Rephonic
Artwork for The Oral Talmud
Talmud
Judaism
Torah
Svara
Pikuach Nefesh
Yom Kippur
Rabbinic Judaism
Divorce
Rabban Gamliel
The Law Of the Wayward and Rebellious Son
Halakha
Covenant
Daf Yomi
Yavne
Mount Sinai
Purim
Tradition
Education
Rabbi Meir
Rabbinic Literature

An exploration of the Talmud through the “traditionally radical” lens pioneered by Benay Lappe. Whether you are a beginner to Talmud study or a long-time learner, by listening in on Benay Lappe’s study partnership with Dan Libenson as they explore foundational stories and material from the Talmud, you will discover the how-to manual that the ancient Rabbis left behind for future generations to hel... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes49Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for The Oral Talmud

Latest Episodes

“This story raises the questions of who's in our community, who can be in our community, and who’s svara should we be listening to? The answer is much broader on all of those questions than we typically think. She changed the entire tradition. She ch... more

YouTube

“  We're meant to be profoundly, deeply, intimately, radically empathic with one another. My understanding should be influenced by what I know is in your mind. I need to get into your head and I need to get into your heart, and I need to understand h... more

YouTube

“ I think the value that's being privileged here is relieving suffering. It's not fiscal responsibility, it's not caution, it's not never making a mistake in giving to an undeserving person. Those are values, but making sure someone who's suffering i... more

YouTube

“ I now read the Talmudic literature as a paradigm of rationality, where you realize that to be rational you have to be self-critical. But you can't be fully self-critical merely by talking to yourself.” - Menachem Fisch

Welcome to The Oral Talmud, ... more

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Recent Guests

Menachem Fisch
Joseph and Ceil Mazer Professor of History and Philosophy of Science, Emeritus and Director of the Center for Religious and Interreligious Studies at Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Episode: Episode 44: When Tradition Fights Back with Menachem Fisch
Ilana Kurshan
Author of the award-winning memoir If All the Seas Were Ink.
Episode: Episode 21: Dissecting Daf Yomi with Ilana Kurshan
Jane Kanarek
Rabbi, Associate Professor of Rabbinics at Hebrew College Rabbinical School, and author of Biblical Narrative and the Formation of Rabbinic Law.
Hebrew College Rabbinical School
Episode: Episode 20: Transforming Story into Law with Jane Kanarek
Shai Secunda
Jacob Neusner Professor in the History and Theology of Judaism at Bard College
Bard College
Episode: Episode 17: The Iranian Talmud with Shai Secunda
Daniel Boyarin
A prominent Talmud scholar and author of several works on Talmudic culture
University of California at Berkeley
Episode: Episode 16: The Greatest Voices Are Anonymous with Daniel Boyarin
Ruth Calderon
Scholar, founder of ALMA: A Home for Hebrew Culture, author of 'A Bride for One Night: Talmud Tales'
ALMA: A Home for Hebrew Culture
Episode: Episode 14: Reading the Angel of Death with Ruth Calderon
Barry Wimpfheimer
Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Northwestern University.
Northwestern University
Episode: Episode 6: Narrating the Law with Barry Wimpfheimer
David Kraemer
Professor of Talmud and Rabbinics and the Joseph J and Dora Abbell Librarian at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Jewish Theological Seminary
Episode: Episode 4: Retelling the History with David Kraemer

Hosts

Dan Libenson
Co-host of The Oral Talmud; often guides study partnerships and textual discussion.
Benay Lappe
Co-host and study partner in The Oral Talmud; emphasizes reimagining Judaism through the SVARA and broader radical-yeshiva lens.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 23 ratings
  • Thought provoking and accessible to Talmud newbies

    The hosts do a great job of presenting Talmud in a thoughtful, engaging way that’s accessible to newcomers to the text.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    foodwriter36
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Thought-provoking and accessible to Talmud newbies.
Guests and hosts are seen as rigorous but approachable, with a focus on moral nuance and reform-minded Judaism.
Listeners praise thoughtful, engaging explanations that connect ancient texts to modern life.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 20: Transforming Story into Law with Jane Kanarek
Q: What is your goal for your students in teaching Talmud?
To empower them to develop their own voices while understanding technical skills and making meaning from text.
Episode 20: Transforming Story into Law with Jane Kanarek
Q: How did the rabbis relate to the Torah?
They believed that you have to read the Torah in a mediated way, recognizing the layers of interpretation and narrative involved.
Episode 17: The Iranian Talmud with Shai Secunda
Q: What was the geopolitical landscape at the time of the Babylonian Talmud's formation?
The Talmud's formation occurred in a politically and culturally Persian context, specifically within the Sasanian Empire, despite the geographical location being in what is now Iraq. This influences both the rabbinic community in Babylon and their interactions with surrounding cultures.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Oral Talmud

What is The Oral Talmud about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program explores Talmudic texts through a lens described as traditionally radical, focusing on how ancient discussions can be reinterpreted to address modern ethics, social justice, and community life. Across episodes, hosts examine difficult topics—law, gender, punishment, and life-preserving principles—through careful analysis of sources and real-world implications, often tying insights to current events and contemporary Jewish practice. A standout thread is the commitment to reimagining tradition with compassion and relevance, making complex rabbinic debates accessible to a broad audience, including newcomers.

Listeners can expect thoughtful, dialog-driven exploration that treats text as a living process, not a fixed doctrine. Note... more

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2. On the Nose
3. Chutzpod!
4. Identity/Crisis
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How many episodes of The Oral Talmud are there?

The Oral Talmud launched a year ago and published 49 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Oral Talmud?

Recent guests on The Oral Talmud include:

1. Menachem Fisch
2. Ilana Kurshan
3. Jane Kanarek
4. Shai Secunda
5. Daniel Boyarin
6. Ruth Calderon
7. Barry Wimpfheimer
8. David Kraemer

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