Shows
JTS Exploring KabbalahIntroducing JTS's Expanding the ConversationCheck out this new offering from JTS Podcasts: Expanding the Conversation, a podcast that brings the thought-provoking discussions and dynamic scholarship of JTS directly to you. Drawing from live events, lectures, and panel discussions, this podcast goes beyond the moment—offering not only recordings of these programs but also exclusive interviews with speakers, scholars, and thought leaders.Each episode explores the critical issues shaping the Jewish world today, from contemporary cultural moments to enduring questions of Jewish thought, practice, and identity. Whether you’re looking for intellectual engagement, spiritual insight, or a deeper connection to Jewish lear...2025-06-2530 min
JTS Torah CommentaryBecoming Like the Wilderness: Bemidbar 5784The JTS Commentary for Bemidbar by Dr Eitan Fishbane, Professor of Jewish Thought, JTSMusic provided by JJReinhold / Pond5.This episode previously aired in 2017.2024-06-0411 min
JTS Exploring KabbalahHasidismThe series ends in 18th Century Eastern Europe, with the rise of Hasidism. Dr. Fishbane contends that Hasidism is a form of modern Kabbalah focused on spiritual psychology and the devotional connection between humans and God. The kabbalah of Hasidism made mysticism more accessible to a broader audience with an explicit focus on the inner spiritual life of an individual. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah Br...2024-05-2115 minJTS Exploring KabbalahThe Kabbalah of TzefatAfter the Expulsion from Spain, a mystical revival flourished in Tzefat, building on the fellowship circles that defined groups like the Spanish Kabbalists of previous generations. These communities, which were built on the cultivation of spiritual friendships and master-disciple relationships, developed kabbalistic theology, poetry, ethics, autobiography, halakhah, and more. Elements from this period and place have become well known in contemporary Jewish practice, from the blessings of Kabbalat Shabbat to the notion of reclaiming the divine emanations that shattered with the creation of the world.Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple...2024-05-1413 minJTS Exploring KabbalahMeditative KabbalahKabbalah is not limited to the sefirot and the mystical knowledge of the Divine inner self. In this episode, we examine two other focuses of Kabbalah—Prophetic Kabbalah and the Kabbalah of Names. The Kabbalah of Names derives from a form in which different combinations of divine names can be employed to achieve an altered state of consciousness. This consciousness could be employed to find a prophetic mindset. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbanePro...2024-05-0713 minJTS Exploring KabbalahThe ZoharDr. Fishbane describes the Zohar as most significant pillars of thought and creativity in the entire history of Jewish civilization. This episode explores its development in 13th and 14th Century Spain and the circles dedicated to its creation and circulation. We explore questions around its language and authorship and how the mystical midrashim or stories of the Zohar redefine conceptions of the Divine self.Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by...2024-04-1615 minWhat Now? A JTS PodcastIntroducing: Exploring KabbalahCheck out this new series from JTS Podcasts, Exploring Kabbalah. Dr. Eitan Fishbane shares the complext history of Jewish mystical thought from the Torah to Hasidism. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah BrownCover art: Lee WilletTheme music: “Yah Notein Binah” from Seeds of SongFind more JTS Podcasts at www.jtsa.edu/torah/podcasts2024-04-1112 minJTS The Evolution of TorahIntroducing: Exploring KabbalahCheck out this new series from JTS Podcasts, Exploring Kabbalah. Dr. Eitan Fishbane shares the complext history of Jewish mystical thought from the Torah to Hasidism. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah BrownCover art: Lee WilletTheme music: “Yah Notein Binah” from Seeds of SongFind more JTS Podcasts at www.jtsa.edu/torah/podcasts2024-04-1112 minJTS Both/AndIntroducing: Exploring KabbalahCheck out this new series from JTS Podcasts, Exploring Kabbalah. Dr. Eitan Fishbane shares the complext history of Jewish mystical thought from the Torah to Hasidism. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah BrownCover art: Lee WilletTheme music: “Yah Notein Binah” from Seeds of SongFind more JTS Podcasts at www.jtsa.edu/torah/podcasts2024-04-1112 minJTS Torah CommentaryIntroducing: Exploring Kabbalah from JTS PodcastsCheck out this new series from JTS Podcasts, Exploring Kabbalah. Dr. Eitan Fishbane shares the complext history of Jewish mystical thought from the Torah to Hasidism. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah BrownCover art: Lee WilletTheme music: “Yah Notein Binah” from Seeds of SongFind more JTS Podcasts at www.jtsa.edu/torah/podcasts2024-04-1112 minJTS Exploring KabbalahThe Origins of Kabbalah in Medieval EuropeMoving from the Middle East to Germany, Spain, and France, this episode explores the practices and intellectual exercises of these communities. During this timeperiod, the practice of Kabbalah (literally received tradition) begins to take shape in Provence, France. One of the primary foci is the development of the Sefirot, the ten radiant dimensions of the inner Divine Self. Subscribe now:RSS: https://www.spreaker.com/show/3550593/episodes/feedApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exploring-kabbalah/id1739159484Hosted by: Dr. Eitan FishbaneProduced by Ellie GettingerEdited by Sarah Brown2024-04-0915 minJTS Exploring KabbalahRabbinic MysticismAfter the destruction of the Temple, the rabbis built on Biblical mystical practice. Through both