Best Yitzchok Adlerstein Podcasts (2025)

1
Are We Literally Judged? Fear and trembling over the Days of Awe 31:18

Play Pause

3d ago31:18

31:18

The rabbis go at each other on whether the old-time image of a predetermination of the coming year is accuate, and useful. As well as some thoughts about Charlie Kirk's assassination as the Oct. 7th of serious Christians.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Conscience at War: Moral Relativism, Jewish Law, and the Crisis of Truth in Israel 32:58

21d ago32:58

32:58

Does one's inner moral voice count, or are all moral questions adequately addressed in halachic sources? Especially since those sources already have plenty to say about going beyond the letter of the law? Does a Torah-honed conscience add to - or interfere with - Hashem's expectations of us?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
The Pitfalls of Believing Your Own Rhetoric 47:49

1M ago47:49

47:49

So many groups couch their arguments in overheated exaggeration. It works wonders for the adoring base. When people begin believing their own rhetoric, they cease to become people who can win the sympathies of others... as in the recent meeting between two gedolei Yisrael and Mike Huckabee.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Dial-a-Kabbalist 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

Even if you are not usually into the world of segulot, berachot from holy men et al, there's no harm in trying it occasionaly, right? Or is there? Are we becoming more preoccupied with the metarational, and does it matter? Listen as the two rabbis go at each other.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Missing the Point? Jews, Mamdani, and the Politics of Panic 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

When a politician like Zohran Mamdani speaks out against Israel, should the Jewish community sound the alarm—or take a step back? Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Adlerstein debate whether Mamdani’s ideology is utterly without merit. In a perfect world, how would the Torah want us to deal with the concerns he raises? Does any of that carry over to our imperf…

1
It's A Miracle! 31:42

3M ago31:42

31:42

There are dangers and pitfalls in seeing too many things as miraculous - and in seeing too few. Your hosts get into the weeds about this, including of course an examination of what our mesorah says. By the end, they are not disagreeing. Too much. Miraculously.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Who Is Leaving Yiddishkeit: A Conversation with Dr. Moshe Krakowski 43:32

4M ago43:32

43:32

Dr. Moshe Krakowski reports on the findings of the first part of a research project commissioned by the OU to study attrition from Orthodoxy. A professor at the Azrieli graduate school at YU, Dr. Krakowski also studies charedi education, consistent with his own roots. We speak about his own journey, the reasons why the community needs to invest in …

1
Living In The Bubble: The Pros and Cons of Insularity and Isolation 36:46

4M ago36:46

36:46

Does living a truly engaged Torah life require shielding ourselves from all foreign influences? Are there greater - or fewer - reasons for advocating insularity at the moment? Are there different answers for different communities - and individuals? Can you filter out the undesirable without blocking out the good as well?…

1
Rethinking Segulot 34:58

5M ago34:58

34:58

A thoughtful, balanced exploration of segulot uestioning their origins, meaning, and role in our lives. We dig deep, stay respectful, and don't shy away from the tough questions.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Do You Really Need a Hashkafa? 44:20

5M ago44:20

44:20

Do You Really Need a Hashkafa? Plus- Why not all Anglo charedim are walking lockstep with the American Moetzes. A spirited defense. Read Rav Adlerstein's writings at www.cross-currents.com.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Critical Thinking: The Price We Pay When Ignoring It 42:16

6M ago42:16

42:16

Charlatans promoting spiritual snake-oil, newfangled segulos, stifling creativity. All are part of a disturbing trend away from critical thinking. We allow this at our own peril. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd …

1
Does Hamas Believe in G-d? 31:10

7M ago31:10

31:10

Does Hamas Believe in G-d? Plus - defending the indefensible. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at [email protected].…

1
Disappointed By Gedolim? 34:18

7M ago34:18

34:18

Disappointed By Gedolim? How to deal with it, without endangering your Olam Habo - or your sanity. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at [email protected].…

