WOW! What a conversation. In Part 2 of our series on the authenticity and divinity of the Torah, Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rabhi Avraham Arieh Trugman - a Rennaisance Rabbi who has written over 20 books and has produced 9 albums of original music - about the incomprehensible depth of the text of the Torah. Rabbi Trugman specializes in utilizing the ancient method of Torah study known as Pardes which synthesizes multiple perspectives, from the basic text to the mystical meaning to illuminate a div...
Feb 15, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 137
It is difficult not to get envious of what other people have in a world where everything is shared on social media. Here are 3 steps rooted in our ancient tradition that you can take not to feel that horrible feeling of jealousy when you see others people in your life succeed. Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/ Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/5OD2ziql Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@markwildesmje Fo...
Feb 14, 2023•16 min•Ep. 136
In part 1 of a 3 part series on the authenticity of the divine nature of the Torah, Rabbi Wildes speaks with Rabbi/Dr. Joshua Berman, who is infamous for his biblical scholarship. He is a Bible professor at Bar-Ilan University and his articles on biblical theology and contemporary society have appeared in the pages of Mosaic Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. We discuss Dr. Berman's biggest reason for believing in the divine authorship of the Torah, whether the often cited Kuzari argument of ...
Feb 08, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 135
Yuval David is an actor, director, professor, and activist who focuses primarily on LGBTQ and Jewish issues. Many Orthodox Jews lament that their brothers and sisters on the Left do not fight back against antisemitism when it comes from that side of the ideological aisle. Nobody could say that about Yuval. In this exhilarating conversation, Yuval discusses how he combats the identity-based arguments of the Left which paint Israel as an oppressor, receiving pushback from the LGBTQ community for h...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 134
"Jews are white." "Israel is an apartheid state." Hearing these inflammatory comments can be distressing but understanding the root ideology behind these assertions is the only way to truly fight back against it. David Bernstein, the Founder of the Jewish Institute for Liberal Values and author of Woke Antisemitism: How a Progressive Ideology Harms Jews is a self-described liberal who is fighting back against antisemitism on the political Left by informing everyday people on the convoluted ideol...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 133
An incredible story from my teacher Rabbi Shlomo Riskin of the time he traveled to the Soviet Union in 1970 and received the answer to a question in the Torah that had been bothering him for decades - from an 18-year-old. Follow Rabbi Mark Wildes: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/ Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/5OD2ziql Follow MJE: Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanJewishEx...
Jan 09, 2023•18 min•Ep. 132
How is it possible that a lifelong antisemite converts to Judaism? How is it possible that an ardent secular Jew who passionately asserts that the Torah is not of divine origin returns to observance?
Jan 03, 2023•11 min•Ep. 131
Antisemitism is on the rise across the political spectrum. However, is antisemitism on the Left not getting the same coverage as antisemitism coming from figures like Kanye West? Dumisani Washington returns, this time in person, to discuss who is covering for these antisemites, whether the Biden administration is culpable, and his recent experience traveling to South Africa. Plus, Martin Luther King's hidden history with Israel and a breakdown of the controversial "Synagogue of Satan" verse in t...
Dec 28, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 130
The story of Joseph in Egypt leaves many questions unanswered. Why does it seem Joseph is acting so cruel to his brothers if he is referred to as "Joseph the Righteous?" Why didn't Joseph reach out to Jacob to tell him he was still alive? The answers to these questions clue us in on whether the things that happen to us in our day-to-day lives are pure randomness or whether there is something deeper going on. Follow MJE: Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...
Dec 27, 2022•13 min•Ep. 129
Rabbi Mark Wildes as you have never heard him before! Rabbi Wildes is questioned by his beloved student Daniel Wallach on whether he is disappointing his teachers by teaching Kabbalah and Chassidut, the thin line he has to walk as an outreach Rabbi to avoid offending potential students, inspiring young people towards spirituality in the hustle and bustle material world that is New York City, and more. Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 128
Womanhood and the role of femininity is a lightning rod issue in our times. Is a woman not complete unless she has a child? What does it really mean to "be a woman?" There is no better place to look than the story of our Matriarchs. Website: https://www.jewishexperience.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWil... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RabbiWildes/
Dec 08, 2022•14 min•Ep. 127
Despite the rich history of cooperation between the Jewish and Black communities, tensions have been high over the past couple of months spurred on by the antisemitic comments of Kanye West and a rally of Black Hebrew Israelites outside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Rabbi Wildes is joined by Dumisani Washington, founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel to discuss the roots of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, whether Black Lives Matter and the Left get a pass when it co...
