teshuvah | David Solomon

David Solomon explores messiahs of the modern period of Jewish history and the dangers of mystical attempts to bring about redemption.

Among the figures David discusses are:

Yosef Della Reina
Rabbi Avraham ben Eliezer ha-Levi
Shlomo Molcho and David haReuveni
Asher Lemlein
Rabbi Ḥayyim Vital
Shabbetai Zvi
Rabbi Chaim Luzzatto, the Ramchal
Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov
Jacob Frank
Gaon of Vilna
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
Hannah Rachel Verbermacher, the Maid of Ludmir
Rav Abraham Isaac Kook
Theodor Herzl
Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersohn, the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Ideas that the lecture examines include:

a return to the apocalyptic- this time with mystical magic
the transformation of Christianity
the concept of a ‘special time’
end times
prophecy
redeeming the sparks
the antinomian messiah
redemptive consciousness
kabbalistic efforts to bring redemption
sexual practices to bring the special soul
the redemptive spirit in the special soul.

David discusses the stories of these fascinating messianic figures and thinkers and unpacks their ideas, influences, and contributions to history as well as to the ever-developing notion of redemption and messianic fulfillment.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:27:18 — 64.5MB)

Continue reading “#109 The Messianic Idea in Jewish History (4)”

This second instalment of David Solomon’s series on the Trei Asar, the twelve “minor” prophets, explores the lives and books of:

Ovadiah (Obadiah),
Yonah (Jonah), and
Michah.

David Solomon's podcast lecture on Ovadiah (Obadiah),Yonah (Jonah), and Michah. — Jonah Preaching to the Ninevites (1866) by Gustave Doré. Public domain.

David examines the historical contexts of all three prophets and how they are reflected in the texts. He also discusses the key themes in these three prophetic books, including:

national and individual teshuvah
the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel
false prophets and prophecy
Edom and its spiritual and geo-historical connections
destinations of exile
messianic visions
the importance of ethical and just behaviour.

In exploring these themes, David also delves into the words of these prophets. He examines, line-by-line, some of the key passages of the books and reveals the remarkable power and substance of these fundamental sacred works.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:47 — 84.1MB)

Continue reading “#91 The Twelve Minor Prophets (2)”