Hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" is an insightful podcast exploring the confluence of religion, science, and philosophy.
The podcast serves as a platform for curious minds who value nuance and pursue wisdom. It is not designed for individuals seeking absolute truths or those inclined towards unquestioning religious adherence, but instead for those who traverse our rapidly evolving world as seekers and explorers.
With the mission to impart valuable insights rooted in Jewish perspective that resonate with contemporary times, "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" learns from distinguished guests, shares insights with listeners, and adapts with time and context. This podcast stands as a guiding light for those questing for wisdom and a nuanced understanding of spirituality amid the complexities of the modern world.
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Rabbi Brackman follows up on his conversation with Rabbi Manis Friedman, advocating for a nuanced understanding of Hasidic ideas that avoids "shortcuts." He delves into the "ladder" of Hasidic consciousness, explaining the paradox of living simultaneously with the world's dependence on God (Daas Tachton) and the view that only the Divine truly exists (Daas Elyon). The episode emphasizes that mitzvot require love and awe, born from deep inner work with the animal soul and contemplative prayer (avodah), to prevent spirituality from being reduced to ritual and losing its connection to a transcendent God.
Does God need us? Does God need mitzvot? In this episode of Truth: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Levi Brackman sits down with Rabbi Manis Friedman for a direct, unfiltered conversation about one of the most emotionally-charged theological debates online — and what people are often actually arguing about underneath the headlines. We explore whether “need” implies lack, or whether it’s a sharper way of saying desire / ratzon — and what happens when you take that idea all the way into classic Chassidic ...
What happens when a leading Orthodox theologian says that parts of the Haredi world exclude dissenting voices — and that doing so can actually undermine the Torah’s deepest call to choose life ? In this episode of The Truth Podcast , host Levi Brackman sits down with Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg to talk about Haredim, dissent, ecstasy, and his new book The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism . Rav Yitz lays out a bold claim: Judaism, at its core, is a religion of choosing life — an...
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today , Levi Brackman sits down with his longtime friend Adam Haston, real estate investor and author of The Wonder Effect: An Adventurous Guide for Igniting Your Passions and Pursuing Your Calling . Drawing on nearly 30 years of shared history from yeshiva and Chabad outreach, Levi and Adam explore how to move from “just sitting” through life to actually living with vision and purpose. They unpack core ideas from The Wonder Effect — crushing limiting...
Rabbi Yitzchok Lowy grew up in Lakewood in a Hasidic–yeshivish home, learned in top Lithuanian yeshivot, and later immersed himself in the world of contemporary Hasidic and Kabbalistic teachers. In this conversation, we sit together in his beit midrash in New York and trace the “origin story” of his Beit Midrash Iyun LaMachshava —a study space built for people who can’t turn their minds off, but also don’t want to walk away from Torah or community. We talk about the disappointment that pushed hi...
Rabbi Avram Wilner has reissued, footnoted, and clarified key works of Rabbi Aharon of Staroshelye, a towering but under-learned student of the Alter Rebbe. We explore the fault line between learning Chabad as a path of inner avodah and affiliating with the modern Lubavitch movement; the two tiers of Kabbalah (universal vs. elite); the role of hispa’alus and bittul; and why emotion can’t be skipped if transformation is the goal. We also compare the Middle Rebbe’s methodical, head-to-heart pathwa...
Is Orthodox Judaism still Talmudic — or has it slipped into safe, post-Talmudic conformity? Professor Menachem Fisch — Joseph & Ceil Mazer Professor Emeritus at Tel Aviv University, Director of its Center for Religious and Inter-religious Studies, and Humboldt Research Prize laureate — joins Levi Brackman to reveal the Talmud as a radical engine of creative dissent and critical self-examination. Discover: Why the Bavli’s fictitious debates matter more than their “final” rulings Hillel vs. Sh...
Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman sits down with Prof. Moshe Koppel—mathematician, long-time Israeli resident, and author of Judaism Straight Up —to explore what it means to “speak” Judaism naturally instead of consulting a rule book at every turn. Highlights include: Shimen vs. Heidi: two real people who illustrate organic tribal Judaism and cosmopolitan universalism Why thick social norms help communities last, and how thin “fairness-only” ethics can fall short The role of instinct, family memory, and e...
