Two Rabbis, Three Opinions
A look at events, trends and people important to Anglo-Charedim, through the eyes of two rabbis with moxie. One is a newbie to Israel - Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein - the other a veteran - Rabbi Simi Lerner. And if that's not enough for them to disagree, they'll interview interesting folks, who may or may not be rabbis or rebbetzins.
Episodes
When Emunah Becomes an Excuse: Faith, Hishtadlut, and Human Responsibility
What does it really mean to say that Hashem is in control? Does emunah free us from trying to predict the future and solve seemingly intractable problems, or does genuine faith demand that we take responsibility, ask difficult questions, and exercise human agency? In the 50th episode of Two Rabbis, Three Opinions, Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner use a recent discussion about Israel
Can We Innovate Without Losing What Makes Judaism Sacred?
When does protecting tradition preserve Judaism, and when can it get in the way of the very religious experience we're trying to protect? Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner begin with a contemporary controversy over musical Selichot and Hallel, and quickly move into a much larger conversation about change, authority, emotion, and religious life. What role should music play in prayer?
Can the Haredi World Change? Rabbi Menachem Bombach on Torah, Israel, and a New Haredi Future
What does the future of Haredi Judaism in Israel look like, and can the Haredi community become more integrated into Israeli society without sacrificing its commitment to Torah? Rabbi Menachem Bombach has spent years trying to prove that the answer is yes. As the founder and president of Netzach, he has built an expanding network of schools that combines serious Torah education with mathematics, s
Is All Torah Learning Equal?
What does it really mean to learn Torah lishma, for its own sake? Is Torah learning primarily about acquiring knowledge, refining character, understanding God's will, sustaining the world, or something else entirely? Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner tackle one of Judaism's most challenging and consequential questions. Along the way, they examine whether different approaches to Torah lea
When Torah Becomes Basic Law
Israel's new Basic Law declaring Torah study a national value has been celebrated by some and condemned by others. But beyond the political battle lies a far more profound question: What happens when the state attempts to legislate something as sacred as Torah? In this episode, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner move beyond the headlines to explore whether Torah can or should be enshrined
What Happens When We Tear Down Our Heroes?
As America marks its 250th birthday, Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner begin by reflecting on the extraordinary blessing that the United States has been for the Jewish people. But that conversation quickly leads to a deeper question: What happens when a society loses faith in its heroes? From America's Founding Fathers to Gedolei Yisrael, they explore whether it is possible to acknow
Do Labels Still Matter? Rethinking Zionism, Charedism, and Jewish Identity
What happens when an ideology succeeds? Does it remain a guiding vision, or does it become a label that no longer fits reality? In this episode, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner explore whether terms like Zionism and Charedism still mean what they once did. Has Zionism become less an ideology and more a description of an established reality? Has Charedism shifted from an inward-focused c
The Beit HaMikdash Flag: Inspiration or Obsession?
A new symbol has begun appearing in Orthodox neighborhoods: flags depicting the Beit HaMikdash. What explains their growing popularity? Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner explore what these flags represent, why they resonate with so many Jews, and what they reveal about contemporary Orthodox attitudes toward nationalism, religious identity, and the longing for redemption. Along the wa
Is Hypocrisy Really the Worst Sin? | Rabbi Daniel Feldman on Morality, Double Standards, and Torah
In this wide-ranging and deeply thought-provoking conversation, Rabbi Daniel Feldman joins Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rabbi Simi Lerner to explore hypocrisy, virtue signaling, moral outrage, parenting, political discourse, antisemitism, and the danger of reducing morality to public posturing. Along the way, the conversation moves from Chazal and the Baal Shem Tov to Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Jeffe
Mesorah or Moment?