Talmudic and Midrashic creativity, the rabbis of this period expanded and developed new models of mysticism. They also created boundaries for this practice, establishing the ein dorshin (one must not expound on) in Mishnah Hagigah 2:1, limiting the content around work of Creation and the work of the Chariot to those who are wise who understand their own mind. After expanding on these elements, Dr. Fishbane engages the story of the Pardes, the four scholars who enter the orchard and what happens after a revelatory experience.2024-04-0211 minJTS Exploring KabbalahIn The BeginningThis episode introduces the central themes of Jewish mysticism which will be developed throughout this series. The themes are spiritual awareness and consciousness, monism (God is the oneness of ALL being) or pantheism (God is the oneness in all reality), cultivation of contemplative experiences, the principle of Ineffability (what lies beyond the ability of ordinary language and knowing), and theurgy (human actions can impact divine realms). While there are many biblical texts that contain mystical elements, Dr. Fishbane focuses on the experiences described in Ezekiel 1 and Isaiah 6, which provide foundational elements for Jewish mysticism.Subscribe now:...2024-03-2611 minJTS Torah CommentaryTerumah--The Gift That Elevates: Terumah 5784The JTS Commentary for Terumah by Dr. Eitan Fishbane, Professor of Jewish Thought, JTSThis commentary was originally broadcast in 2014.Music provided by JJReinhold / Pond5.2024-02-1310 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldSelf & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth-Century Kabbalah - Class #5A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14JGleBQE8nwYtoRTtm2v36G8I4wckb_Y/viewAbout the event: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and J...2023-12-0852 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldSelf & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth-Century Kabbalah - Class #4A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. Fishbane*Source Sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qzW3jl5I1ZWug2YIpQ_JAcouT1g51LRe/viewAbout the event: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judai...2023-12-0255 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldSelf & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth-Century Kabbalah - Class #3A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. FishbaneAbout the event: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and Jewish mysticism in particular. Through a variety of concerns, ideas, and genres of writing, the mystics of this...2023-11-2756 min
Turn it and Turn itThe Divine Human: Incarnational Thinking in Kabbalah and Hasidism with Dr. Eitan P. FishbaneThis season of Turn it & Turn it is on the topic of: "Divinity & Humanity"
This audio was originally recorded on 12/25/2017 as part of Drisha's Winter Week of Learning.
2023-11-201h 17
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldSelf & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth-Century Kabbalah - Class #2A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. FishbaneAbout the event: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and Jewish mysticism in particular. Through a variety of concerns, ideas, and genres of writing, the mystics of this...2023-11-1755 min
Turn it and Turn itLove of God, Love of Fellow: Encountering God in the Face of the Other with Dr. Eitan P. FishbaneThis season of Turn it & Turn it is on the topic of: "Judaism & Other Faiths"
Jews and Christians have lived together for 2000 years, through theological tension, cooperation, polemics, and violence. What are the theological issues that have defined each group’s identity over the course of time? How did each community read the Bible? Are there commonalities to be found between the kabbalistic and Hasidic traditions and Christianity?
Click here to view the accompanying source sheet.
This audio was originally recorded on 12/27/2017 as part of Drisha's Winter Week.
2023-11-151h 24
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldSelf & Mystical Identity in Sixteenth-Century Kabbalah - Class #1A virtual, five-part series presented by Professor Eitan P. FishbaneAbout the event: In what would become the legendary kabbalistic hilltop town of Tzfat in the 1500s—the birthplace of such timeless texts as Lekha Dodi and Yedid Nefesh; a location whose larger-than-life figures included such luminaries as Rabbi Yosef Karo, Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Rabbi Yitzhak Luria (the ARI), and many others— there unfolded one of the most remarkable chapters in the entire history of Judaism, and Jewish mysticism in particular. Through a variety of concerns, ideas, and genres of writing, the mystics of this...2023-11-1158 min
Jewish Quest21 Ki Tisa - with Dr Eitan FishbaneDr Eitan Fishbane investigates the mystical undercurrents surrounding the story of Moses smashing the two tablets. In conversation with Simon Eder.--Dr Eitan Fishbane is Associate Professor of Jewish Thought at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he teaches students in all five graduate and undergraduate schools. Fishbane earned his Ph.D. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Brandeis University, and he served on the faculties of Carleton College and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion before coming to JTS in 2006. Dr. Fishbane has devoted his research and writing primarily to t...2022-02-1320 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldEmbers of Pilgrimage – Interview with Dr. Eitan Fishbane on his new book!ABOUT THE EVENT:
This event will be a book interview of Dr. Fishbane’s latest work of original poetry entitled:
“EMBERS OF PILGRIMAGE”.
