Transforming The Human Heart: A Talk With Rabbi Micha Odenheimer

10/25/24 • 46 min

During 2015 Joel spent two months in Nepal and spoke with the NGO Tevel B'Tzedek's Founder Micha Odenheimer about Judaism, globalization, poverty, and the Prophets of the Bible. Tevel's mission is to form education and bonds in rural communities of developing nations, to enrich communities through sharing and knowlege education and resources. This talk centers on Judaism's rich tradition of supporting 'the widow orphan and stranger' and the validities of the worlds other religous traditions, working together to improve the quality of life for all people.

About Rabbi Micha Odenheimer: 'Born in 1958 in Berkeley California, Micha Odenheimer has been a writer, journalist, Jewish teacher and social activist in Israel since making aliyah 31 years ago. Micha’s life and interests include fields rarely seen in combination. As a rabbi he has written dozens of essays on Judaism the Torah, and social justice, and has reported on trends in Judaism and the Jewish world. Micha has a special interest in Jewish mysticism and Hasidism.'

Next Episode

undefined - 'Where Do I Fit In?' An Examination of The People's Talmud, Judaism, Love and Hate, Antisemitism, and Human Unity: A Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem

'Where Do I Fit In?' An Examination of The People's Talmud, Judaism, Love and Hate, Antisemitism, and Human Unity: A Conversation with Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein from Jerusalem

Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein and Joel discuss a vast terrain of time and topics in Judaism, Judaism's relation to the World, and a Jew's responsibility and obligation to their community.

Curiosity delving deeply into the Talmud and Rabbi Gedaliah Gurfein's website 'The People's Talmud' (which is all in English).

The People’s Talmud is not a translation of Talmud, but a narration of the Talmud.

Addressed in this episode is the influence of The People's Talmud, its reach has a following in West Africa and China.

Also discussed is that every single aspect of life is addressed both in Talmud and the Torah (i.e., interface of G-d and this physical World).

Joel and Gedaliah outline some of the Sages from the Talmud, including Hillel and Shammai, and the need for discourse and dialogue in the course of antisemitism.

Also explored is ‘what is a Jewish Soul,’ from a practical and mystical perspective.

Love and Hatred as the same energy, the difference is how it is expressed.

Wisdom versus Knowledge, the importance of falling or failing in life as a way of gaining wisdom.

Biography:

Gedaliah has been a teacher of Jewish wisdom for over 45 years. His experiences have included a range from traditional yeshivot to Pueblo Indians, Igbo Tribes, China, Netherlands, Mexico and, of course, Israel. Gedaliah has also been involved in the Israeli High-Tech industry since 1995. His classic work - free to the public - is The People's Talmud.