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Committing High Reason

Committing High Reason

Join scholar, international speaker, and author Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro for cutting-edge discourse that will change your ideas about important issues such as morals, free will, religion, politics, logic, and science. Rabbi Shapiro is the author of five books and many articles on religion and theology. His most recent work, The Empty Wagon: Zionism’s Journey from Identity Crisis to Identity Theft, a 1381-page treatise on the opposition of Zionism to Judaism, is considered by many to be definitive…

Recent Episodes

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“Most Jews Are Zionists”? Rabbi Shapiro Forces Grok to Concede
March 5, 2026

“Most Jews Are Zionists”? Rabbi Shapiro Forces Grok to Concede

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I Convinced Grok That Zionism Is Anti-Semitic
Nov. 12, 2025

I Convinced Grok That Zionism Is Anti-Semitic

Grok began this conversation defending Zionism. By the end, it admitted the Zionist definition of a “Jewish state” relies on ideas that are themselves anti-Semitic. I walked the AI through Israel’s own laws, court rulings, and official documents until its entire framework collapsed. This is the debate Grok didn’t expect to lose.
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Rabbi Shapiro Corners Grok in Debate Over Zionist Definition of Jew
Aug. 28, 2025

Rabbi Shapiro Corners Grok in Debate Over Zionist Definition of Jew

A thought-provoking exploration of Jewish identity that challenges modern conceptions and examines the tension between religious covenant and nationalist redefinition. Our guest argues that Zionism fundamentally changed what it means to be Jewish, contradicting thousands of years of Jewish self-understanding.• Jewish identity traditionally defined through religious covenant, not ethnicity or nationality• Rabbi Saadia Gaon's thousand-year-old teaching: "Our people (Umah) is only a people (U
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How the Israeli Army Shapes Jewish Identity
37
July 30, 2024

How the Israeli Army Shapes Jewish Identity

Why Chareidim refuse to join Israel's army.
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Should the Supreme Court Display the Ten Commandments?
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Sept. 28, 2023

Should the Supreme Court Display the Ten Commandments?

Join us on a thought-provoking journey through the 10 Commandments alongside esteemed guest, Bruce Fein, a distinguished Washington D.C. lawyer. As we navigate through the intricacies of interpreting the Torah and the law, I explain that it's not even possible to fathom the full reasoning behind commandments. The conversation takes an introspective turn as we ponder over the concept of G-d's justice, the idea of existence beyond the physical realm, and our purpose of inspiring others. Bruce
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How Christian Evangelicals Created Jewish Zionism
35
June 9, 2023

How Christian Evangelicals Created Jewish Zionism

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Recent Blog Posts

Zionism Has Nothing to Do with Judaism: An Interview With Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro
Oct. 2, 2022

Zionism Has Nothing to Do with Judaism: An Interview With Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro

Counter Hegemonic Studies.net JULY 03 ,2018 BY ADRIEL KASONTA Adriel Kasonta: You are a Rabbi, a scholar in Jewish history born in America to a Jewish father from Poland and a Jewish mother from England. Has this had an…
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Reviews

Great!

"Does what it says it’s going to do: challenges preconceptions and misinformation by using facts and reason. Promising start to what will hopefully be a successful series."

CasuistSophist | Jan. 17, 2021

Intellectually stimulating

"Love wrap up."

vsdnj | Jan. 17, 2021

Great Podcast for Philosophy Wonks and Anyone Seeking to Understand Judaism

"Rabbi Shapiro is a very learned theologian and Jewish Scholar. His knowledge of the Torah and Talmud is unparalleled and it’s strengthened by his comprehensive study of western philosophy and Jewish…"

Elgringorumbero | May 13, 2021
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