In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Rabbi Dr. Yosef Bronstein. A deep thinker with scholarship and experience in many areas of Jewish thought, Yosef has a PhD in Talmud, an upcoming book on the Lubavitcher Rebbe, work editing at the Reshimos Shiurim on Kiddushin of Rabbi Joseph B. Soleveitchik, and countless lectures, classes, and students on Talmud, mysticism, and Jewish philosophy. Yosef joins us to talk about R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, whose thought on the history of halacha, the relationship between human and God, and the ascending evolution of Jewish thought are deeply fascinating. How do we make sense of change in our religious systems and laws, and the development of our traditions? Listen now to find out.

In this interview, we discuss:

- How does Rav Kook think about change in Jewish life and law from the Temple times until today?
- How can we work through dissonance between our individual moral sensitivities and the halacha?
- Can and should our relationship to Jewish people and law change over time?

Yosef Bronstein received rabbinic ordination and a PhD in Talmudic Studies from Yeshiva University. He currently teaches halacha and Jewish philosophy at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) and online for Yeshiva University’s Isaac Breuer College. Rabbi Dr. Bronstein is a beloved lecturer, writer, and teacher on topics of Jewish thought, and his book, Engaging the Essence: The Philosophy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe is forthcoming.

Interview starts at 25:52

Resources:

“To the Process of Ideas in in Israel” (LeMehalech HaEideot BaYisrael) by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
Jewish Thought: A Process, Not a Text by David Bashevkin
B’Rogez Rachem Tizkor by Dovid Bashevkin
Iggrot HaRav Kook - Letter #90 by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
Moreh L’Nevuchei HaDor by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
״Derech HaTechiyah״ in Ma’amarei Ha’Reiyah by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
“Chacham Adif M’Navi” in Orot by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
Introduction to Ein Ayah by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
״Tzimaon L’Keil Chai״ in Orot by Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook
When God Becomes History: Historical Essays of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Hakohen Kook by Betzalel Naor
Progressive Derash and Retrospective Peshat: Nonhalakhic Considerations in Talmud Torah by Rabbi Dr. Yaakov Elman
Mevakshei Panekha: Sichot im Ha-Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, In Quest of Your Presence -- Conversations with Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein by Chaim Sabato