Discovering Authentic Judaism

This channel is dedicated to correcting a widespread fundamental misconception about Judaism. While it is commonly believed that the repressive, rigidly hierarchical norms and social institutions that characterize ultra-Orthodox communities represent authentic Judaism, this view is profoundly mistaken. A deep dive into Judaism's canonical books and the discourse of the rabbis who "reinvented" Judaism after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, demonstrate that Judaism firmly rejects dogmatism, and embraces controversy, dissent, pluralism, moral autonomy, and radical innovation. The Hebrew Bible is itself rife with intertextual disputes regarding crucial theological questions that preclude pat answers regarding what Judaism "says" or "means." The evidence shows that God has given us wide latitude to think for ourselves. As argued here, the Torah does not provide us with the ultimate truth, but gives us the best and surest means of obtaining it.