In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Steven Gotlib, a fellow at Beit Midrash Zichron Dov and Rabbinic Educator at the Village Shul, about the relationship between first principles and how we are to live.

Rabbi Gotlib is some rabbi who is a lot more than just some rabbi. Steven has thought long and hard about the truth claims of Judaism and the claim Judaism makes on individuals’ lives.

•How does a Conservative Jewish teenager turn into an Orthodox rabbi and outreach professional?
•Should the pursuit of truth override pragmatism?
•What factors should go into someone’s decision to be Orthodox?
•Should experiential knowledge take precedence over rational arguments?

Tune in to hear a conversation about the path and process of a rabbi’s struggle with faith and philosophy.

Interview begins at 15:37.

Rabbi Steven Gotlib received rabbinic ordination from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, certificates in Mental Health Counseling and Spiritual Entrepreneurship, and a BA in Communication and Jewish Studies from Rutgers University.

Read his review on Lehrhaus of the book, "Strauss, Spinoza, and Sinai: Orthodox Judaism and Modern Questions of Faith," titled “(How) Can we Know Orthodox Judaism is True?” (https://thelehrhaus.com/timely-thoughts/how-can-we-know-orthodox-judaism-is-true/#)

References:

Torah Umadda by Rabbi Norman Lamm

Another Way, Another Time: Religious Inclusivism and the Sacks Chief Rabbinate by Meir Persoff

Mystical Experience of God: A Philosophical Inquiry by Jerome Gellman

The Principles of Judaism by Samuel Lebens

God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism by Abraham Joshua Heschel

And from There You Shall Seek by Joseph B. Soloveitchik

Nefesh HaChayim by Chaim of Volozhin

Tanya by Shneur Zalman of Liadi