Is the chain from Sinai linear? Or are there twists and turns - and sometimes reversals? Rabbi Adlerstein and Rabbi Lerner tackle a difficult but unavoidable question: how to understand statements by gedolei Torah that feel troubling, outdated, or out of step with contemporary values. Were those ideas always correct? Contextually necessary? Or sometimes simply mistaken? This candid conversation ex
Where Did the Heroes Go? Torah, Masculinity, and the Missing Virtues
What happened to the heroes of Tanach? In this wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation, Rabbis Adlerstein and Lerner begin with a simple but uncomfortable question: why don't we emphasize courage, strength, and real-world competence when we teach the stories of figures like David HaMelech or the Hasmoneans? From there, the discussion expands into something much deeper. Is the problem about
The Story We Choose: Narratives, Identity, and the Meaning of Pesach
As Pesach approaches, we prepare to retell the story of the Exodus. But what if the Seder is about far more than simply recalling the past? In this episode, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner explore the idea that we do not encounter facts in a vacuum. We see the world through a framework, through a narrative that gives shape and meaning to everything we experience. In a time when competin
Tucker Carlson Accidentally Started a Good Conversation
A surprising claim by Tucker Carlson becomes the unlikely starting point for a serious discussion about messianism. After Carlson suggested that the war in the Middle East is being driven by Jewish dreams of rebuilding the Temple—and even blamed Chabad for pushing the United States toward war—Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner step back to examine the deeper question: what role does messia
Conspiracy, Responsibility, and the Draft: A Hard Look at the Haredi Conversation
When difficult questions arise inside a religious community, loyalty can sometimes replace honest inquiry. In this thoughtful discussion, Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner analyze remarks from a recent public forum about the Israeli draft crisis. Claims of secret Zionist plots, hidden agendas, and century-long conspiracies are put under scrutiny. The rabbis argue that Torah itself demands
How Do I Love Thee? The Purpose of Learning Torah
In this continuation of their discussion on Judaism's "mission statement," Rabbis Yitzchok Adlerstein and Simi Lerner turn to the question that lies at the heart of Jewish life: what exactly are we doing when we learn Torah? Is Torah primarily preparation for mitzvah observance, a path to personal growth, an intellectual pursuit, or something far more fundamental? Why has the Torah world sometimes
Why Are We Doing This? Mission, Meaning, and the Purpose of Jewish Life
In a world overflowing with mitzvos but often short on meaning, what does it mean to have a Jewish mission? Rabbis Adlerstein and Lerner explore whether modern religious life has lost the language of purpose, and why clarity about why we serve Hashem may be just as important as knowing what to do. A thoughtful conversation about meaning, agency, and responsibility in contemporary Jewish life. Make
In Praise of the Naive Anglo: Why Anglo sensibilities ought to be marks of distinction, rather than conversation stoppers
For decades, we've been told that we just don't get how Israeli realities dictate how Torah politics need to be conducted. What happens, however, when those sensibilities are part of the Torah mission statement, as you've been taught it? Are such mission statements quintessentially valuable, or useless baggage in Avodas Hashem? Make sure to check out Rabbi Simi Lerner's podcast Judaism From Within
The Appeal for Anglo-Charedi Loyalty: The Ramat Beit Shemesh Event
"Theirs not to reason why/ Theirs but to do and die" worked for the Light Brigade, but can it work for all of us? Can Anglos who were taught to value critical thought, and to think for themselves, leave their questions at the entrance door to charedi participation? If not, what do they do?
FRUM CULTURE: The advantages and pitfalls of having our own
Cultural independence can be a good thing, except when the topic gets dicey. Exploring what was dead wrong about Satmar's explanation of why they endorsed Mamdani - and why Mishpacha giving them cover is completely incomprehensible.
Rabbi Aubrey Hersh Responds (BONUS EPISODE)
Having been critiqued by us as a milquetoast, Rabbi Hersh responds, and dishes it out to us. Genteely, of course. Like a Brit. Also - an intro to our next series, on the place and impact of home-grown frum culture.
Stop Kvetching!: Do Jews yell "fire" too often, when confronting antisemitism?
Perhaps Jews just ought to let go of the irritations of slurs, graffiti, etc. That's just part of living in galus. Or maybe mah yafis will just make things worse? Listen as the distance between proper English gentlemen and brash Americans opens wider than ever.