Welcome to Truths—"Seeking Ecstasy" season, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman’s first solo deep dive in the new series. After opening with a heartfelt prayer for Israel amid the current Iran conflict, Rabbi Levi tackles the heated debate sparked by Rabbi Manis Friedman’s bold claim that “God needs our mitzvot.” ► What do classic sources—Maimonides, Nachmanides, Ramak, the Arizal, and Chassidic masters like R. Aaron of Staroselye—actually say? ► How do Kabbalah and Chassidut reconcile an all-perfect, utter...
“In His Image: Why Maimonides Alone Isn’t Enough & Psychedelics Have Their Place — A Conversation with Rabbi Yuval Cherlow” In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman sits down with the esteemed Rabbi Yuval Cherlow to ask: Can a purely intellectual theology—à la Maimonides—ever deliver the full depth of Jewish transcendence? And might there be a role, however careful and halakhically framed, for psychedelics in our modern quest for ecstasy? Episode Highlights...
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today—part of the Seeking Ecstasy season—Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman visits Jerusalem to sit down with Yehuda Ber Zirkind for their second full-length conversation. After their first discussion in New Haven sparked passionate debate, they explored: What “Jewish theology” really is: A living dialogue about God, tradition, and community rather than a fixed creed. The possibility of knowing the Divine: Wrestling with doubt, agnosticism, and the nature of spi...
Welcome to the intro episode of the new season of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today —“Seeking Ecstasy.” In this kickoff, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explains why the podcast paused, why he’s launching from the holy city of Safed, and what this season is all about : exploring personal Jewish theology and the paths each of us can take to encounter the Divine in ecstatic communion. 🔍 In this episode you’ll discover: The story behind the podcast’s brief hiatus and its return The two dimensions of Jewish ...
In this episode, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Lech Lecha" from Genesis 12, which introduces Abraham. Unlike Noah, Abraham's background and reasons for God's favor are minimally detailed in the text, though expanded upon in the Midrash. Rabbi Brackman highlights the theme of journeying in Abraham's life, noting that he embarks on seven distinct journeys—including leaving his homeland at God's command, traveling to Egypt due to famine, and returning to Canaan. These journey...
In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the Torah portion of Noah, focusing on scholarly interpretations and anomalies within the biblical narrative of the Flood. He begins by acknowledging that while traditional commentaries often address specific questions, they may not consider the broader inconsistencies that academic biblical scholars highlight. Rabbi Brackman notes that scholars point out anomalies suggesting the presence of two distinct flood n...
In his podcast on the Torah portion of Bereshit (Genesis), Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores a lesser-known aspect of the creation narratives. He examines Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let us make human in our image, according to our likeness," and notes that God created humans "male and female." This suggests both genders were created simultaneously in God's image, raising questions about the nature of God and gender equality in the divine plan. Moving to Genesis chapter 2, Rabbi Brackman hi...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portions of Vayelech and Ha'azinu from the Book of Deuteronomy. He explores the contrasting depictions of God's reaction when the Israelites abandon Him to follow other gods. In Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:16-18), God informs Moses that after his death, the Israelites will stray by worshiping foreign gods native to the land they inhabit. God's response is to "hide His face," symbolizing a withdrawal ...
In this episode of "Truths Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi D Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Nitzavim, found in Deuteronomy chapters 29 and 30. He explores the profound themes of covenant, blessings, and curses that define the relationship between God and the Israelites. Brackman begins by discussing the covenant as a double-edged sword: adherence brings blessings and prosperity, while abandonment leads to severe curses and exile from the Promised Land. He highlights the Hebr...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26) to explore the mitzvah of Bikkurim —the offering of the first fruits—and its profound implications for our understanding of gratitude, responsibility, and continuous renewal. Discover how the ancient practice of Bikkurim embodies a "Day One" mindset—a concept popularized by Jeff Bezos but deeply rooted in the Torah long before. By examining the unique declaratio...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the Torah portion of Ki Teitzei, focusing on its complex laws regarding marriage and divorce. He examines how these ancient texts can be interpreted to align with modern ethical standards. Brackman discusses a case where a man falsely accuses his wife of not being a virgin, leading to intricate legal and moral questions. He highlights the role of the Talmud and rabbinic interpretations in ensuring fairness, pa...
