Rabbi David Fohrman | The Unity of Biblical Text: Refuting the Theory of Multiple Authorship

• Episode 40: Rabbi David Fohrman "Method of Midrash & Divine Authorship" (Part 2 of 2)

• Rabbi David Fohrman has changed the game of online Torah learning with AlephBeta.org, a remarkable and innovative tool for the modern age. In this episode, he describes his methodology in learning the biblical text, of which he brilliantly draws a parallel to the complex interconnectivities of the worldwide web. Additionally, since Midrash is often misunderstood in today’s generation by both the Orthodox and secular world, he advocates for the healthier, classical approach to learning Chazal's lessons. He gives some incredible textual examples of how to "crack the code" of what Midrash is and how it is to be understood. In the second segment of the podcast, we discuss the fact that the unity of the biblical text has sadly been scrutinized with the advent of modern biblical scholarship i.e., Source Criticism. Thankfully, his profound methodology includes noticing literary constructs, chiastic structures, and intertextuality littered throughout the biblical texts, which heavily undermine the assertions made by biblical critics. He shares his favorite examples of intertextuality that showcase the fact that seemingly disjointed biblical texts are in fact utilizing sophisticated literary devices that serve to induce meaning, inspire interpretation, and deepen understanding of the verses. His presentation dismantles the Documentary Hypothesis, proving that the Torah cannot possibly be the work of multiple authors. He ends with a powerful slideshow analyzing the supposed "disharmony" of Genesis 1 and 2.

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• Bio: Rabbi David Fohrman is an internationally renowned lecturer on biblical themes, and the founder and principal educator at Aleph Beta. He has served as an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University, and as a lead writer and editor for ArtScroll's Talmud translation project. Rabbi Fohrman has also served as scholar for the Hoffberger Foundation for Torah Study. He is the author of The Beast That Crouches at the Door, a finalist for the 2007 National Jewish Book Award, The Queen You Thought You Knew, and The Exodus You Almost Passed Over. His latest book project is the Parsha Companion series, a five-volume collection on the weekly parsha.

• Learn his Torah lessons here (for all ages!): https://www.alephbeta.org/

• Here is the free video called "Rachel's Tears," which is his analysis of Midrash that we referenced in this interview:    • Tisha Ba'v 2022 | Aleph Beta  

• Welcome to JUDAISM DEMYSTIFIED: A PODCAST FOR THE PERPLEXED | Co-hosted by Benjy & Benzi | Conversations with renowned figures (of various academic disciplines) about topics that aren't part of mainstream Orthodox curriculum. We don't claim to know all the answers, but we aim to ask all the big questions! We welcome your topic and guest suggestions so please follow us on Instagram   / judaism.demystified   (DM for inquiries) and share our content with those you feel would be interested or benefit from our podcast. Please SUBSCRIBE to this YouTube Channel and hit the BELL so you can get alerted whenever new clips get posted, thank you for your support. We welcome your contributions to the show, which helps us grow and improve: www.patreon.com/judaism