Several years ago, OU Torah ran a popular series on The Kuzari, the acclaimed work of Jewish thought and philosophy by Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi (d. 1141). The series was delivered by Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, then Director of OU West Coast‘s Department of Community and Synagogue Services. Rabbi Korobkin is also the author of a groundbreaking annotated translation of The Kuzari, published by Feldheim. The series was well-received but it went on hiatus when Rabbi Korobkin relocated to Toronto to accept spiritual leadership of BAYT. While the shiurim he delivered continued to be available on OU Torah, we were saddened that the series could not continue. Now, as we enter a new year, we are thrilled to announce that Rabbi Korobkin’s series on The Kuzari is resuming with all-new shiurim!
The Kuzari is a fictionalized re-telling of a series of historical discussions that took place in the eighth century between a rabbi and the king of the Khazars, who was searching for the truth among his various religious options. During the course of their talks, the rabbi enlightened the king on matters of Torah, particularly in contradistinction to other religions and philosophies.
Rabbi Korobkin’s first new shiur, R’ Yehuda HaLevi and the World of Medieval Andalusian Jewry, can be found here. New shiurim will be added every week or so. (Rabbi Korobkin has started us off with 16 new shiurim, doubling our Kuzari catalog right off the bat, though we won’t be releasing them all at once.) If you’d like to follow the series, or begin with the shiurim in the original series, the Kuzari series page is located here. We are confident that you’ll enjoy delving into this classic of Jewish philosophy, taught by an unparalleled master of the work. (And while you’re at it, pick up a copy of Rabbi Korobkin’s translation of Kuzari, which will greatly enhance the experience!)