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A Rabbi and a Reverend walk into a podcast... and talk REAL about religion. We are Rabbi Eric Linder and Reverend Joel Tolbert. We became colleagues and friends in 2012 when we both found ourselves serving congregations near Athens, GA. We were founding members of an area Interfaith group that grew from seven to over sixty clergy. Today, we live in different states but come together here to discuss faith, God, religion, entertainment, and tech. We’ll dive into the social, cultural, political, and topical too. We have quick minds, sharp tongues, and good hearts, and we hope you enjoy being a part of these conversations!
Episodes
Sunday Aug 15, 2021
Sunday Aug 15, 2021
Description:
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Show Notes:
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
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How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Aug 08, 2021
Sunday Aug 08, 2021
Description:
If you take the Bible seriously, it's hard to read through its entirety without seeing God do some unfair "stuff." What do we do with these texts, and how do we handle the possible disconnect between these texts and the God that we believe in, or want to believe in?
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Show Notes:
God’s 10 attributes: This is one of many drawings that depict the so-called 10 vessels of God - https://people.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Sefirot/Sefirot.html
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jul 25, 2021
Sunday Jul 25, 2021
How practical is it to STOP one day a week and just rest? And how do we define sabbath rest? Is it okay to push an elevator button, or help a stray animal, or drive to the store? The problem of Sabbath is a direct challenge to our culture of produce, excel, consume. Rabbi Eric and Reverend Joel wonder about the origins and purpose of Sabbath, and why so many people avoid it entirely or take it too far.
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Show Notes:
39 categories of work that are prohibited on Shabbat:
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/102032/jewish/The-39-Melachot.htm
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jul 18, 2021
Sunday Jul 18, 2021
Rev. Joel had a weeks vacation, but tonight, we're back to discuss Gender. Too often, cultural patriarchy is written into the scriptural texts. Sometimes, we mishear the texts and impose our gender stereotypes or biases onto the texts. Rabbi Eric and Rev. Joel reflect on ways some scriptures tell the story of gender uniqueness and differences, and challenge interpretations used to empower the male gender over all others.
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Show Notes:
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jul 04, 2021
Sunday Jul 04, 2021
This week, Joel and Eric talk about loyalty, and discuss some texts and modern day examples that are theologically problematic, but important nonetheless.
Eric brings up the 5th commandment (“Honor your father and mother” as well as the story of Pinchas (Numbers 25:10).
Joel shares some powerful parables of Jesus regarding familial loyalty, and also brings up the connections between loyalty, obedience, and love.
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Show Notes:
Article on Israel that Eric brings up in the episode:
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/i-am-angry-and-i-cannot-put-my-anger-aside-until-things-are-quiet/
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
Sunday Jun 27, 2021
This week, Joel and Eric reflect on difficult texts that deal with the theme of forgiveness.
Among other things, Eric talks about the connection between love and forgiveness and Joel shares his belief that God does not require our forgiveness in order for us to be forgiven.
Show Notes:
Eric referenced a midrash (story) that talked about 10 things created before God decided to create the universe. There are actually several of these stories that imagine things God created before saying “Let there be light.”
Eric mentioned a “Heschel quote” in the conversation. Abraham Joshua Heschel was a famous 20th century rabbi notable for both his scholarship and activism. In speaking about the devastating evil of the Holocaust, he said, “Some are guilty, but all are responsible.”
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jun 20, 2021
Sunday Jun 20, 2021
This is the first episode of Realigion Season 2!
Each episode this season will focus on a specific theme, and Joel and Eric have chosen "difficult texts" to match with each theme.
This week, "Free Will."
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Show Notes:
Do we have free will? Does it matter? and can God interfere in our lives so that free will is taken away?
Joel starts us off with a close look at the Lord's Prayer, specifically with regard to the phrase, "thy will be done."
Eric quotes the Talmud, which mentions that that God is control of all things, other than whether or not someone has "awe of God."
Eric brings up some midrashim (stories) from Jewish tradition as well as the troubling text where God hardens Pharoah's heart. Did Pharoah then not have free will? (Exodus 12).
They both talk about how the concepts of free will are linked to an oft-quoted phrase that bothers both of them, namely: "Everything happens for a reason."
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
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How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
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Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Jun 13, 2021
Sunday Jun 13, 2021
Welcome to Season 2 of "Real"igion!
After a brief hiatus, Eric & Joel are back.
During this season, they will focus on difficult texts from the Jewish and Christian traditions. In this teaser episode, they talk about some of those themes and texts. They are excited to discuss this along with you; please consider leaving feedback and/or questions!
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Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
__________
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
__________
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
This week, Joel & Eric talk about taking text and scripture text literally vs metaphorically.
Here are a few examples that they use to “break open” (metaphorically, of course) this topic :)
- Do not put a stumbling block before the blind. (Leviticus 19:14)
- Do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19)
- Do not lie with a male as one does with a woman (Leviticus 18:22)
- All men are created equal
They also talk about hamburgers, Supreme Court justices, Star Wars, and Joel’s continued inability to get an Xbox.
*Note: Joel's Mic settings were a bit off this episode. Apologies for the odd sound behind his voice, and promises to do better in Season 2!
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How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
There are LOTS of Supreme Court cases lately that make decisions about religious freedoms. Where is the line between freedom to practice religion and religion's ability to impose its practices on others? How can we tell if we are protecting our own freedom to practice our religion or asking the government to sanction imposing our religious beliefs and practices on others around us? Eric and Joel push and pull on each other to find the line.
Show Notes:
A Legal Winning Streak for Religion - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Matthew 22:15-22 NRSV - The Question about Paying Taxes - Then - Bible Gateway
Contact (1997) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers - Bing video
How to follow Rabbi Eric
Twitter @geekyrabbi
Blog Geeky Rabbi | Theology, Technology and a bit of Music
Home - Congregation Children of Israel, Athens Georgia (ccisrael.org)
How to follow Rev. Joel
Twitter @treblotj
Blog Cross Purposes | Blog of Rev. Joel Tolbert
Send feedback, show ideas, comments, and suggestions to:
Music "Modulation in the Spirit" by Little Glass Men, Composer Ryan Claus (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)