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Answers WithHeld

Hadar Institute
Judaism
Maimonides
Relationships
Martin Buber
Heart Centered Life
Orthodox Judaism
Rabbinic Literature
Mitzvot
Love
Community
Torah
Jewish Thought
Negative Theology
God
Talmud Torah
Philosophy
Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik
Chesed
Book Of Ruth
Torah Study

A podcast where we confront big questions with bold thinking and honest searching. Each week, Rabbi Shai Held sits down with a leading thinker or teacher to explore one powerful Jewish idea. This podcast doesn’t have all the answers, but it can uncover new insights and model what it means to take Torah and Jewish thought seriously.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes23Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for Answers WithHeld

Latest Episodes

When the unthinkable happens, what remains of faith? Journalist Sarah Wildman, who lost her young daughter, joins Rabbi Shai Held in a searching conversation about grief, love, and the struggle to go on. They will probe how mourning collides with mea... more

Was Rabbi Kook a mystic, a radical, or a realist? And what did he really believe about redemption?

In this season finale, Rabbi Shai Held is joined by Professor Yehudah Mirsky to unpack the bold and complex messianic vision of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Koo... more

Is studying Torah really the most important thing a Jew can do? Or is that just something rabbis say—because they're the ones doing the studying? In this episode, Rabbi Shai Held talks with Rabbanit Devorah Zlochower about the value and limits of Tal... more

Is lighting candles, giving tzedakah, or saying a prayer enough if your heart’s not in it? Rabbis Shai Held and Josh Feigelson sit down to explore what it means to live a heart-centered Jewish life—and why it matters more than we often think. Togethe... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sarah Wildman
Journalist and author discussing Orly's life and death
Author, journalist (Orly's mother)
Episode: Faith WithHeld: A Conversation Between Sarah Wildman and R. Shai Held
Rabbi Dr. Yehudah Mirsky
Professor of Jewish Studies at Brandeis University and Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies at the Hebrew University.
Brandeis University
Episode: Dreaming of the Messiah: What Can We Learn from Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook?
Rabbanit Devorah Zlochower
Meshkiha Ruchanit and Senior Scholar at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
Episode: Is Torah Study the Highest Value?
Rabbi Josh Feigelson
President and CEO of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Institute for Jewish Spirituality
Episode: Judaism and the Heart
Professor Judy Fentress-Williams
Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Virginia Theological Seminary
Episode: Where is God? Lessons from the Book of Ruth
Professor Ellen Davis
Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School.
Duke Divinity School
Episode: Where is God? Lessons from the Book of Ruth
Arna Poupko Fisher
Member of the faculty of the Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Cincinnati, and a renowned adult Jewish educator
University of Cincinnati
Episode: Questions That Can't be Answered: The Theology of Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik
Rabbi Tali Adler
Member of the faculty at Hadar and former student of Rabbi Shai Held
Hadar
Episode: What is Obligation?
Rabbi Steve Greenberg
Founding director of Eshel, an organization supporting LGBTQ Orthodox Jews.
Eshel
Episode: Can We Judge Everyone Favorably?

Host

Rabbi Shai Held
Host of the program, a leading thinker and teacher in Jewish thought; often engages with scholars and rabbis on deep theological and ethical topics.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • More, please

    This is probably the most thoughtful and thought provoking podcast ever to cross my feed. Each episode satisfies my love of Torah and philosophical discourse and the only downside is that there isn’t a new episode every day because I would be here for it. Thank you, Rabbi Held for helping to deepen my Jewish faith and my faith in humanity… yasher koach!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mexican Breakfast
    United States8 months ago
  • Beautiful and inspiring

    I am sincerely sad to hear that the series is coming to a close. This has been the most deeply inspirational resource I have ever encountered in my years as a Jewish parent raising Jewish children. The episode with Rabbi Aviva Richmond is something I will turn to again and again. My deepest gratitude to the entire team for making this available.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MamaMD_<3
    United States2 years ago
  • Not just for kids

    I’m recommending this podcast to adults for adults. It’s easy listening about not-so-easy questions. Rabbi Held has a beautiful voice, both in terms of the sound and tone of speaking and also in the way he teaches and shares his Torah with the world.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dizzy Puppy Lover 372
    United States2 years ago
  • Essential Listening

    Rabbi Held is a gifted teacher with a beautiful voice and vitally important messages and insights to share. His brilliance is exceeded only by his humanity. So glad we all get to hear more of his voice. Thank you to Rabbi Held and Hadar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ppijhggh
    United States2 years ago
  • Fantastic!

    This podcast finally gave me some language to understand how to talk about God.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Listner18
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A treasure for anyone seeking language to discuss Torah and philosophy.
Elegant, accessible yet profound religious discourse.
Thought-provoking and deeply thoughtful; expands faith and humanity.
Inspiring and deeply human, with insightful guest selections.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Faith WithHeld: A Conversation Between Sarah Wildman and R. Shai Held
Q: What is a faith that doesn't look at suffering and pay attention to it?
The guest explains that true faith must be willing to sit with fear, uncertainty and suffering, rather than promising easy answers or fixes, and emphasizes the rabbinic idea of imitating God by being present with those who are suffering.
Where is God? Lessons from the Book of Ruth
Q: What does the Book of Ruth teach you in your day-to-day life?
Both speakers share how the narrative of Ruth inspires acts of kindness and offers hope during difficult times, highlighting the significance of storytelling as a means of survival and connection to God's faithfulness.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Answers WithHeld

What is Answers WithHeld about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive into Jewish thought, ethics, and philosophy through conversations with leading Jewish scholars, rabbis, and educators. Episodes cover topics like messianism, Torah study as a central value, heart-centered religion, biblical interpretation, and the tension between obligation and autonomy. Guests range from university professors to rabbinic leaders, often exploring how ancient texts meet modern life, social justice, and personal spirituality. The format emphasizes thoughtful inquiry, personal storytelling, and the integration of study with lived practice, making it valuable for listeners seeking rigorous but accessible Jewish ideas and practical moral reflection.

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How many listeners does Answers WithHeld get?

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How many subscribers and views does Answers WithHeld have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Answers WithHeld?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Answers WithHeld:

1. Identity/Crisis
2. Ta Shma
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Chutzpod!
5. On Being with Krista Tippett

How many episodes of Answers WithHeld are there?

Answers WithHeld launched 2 years ago and published 23 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Answers WithHeld?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Answers WithHeld?

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What guests have appeared on Answers WithHeld?

Recent guests on Answers WithHeld include:

1. Sarah Wildman
2. Rabbi Dr. Yehudah Mirsky
3. Rabbanit Devorah Zlochower
4. Rabbi Josh Feigelson
5. Professor Judy Fentress-Williams
6. Professor Ellen Davis
7. Arna Poupko Fisher
8. Rabbi Tali Adler

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