The Rally and the Rift: Wrestling with the Million Man March
Many found the huge gathering inspiring. Others were less than enthusiastic about the political messages. What options do we have in reacting? More importantly - the answers are not simply theoretical.
Silver Linings?: Time to start taking inventory of the consequences of war
Is it permissible - and in good taste - to reflect upon positive consequences of a pogrom that took 1500 lives, and a war that took another 916? Can we point to gains that were made - military, politically, socially and spiritually? Is there some kind of a pairing of Midas HaDin and Midas HaRachamim? Your two rabbis duke it out. To read Rabbi Adlerstein's moving tribute to Rabbi Moshe Hauer z"l, c
Are We Literally Judged? Fear and trembling over the Days of Awe
The rabbis go at each other on whether the old-time image of a predetermination of the coming year is accuate, and useful. As well as some thoughts about Charlie Kirk's assassination as the Oct. 7th of serious Christians.
Conscience at War: Moral Relativism, Jewish Law, and the Crisis of Truth in Israel
Does one's inner moral voice count, or are all moral questions adequately addressed in halachic sources? Especially since those sources already have plenty to say about going beyond the letter of the law? Does a Torah-honed conscience add to - or interfere with - Hashem's expectations of us?
The Pitfalls of Believing Your Own Rhetoric
So many groups couch their arguments in overheated exaggeration. It works wonders for the adoring base. When people begin believing their own rhetoric, they cease to become people who can win the sympathies of others... as in the recent meeting between two gedolei Yisrael and Mike Huckabee.
Dial-a-Kabbalist
Even if you are not usually into the world of segulot, berachot from holy men et al, there's no harm in trying it occasionaly, right? Or is there? Are we becoming more preoccupied with the metarational, and does it matter? Listen as the two rabbis go at each other.
Missing the Point? Jews, Mamdani, and the Politics of Panic
When a politician like Zohran Mamdani speaks out against Israel, should the Jewish community sound the alarm—or take a step back? Rabbi Lerner and Rabbi Adlerstein debate whether Mamdani's ideology is utterly without merit. In a perfect world, how would the Torah want us to deal with the concerns he raises? Does any of that carry over to our imperfect world? The two rabbis go at each other, and ul
It's A Miracle!
There are dangers and pitfalls in seeing too many things as miraculous - and in seeing too few. Your hosts get into the weeds about this, including of course an examination of what our mesorah says. By the end, they are not disagreeing. Too much. Miraculously.
Who Is Leaving Yiddishkeit: A Conversation with Dr. Moshe Krakowski
Dr. Moshe Krakowski reports on the findings of the first part of a research project commissioned by the OU to study attrition from Orthodoxy. A professor at the Azrieli graduate school at YU, Dr. Krakowski also studies charedi education, consistent with his own roots. We speak about his own journey, the reasons why the community needs to invest in empirical reseach about the issues that concern us
Living In The Bubble: The Pros and Cons of Insularity and Isolation
Does living a truly engaged Torah life require shielding ourselves from all foreign influences? Are there greater - or fewer - reasons for advocating insularity at the moment? Are there different answers for different communities - and individuals? Can you filter out the undesirable without blocking out the good as well?
Rethinking Segulot
A thoughtful, balanced exploration of segulot uestioning their origins, meaning, and role in our lives. We dig deep, stay respectful, and don't shy away from the tough questions.
Do You Really Need a Hashkafa?
Do You Really Need a Hashkafa? Plus- Why not all Anglo charedim are walking lockstep with the American Moetzes. A spirited defense. Read Rav Adlerstein's writings at www.cross-currents.com.
Critical Thinking: The Price We Pay When Ignoring It
Charlatans promoting spiritual snake-oil, newfangled segulos, stifling creativity. All are part of a disturbing trend away from critical thinking. We allow this at our own peril. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis
Does Hamas Believe in G-d?
Does Hamas Believe in G-d? Plus - defending the indefensible. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com.
