Mystic-skeptic Radio Show

In this week's show our guest is Rabbi Samantha Safran who holds a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters as well as a rabbinical title from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC) in Philadelphia. We discuss the concept of Messiah or Meshiach in Jewish thought and explore the expectation of the Israelites after the destruction of the second Jerusalem temple. Rabbi Safran explains how the concept of Messiah developed over the time. We also explore biblical books such as Daniel and the Davidic dynasty and its impact on messianic expectations. Throughout Jewish history, there have been different figures who have claimed this title including Bar Kochba and Shabbetai Zevi. We also reviewed the ideas behind the book: There is no Messiah…and you’are it: The Stunning Transformation of Judaism's Most Provocative Idea by Rabbi Robert N. Levin. We conclude the interview by looking at contemporary perspectives of this concept including how Zionism and Secularism have influenced modern Judaism.Mystic-Skeptic R