Nov 30, 2022•56 min•Ep. 126
What's more holy? Doing things when we feel inspired or rather when they have become monotonous and are merely part of a routine? The answer may surprise you. For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/
Nov 22, 2022•9 min•Ep. 125
You'll often hear these days that we don't need God in order to be good people. Is this true? Have we outgrown God? Can objective morality exist without the Divine? For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/
Nov 14, 2022•18 min•Ep. 124
It is said that one of the biggest parts of being an adult is taking responsibility for your mistakes. But how often do we pass the blame on to someone else? The earliest Biblical characters failed to undertake this challenge - until Abraham came along. For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWilde...
Nov 09, 2022•10 min•Ep. 123
Rabbi Wildes shares how a minute difference between ethics and etiquette informs how we can know we are doing what is right and not what is easy and convenient. For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/
Nov 08, 2022•13 min•Ep. 122
The advice of "listen to your heart" to find your answer to a pressing life issue is a common one in pop culture. But is it one the Torah agrees with? For more thought-provoking and inspirational Torah content from Rabbi Mark Wildes, subscribe to the Youtube page at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0oWrlgD3gZX9-8ZyNbpd-g Follow Rabbi Wildes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMarkWildesMJE/ Follow Rabbi Wildes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbiwildes/
Nov 07, 2022•16 min•Ep. 121
Rabbi Mark Wildes moderates a fascinating discussion with Rabbi Pinny Rosenthal (The Rationalist) and Rabbi Daniel Bortz (The Mystic) on many of the intense disagreements between the Maimodean school of Jewish thought and the Kabbalistic approach. This podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the Manhattan Jewish Experience on Monday, October 24th, 2022. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:08:40 - Is God Within Us? 00:20:45 - Is Kabbalah Dangerous? 00:25:15 - The Opening Verse of the Torah 00:...
Oct 26, 2022•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 120
Rabbi Mark Wildes was ordained from Yeshiva University, but before becoming a rabbi, he received a JD from the Cardozo School of Law and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University. Since founding MJE 20 years ago, Rabbi Wildes has become one of America’s most inspirational and dynamic Jewish educators. He lives with his wife Jill and their children Yosef, Ezra, Judah and Avigayil on the Upper West Side where they maintain a warm and welcoming home for all. He is a hard core Beat...
Oct 19, 2022•55 min•Ep. 119
Rabbi Mark Wildes and his wife Jill co-founded Manhattan Jewish Experience, or MJE, more than 20 years ago. What started as a beginner’s Hebrew class with 18 attendees has blossomed into an organization that today draws in over 20,000 annual attendees to classes, events, Shabbos meals, and more. Rabbi Wildes was a lawyer and pulpit rabbi before ultimately finding his true purpose as an outreach rabbi. This is his story. Saturday to Shabbos is a Tachlis Media podcast. Learn more at tachlismedia.c...
Oct 12, 2022•39 min•Ep. 118
Mark Wildes was well on his way to joining his father, a renowned immigration attorney, when he found his life's calling: reaching out to unaffiliated young professional Jews in Manhattan, and innovating for decades in the outreach space. Unique as a proudly Modern Orthodox practitioner, Rabbi Wildes offers a different perspective, which we discuss and evaluate in this episode. We also speak about his new "40-day challenge" - the subject of his latest book - and his other writings, along with hi...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 118
Rabbi Wildes had the amazing opportunity to be interviewed on Two Chassids in a Pod which is a popular podcast hosted by two fascinating young men who grew up in the West and have moved to the holy city of Tzfat to spread the light of Torah and the Jewish Tradition. We went deep into the intricacies of Zionism, university campuses in the US, Jewish Outreach, the 40 Day Challenge, and more. You can follow the Two Chassids in a Pod podcast on IG @TwoChassidsinaPod
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 117
Gedale Fenster is one of the most sought-after speakers in the Jewish world, selling out venues of over 5000 people and with over tens of thousands of daily listeners to his motivational Torah-based podcasts. Gedale joins Rabbi Wildes for an exhilarating conversation about life's ups and downs and how the downs are merely a stepping stone to advance to heights previously unimaginable in every facet of life. More topics in timestamps below. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introducing Gedale Fenster 00:02:...