Disappointed By Gedolim?
Disappointed By Gedolim? How to deal with it, without endangering your Olam Habo - or your sanity. Want more? Tune in to Rabbi Lerner's podcast here, and Rabbi Adlerstein's weekly Maharal shiur (Thursday evenings, 8:30 PM at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/76700528687). We'd love to hear your feedback! Write to us at 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com.
Has the Age of Gedolim Ended?
To Whom do you take your kids for a bracha? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a fascinating conversation about how the meaning of "Gadol" has changed in recent decades, as well as where it - and we = are heading.
The Opening of the Charedi Mind: Why Anglos Choose to Call Themselves Charedim
It sometimes feels like many Anglos live a contradition. They call themselves Charedim, while many of their beliefs and practices stand in sharp contrast to the Israeli definition of the term. How do they deal with that - and why?
Rabbenu Hiawatha? A Misguided Analogy of Religion and Race in Israel
Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner as they analyze the misguided analogy of religion and race in Israel (even as they disagree about what, exactly, is misguided). And, how to deal with positions they expect you to believe when you really can't.
What Now?: After the US elections, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently?
Now that the US elections have come and gone, should Torah Jews be doing anything differently? Join Rav Yitzchok Adlerstein and Rav Simi Lerner for a stimulating and sometimes surprising conversation. We want to hear from you! Write to 2rabbis3opinions.feedback@gmail.com to let us know what you think.
Kiddush Hashem: Narrow and Broader Definitions
Is kiddush Hashem always coupled with the performance of mitzvos? Can it be performed even without intention? Even at the same time as doing an aveirah?
Podcasting: Does it lead to Gan Eden or Gehinom?
Join us as we interview pioneer podcaster Rabbi Avremel Kivelevitz. You can find Rav Kivelevitz's podcasts here.
Isolation or Engagement?
What is the Torah's preference about dealing with challenges to our way of life?
Karma or Hashgacha?
Why are some intent on ruling out G-d's presence in absolutely all matters, while some believe it is obviously the case? How do these views impact upon our behavior?
Words On Fire
Overheated rhetoric - the many prices we pay for it, including assassination attempts, hopeless division, and blindness to the truth.
Unraveling the Unusual: The intersection of environmentalism, socialism, and Islam
Is their coming together in massive protests in the West an unholy marriage of convenience? Or is there something more than that? Two rabbis, a bunch of opinions.
I've Got the Old Charedi Draft Blues
It's difficult, but not impossible, for Anglos who identify as charedi to speak calmly and dispassionately about the draft issue. It becomes soooooo much harder when you have to listen to some of the most contorted arguments that some "spokesmen" have put out for popular consumption. If your reasonable self is taking a pounding, you are not alone.
"Us" or "Them:" What's been missing in charedi chinuch
History forced the Torah community to develop a bastion mentality. The unintended consequence of that has been neglecting the intrinsic values of Eretz Yisrael, and of Jewish nationhood.
It's Not Your Father's Daas Torah
The concept of Daas Torah is one of the defining elements of charedi life. Defining it, however, is not so simple. We look at some of the competing definitions, especially in the light of demands to cast ballots along party lines.
Rough Time Ahead for Charedi Draft Exemption
The issue may bring down the government. It certainly threatens to imperil the national achdus. A recent Cross-Currents piece has made it's way beyond charedi circles. This episode explores the different perspectives, and the different options, on the blanket exemption for Charedim.
Who Speaks For Us – And Why?
We've all seen the carefully crafted and always polite opinion pieces by Rabbi Avi Shafran. Now meet the person deftly holding the pen, and why he moved from a successful calling as a mechanech to the often-thankless task of public defender of Torah values for Agudah.
(000) Welcome to Two Rabbis, Three Opinions
Events, issues, and personalities in the Israeli Torah world, for people comfortable with their Anglo background and chinuch. Typically, an episode will begin with some conversation between Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein and a rabbinic colleague, that will segue into an interview with an exciting guest.
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