY Pesach, Samech Tet. A favorite of mine. Just Akiva on this one

Podchad Yitzchak: Sukkos 19 with R. Aryeh Klapper

Dec 30th, 2022 1h 6m

The thing about R. Klapper is that I genuinely do not know where he's gonna end up when he starts talking. This goes to some fun places.

Podchad Yitzchak Episode 2 Shavuot 13 with Avigayil Halpern

Dec 14th, 2022 46m 53s

Our first episode with a guest welcomes Avigayil Halpern, author of the "Approaching" parsha substack and namer of this podcast, to talk with us about Shavuot 13, and the possible applications of a wider definition of limmud Torah.

Judaism From The Ground Up: Man is Created Alone

Nov 23rd, 2022 27m 50s

Episode One of my "Judaism from the Ground Up" series, an attempt to articulate a philosophy of Judaism for those who, like me, have had a lot to rethink over the past 6 years or so. In this episode: Order vs. Chaos, Tzimtzum, Division of Labo

Podchad Yitzchak: Purim 4

Nov 20th, 2022 24m 51s

A New Podcast Series, with guests (hopefully). This episode with me, Akiva Weisinger, talking about Purim 4

The Kli Yakar: On The Non-Binary Nature of Reality

Jun 23rd, 2022 1h 9m

The Kli Yakar and his commentary are discussed. Heinreich Graetz is dragged. The ramifications of secret chavrutas in the Moreh Nevuchim are explicated. Future episodes are alluded to. Paternity is hedged. Manichaeism is too briefly mentioned.

Judaism From The Ground Up: Intro

Feb 4th, 2022 15m 39s

Why have I had a religious crisis? What is this series trying to do?

Seforno: On Embracing Your Context

Jun 28th, 2020 52m 16s

Binaries are proposed and rejected. The author's alma mater is briefly mentioned. Italians' rationality is defended. Historical headcanons are proposed. Context is continuously provided. Quotes are read in a haughty voice. Aesthetics become spi

Abravanel: The First Modern Biblical Commentator

Feb 18th, 2020 52m 15s

Part 10 of the "Who the Heck is that Guy" series. Modernity is discussed, existence is pondered, paths around the sun are considered. Comparisons to hit musicals are made, prolific writing is marveled at, our protagonist rapidly gain power and

Medieval Roundup:

Jul 22nd, 2019 51m 22s

Part 9 of the "Who The Heck is that Guy" seriesAkiva wraps up the unit on medieval commentators with a roundup of commentators that are important but didn't get their own episode. Authors are thanked and remembered. Listeners are urged to rea

In Defense of a Larger Toolbox: The Zohar and Mystical Biblical Commentary, Part 8 of the "Who The Heck is That Guy?" Series

Feb 26th, 2019 1h

The Zohar is discussed. Stories of young firebrands getting shut down are told. Hearts are warmed. Things get a little raunchy. The limits of rationalism are probed. The word "theosophy" presents some trouble. Promised edits never arrive. The s

What I Know vs. What I Believe: The Ralbag and Rationalist Commentary

Dec 27th, 2018 1h 1m

The relationship between religion and truth is pondered. The Ralbag is introduced. A joke about Maimonidean esotericism is clumsily made. An article is promoted. Stories are rationalized, naturalized, and reinterpreted. The podcast becomes PG-1

The Baal Haturim: The Shallow End of the Pool

Aug 23rd, 2018 25m 22s

The Baal Haturim is discussed, and defended. Our host's origin story is recounted. Codes are explained. Diagrams are needed but not provided. Names of siblings are revealed and interpreted.

The Advantages of Intellectual Diversity: The Brilliance of the Ramban

Jul 17th, 2018 1h 22m

The Ramban is discussed. Diversity is extolled. Sephardic and Ashkenazi learning styles are oversimplified. Genius is asserted. Pulp Fiction is quoted. The moral decay of strongmen is analyzed. Rainbows are directly observed. Christopher Lee is

A Dinner with Ibn Ezra

Jul 6th, 2018 1h 15m

Ibn Ezra is discussed. Stars are railed against. Riddles are puzzled over. Palindromes are given and taken on faith. Bovine-based insults are explicated. Hamilton is invoked and millenials are pandered to. The nature of inconsistency and doubt

Is Creativity Possible in a Religious Tradition? The Paradigm Busting Rashbam

Jun 29th, 2018 50m 48s

In our latest episode, Akiva talks about the Rashbam, what makes his commentary so out there, why Artscroll censored a rishon, and why Jack White's solo albums suck. Ancient Crimes are re-examined and new evidence is considered.