Voices from Exile: Delving into Jewish Theology, History, and Folklore

• The Great Sea Monsters and the Gods of Mesopotamia

  The first chapter of the book of Genesis recalls the story of creation. But it provides far more than merely an Israelite cosmology. It offers an understanding of Near Eastern cosmologies or the remnants of the former still existent in Israelite society's memory. Genesis conveys the concept of the one God created the world according to His will, without restraint or limitation. It provides the foundation for Jewish theology.

  --------  

  22:32
• A Paranormal Experience?

  Several months ago, I was traveling to Canada on business for my engineering job. I had finished my meeting and was at the airport ready to return to the US. As I was sitting down eating a snack, I heard my wife’s voice loud and clear. She called “Mi amor” in Spanish, meaning my love. I didn’t turn around to see if she was there. I knew she was at home with our three boys. I reached for my phone and texted to her to see if she was ok. She told me had been having a difficult time with our youngest son who is on the autism spectrum and had been frustrated. She had called out to me in a moment of frustration. I have never had that happen before, but I have heard of similar occurrences. A family I know one finished each other's dreams if that makes sense, and I have heard of visitations from loved ones just before they pass. But I had never had something like this happen to me. So, I became curious and wanted to see what if anything do Jewish sources comment on this type of occurrence.

  --------  

  11:59
• The Mysticism of Abraham Abulafia

  he mystical experiences of Abraham Abulafia of the 13th century are categorized under the label of prophetic or ecstatic Kabbalah. In prophetic Kabbalah, the goal of the mystic is to attain a spiritual experience on par with that of the biblical prophets. In the person of Abulafia, ecstatic Kabbalah, apocalypticism, and messianism reached a unique synthesis. Abulafia saw himself as a Messianic figure with visions of apocalyptic wars and experiential encounter reminiscent of the biblical prophets.

  --------  

  17:22
• Determinism and Freedom in Judaism

  The principal story of Parashat Toldot centers on the birth of Isaac’s two sons, Jacob and Esau. Their birth serves to convey G-d’s fidelity to the promises he made to Abraham to provide him future descendants to inherit the land of Canaan. Yet the lives and decisions of both Jacob and Esau also cause to consider the age-old question of free will and predestination- that is whether man possesses the ability to initiate and determine his own future and destiny through his own choices.

  --------  

  31:29
• Holy Men, Sages, Mystics, Exorcists

  The rabbis of late antiquity performed various roles in Jewish religious and civic life. The rabbis of Babylonia, like their counterparts in the land of Israel, were seen as or functioned as holy men , sages, mystics , exorcists , lawyers, judges, and as community organizers. The rabbis were honored and feared by many, but they were also despised and rejected by others. Their authority is often overstated and was only valid for those willing to support their enactments. The rabbis crossed hereditary, financial, and social classes and based their authority on their mastery of Torah knowledge. Their power was significant in many ways and incredibly limited in others. In the end, rabbinic authority was limited by the extent to which the local populace accepted their jurisdiction and the degree to which the Persian and Roman ruling authorities allowed them to operate.

  --------  

  18:29

Fler podcasts i Religion och spiritualitet

Trendiga poddar i Religion och spiritualitet

Om Voices from Exile: Delving into Jewish Theology, History, and Folklore