The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
Lobel Center for Jewish Classical Education
Welcome to The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind, a podcast that tells the story of the prophets, philosophers, and poets who created the West.
In this podcast, Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin guides listeners through more than 3,000 years of Western history, offering a coherent, civilizational story of how the West came to be—along with a deepened understanding of the challenges it now faces. While many of the texts discussed will be familiar to students of the humanities, Rabbi Rocklin offers a new framework for understanding them—a framework in which the teachings of the Jewish religious tradition play a central role. For, as Rabbi Rocklin explains, Western civilization can only be understood as the product of a transformative and ongoing collision between the great traditions of Jerusalem and Athens—between the religious spirit of the Jews and the philosophical spirit of the Greeks.
In this podcast, Rabbi Dr. Mitchell Rocklin guides listeners through more than 3,000 years of Western history, offering a coherent, civilizational story of how the West came to be—along with a deepened understanding of the challenges it now faces. While many of the texts discussed will be familiar to students of the humanities, Rabbi Rocklin offers a new framework for understanding them—a framework in which the teachings of the Jewish religious tradition play a central role. For, as Rabbi Rocklin explains, Western civilization can only be understood as the product of a transformative and ongoing collision between the great traditions of Jerusalem and Athens—between the religious spirit of the Jews and the philosophical spirit of the Greeks.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 32min
Immanuel Kant: The Pinnacle of the Enlightenment
Immanuel Kant is widely regarded as the greatest of the Enlightenment philosophers. Today, we'll learn more about him and address the following questions: How did Kant's Protestant background influence his approach to philosophy? In what way did Kant influence the Romantic era? Why did Kant reject Judaism as irrational? If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
May 6, 2026 • 32min
Sentiment and Sense: Hume, Smith, and the Scottish Enlightenment
The Scottish Enlightenment was markedly different than the Enlightenment on the European continent. To help us explore this topic, we'll take a look at the following questions: How did David Hume influence the way in which history is recounted? Why would later philosophers see Hume as more reasonable than his French and German counterparts? Why was post-Enlightenment Britain more open to organized religion than the continent? Recommended Reading: Herman, Arthur. How the Scots Invented the Modern World. New York: Crown Publishing Group, 2003. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Apr 29, 2026 • 36min
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: The End of the Enlightenment
One of the most intriguing philosophers of the Enlightenment was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. As we learn about his assertions and contradictions, Rabbi Rocklin will touch on the following questions: In what sense is Rousseau at least partly responsible for the invention of the child? According to Rousseau, why is society fundamental to the individual? How can Rousseau, an Enlightenment thinker, be considered a Romantic? Recommended Reading: Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract and Discourses. 1762. Rousseau. Emile: Or On Education. 1763. Reprint, translated by Allan Bloom. New York, Basic Books: 1971. Rousseau. Discourse on Inequality. 1755. Rousseau. Reveries of a Solitary Walker. 1782. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Apr 22, 2026 • 33min
Voltaire, Diderot, and Condorcet: Spokesmen of the French Enlightenment
The French Enlightenment was a time of upheaval, and its main philosophers espoused ideas that challenged the traditional social and religious order. To unpack that concept, we'll explore the following questions: How does Voltaire's perspective on human redemption reflect Enlightenment philosophy? Why did Diderot expect his encyclopedia to be criticized? How does the Marquis de Condorcet help secularize the Augustinian view of history? This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Andrew and Amanda Gold for Dr. Abraham Unger and Emet Classical Academy. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Apr 15, 2026 • 36min
Richardson, Fielding, and Sterne: The Rise of the English Novel
Richardson, Fielding, and Sterne can be considered responsible for the novel as we recognize it today. On today's episode, we'll uncover answers to the following questions: How does Samuel Richardson's Pamela try to bridge the gap between human reason and sentiment? In what way does Henry Fielding's use of satire help portray the inherent goodness in people? How does Laurence Sterne convey the richness of life through the absurdities that he portrays in Tristram Shandy? This episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Mar 31, 2026 • 46min
Gulliver's Travels: Satirical Criticism of the Enlightenment
The first real criticism of the Enlightenment can be found in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels. While we survey the book, we'll address the following questions: How does Swift's emphasis on human character critique the Enlightenment notion of homo universalis? In what way does Gulliver's Travels argue that man is not nearly as rational as Enlightenment philosophers have presumed him to be? Why does Swift seem to reject the concept of striving for immortality? Recommended Reading: Swift, Jonathan. Gulliver's Travels. 1726. Reprint, England: Oxford University Press, 2008. This episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Mar 25, 2026 • 38min
Robinson Crusoe II: Master of His Own Destiny
Daniel Defoe's Enlightenment experiment continues in the second half of Robinson Crusoe. As we continue our survey, we'll answer the following questions: How does the novel reflect the Enlightenment view of progress as vital for the development of human civilization? Why is there a notable lack of women throughout Robinson Crusoe? In what sense can the novel be considered an updated, Enlightenment version of the Christian story of the prodigal son? Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001. This week's episode of The Pillars is generously sponsored by Denise and Camillo Santomero. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of The Pillars, we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle by clicking here.
Mar 18, 2026 • 32min
Robinson Crusoe I: The Individual as a Thought Experiment
Daniel Defoe will put Enlightenment thought to the test in his novel Robinson Crusoe. To help us explore the book, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions: How does Robinson Crusoe develop a rational response to the question of how man should respond to suffering? Why do Crusoe's labors on his island occupy a central role in the narrative? In what sense can Crusoe's religious experience in the novel be considered Jewish-inspired? Recommended Reading: Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. 1719. Reprint, New York: Modern Library, 2001.
Mar 11, 2026 • 39min
John Locke: Philosopher of Liberty
John Locke will take a different approach to society and government than Hobbes, one which will eventually be very important to the United States. As we dive deeper into the topic, we'll address the following questions: How does Locke's perspective on the state of nature inform his divergence from Hobbes in their respective views on sovereignty? How does Locke come to the conclusion that the individual has natural rights? According to Locke, why is absolute monarchy an illegitimate form of government? Recommended Reading: Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. 1689.
Mar 4, 2026 • 38min
Thomas Hobbes: A New Vision of Government
Thomas Hobbes will redefine the way we understand both government and society. Today, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions: Why did Hobbes dispense with the Medieval notion of customary rights? According to Hobbes, why is the role of the sovereign to ensure the security of the people? In was sense did Hobbes break from the ancient understanding that government was natural and dedicated to the flourishing of man? Recommended Reading: Hobbes, Thomas. Leviathan. 1651.
