Judaism From Within - podcast cover

Judaism From Within

Rabbi Simi Lerner•ravhirsch.podbean.com
Religion & Spirituality
Judaism
A tribute to the legacy of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Why This Title? It was his motto ’sich selbst begreifendes Ju dentum ’, Judaism understood from within, a term that encapsulates Rav Hirsch’s approach of diving into the essence of Judaism, viewing it through its inherent structures rather than through external lenses. Under the ”Topical Resources” , you’ll find additional Topics
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Episodes

Justification of the Aesthetic - Rav Hirsch On Bereishit and Noach

In this short episode of Hirsch on the Weekly Parasha , we explore Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch’s profound vision of aesthetics. Why did God create a world of beauty? Is the pursuit of the beautiful a spiritual distraction or a path to the divine?

Oct 23, 2025•4 min•Ep. 255

Mitzvah #79 - The Moral Frame Of The Home - How to Do It Right

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch's vision of Setting Up a Home We explore the timeless call to raise families, sustain the Jewish people, and secure the moral mission to humanity rooted in the practical wisdom of financial stability and the spiritual weight of home.

Sep 03, 2025•12 min•Ep. 252

Mitzvah #78 - Repentance - Sin as a Feature & The Inner Confrontation of Teshuvah

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch vision of Teshuvah What if repentance isn’t about apologising to God but confronting yourself? In this episode, we explore Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch’s vision of Teshuvah as radical self-honesty: confession not as ritual, but as recognition of your own capacity to change. And what if sin itself isn't a flaw in the system, but a feature essential to human freedom, moral struggle, and divine purpose? Join us as we reframe failure, not as shameful, but as the starting point...

Jul 31, 2025•10 min•Ep. 251

Horeb – Mitzvah #78 - Rabbinic Authority - Structure Over Charisma

Rav Hirsch, Horeb , Mitzvah 78 – Rabbinic Authority As we explore in this episode, Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch understood ancient legal authority not as personal influence, but as the outgrowth of a divinely mandated structure a system rooted in Sinai that gives form to our mission in life. Drawing on his analysis, we reflect on the nature of our own rabbinic influences. I examine its relevance to the idea of a personal rabbi not merely someone wise or kind, but someone embedded in a structure, so...

Jul 09, 2025•12 min•Ep. 250

Horeb – Mitzvah #77 - Intermarriage -  Why Judaism Isn’t Racist, and What Makes a Marriage Sacred

Horeb – Mitzvah #77 - Intermarriage - Why Judaism Isn’t Racist, and What Makes a Marriage Sacred In this episode, we tackle a common misconception: that Judaism's opposition to intermarriage is rooted in ethnic exclusivity. Drawing from the insights of Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Horeb , we explore how Judaism views identity through ethical and moral responsibility. We contrast the universalism of the Church with salvation through the institution, with Judaism's ethical universalism, which uphol...

Jun 19, 2025•13 min•Ep. 249

Mitzvah #74 – מפני שיבה תקום Age, Wisdom & Virtue: AI and the Illusion of Insight

Mitzvah #74 – מפני שיבה תקום Age, Wisdom & Virtue: AI and the Illusion of Insight How do we honor the ripened wisdom of age in an age of instant answers? This episode explores the mitzvah of “מפני שיבה תקום” through the lens of Rav Hirsch and the digital age—contrasting earned maturity with artificial knowledge. As AI offers the illusion of depth without the work of becoming, we reflect on what it means to truly grow into virtue, not just simulate it.

Apr 26, 2025•12 min•Ep. 246

Mitzvah #72 - Mitzvah as Love: The Jewish Religious Consciousness in Action

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch Mitzvah as Love: The Jewish Religious Consciousness in Action Mitzvah is more than obligation—it is love made real. In this episode, we explore how Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch sees mitzvah as the embodied expression of divine love, shaping not just our actions but our very consciousness. What does it mean to approach God through mitzvot? And how does this uniquely Jewish religious consciousness redefine love itself?

Mar 03, 2025•11 min•Ep. 244

Parshah Yisro - Yisro - A Unified Path Of the 10 "Archives"

In this week's discussion, we take the decalogue the 10 commandments something that's often looked at as separate ideas, But we show with the lens of repairs how it represents, symbolises a unified inseparable whole. Rav Hirsch On The Weekly Parasha

Feb 13, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 110

Mitzvah #70 - Speech, Oaths & Vowels - The Quintessential Chuk

Rav Hirsch’s insight into vowels reveals a profound truth about the power of speech—the very tool that can create, uplift,can destroy. In this episode, we explore how language embodies both the highest potential for good and the gravest danger for harm. Why is speech the ultimate Chuk? And what does this teach us about our responsibility in wielding words?

Feb 06, 2025•10 min•Ep. 242

Bo - Unexpected depth of the Oral law "Archives"

this week's parsha Bo, in this week's discussion we take a look at the oral law, something that is often considered a little bit arbitrary and we show how these minor details not only validate the meaning of Biblical symbolism and its meaning but enrich it. our topic the Moon Rav Hirsch On The Weekly Parasha

Jan 30, 2025•14 min•Season 1Ep. 108

Mitzvah #69 - צניעות Modesty: The Master & Its Emissary

In this episode, we explore Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch's profound insights on modesty, framed through the metaphor of the soul as the master and the body as the emissary. Drawing inspiration from Iain McGilchrist's concept, we delve into how Rav Hirsch envisions the harmonious relationship between soul and body, each knowing its role in living out a life of Mission.

Jan 14, 2025•15 min•Ep. 241

Shemot - Forgotten Humanism Of the Modern World

Shemot - Forgotten Humanism Of the Modern World We generally speaking look at culture as progressing forward but at times this is not the case two messages from this weeks Parasha give lights to this principle, From the lens of Rav Samson Raphel Hirsch

Jan 14, 2025•13 min•Ep. 146

Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים Part 3 - Eating with Intent

Mitzvah #68 - מאכלים אסורים Part 3 - Eating with Intent The Symbolic Depth of Kashrut Why does the Torah allow us to eat some animals but not others? Based on Rav Hirsch’s teachings, this episode looks at how Kashrut shapes our mindset, encouraging mindfulness and spiritual awareness. We’ll also explore the risks of living a life driven by materialism or determinism and how Kashrut helps us live with greater intention and purpose.

Dec 26, 2024•14 min•Ep. 240

Chanukah - Beware The Simplifies

Chanukah what's the central conflict, how should we look at the cultural challenge of the Greeks? All BAD? Rav Shimshon Raphael Hirsch gives us a nuanced approach. That does justice both to the challenge back then, as well as to our ability to grow today. Rav Hirsch On Chanukah

Dec 23, 2024•13 min•Ep. 142

Vayishlach - The nerve of history "From Archives"

This week's discussion we attempt to delve into one of the most unusual symbols in the Torah at the same time we get a unique opportunity to parallel a symbol embedded in both narrative and law in the bible Rav Hirsch On The Weekly Parasha

Dec 12, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 103

Toldot - Off Whose Derech? a Corruption of the Jewish task

How the approach of parents and educators to fit each child into a specific framework of what they think Judaism is, can not only destroy the child but creates a perversion of the message that Judaism is trying to teach. Rav Hirsch On The Weekly Parasha.

Nov 29, 2024•13 min•Ep. 140
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