On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Rabbi Roy Furman about his book, Torah Wrestling.

They explore the moral challenges presented in the Torah, the significance of marginalized voices, and the reinterpretation of traditional narratives, including Eve’s role in the Garden of Eden and the sailors in the Book of Jonah. The discussion emphasizes the importance of wrestling with sacred texts to uncover deeper moral wisdom relevant to contemporary life.

In Torah Wrestling, Rabbi Roy Furman invites readers into an engaging and transformative exploration of the most challenging and inspiring stories in the Bible’s first five books. With intellectual rigor, deep ethical sensitivity, and a storyteller’s grace, Rabbi Furman breathes new life into stories both familiar and unfamiliar. This book is an ideal book for Jews, Christians and Muslims who wrestle with the moral dilemmas of our time while drawing wisdom from the Torah’s timeless teachings.

In a “Foreword from a Christian Perspective,” Reformed Journal Editor Jeffrey Munroe writes: “I wished I had been a member of one of Rabbi Furman’s congregations. He explores the Bible, in particular difficult passages of the Bible, with life-giving, refreshing freedom.” Then, in an Afterword from a Muslim Perspective, Wayne State University scholar Saeed Khan reminds readers that these timeless texts are “some of the greatest stories in the human experience.”

Rabbi Furman’s interpretations often challenge traditional understandings while remaining deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and a profound love for Torah, and his Jewish colleagues agree. Torah Wrestling can bring people together across religious and cultural lines to talk about how these Bible stories can be “a mirror for our world today,” writes Rabbi Allan Kensky in his Preface to the book.

Even if you “are coming to Torah for the first time, Rabbi Furman’s innovative insights will intrigue and empower you,” writes Rabbi Laura Geller.

That’s because Rabbi Furman confronts the complexities of sacred scripture with honesty and courage, grappling with issues of patriarchy, intolerance, divine justice, and human suffering. He encourages readers to embrace the struggle, offering fresh insights that empower readers to find relevance and inspiration in ancient texts.

Perfect for individual reflection or group study. Rabbi Furman offers readers a free, downloadable discussion guide to help spark spirited conversations.

Torah Wrestling bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges, inviting all readers to discover the vibrant, transformative power of Torah.

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About the Guest Rabbi Roy Furman

Rabbi Roy Furman is a native of New York, educated at Queens College, and ordained by Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion in 1971. His writing and thinking as a rabbi and as a Jew have been influenced by his work with havurot (Jewish fellowship groups), minyanim (prayer groups), and Jewish congregations in Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, and Evanston, Illinois; by his Hillel work at the University of Southern California and DePaul University; by his graduate work in the history of religions, ancient Judaism, and courses at DePaul; by his training and practice as a clinical social worker; and by his numerous stays in Israel: traveling, working, studying, and doing archaeological work over the entire course of his adult life. He now lives in Chicago with his wife, Dr. Frida Kerner Furman, a retired DePaul professor of social ethics and religious studies. His daughter Daniella is a neuroscientist living in Berkeley, California, with her wife, Yula, and their absolutely adorable child, Ilani.

The post Rabbi Roy Furman’s “Torah Wrestling”: A Deep Dive into Moral Challenges on 5/30/2025 Seekers of Meaning appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.