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The Stoic Jew
My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss. I am, first and foremost, an Orthodox Jew. I am also a student of the Stoic masters: Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. This podcast is dedicated to exploring the relationship between Judaism and Stoicism - where they overlap, where they differ, and how they complement each other. I also use this podcast to think out loud about how to apply the principles of Judaism and Stoicism to my own life, with all its ups and downs.
The Stoic Jew
Rav Hirsch’s Stoic Take on Bli Neder (Seneca – Letter #13)
Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!
Synopsis: The first instance of a neder (vow) in the Torah in Parashas Vayeitzei, when Yaakov Avinu makes a neder upon waking up from his dream about the ladder. Rav Hirsch provides a beautiful exposition on the folly of making nedarim. Ironically, his comments contain far more Stoicism than the actual writings of the Stoics on this topic!
This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously. May Hashem send a refuah shleimah to Margalit Esther bat Ettel and Noam Binyamin Refael ben Dina Nili.
Related Rabbi Schneeweiss Content:
- Parashas Mattos: Bli Neder
- Tehilim 116 (Ahavti) Part 1 and Part 2
- If you're interested in a full shiur on this, check out Vayeitzei: Practical Insights from Yaakov Avinu's Neder.
Sources:
- Seneca, Letter #31
- Rav S.R. Hirsch, Bereishis 28:20
- Rav S.R. Hirsch, Horeb 471
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