A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?
18Forty Podcast24 Juni 2025

A Debate Between Yitzchak Blau & Itamar Rosensweig: Does Morality Exist Outside of Judaism?

On June 29, Eden will be hosting a webinar to speak in detail about the vision for this project. In order to register please click here or email info@edenbeitshemesh.com to find out more.

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin moderates a debate between Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig and Rabbi Yitzchak Blau on whether morality exists independently of Judaism.

This is a recording of a live event hosted at Young Israel of Teaneck on May 4. In this episode we discuss:

  • What does it mean for God to be good, and who defines the “good” in the first place?
  • Do Torah Jews base their values on halacha, or something else?
  • Should we make any changes to halachic and moral education in the Jewish community?
Tune in to hear a conversation about how halacha and morality bring order and prioritization to our chaotic and confusing lives.

Debate begins at 10:57.

Rabbi Itamar Rosensweig is a professor of Jewish law and jurisprudence at Yeshiva University, a rabbinic judge and chaver beit din at the Beth Din of America, and the rav of the Shtiebel of Lower Merion. He holds a secondary appointment as an assistant professor of philosophy at Yeshiva College and serves as the chair of Jewish studies at the Sy Syms School of Business. He received his semikha, Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin, from RIETS, where he was a fellow of the Wexner Kollel Elyon and editor-in-chief of the Beit Yitzchak Journal of Talmudic and Halakhic Studies.

Rabbi Yitzchak Blau is the author of Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine: Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada and is Tradition's associate editor. He has taught at Yeshivat Hamivtar, Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and the Yeshivah of Flatbush and currently also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rabbi Blau has a BA in English Literature from YU, an MA in Medieval Jewish History from Revel, and semikha from RIETS. Rabbi Blau lives in Alon Shevut with his wife and four children.

References:


"Curb Your (Shul) Enthusiasm"

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis

Fresh Fruit & Vintage Wine: Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada by Yitzchak Blau

HaEmunot veHaDeot by Saadia Gaon

Religion And Morality by Avi Sagi and Daniel Statman

Plato's Euthyphro

Genesis 9

The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Eight Chapters by Maimonides

Halakhic Man by Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik

A Theory of Justice by John Rawls

For more 18Forty:

NEWSLETTER: 18forty.org/join
CALL: (212) 582-1840
EMAIL: info@18forty.org
WEBSITE: 18forty.org
IG: @18forty
X: @18_fortyWhatsApp: join here


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/18forty-podcast--4344730/support.

Avsnitt(263)

Professor Allison Coudert: How did Religion Influence Science? [Science 2/4]

Professor Allison Coudert: How did Religion Influence Science? [Science 2/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Professor Allison Coudert, of the Department of Religious Studies at UC Davis, to discuss the historical interplay of science with religion, an...

24 Nov 202059min

Dr. Jeremy England: What Does a Scientist See in the Torah? [Science 1/4]

Dr. Jeremy England: What Does a Scientist See in the Torah? [Science 1/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jeremy England, physicist and biologist, to discuss his lives as a Jew and an academic, and how, if at all, those lives interact. Jeremy gr...

17 Nov 20201h 49min

Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community? [Mysticism 3/3]

Rav Moshe Weinberger: Can Mysticism Become a Community? [Mysticism 3/3]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Rav Moshe Weinberger, rabbi and educator, to discuss the role of mysticism in modern-day Judaism. Rav Weinberger grew up Modern Orthodox and be...

3 Nov 20201h 12min

Dr. Ora Wiskind: How do you Read a Mystical Text? [Mysticism 2/3]

Dr. Ora Wiskind: How do you Read a Mystical Text? [Mysticism 2/3]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ora Wiskind, professor and author, to discuss her life journey, both as a Jew and as an academic, and her attitude towards mysticism.Ora gr...

27 Okt 20201h 5min

Joey Rosenfeld: Can Mysticism Heal Us? [Mysticism 1/3]

Joey Rosenfeld: Can Mysticism Heal Us? [Mysticism 1/3]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Joey Rosenfeld, social worker and kabbalist, to talk about the differences between mysticism and rationalism and the roles they should play in ...

20 Okt 20201h 24min

Samuel G. Freedman: Can Jew vs. Jew Ever Become Jew with Jew? [Peoplehood 4/4]

Samuel G. Freedman: Can Jew vs. Jew Ever Become Jew with Jew? [Peoplehood 4/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Professor of Journalism at Columbia and author, Samuel G. Freedman, to talk about dissent not as a cause of ugliness and divide, but of beauty ...

29 Sep 202045min

Bethany S. Mandel: Jews without Community [Peoplehood 3/4]

Bethany S. Mandel: Jews without Community [Peoplehood 3/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with conservative journalist and cultural commentator, Bethany S. Mandel, to talk about the entrances and exits of her life, reconstructing Jewish i...

22 Sep 202043min

Laura E. Adkins: Is There Room for All Opinions? [Peoplehood 2/4]

Laura E. Adkins: Is There Room for All Opinions? [Peoplehood 2/4]

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we sit down with Laura E. Adkins, the JTA’s opinion editor and an adjunct professor of journalism at Stern College for Women, to talk about how she stays ground...

15 Sep 202046min

Populärt inom Religion & Spiritualitet

spokjakt-pa-riktigt-laxton-podden
rss-borgvattnets-hemligheter
sektledare
rss-historiens-mysterier
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
bathina-en-podcast
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-alternativ-historia
rss-activation-podcast
rss-basta-livet
rysarstunden
rss-universums-hemligheter
spokhistorier
skrackstunden
det-sista-mysteriet
rss-manniskan
dagens-manniska
mediumpodden-vivi-camilla
rss-spokfeber
rss-magisk-historia