What Is Judaism? - Rabbi David Wolpe

In this episode, host Alex O'Connor sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe, an American rabbi and Visiting Scholar at Harvard Divinity School, to explore the core tenets, history, and cultural identity of Judaism. Together, they address fundamental questions about what it means to be Jewish, whether as a faith, a nation, or a family.

The conversation delves into complex theological and philosophical topics, including the concept of the "chosen people," how to interpret difficult passages in the Hebrew Bible, and the Jewish perspective on suffering as illustrated by the Book of Job. They also discuss the Jewish view of the afterlife, how Judaism explains the figure of Jesus, and the significance of traditional practices like circumcision.

Additionally, Rabbi Wolpe shares insights from his interactions with prominent secular thinkers like Christopher Hitchens, offering a thoughtful reflection on faith, doubt, and the enduring nature of Jewish tradition in the modern world.

Key takeaways

• Judaism is uniquely multifaceted, functioning not just as a religion but also as a culture, a nation, and a family.
• The concept of the "chosen people" signifies a unique set of covenantal responsibilities rather than inherent superiority.
• Biblical interpretation in Judaism is highly dialogical, encouraging questioning, debate, and metaphorical readings of difficult texts.
• Unlike other major monotheistic religions, Judaism focuses primarily on life in this world rather than detailing a specific doctrine of the afterlife.
• Suffering is not always neatly explained, but Jewish tradition encourages wrestling with God and finding meaning through action and community.

Highlights

• 0:00 — What is Judaism?
• 7:44 — How To Become a Jew
• 16:11 — Are Jews the Chosen People?
• 21:01 — Old Testament Atrocities
• 36:07 — How Should We Read the Hebrew Bible?
• 39:45 — The Book of Job
• 48:02 — Does Judaism Have an Afterlife?
• 54:50 — How Do You Explain Jesus?

00:00:00 What is Judaism?
00:07:44 How To Become a Jew
00:16:11 Are Jews the Chosen People?
00:21:01 Old Testament Atrocities
00:36:07 How Should We Read the Hebrew Bible?
00:39:45 The Book of Job
00:43:27 How is Suffering Explained in Judaism?
00:48:02 Does Judaism Have an Afterlife?
00:54:50 How Do You Explain Jesus?
01:01:40 Circumcision
01:07:29 Christopher Hitchens
01:18:58 Outro

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