The Podcast of Jewish Ideas

Torah in Motion

Philosophy

Judaism

Kabbalah

Tzimtzum

Moshe Chaim Luzzatto

Leo Strauss

Isaac Luria

Ethics

Torah Commentary

Political Philosophy

Maimonides

Christian Kabbalists

Hasidic Movement

Musar Movement

Religious Zionism

Spinoza

Philosophy Of Religion

Galileo Galilei

Modernity

Universal Morality

A space for exploring the great ideas at the heart of the Jewish tradition.

115 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	91	Founded	3 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Society & CulturePhilosophyReligion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

90. Joseph B. Soloveichik's Existentialism | Dr. Daniel Rynhold

J.J. and Dr. Daniel Rynhold discuss lonely and halakhic men and minds.

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out at podcasts@torahinmotion.org

17 Apr 2026 • 1 hr 7 min

89. The Rashbam | Dr. Martin Lockshin

J.J. and Dr. Martin Lockshin discuss the (not so) plain and simple ideas of Rabbi Samuel ben Meir of Troyes, a leading Tosafist and grandson to Rashi.

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out ... more

26 Mar 2026 • 59 min

88. Walter Benjamin | Dr. Vivian Liska

J.J. and Dr. Vivian Liska border on the sublime in their discussion of the life and thought of this German-Jewish thinker.

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out at podcasts@torahinmotion.o... more

20 Mar 2026 • 1 hr 7 min

87. Sefer Yosippon | Dr. Carson Bay

J.J. and Dr. Carson Bay crack open this recondite work of Jewish history and myth-making .

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out at podcasts@torahinmotion.org

26 Feb 2026 • 1 hr 2 min

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Recent Guests

Martin Lockshin

Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies at York University; Rashbam scholar

York University

Episode: 89. The Rashbam | Dr. Martin Lockshin

Vivian Liska

Professor of German literature and director of the Institute of Jewish Studies at the University of Antwerp; visiting professor at the Hebrew University

University of Antwerp; Hebrew University

Episode: 88. Walter Benjamin | Dr. Vivian Liska

Dr. Carson Bay

Associate Professor of Classics and Biblical Studies at the University of Austin, Texas

University of Austin, Texas

Episode: 87. Sefer Yosippon | Dr. Carson Bay

Dr. Alan Mittleman

Emeritus Professor of Jewish Philosophy at the Jewish Theological Seminary

Jewish Theological Seminary

Episode: 86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

Dr. Chaim Saiman

Professor of law and chair in Jewish law at Villanova University

Villanova University

Episode: 85. Halakhic Codes & Responsa | Dr. Chaim Saiman

Dr. David Moster

Rabbi and Director of the Biblical Hebrew Program at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York.

Jewish Theological Seminary

Episode: 84. The Mesorah & the Masoretes | Dr. David Moster

Dr. Hindy Najman

Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture and Director of the Centre for the Study of the Bible at Oxford University.

Oxford University

Episode: 83. The Biblical Canon(s) | Dr. Hindy Najman

Dr. Adena Tanenbaum

Associate Professor in the Department of Near Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures at Ohio State University, expert on Medieval Jewish Intellectual History.

Ohio State University

Episode: 82. Zechariah al-Dhahiri | Dr. Adena Tanenbaum

Shmuel Feiner

Professor Emeritus of Modern Jewish History at Bar Ilan University

Bar Ilan University

Episode: 81. The Revolutions of 1782 | Dr. Shmuel Feiner

Host

JJ Kimchi

Host of The Podcast of Jewish Ideas, with a focus on Jewish philosophy, history, and textual analysis.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 115 ratings

