86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

86. The Meaning of Life | Dr. Alan Mittleman

From The Podcast of Jewish Ideas by Torah in Motion

February 19, 2026 · 1h 10m · Season 1 · Episode 86

About this episode

J.J. and Dr. Alan Mittleman discuss the Jewish perspective on the meaning of life and existential questions.

J.J. and Dr. Alan Mittleman make meaning out of a moment (or two). How does the Jewish tradition handle the big existential question? What does this all mean? Why are we here? If you or your business are interested in sponsoring an episode or mini-series, please reach out at podcasts@torahinmotion.org Follow us on Bluesky @jewishideaspod.bsky.social for updates and insights! Please rate and review the the show in the podcast app of your choice. We welcome all complaints and compliments at podcasts@torahinmotion.org For more information visit torahinmotion.org/podcasts Alan Mittleman is the Aaron Rabinowitz and Simon H. Rifkind Chair in Jewish Philosophy Emeritus at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City. He is the author of eight books. His most recent is Absurdity and Meaning in Contemporary Philosophy and Jewish Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2023). His previous book, Does Judaism Condone Violence? Holiness and Ethics in the Jewish Tradition (Princeton, 2018) won the National Jewish Book Award for Modern Jewish Thought and Experience in 2018. Other works include Human Nature and Jewish Thought: Judaism's Case for Why Persons Matter (Princeton, 2015), A Short…

People in this episode

Host: J.J.

Guest: Dr. Alan Mittleman

Topics covered

  • meaning of life
  • Jewish philosophy
  • existential questions
  • Jewish tradition
  • ethics
  • spirituality

Keywords

  • meaning of life
  • Jewish philosophy
  • existential questions
  • Alan Mittleman
  • spirituality
  • ethics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Jewish Theological Seminary

Books & works: Absurdity and Meaning in Contemporary Philosophy and Jewish Thought, Does Judaism Condone Violence? Holiness and Ethics in the Jewish Tradition, Human Nature and Jewish Thought: Judaism's Case for Why Persons Matter, A Short History of Jewish Ethics, Hope in a Democratic Age, Jewish Virtue Ethics

More episodes of The Podcast of Jewish Ideas

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Podcast of Jewish Ideas podcast page.