Sourcesheet: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WJ7XoKkEkvWhPRXTwmuHGGyVQkRf2ei58zWBRARp7r8/edit?usp=drive_link⁠

The episode continues where the last one left off, discussing the extraordinary work by R. Yehudah Halevi known as the Kuzari. In exploring the second part of this book, we learn how to find God in the world through the history of the Jewish people and their teachings? Throughout, we take up the challenge: "come on, really, the Jews???"

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my Substack writing: ⁠⁠Shmuel's Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sourcesheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WJ7XoKkEkvWhPRXTwmuHGGyVQkRf2ei58zWBRARp7r8/edit?usp=drive_link

The episode tackles the first (of five) essays of the great book by R. Yehudah Halevi known as the Kuzari. Building off of the previous episode outlining the book's framing and methodology, we see how this is applied to the primary question of Judaism: why the Jewish people? We take R. Yehudah Halevi's answer to this question seriously, while noting that it may not be representative of mainstream Jewish thought.

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my Substack writing: ⁠Shmuel's Substack⁠⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sourcesheet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1POj6IVX8oP4DqLc8oAYUNFR8fNhXCJWqwi-K_cLAUVc/

Now that we've met Yehudah Halevi in the previous episode, we are ready to dive into his monumental work of Jewish Though, the Kuzari. The main claim of this book is often taken to be a definite proof of the truths of Judaism and its Torah, but what did the book's author think of it? Why, if the book is supposed to prove the truth of "the despised Jewish faith," does it go about this defense in such a strange way? And why would Rabbi Yehudah Halevi himself dismiss the importance of his own masterpiece, claiming it to be nothing more than a response to the claims of a Karaite? In this episode, we take a sophisticated, three-tiered approach to understanding and appreciating this extraordinary book, learn how it fits into its Arabic context, and consider its relevance to the 21st century.

For more sheets and other info check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/rishonim⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check out my Substack writing: Shmuel's Substack⁠⁠

Do you want to send me some suggestions? Criticism or corrections? Comments or questions? Contact me at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠therishonim@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