All Else is Commentary is a podcast which explores Jewish ideas (from the Bible to the present day) from a curious, progressive and critical perspective.

There is a famous Talmudic story of Hillel in which he is asked to summarise Jewish teaching whilst standing on one leg. Hillel’s response is: ‘That which is hateful to you, do not do to others. All else is commentary; go and learn.’ This podcast will explore ‘all else’ and expand its definition – well beyond just the Five Books of Moses.

If there is a Jewish text or a Jewish idea which you would like us to talk about on the podcast, please be in touch with us at allelseis@alyth.org.uk

Episode 0: Introducing All Else is Commentary

Episode 1: Interview with Toby Lloyd

This is the very first episode of All Else is Commentary, and in this first episode Elliott is joined by the author, Toby Lloyd, to talk about his highly acclaimed new book, Fervour, described by Jonathan Coe as ‘A fearless look into the dark heart of family politics’ and by the New York Times as ‘Magnificent, indelible […] a lasting allegory of our dark historical time.’ It’s a book full of Jewish references from biblical stories to the Zohar. Elliott and Toby talk about all those, and they also get into issues of antisemitism and mental health. You can find out more about Toby’s book here.

Episode 2: Rabbinic Power, Part 1 – with Rabbi Kath Vardi

In this episode, Elliott is joined by Rabbi Kath Vardi, in the first in a series of episodes looking at rabbinic legends in the Babylonian Talmud – legends that cause us to reflect on the power of the rabbis and the boundaries they put in place around learning. This week, Elliott and Kath read the story of Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabban Gamliel. It’s a story about what happens when individual leaders can become too powerful; it’s about the way in which we can get stuck when we put narrow limits on who can learn and who can be involved in decision-making; and it’s a profound commentary on how communities should operate and thrive (or not). Click here to read the legend on Sefaria.org

Episode 3: Rabbinic Power, Part 2 – with Rabbi Kath Vardi

Elliott is again joined by Rabbi Kath Vardi, in the second in a series of episodes looking at rabbinic legends in the Babylonian Talmud – legends that cause us to reflect on the power of the rabbis and the boundaries they put in place around learning. This week, Elliott and Kath read the story of Rabbi Eliezer, who is excommunicated by the other rabbis. It’s a story about what happens when an individual challenges the majority, and as ever there is much to learn for our contemporary lives. Click here to read the legend on Sefaria.org.

Episode 4: Shelomit bat Dibri – with Student Rabbi Yael Tischler

Coming on Monday 6 January … Elliott is joined by Kohenet Yael Tischler, who is a student rabbi in her fourth year at Leo Baeck College in London. They discuss the story of Shelomit bat Dibri, the only woman to be named in the book of Leviticus. They talk about the way in which her story has been told and retold, and why it’s important to us today.

Coming Soon…

• More women of the Hebrew Bible you may not have heard of before – with Student Rabbi Yael Tischler
• An in-depth reading of the Book of Ruth – with Rabbi Prof. Deborah Kahn-Harris
• Reading the philosophy of Martin Buber – with Rabbi Lea Mühlstein
• Considering the story of Moses – with Rabbi Prof. Jonathan Magonet
• More conversations with Rabbi Kath Vardi about the power dynamics in the Talmud