Collection
At Madlik we light a spark or shed some light on a Jewish Text or Tradition. Created by Geoffrey Stern, an ex-Yeshiva student and life-long student of the Torah along with Rabbi Adam Mintz; the premier orthodox conversion Rabbi, we publish the Madlik Disruptive Torah Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, on Youtube and on Substack.
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Aging as a CommunityParshat Vayeilech - Moses describes the debilitating infirmities of old age and we explore care for the elderly in the Bible, Rabbinic Texts and up into the present.
We the PeopleParshat Nitzavim - As the Israelites renew their covenant the spectrum of those entering this treaty with God is broadened to include the woodchopper and watercarrier and to those here and those yet to come. We explore the radical significance of this original Sermon on the Mt.
Halacha as a LanguageParshat Ki Teitzei - In this episode of Madlik Live held at The Shteibel at the JCC of Manhattan we survey all the commandments which are not truly practiced but showcase the fact that the Mitzvot are actually a cultural language that we need to listen to as much as observe.
What's New in the Jewish New YearAn exploration of the major themes of Rosh Hashanah; Malchuyot, Zichronot and Shofarot in the context of Ancient Near Eastern New Year festivities and rites. (2016)
Walk like an EgyptianParshat Bo - A live recording of Disruptive Torah recorded on the Madlik Clubhouse with Geoffrey Stern, Rabbi Adam Mintz, Rabbi Abraham Bronstein and “The Haftorahman”, Reuben Ebrahimoff on January 6th 2022.
Can Biblical commandments evolve and have alternative meanings at different times and to different people? Mitzvot; for some an obligation, for others a political, cultural or fashion statement and for still others a magical charm. In Exodus 13 we are introduced to the first formal commandments given in the Torah; a book of Law. These laws relate exclusively to the celebration of the first and subsequent Passovers. Out of nowhere we discover the first reference to what was to become the commandment of Tefillin. We explore the classical commentators and modern scholarship to discover the multiple layers and nuances behind tefillin and possibly all mitzvot.
Listening to the lyrics of Jewish LawParshat Ki Teitzei - When was the last time you listened to the lyrics, poetry and sounds of the mitzvot? We are told that there never was nor never will be a case of the Biblical Rebellious Son and that we are simply to be rewarded for its study. We explore, with the help of Haim Nachman Bialik, how all of the commandments provide similar rewards for those willing to listen to their lyrical nature.
Geoffrey Stern•2143 Views•August 18, 2021•Ki Teitzei,Aggada,Death Penalty,Halacha,Rebellious Son,Mamzer,Bialik
Bribing Men and GodParshat Shoftim - We admire the Biblical abhorrence of bribery in administering justice and against favoritism in interpersonal relationships. But sacrifice and worship can be taken as attempts to influence and curry favor, even gain advantage with God. We discuss.
Now What?Parshat Re'eh - The Deuteronomistic approach Israelite religion is radical. It restricts the Temple Cult to a single location and expands the purview of the commandments throughout the land and ... beyond. It creates a religion that is borderless and a God who is not local.
ScapegoatingParshat Achrei Mot - We explore the enigmatic law of the שָׂעִיר הַמִּשְׁתַּלֵּחַ - The Scapegoat thrown off a cliff to a place called Azazel. It troubled the Rabbis as much, if not more than it bothers us and it has a rich history for the persecuted Jewish people and for Christianity who believes in a Savior who died to expiate the sins of mankind.
Listen – just listenParshat Eikev - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks has pointed out the importance of listening as opposed to seeing, especially in Deuteronomy and as relates to interpersonal skills. We explore the primal power of sound, speech and music as emotional triggers essential to Jewish practice.
Geoffrey Stern•276 Views•August 10, 2025•Oral Torah,Sounds,Eikev, Emotional Content,Music, Transmission,Study Aids
StudyParshat Vaetchanan - Judaism is dedicated to learning and teaching so we are surprised to find the word Limmud למד appear only in Devarim where Moses provides the tools for the future. We explore the power of pure (as opposed to applied) learning in Rabbinic and latter tradition.
Electric SabbathParshat Vayakhel - The explicit prohibition of the lighting and enjoyment of fire is unique amongst the forbidden activities on Shabbat and we explore how the interpretation of this taboo affects Sabbath observance up until today.
Geoffrey Stern•726 Views•March 16, 2025•Shabbat,Oneg Shabbat,Work (מלאכה),Altar Fire,Shabbat Candles,Melacha,VaYakhel,Electricity
Shall your Brothers go to war without you?Parshat Matot - With special guest Agamit Gelb, Vice President of Mothers on the Frontline and host of an Israeli Podcast for Mothers of soldiers, we explore the Torah's treatment of the Tribes of Reuven and Gad's request not to join the Israelite army.
Living LegacyParshat Pinchas - An innocuous reference to Serah, the only granddaughter amongst Jacob’s 53 referenced grandsons leads the Rabbis to ascribe to this woman immortality and make of her an example of a living legend. We explore those who touched those who touched our past.
The First Judicial ReformParshat Devarim - Deuteronomy is many things, but at its core it is an iconic instance of the Farewell Speech genre. We review famous farewell speeches, specifically the tradition of warnings or final thoughts and are surprised to discover that for Moses, it was the Judiciary.
Jew as OtherParshat Balak - In this iconic narrative of how the non-Jew sees the Jew, we explore the myth of Otherness or the Jew as an idea in the Modern and Post-Modern world.
Haredim Enlist!Parshat Bamidbar - This parsha, called Numbers in English, starts with the headcount of all males over 20 who are obligated to serve in the army. We explore the texts from the perspective of those so called "ultra-Orthodox" who claim exemption from serving in the Israeli army.
Geoffrey Stern•470 Views•May 25, 2025• Draft, Headcount,Rabbi David Leibel,Hazon Ish, Bamidbar,Army,David Ben Gurion
Not in your LifeParshat Chukat - It is almost a cliche that Judaism rejects a cult of death and a celebrates life. We explore the Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern sources for this radical approach to mortality and man's search for the heroic.
Geoffrey Stern•339 Views•June 28, 2025•Chukat, Death,Ernest Becker,Baruch Levine,Numbers,Impurity From a Dead Body
Arguing the TruthParshat Korach - According to Avot, disputes such as Korach will not endure. We take this opportunity to speak with Mark Friedman about his recently published book which celebrates the Torah's Liberal values and associated commitment to disputation, pluralism and relative truth.
Geoffrey Stern•290 Views•June 21, 2025•Parashat Korach,Machloket,Emet,Disputes,Karl Popper,Korach,Epistemology,Truth,Theories
A Different SpiritParshat Sh'lach - We revisit the tale of the Biblical Scouts, this time focusing on Caleb ben Yefuneh who, louder than Joshua countered the reservations of the scouts and had a "different spirit".
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Geoffrey Stern
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