Rabbi Dr. Aubrey Glazer, who wrote the interpretive introduction, will offer a valuable voice in drawing meaning from the poetry while in conversation with Dr. Fishbane. Rabbi Dr. Aubrey is also the Director of The Panui Institute, of which this book is a project.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Dr. Eitan P. Fishbane is Associate Professor of Jewish Thought at The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), where he teaches students in all five graduate and undergraduate schools. Fishbane earned his Ph.D...2021-11-121h 00JTS Torah CommentaryRebuilding the Temple Within: Devarim 5781The JTS Commentary for Devarim by Dr. Eitan Fishbane. Music provided by JJReinhold / Pond5.2021-07-1406 min
JTS Between the Lines: Author Conversations from the Library of JTSAbraham Joshua Heschel: Mind, Heart, SoulIn his magisterial new biography of Abraham Joshua Heschel, Dr. Edward K. Kaplan tells the engrossing, behind-the-scenes story of the life, philosophy, struggles, yearnings, writings, and activism of one of the 20th century’s most outstanding Jewish thinkers. Following this extraordinary figure through his Hasidic childhood in Warsaw to his pursuit of a doctorate in Berlin to his escape from the Nazis to the United States, and into his courageous activism as a voice for nonviolent social action—Heschel marched with Martin Luther King Jr., expressed strong opposition to the Vietnam War, and helped reverse long-standing antisemitic Catholic Church doctrine on J...2019-12-111h 16JTS Torah CommentaryKi Tissa 5779The JTS Torah commentary for Ki Tissa by Dr. Eitan Fishbane.2019-02-2008 min
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldEitan Fishbane - Love of Neighbor, Love of God: How the Two are One in Jewish Mystical ThoughtProfessor Eitan Fishbane, associate professor of Jewish thought at the Jewish Theological Seminary (www.eitanfishbane.com/), presents his lecture "Love of Neighbor, Love of God: How the Two are One in Jewish Mystical Thought" before an audience at Congregation Or Tzion (www.congregationortzion.org) in Scottsdale, AZ.
ABOUT THIS LECTURE: The imperative to love (ve-ahavtah) appears in at least three ways in the Torah: the command to love God, to love one’s neighbor as oneself, and to love the stranger. In this session we will explore mystical sources that characterize these loves as inseparably intertwined; that one encounters God in...2019-02-191h 26
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldEitan Fishbane - Is the Human Being Divine? Soul and Body in Jewish Mystical ThoughtProfessor Eitan Fishbane, associate professor of Jewish thought at the Jewish Theological Seminary (www.eitanfishbane.com/), presents his lecture "Is the Human Being Divine? Soul and Body in Jewish Mystical Thought" before an audience at Temple Solel (www.templesolel.org/) in Paradise Valley, AZ.
ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Influential kabbalists argued that the soul is the essence of a person and that the soul is a direct emanation from God. So can we claim that there is a true distinction between Divinity and humanity? We will study sources from Kabbalah and Hasidism that develop this subject, seeking to understand how Jewish...2019-02-191h 08
Jewish Ideas to Change the WorldEitan Fishbane - Discovering God in the Natural World: Insights from Kabbalah and HasidismProfessor Eitan Fishbane, associate professor of Jewish thought at the Jewish Theological Seminary (https://www.eitanfishbane.com/), presents his lecture "Existentialist Messianism" before an audience at Temple Chai (www.templechai.com/) in Phoenix, AZ.
ABOUT THIS LECTURE: Divine sparks beneath the surface of the mundane. Nature as a window onto the divine mystery. Wilderness as the audible song of revelation. Like their counterparts in other spiritual traditions, Jewish mystics have articulated the wonder and holy power of Nature’s Temple, the manner in which the earthly is experienced as an indwelling of God. In this session, we will explore several cl...2019-02-181h 22JTS Between the Lines: Author Conversations from the Library of JTSThe Art of Mystical NarrativeWatch the event video at http://www.jtsa.edu/the-art-of-mystical-narrative-a-zohar-symposiumIn The Art of Mystical Narrative: A Poetics of the Zohar (Oxford University Press, 2018), Dr. Eitan Fishbane reveals the Zohar as an extraordinary narrative—the tale of a wandering kabbalist sage seeking wisdom in ancient Galilee—a fiction invented by 13th-century Jewish mystics in Spain. Calling it “one of the greatest works of world religious literature,” Dr. Fishbane explores the Zohar’s storytelling through the various lenses of literary criticism, clarifying its deep integration with mystical theology.This event features a discussion of the narrative and poetic fea...2018-12-131h 16JTS Torah CommentaryVayeshev 5778The JTS Torah Commentary Podcast for Parashat Vayeshev 5778 by Dr. Eitan Fishbane.2017-12-0611 min