Episode 90: Professor Daniel C. Matt "Becoming Elijah"

JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED | A Guide for Today's Perplexed: Confronting the Challenges of This Generation

In this episode, we're honored to have Dr. Daniel Matt discuss his book "Becoming Elijah." He explores Elijah's evolving role through history, focusing on his transformative character from Tanakh to Talmud to Kabbalah and beyond. Dr. Matt delves into the significance of Elijah's name, his unique encounter with God on Mount Sinai compared to Moses', and the profound meaning of the qol demamah daqqah, "a sound of sheer stillness." He also examines Elijah's supposed immortality, his foretold return as a harbinger of the Messiah based on Malakhi, and his intriguing ability to shape-shift, which influenced rabbinical teachings and stories. Dr. Matt further illuminates Elijah's crucial role in Kabbalah, drawing parallels between Elijah and Moses, and discusses the kabbalists' perspectives on "Gilui Eliyahu." He sheds light on Hasidic interpretations of Elijah's presence, his pivotal role in Jewish rituals like the Passover Seder, Havdalah, and the Brit Milah, and his significant role in Christianity and Islam, underscoring his universal impact across religious traditions. The conversation concludes with insights into Dr. Matt's translation of the Zohar, highlighting the need for a fresh perspective despite existing translations and the revolutionary (sometimes controversial) ideas it introduced.

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