Sep 08, 2022•53 min•Ep. 116
This is a rebroadcast of Rabbi Wildes' appearance on "The Orthodox Conundrum" with Rabbi Scott Kahn; an amazing podcast from Jewish Coffee House which takes an honest look at the major issues affecting the Orthodox world, without exaggeration, whitewashing, or pretending that they don’t exist. This episode is, in some ways, two distinct podcasts in one: one about outreach, and one about some major spiritual challenges that exist in the Modern Orthodox world. Many in the Centrist or Modern Orthod...
Aug 31, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 115
Rosh Chodesh Elul is upon us and so is The 40 Day Challenge 2.0! Rabbi Mark Wildes is interviewed by the great Nachum Segal on his popular radio program "JM in the AM" to discuss how we can learn from Tom Brady, Abraham Lincoln, and other iconic figures how to use this special time to make a positive and impactful change in the world, become the very best version of ourselves, and how to connect to God at a time when He is closest. Join the 40 Day Challenge at JewishExperience.org/40Day Listen t...
Aug 24, 2022•19 min•Ep. 114
MMA star Haim Gozali doesn't just fight for Israel inside of the Octagon but is a staunch supporter outside of it. in this explosive conversation, Haim details how he is fighting the stereotype that Jews are weak and won't fight back, the time he was stabbed six times outside of a bar, his obsession with Batman, why he connects with putting on Tefillin, and more. Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Introducing Haim Gozali 00:03:05 - Are Jews Weak? 00:07:00 - Peace in Israel 00:14:30 - Being Stabbed Six Times...
Aug 17, 2022•48 min•Ep. 113
There is a perception that Judaism promotes a lifestyle in which women are subordinate to men. Rabbi Wildes speaks with longtime Torah educator and host of the Drink It In Podcast Jordana Baruchov for an unfiltered conversation about some of the hottest issues surrounding Torah and Women. Does Torah promote equality between the sexes? Why are men the ones who lead services? What does it mean to be attractive in a Torah sense? You can follow Jordana on Instagram @Drinkitin_Jordana and listen to h...
Aug 10, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 112
Moshe Reuven was recently named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, highlighting the world's brightest young entrepreneurs, leaders, and stars. In addition to owning his own startup WeDu, Moshe has also made a splash in the hip-hop world with millions of listeners on Spotify including his new song "Say" with Julian Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley. Moshe joins Rabbi Wildes to discuss how after living a life of non-observance, finding Hashem has been the key to his incredible success at such a yo...
Aug 03, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 111
Sarah Guigue, better known as HassidicHipsterGirl on Instagram is an amazing content creator and Torah educator who uses her influence on social media to educate her large following on Torah and Jewish Identity. Rabbi Wildes and Sarah cover many important topics ranging from the practical to the mystical. How we can use the potential of social media for the good? What is the best way to combat Antisemitism? Why does God seem so hidden in this world of ours? All that and more in this captivating ...
Jul 13, 2022•51 min•Ep. 110
Rabbi Wildes speaks with Psychologist and fashion influencer Betty Gulko who shared how her childhood in and out of foster homes helped her develop tools to assist young women in overcoming obstacles in life. Great lessons for us all. Betty also discusses how she reconciles being a social media influencer with the fact that social media is a leading cause of anxiety in young people, the best way to support a friend going through a rough time and so much more. Timestamps: 1:45 Self-love 3:30 Bett...
Jun 29, 2022•51 min•Ep. 109
