Podcast Episodes

Emergency Episode: The U.S. Attacks Iran — What It Means for Israel, Hamas, and the Future of the War (252)

Season 8 Episode 32

When the United States bombed Iran’s nuclear sites this week, the Middle East—and the world—entered a new phase of conflict. In this urgent episode, Scott speaks once again with Yaakov Katz, former e…

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

The New Face of American Antisemitism: Violence, Politics, and Denial (BONUS EPISODE)

Season 8

Two Israeli embassy staffers shot in Washington. Jewish activists burned in Boulder. A mayoral candidate in New York who refused to condemn the Holocaust gaining momentum. Antisemitism in the United …

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Unscripted Reflections: Israel, Iran, and the Challenge of Faith in Wartime (251)

Season 8 Episode 31

In this spontaneous and unfiltered episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott shares heartfelt reflections on Israel’s war against Iran—not from a political or military perspective, but through personal ex…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

What Comes Next? Yaakov Katz on Israel’s War, Netanyahu’s Calculations, and the Search for an Endgame (250)

Season 8 Episode 30

Twenty months into the war with Hamas, many Israelis and supporters abroad are asking the same urgent question: how will this end? In this in-depth episode of Orthodox Conundrum, Scott Kahn is joined…

Published on 3 months ago

From Beit Lechem to the Royal Ball: Comparing and Contrasting the Book of Ruth and Cinderella, with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman (249)

Season 8 Episode 29

Megilat Rut — the Book of Ruth — is one of the most beloved and widely read books in the Hebrew Bible. Because we read it annually on Shavuot, many people are familiar with its basic storyline. But i…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Can Physics Demonstrate God's Existence? (248)

Season 8 Episode 28

Can science be a vehicle to get closer to God? The Rambam famously answered in the affirmative. In the second of the 1000 chapters of his Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah chapter 2, the Rambam …

Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Having “The Talk”: How Should Jewish Parents Talk to Kids About Sex? (Co-produced with Intimate Judaism)

Season 8 Episode 27

Please note that this episode discusses sensitive topics and uses explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.

Today, the Orthodox Conundrum is releasing a new episode of Intimate Judaism that …

Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago

The Pope, the Jews, and Israel: What to Anticipate From Pope Leo XIV, with Dr. Malka Simkovich (BONUS EPISODE)

Season 8

Last Thursday, Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago became Pope Leo XIV. While Jews may believe that this shouldn’t matter to us at all, this is most likely false. The pope commands the allegiance of w…

Published on 3 months, 4 weeks ago

"You Can't Suppress the Light": The Radical Messages of Rav Kook for Orthodox Jews Today, with Professor Marc Shapiro (247)

Season 8 Episode 26

The thought of Rav Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, who died in 1935, remains extremely influential today in religious Zionist circles. Rav Kook’s ideology, particularly as interpreted by his son, Rav …

Published on 4 months ago

Inside the Real Rules of War: Colonel John Spencer vs. Media Myths About Israel and Hamas (246)

Season 8 Episode 25

Colonel John Spencer, one of the world's leading experts on urban warfare, joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about Israel’s war against Hamas. We dive deep into the realities of modern combat,…

Published on 4 months, 1 week ago