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Lesson 7 of 8·The Haggadah: A Political Classic

Rabbi Akiva’s Blessing—Destruction, Freedom, and Endurance

In this episode, Rabbi Soloveichik demonstrates the often-missed political wisdom in the Haggadah’s story of the sages who were discussed the Exodus from Egypt “all night.” In doing so, he brings into relief how Judaism preserves rabbis’ philosophical and theological insights even when they do not become the law.

Taught By

Meir Soloveichik
Meir Soloveichik is the rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel and the director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University. His website, containing all of his media appearances, podcasts, and writing, can be found at meirsoloveichik.com.

The Israelites Resting After The Crossing Of The Red Sea

1 of 8 The DNA of the Haggadah—Politics and Theology

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2 of 8 Children and Continuity

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3 of 8 The Politics of Time

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4 of 8 Law and Liberty

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5 of 8 The Meaning of Matzah—Positive Freedom and Negative Freedom

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6 of 8 The Politics of the Paschal Lamb

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00:43:26Now Playing

7 of 8 Rabbi Akiva’s Blessing—Destruction, Freedom, and Endurance

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8 of 8 Elijah’s Cup—Reflections on Athens and Jerusalem