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)

Leah Forster: Of Comedy and Community

Leah Forster: Of Comedy and Community

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Leah Forster, an ex-Hasidic comedian to talk about how her journey has affected her comedy. Leah found comedy at a young age and pioneered ...

12 Juli 202044min

Gary Gulman: This Impossible Life

Gary Gulman: This Impossible Life

This episode is sponsored by Louis and Debby FlancbaumIn this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David sits down with Gary Gulman, a world-famous comedian with comedy specials on Netflix and HBO, to talk...

5 Juli 202056min

Comedy Intro

Comedy Intro

David explains how comedy and humor can uncover a mystical oneness that allows us to construct meaning and community from mundane occurrences.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.c...

28 Juni 20209min

OTD: Leaving Religion Conclusion

OTD: Leaving Religion Conclusion

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

28 Maj 20206min

Kelsey Osgood: A Conversion Narrative of Sorts

Kelsey Osgood: A Conversion Narrative of Sorts

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

28 Maj 202040min

Philo Judaeus: Is There a Room for Dialogue?

Philo Judaeus: Is There a Room for Dialogue?

In this episode of the 18Forty podcast, David invites a man who goes by the pseudonym Philo Judaeus – former member of the Orthodox Jewish community and moderator of the ambitious Frum/OTD Dialogue Fa...

28 Maj 20201h 18min

Shulem Deen: Faith, without Faith

Shulem Deen: Faith, without Faith

In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David discusses with special guest and former member of the Ultra-Orthodox community, Shulem Deen, the struggle and importance of balancing one’s individual nee...

28 Maj 202059min

OTD: Leaving Religion Intro

OTD: Leaving Religion Intro

David introduces the next series of the 18Forty Podcast: why people join and leave religion and what we can learn from their decisions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podc...

27 Maj 202011min

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