Honey From The Rock
Join host Bill Lipsey for inspiring conversations with Israel's most innovative spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs. Discover how the Honey Foundation is reshaping Israeli society by empowering diverse Jewish expression and building meaningful communities. From groundbreaking rabbis to community changemakers, each episode explores how spiritual entrepreneurship is creating a more open, connected Israel—for the benefit of Jews everywhere.
Honey From The Rock
Sacred Secularism: Reimagining Jewish Identity with Dr. Ariel Levinson
Sacred Secularism: Reimagining Jewish Identity with Dr. Ariel Levinson
In this episode of "Honey from the Rock," Bill sits down with Dr. Ariel Levinson, co-founder of the Secular Yeshiva in Jerusalem, for a profound conversation about Jewish identity, tradition, and renewal.
Dr. Levinson shares his remarkable personal journey, beginning with his religious upbringing in Jerusalem and his early struggles with the concepts of halacha (Jewish law) and God. He recounts his formative years at a yeshiva high school, where days began with four hours of Talmud study, and his later studies at Yeshivat Hesder Ma'ale Gilboa.
The conversation explores Dr. Levinson's difficult decision to separate from the world of halacha, the community challenges this presented, and the profound moment of walking down the street without a kippa for the first time.
Rather than following the typical post-army trip to places like India, Dr. Levinson chose six months of solitude as a shepherd in the Negev desert. This period of seclusion allowed him to confront deep existential questions and begin formulating his vision of a "secular Torah."
Dr. Levinson discusses the founding of the Secular Yeshiva, explaining the unmet needs it addresses and his mission to make Jewish culture relevant and relatable to younger generations. He shares his commitment to connecting the secular world to Jerusalem and preserving Jewish cultural identity beyond strict religious observance.
In light of difficult times in Israel, Dr. Levinson reflects on his role as an educator and thought leader, the importance of developing a Jewish secular identity that embraces Jewish historical texts and culture, and his vision for the future of this mission.
This conversation offers a unique perspective on bridging traditional Jewish learning with contemporary secular life, and the possibilities for renewal in Jewish cultural identity.
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This Podcast was produced and edited by thepodwaves.com