Highly recommended!
Very intelligent and well-informed discussions!
Apple Podcasts
5
Elmo Shupshlup
United States2 months ago
Insightful Conversations
These conversations go far deeper than your usual podcast fare. Many are in fact challenging, in all the right ways. No easy answers, no dogma.
Apple Podcasts
5
Ernesto Moreira
Spain10 months ago
Best Jewish podcast
Superb and erudite and scholarly and uplifting interviews. You will always learn something new and insightful
Apple Podcasts
5
Ravgah
United Statesa year ago
This is a gem
Every episode in this series presents fascinating and provocative insights into aspects of Jewish intellectual thought down through the ages, some well known and some esoteric. JJ is a perfect host, always meticulously prepared to engage with his guests, and doing so with infectious enthusiasm and an impressive breadth and depth of knowledge. You don’t need an academic background in Jewish studies (I don’t have one) to appreciate this gem of a podcast.
Apple Podcasts
5
Toronto prof.
Canada2 years ago
Great show, but…
Just listened to your episode on the Mishna, Obviously fascinating and also entertaining. But given current events, I have to say that I was just slightly appalled to hear the mention of the odious Daniel Boyarin.
Apple Podcasts
5
Uzi Silbee
United States2 years ago

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Listeners Say

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

Thoughtful, deep conversations that challenge assumptions.

A gem for listeners who enjoy esoteric yet accessible Jewish intellectual history.

Some episodes discuss sensitive topics or viewpoints that may surprise or offend some listeners.

Scholarly, well-prepared interviews with breadth and depth.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#41	United States/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism
Apple Podcasts	#18	United Kingdom/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism
Apple Podcasts	#73	Canada/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism
Apple Podcasts	#40	Australia/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism
Apple Podcasts	#79	France/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism
Apple Podcasts	#90	Germany/Religion & Spirituality/Judaism

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

88. Walter Benjamin | Dr. Vivian Liska

Q: How does Benjamin's relationship with messianism differ from Marxist thinking in his work?

She notes that messianism for Benjamin demands a total redemption beyond class struggle, producing a dialectic where earthly justice and redemptive hopes influence each other, yet remain in tension with orthodox Marxism.

88. Walter Benjamin | Dr. Vivian Liska

Q: What is Jewish about Benjamin's ideas, given his secular, Marxist background?

Liska explains that Benjamin's Jewish commitments are intellectual, ethical, political, and metaphysical, expressed through motifs like messianism, language, and revelation, which are embedded in his writings even without traditional Jewish schooling.

86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

Q: What might it mean if we consider human agency in relation to the acceptance of revelation?

Dr. Mittleman explains that the meaningfulness of human actions and the acceptance of revelation depend on the continual affirmation by the Jewish people, showcasing the importance of agency in these decisions.

86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

Q: What do you think the significance of the dual affirmation within creation is?

Dr. Mittleman argues that this dual affirmation reinforces the notion that, despite the brokenness observed in the world, the essential goodness of creation provides a foundation for searching for meaning.

86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

Q: Is the pursuit of meaning considered within Jewish thought to be an urgent or legitimate question?

Dr. Mittleman suggests that while the question of meaning is often seen as a modern inquiry, there are ancient reflections on living a good life within Judaism that don't specifically use the term 'meaning.'

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Podcast of Jewish Ideas

What is The Podcast of Jewish Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful program that centers Jewish philosophy, history, and textual analysis through conversations with scholars, rabbis, and historians. Episodes often explore universal questions—meaning, ethics, law, and interfaith dialogue—framed within Jewish thought, from medieval to modern periods. A recurring strength is rigorous intellectual breadth, pairing deep textual literacy with accessible discussion, making it appealing to listeners who enjoy academically rigorous yet clear explorations of Jewish ideas and their relevance today. Noteworthy is the emphasis on universalism vs. particularism, Halakhic discourse, and the global reach of Jewish thought across eras and regions.

Potential listeners should expect dense, idea-forward discussio... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Podcast of Jewish Ideas?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Podcast of Jewish Ideas:

1. The Tikvah Podcast
2. 18Forty Podcast
3. Seforimchatter
4. Orthodox Conundrum
5. Ask Haviv Anything

How many episodes of The Podcast of Jewish Ideas are there?

The Podcast of Jewish Ideas launched 3 years ago and published 91 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 Podcast of Jewish Ideas?

Recent guests on The Podcast of Jewish Ideas include:

1. Martin Lockshin
2. Vivian Liska
3. Dr. Carson Bay
4. Dr. Alan Mittleman
5. Dr. Chaim Saiman
6. Dr. David Moster
7. Dr. Hindy Najman
8. Dr. Adena Tanenbaum

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