1
Has the Age of Gedolim Ended? 31:19

8M ago31:19

31:19

To Whom do you take your kids for a bracha? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a fascinating conversation about how the meaning of "Gadol" has changed in recent decades, as well as where it - and we = are heading.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
The Opening of the Charedi Mind: Why Anglos Choose to Call Themselves Charedim 30:46

8M ago30:46

30:46

It sometimes feels like many Anglos live a contradition. They call themselves Charedim, while many of their beliefs and practices stand in sharp contrast to the Israeli definition of the term. How do they deal with that - and why?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
Rabbenu Hiawatha? A Misguided Analogy of Religion and Race in Israel 28:57

9M ago28:57

28:57

Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner as they analyze the misguided analogy of religion and race in Israel (even as they disagree about what, exactly, is misguided). And, how to deal with positions they expect you to believe when you really can't.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
What Now?: After the US elections, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently? 30:08

11M ago30:08

30:08

Now that the US elections have come and gone, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a stimulating and sometimes surprising conversation. We want to hear from you! Write to [email protected] to let us know what you think.…

1
Kiddush Hashem: Narrow and Broader Definitions 27:37

1y ago27:37

27:37

Is kiddush Hashem always coupled with the performance of mitzvos? Can it be performed even without intention? Even at the same time as doing an aveirah?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Podcasting: Does it lead to Gan Eden or Gehinom? 41:05

1y ago41:05

41:05

Join us as we interview pioneer podcaster Rabbi Avremel Kivelevitz. You can find Rav Kivelevitz's podcasts here.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Isolation or Engagement? 36:00

1y ago36:00

36:00

What is the Torah's preference about dealing with challenges to our way of life?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner

1
Karma or Hashgacha? 31:47

1y ago31:47

31:47

Why are some intent on ruling out G-d's presence in absolutely all matters, while some believe it is obviously the case? How do these views impact upon our behavior?By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
Words On Fire 28:47

1y ago28:47

28:47

Overheated rhetoric - the many prices we pay for it, including assassination attempts, hopeless division, and blindness to the truth.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
Unraveling the Unusual: The intersection of environmentalism, socialism, and Islam 29:25

1+ y ago29:25

29:25

Is their coming together in massive protests in the West an unholy marriage of convenience? Or is there something more than that? Two rabbis, a bunch of opinions.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
I've Got the Old Charedi Draft Blues 34:35

1+ y ago34:35

34:35

It's difficult, but not impossible, for Anglos who identify as charedi to speak calmly and dispassionately about the draft issue. It becomes soooooo much harder when you have to listen to some of the most contorted arguments that some "spokesmen" have put out for popular consumption. If your reasonable self is taking a pounding, you are not alone.…

1
"Us" or "Them:" What's been missing in charedi chinuch 30:17

1+ y ago30:17

30:17

History forced the Torah community to develop a bastion mentality. The unintended consequence of that has been neglecting the intrinsic values of Eretz Yisrael, and of Jewish nationhood.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
It's Not Your Father's Daas Torah 29:22

1+ y ago29:22

29:22

The concept of Daas Torah is one of the defining elements of charedi life. Defining it, however, is not so simple. We look at some of the competing definitions, especially in the light of demands to cast ballots along party lines.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
Rough Time Ahead for Charedi Draft Exemption 33:48

1+ y ago33:48

33:48

The issue may bring down the government. It certainly threatens to imperil the national achdus. A recent Cross-Currents piece has made it's way beyond charedi circles. This episode explores the different perspectives, and the different options, on the blanket exemption for Charedim.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
Who Speaks For Us – And Why? 53:47

2y ago53:47

53:47

We’ve all seen the carefully crafted and always polite opinion pieces by Rabbi Avi Shafran. Now meet the person deftly holding the pen, and why he moved from a successful calling as a mechanech to the often-thankless task of public defender of Torah values for Agudah.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein

1
(000) Welcome to Two Rabbis, Three Opinions 2:40

2y ago2:40

2:40

Events, issues, and personalities in the Israeli Torah world, for people comfortable with their Anglo background and chinuch. Typically, an episode will begin with some conversation between Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and a rabbinic colleague, that will segue into an interview with an exciting guest.By Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein