Best Rabbi Scott Kahn Podcasts (2024)

1
Tzniut, Integrity, and Leadership: Reframing the Concept of Tzniut, with Rabbi Moshe Simkovich (205) 1:01:33

2h ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Any discussion surrounding tzniut (loosely - and, perhaps incorrectly - translated as “modesty") is inevitably fraught with challenges and difficulty. Indeed, there are few topics in Orthodoxy that are as triggering to so many people. Rabbi Moshe Simkovich offers a traditional yet unique approach to tzniut, and he attempts to redefine the concept a…

1
Shattering a Religious Monopoly Versus Ideological Conformity: The Challenges Facing Religious Zionism Today (204) 1:05:25

1d ago1:05:25

1:05:25

In his classic work Kol Dodi Dofek, Rav Soloveitchik asserts that God’s gift of the State of Israel demands a response. God wants a dialogue where we answer his generosity by using His gifts to make Him present in the world. The major challenge for Religious Zionism, then, is to decide, as best as we can, what that response should be. Does it mean …

1
⭐ 264: From Clothing Manufacturer, to Franchise Owner, to Starting the Tint World Franchise | Ex-CEO of Meineke, Charles Bonfiglio, shares his Journey 🚗… ⭐ 1:21:14

4m ago1:21:14

1:21:14

Charles J. Bonfiglio is the Franchise Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Tint World. The company is a privately owned franchise chain of independent retail window tinting, mobile electronics, auto accessories and appearance centers. As the lead executive of Tint World, Charles is responsible for all functions related to the development and leader…

1
Remembering My Dad (203) 36:50

7h ago36:50

36:50

It’s the little things that hit hardest. The big moments when I expect to be emotional have generally felt unremarkable; I seem to have experienced them with relative ease. The surprises come when I’m taking a walk, talking about a silly childhood memory, or seeing an old friend. Above all, I’ve learned that my emotions are often hidden - from myse…

1
The Dangers of a Living Prophetic Judaism: Rabbi Yosef Blau Responds to Rabbi Alex Israel (BONUS EPISODE) 46:38

5d ago46:38

46:38

In episode 201, Rabbi Alex Israel, citing Rav Kook, asked whether nowadays we need to add a greater prophetic element to Judaism, alongside our continued commitment to halacha. Perhaps today we need a new infusion of prophecy - both in terms of its spiritual content, as well as through a renewed emphasis on Torah values that may sometimes be lost i…

1
How Much of the Exodus Story is Historical - and Does It Actually Matter? A Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum (202) 1:01:06

18d ago1:01:06

1:01:06

Did the Exodus from Egypt happen exactly as the Torah describes? How should we contend with archeological evidence that seems to indicate that certain aspects of the Torah's narrative don't make sense? And, for that matter, how can we contend with similar questions that surround other historical Biblical narratives? Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum, Dean of…

1
(55) Loving Again After Loss: Dating and Remarriage After Widowhood 59:18

27d ago59:18

59:18

Losing one’s spouse is one of life’s most difficult and painful experiences. The process of grieving includes feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and isolation. While grieving the loss of a spouse, one also mourns the loss of identity as a member of an intimate partnership and acceptance of a new identity as a widow/er. Well-intentioned friends an…

1
Creating a Living Prophetic Judaism for the 21st Century, with Rabbi Alex Israel (201) 1:08:33

1M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

For over two millennia, the Jewish People has lived in a world largely defined by Jewish law, or halacha. While the Tanach is filled with what might be called prophetic Judaism - a Judaism, that is, which is dominated by those who spoke in the name of God - the Judaism that emerged during the era of the Second Temple and thereafter placed a greater…

1
Hollywood, Antisemitic Tropes, and Anti-Orthodox Messaging: A Conversation with Allison Josephs (200) 54:36

1M ago54:36

54:36

Jews control Hollywood - or so everyone seems to believe, for better and very often for worse. And it’s true that there are many Jewish people who work in the entertainment industry. But this fact is quite distinct from the question of how Jews are typically portrayed in movies and TV shows - and in that realm, there are serious problems, both rega…

1
263: Using Real Human Connections to Achieve Exceptional Success... Doug Brown of CEO Sales Strategies 1:59:52

1M ago1:59:52

1:59:52

Doug C. Brown is the CEO of CEO Sales Strategies and a Sales Revenue and Profit Growth Expert. He has led client award-winning and high-performance teams as well as pioneered profitable development programs for companies. He has advised companies such as Intuit, CBS Television, Procter & Gamble, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Nationwide, Embassy Suites, In…

1
The Present and Future of Religious Zionism (Part Two): More on the Palestinian Future, Military Service, Culture Wars, Political Direction, and More (199) 1:20:18

2M ago1:20:18

1:20:18

Last week’s episode of the Orthodox Conundrum was supposed to be a wide-ranging conversation about the present and future of Religious Zionism, including a discussion of our relationship with the Palestinian population in Yehuda v’Shomron and Gaza. As it turns out, Scott and his guests, Daniel Goldman and Rabbi Elie Mischel, ended up spending the e…

1
The Sex Strike Controversy: An Intimate Judaism Live Conversation 41:03

2M ago41:03

41:03

The infamous “Sex Strike” was recently spearheaded by influencer Adina Miles, AKA “Flatbush Girl,” in order to apply communal pressure to men and their rabbis to free Malky Berkowitz, who has been refused a get for four years. This initiative has created a great deal of outrage in Jewish Orthodox communities, and the “responsa” on social media plat…

1
The Present and Future of Religious Zionism (Part One): Settlements, a Palestinian State, Tanach as History or as Prophecy for Today, and More (198) 1:02:21

2M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

In some recent episodes of this podcast, Scott and his guests have discussed numerous issues relevant to the Religious Zionist world, including some of the ways that Religious Zionism differs from Modern Orthodoxy. But Religious Zionism is not a monolith; there are many different paths within Religious Zionism, and the differences between these pat…

1
The Failure of Sexual Health Organizations to Condemn Sexual Violence (crossover episode with Orthodox Conundrum) 1:06:01

2M ago1:06:01

1:06:01

After October 7th, Jews around the world have felt besieged by some erstwhile allies, as some have been silent in the face of rampant antisemitism, and others have openly supported Hamas and its genocidal goals. While there have been many who openly support Jews and Israel, the war in Gaza has also provided a moment of reckoning as we discovered so…

1
"It Was Never 'Heal the World' at the Expense of Yourself": Antisemitism in AASECT - and Fighting Back - with Talli Rosenbaum, Dr. Logan Levkoff, and Dr. Shoshana Bulow (197) 1:04:25

2M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

After October 7th, Jews around the world have felt besieged by some erstwhile allies, as some have been silent in the face of rampant antisemitism, and others have openly supported Hamas and its genocidal goals. While there have been many who openly support Jews and Israel, the war in Gaza has also provided a moment of reckoning as we discovered so…

1
Overcoming the Eisav Complex: Raising Orthodox ADHD Kids, with Dr. Simcha Chesner and Dr. Sara Markowitz (196) 1:06:41

2M ago1:06:41

1:06:41

35 years ago, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was essentially unknown among the general public; today, it is spoken about all the time. We’ve learned that some behaviors that were once considered signs that a child didn’t care about school or achievement, or simply lacked normal self control, are actually indicators of a difference …

1
"Where Does a Jew Belong? Where Do the Jewish People Belong?" Post-October 7th Conversations About Israel, with Rabbi Yehoshua Fass (195) 1:07:29

3M ago1:07:29

1:07:29

What does Israel mean to you? For years, this was a theoretical question for many people who live in the diaspora. Given Israel's war against Hamas and its army of terror, however, the question has gained additional resonance and, in some ways, can no longer be put off; it demands an answer. With Israel under military attack, and the Jewish people …

1
(54) Sex Positive Premarital Kallah Instruction 56:29

3M ago56:29

56:29

In many Orthodox communities, premarital sex education taught by Kallah teachers is limited to ensuring wedding night “success” and encouraging strict observance of Nidah laws in order to "guarantee" sexual satisfaction. Join Rabbi Scott Kahn and Talli Rosenbaum as they interview two Kallah instructors, Dr. Hadassah Fromson and Dr. Yosefa Wruble, w…

1
262: From Single Mom Flipping Burgers to a Powerhouse in Venture Capital | Olga Maslikhova of The J Curve 1:18:39

3M ago1:18:39

1:18:39

Olga Maslikhova is the founder and host of The J Curve, the podcast about Latin America tech ecosystem builders. Olga is also a successful tech investor. She aims to share insights and stories from the region's most influential entrepreneurs, investors, and experts. She also leverages her network and knowledge as a member of a global community of w…

1
Ultra-Orthodox Integration, Military Service, and More: Understanding the Chareidi Point of View, with Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz (194) 1:05:42

3M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

In Episode 184, Scott spoke with Michael Eisenberg and Rabbi Yehoshua Hershberg about their conviction that the time has come for the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel - often referred to as the Chareidim - to participate more fully in Israeli society, specifically by ending what has effectively become a blanket exemption from military service, an…

1
Giving a Voice to Diaspora Jews: What Should Israelis Expect After October 7th? (193) 1:12:20

3M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

A week or two ago, on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook, Scott posted a question about the propriety of Jews living outside of Israel going on fancy vacations while the Israeli population is experiencing a world where there are kidnapped Jews trapped in Gaza, where we continue to mourn the loss of 1200 victims of October 7th plus …

1
“Sometimes I Wonder Why We Have to Be So Afraid”: Women, Gender, and Jewish Law, with Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash (192) 1:28:24

3M ago1:28:24

1:28:24

In episode 190, Scott and Dr. Mijal Bitton talked about the idea of creating synagogues that follow Orthodox halacha while embracing an egalitarian aesthetic. One of the ideas that they discussed was the balance between using our Torah texts to determine normative Jewish law, versus what Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik famously described in his seminal…

1
Diaspora Modern Orthodoxy and Israeli Religious Zionism: Similarities, Differences, Opportunities, and Challenges, with Shayna Goldberg (191) 1:26:35

4M ago1:26:35

1:26:35

The war in Israel, which is now well over one hundred days old, has in some ways highlighted the commonalities between all Jews across the world, no matter where they live, and in other ways demonstrated the gaps that continue to exist between an Israeli public that is dealing with the reality of war on their doorsteps, and a non-Israel Jewish worl…

1
Orthodox Halacha, Covenantal-Traditional Community, Egalitarian Aesthetic: Orthodoxy Moves Into the Future, with Dr. Mijal Bitton (190) 1:05:01

4M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

This podcast is called “The Orthodox Conundrum” and many of us self-identify as Orthodox, pray in Orthodox synagogues, affiliate with Orthodox institutions, and consider ourselves part of the wider Orthodox world. But is that term “Orthodox” - and perhaps the concept of denominations in general - a help or a hindrance? Do denominations lead to the …

1
(53) Navigating Sexual Desire Discrepancies with a Focus on the Emotional Relationship, with Dr. Laurie Watson 47:22

4M ago47:22

47:22

In last month's episode, we discussed many of the physical, psychological and social factors that can contribute to sexual desire discrepancy in couples. This month, we are taking a deep dive in to the role of emotional intimacy, attachment styles and relational dynamics on desire. Joining us is expert Dr. Laurie Watson, sex therapist, author, and …

1
Staying Human in a Time of Inhumanity: Spiritual Growth Amid Despair and Gratitude, with Dr. Erica Brown (189) 1:13:07

4M ago1:13:07

1:13:07

Dr. Erica Brown has been a guest on the Orthodox Conundrum twice in the past six months: once, in episode 170, about leadership, and again in episode 176 about the theology of Kohelet. It's unprecedented to have a guest back so frequently in a short time frame, but Erica’s voice is one which needs to be heard by as many people as possible. Erica co…

1
261: Buying a Business at a Great Price! Over 30 Years of Biz Buying & Selling - Richard Parker of Diomo Corporation. 3:11:55

4M ago3:11:55

3:11:55

Richard Parker is the founder of Diomo Corporation – The Business Buyer Resource Center and author of the How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price series. Richard has purchased thirteen of his own businesses and has been an advisor and broker to small business buyers and sellers for over three decades. He has written and been featured in more th…

1
The Ethics of War, Torah Values, and the IDF: Is the Israeli Army Actually the Most Moral Army in the World? With Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody (188) 1:08:04

4M ago1:08:04

1:08:04

“The IDF is the most moral army on earth.” We hear this said, and we hope that it’s true. But what does it mean? How is morality defined in wartime? Is the IDF Code of Ethics in line with Jewish teachings? Does the IDF in fact follow its own Code of Ethics? Alongside these general questions, are specific questions that relate to the Torah viewpoint…

1
The Inability to Hold Two Truths at the Same Time: Addressing the Sexual Violence of October 7th, with Rahel Bayar (187) 48:32

5M ago48:32

48:32

It has been tremendously disheartening to hear the reactions (or lack thereof) to Hamas’s crimes of October 7th. One of the most obvious instances of this has been the silence of too many organizations dedicated to the protection of women, regarding the rape and mutilation of Israeli victims by Hamas terrorists as they rampaged through southern Isr…

1
Three Approaches to a Different & Unique Chanukah: Conversations with Rabbi Judah Mischel, Rabbi Yonah Bookstein, and Dr. Malka Simkovich (186) 1:21:52

5M ago1:21:52

1:21:52

So many people have noted that there are significant parallels between the Jewish world as it exists after the October 7th pogrom and the subsequent war with an enemy determined to wipe Jews and Judaism off the map, and the themes that we pay attention to on Chanukah. In order to discuss some of these ideas in greater depth, and consider the ways t…

1
(52) Why Doesn’t My Wife Want to Have Sex With Me? 52:07

6M ago52:07

52:07

When there are desire discrepancies between couples, women are often identified as the partner with less sexual desire. Yet the experience of desire may be different for men and women, and the expectation that desire should be equally matched can create feelings of frustration and rejection. The right question may not be “Why doesn’t she want?” but…

1
Effective and Honest Hasbara: Learning How to Do It Right, with Eylon Levy and Rabbi Pesach Wolicki (185) 1:01:00

5M ago1:01:00

1:01:00

Since Israel’s war against Hamas began following the horrific events of October 7th, one of the singular challenges Israel faces has been explaining its position to the world, or what’s called in Hebrew, hasbara. It’s never easy defending Israel in the media, never mind going on the offensive; with a natural skepticism of everything that Israel doe…

1
"A Biblical-Level Event": October 7th, the Chareidi Draft, and the Future of Israel, with Michael Eisenberg and Rabbi Yehoshua Hershberg (184) 1:04:25

6M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

Many believe that the events of October 7th and their aftermath will lead to a major realignment in many aspects of Israeli and Jewish life. One of the most acute and obvious is the issue of ultra-orthodox deferments from the Israeli military. These deferments are granted based on the assumption that the Torah study in yeshivot is a vital part of t…

1
Living with Tension: Maintaining Faith and Dealing with Doubt in the Wake of October 7th, with Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbi Johnny Solomon (183) 1:11:30

6M ago1:11:30

1:11:30

The events of the past six weeks - the massacre on October 7th, the kidnappings, the sudden sense of insecurity within Israel - alongside the almost immediate and massive increase in antisemitism around the world, and open calls for the end of the State of Israel in ways that we have never experienced before - have thrown many Jews for a tailspin. …

1
The Importance of Not Getting What You Want: Sefer Devarim and its Relevance to the New Israel, with Dr. Micah Goodman (182) 1:05:26

6M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

Two months ago, on September 8th, Scott recorded an interview with Dr. Micah Goodman about Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy. The interview was fascinating, both because of the theological insights that Micah provided, and also because of the way that he was able to relate Moshe’s words to current events in the State of Israel. The terrible Ha…

1
260: From Rabbi School to Supply Chain Innovator. How Izzy Rosenzweig is Saving Customers Time & Money with Portless! 1:18:32

6M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Izzy Rosenzweig is the Founder and CEO of Portless, a company that fulfills e-commerce orders directly from China to their client’s customers' front doors, massively improving lead times, decreasing shipping costs, and lowering import tax fees. Born from a family that has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Izzy discovered his passion for business at …

1
The Worldwide Rise in Antisemitism, and What Comes Next: A Conversation with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt (181) 55:58

6M ago55:58

55:58

Everyone who listens to this podcast has heard about the waves of antisemitism that have been engulfing the world ever since October 7th; I’m sure that many people who listen have also experienced some of that antisemitism first hand. There is something so fundamentally Orwellian when the reaction to the slaughter of 1400 innocent people and the ki…

1
While Israel Slept: Questions, Puzzles, Issues, and Options Related to the War in Gaza, with Yaakov Katz (180) 46:22

7M ago46:22

46:22

There are so many questions about where the State of Israel is heading after this war, and so many puzzles about how we ended up in such a precarious position in the first place. We are rightly proud of the sense of unity that we are currently experiencing; but we cannot let it blind us to the reality that things have to change in the future in ord…

1
G-d Wants Us to Fight Evil: Thinking About the War Through the Lens of Jewish Law and Thought, with Rav Yoni Rosensweig (179) 1:00:56

7M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Israel's war against Hamas has brought the Jewish people together in ways many of us have never before experienced. It also has brought new halachic and hashkafic challenges to light that, as religious Jews, we are obligated to address. In this episode, Scott spoke to Rav Yoni Rosensweig about some of these challenges, including the right and wrong…

1
(51) Love in War: Strengthening Security and Connection Amidst Trauma and Threat 42:44

7M ago42:44

42:44

As Jews in Israel and worldwide absorb the realities of the horrors of threat, murder and violation, it seems surreal to think or talk about intimacy. Yet, in the face of threat, the safety and security of a committed partnership can be a comforting resource. And in the confrontation with death, people sometimes seek the vitality and life affirming…

1
I'm So Proud of the Jewish People, and Other Thoughts: Living Life While Israel is at War (BONUS EPISODE) 24:52

7M ago24:52

24:52

After ten days of war in Israel, Scott talks about the Jewish People, the Divine Presence, people who are emulating the wicked son from the Pesach Seder, why Jews Who Matter need to read the Book of Esther, meaningful support from wonderful people who are not Jewish, and more. It might be disorganized, and it might seem random... but maybe that's t…

1
The Catastrophic Success of Hamas, and Israel's Massive Response: A Deeper Look at Israel's War Against Hamas, with Dr. Matthew Levitt (178) 42:22

7M ago42:22

42:22

There are so many questions, and people want to know what's actually happening. In this special rush-released episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with Dr. Matthew Levitt about Israel's war against Hamas. Among the issues they discuss are why Hamas decided to commit these atrocities now, what Hamas expected to occur and what actually too…

1
259: How this Innovative Business is Unlocking Minds... 🤯 The Psychedelic Journey of Dylan Beynon & Mindbloom 🌻 2:01:25

7M ago2:01:25

2:01:25

Dylan Beynon is the Founder and CEO of Mindbloom. Dylan grew up in a family that was torn apart by mental illness. He lost both his mother and sister to severe mental illnesses, addiction, and eventually overdose. For years he struggled to process the impact these losses had on him. It was not until 2009 that Dylan began the healing process when he…

1
There Was Before... And Now There's After: Reflections on the War in Israel with Talli Rosenbaum and David Lange (177) 47:52

7M ago47:52

47:52

In this special episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott spoke with Talli Rosenbaum to discuss ways to deal with the very real trauma and emotional distress that the war in Israel has caused, whether or not we live in Israel. He also talked with David Lange of Israellycool.com to get a brief overview of the way that this conflict has been portrayed…

1
"A Theology of Distraction": Exploring the Conundrums of Kohelet with Dr. Erica Brown (176) 1:06:40

7M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

Megilat Kohelet is one of the most difficult books in Tanach: it jumps back and forth between conflicting assumptions, it lacks any obvious narrative or thematic structure, and its statements sometimes seem at odds with what most people would consider standard Rabbinic theology. People didn’t discover these problems today, of course; the Mishnah in…

1
Guilt and Shame, Repentance and Redemption: A Deeper Dive into Teshuva with Elisheva Liss (175) 1:08:22

8M ago1:08:22

1:08:22

The ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are dedicated to teshuva, commonly translated as “repentance” or “return.” According to the Rambam’s classic formulation, repentance consists of three elements: regret, determination not to repeat the sin in the future, and confession. In many ways it sounds relatively simple… though in practice, it…

1
258: From a Successful Exit to Closing a Company... & Biking His Way Back on Top | The Story of Mike Peregudov of Whizz 1:19:04

8M ago1:19:04

1:19:04

Mike Peregudov is the CEO and Co-Founder of Whizz, an E-bike rental service company for delivery riders. Mike has had diverse work experience, holding several high-level positions in the past. Prior to Whizz, Mike was a General Partner at S16VC starting in 2020. And from 2014 to 2020, he founded and served as the CEO of Yandex Chef, which was later…

1
"It's About Holding People in their Pain": Infertility and the Orthodox Community, with Dr. Aimee Baron (174) 1:03:02

8M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment, but it also represents renewal, hope, confidence, and optimism as we look toward the future. This is expressed in many ways, but perhaps most obviously in the Torah reading of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, where we read that Sarah, after a lifetime of being unable to have children, gave birth to Yitzchak at the…

1
When God Says No: A Pre-Selichot Conversation with Rebecca Sarchi (Special Episode) 28:37

8M ago28:37

28:37

The tefilot of the Yamim Nora’im - starting from Selichot and continuing through Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - are deep and meaningful, but also long and often quite hard to understand. But that difficulty is minor compared with the theological problem of how to relate to God when our prayers go unanswered... when He seems to have abandoned us... …

1
"I Didn't Know There Could Be a Bad Rabbi": Confronting Emotional and Religious Abuse, with Rabbi Mark Dratch and Mrs. Rachel Dratch (173) 1:14:28

8M ago1:14:28

1:14:28

What may a teacher or kiruv professional do in order to make people frum? Do the ends of bringing people closer to Torah justify the means of manipulating them emotionally? And even if the methodology is valid in some way, does it even work? According to Scott, playing mind games in the service of religion is not just wrong, but literally abusive. …

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