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Levi Brackman delves into the topic of false prophets as presented in two Torah portions, Re'eh and Shoftim, from Deuteronomy. He begins by exploring why the Torah addresses false prophets in two separate sections (Chapters 13 and 18) rather than consolidating them into one. Through his analysis, Levi concludes that these two sections represent different contexts that justify their separation. Chapter 13 emphasizes that the Torah is immutable, ...
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman reflects on a recent debate between Candace Owens, a right-wing political commentator, and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. The core focus of Brackman's discussion is Candace Owens' opening remarks during the debate, particularly her references to Judaism, Jewish teachings, and the nature of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson's views. Brackman agrees with Owens' general point about the existence of radical fringe elements in most re...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabb Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Re'eh from Deuteronomy, focusing on the concept of prophets and how to distinguish between true and false prophets. He addresses the challenge of discerning genuine divine communication in a religious context, where false prophets can easily deceive people by claiming to have access to divine truth. The Torah provides guidelines for identifying a false prophet: even if a prophet performs s...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today", Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman dedicates the discussion to the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av, and its connection to romantic relationships and engagements, in honor of his son Dovi's engagement. He explains that Tu B'Av is considered a joyous holiday, akin to Yom Kippur, as young women would traditionally meet their future husbands on this day, symbolizing love and partnership. Brackman delves into the Jewish engagement and marriage proc...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the first Torah portion in the book of Deuteronomy, known as "Devarim" or "Mishneh Torah." He begins by discussing the nature of Deuteronomy, which largely consists of Moses' speeches to the Israelites before they enter the land of Israel. The focus of this episode is on the story of the spies, a well-known narrative that appears both in the book of Numbers and in Deuteronomy, but with significant differences....
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Matot, focusing on chapter 32 of the Book of Numbers. The story centers around the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who request to stay on the east side of the Jordan River due to the land's suitability for their cattle, rather than crossing into Canaan with the rest of the Israelites. Moses initially interprets their request as reminiscent of the earlier generation's lack of faith, which led ...
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Pinhas, particularly focusing on the succession of leadership from Moses to Joshua. He begins by drawing a parallel between recent events in American politics, where President Joe Biden stepped aside in favor of his Vice President Kamala Harris, and the biblical story where Moses is informed by God that he will not enter the Promised Land and must appoint Joshua as his successor. Brackman...
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Balak, offering an ideological perspective on its authorship and historical authenticity. Brackman begins by summarizing the story of Balak, the Moabite king, who hires the Gentile prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Despite his efforts, Balaam ends up blessing them, influenced by divine intervention. Brackman then delves into the story's authorship, exploring the notion that it stands apart fr...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Chukat," which heavily focuses on the concept of death. He explores the significance of death in the Torah, emphasizing that while life is sacred and filled with purpose, death represents the cessation of this purpose and the ultimate impurity. Brackman explains that a dead body is considered the "father of all fathers of impurity" because it no longer contributes to the world or fulfills a...
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Korach, focusing on the rebellion led by Korach against Moses and Aaron. Korach's challenge was based on the idea that all Israelites are holy and should be allowed to serve as priests, not just Aaron and his descendants. Levi highlights three instances when God wanted to destroy the Israelites: 1. **The Spies' Report (last week's Torah portion, Shelach)**: The spies gave a negative repor...
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman and guest Rabbi Yehudah Ber Zerkind discuss the Torah portion of Shlach, focusing on the story of the man gathering sticks on Shabbos (the Makoshesh). This story is juxtaposed with another incident from the portion of Emor in Leviticus, where a man curses God and is similarly punished by stoning. They explore why these stories appear where they do in the text and the broader implications. Key points discussed incl...
