Space Midrash
33 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsThis podcast is on a mission to probe and report back on the intersection of Jewish Civilization and the Space Age. From ancient discussions to sci-fi, from conspiracy theories to scientific discoveries to astronauts to ethics, host Jacob Sager irreverently inspires awe and curiosity about space. He's fulfilling a vision for an ethical, artful, and inclusive humanity thriving among the cosmos and he's starting with his own tribe.
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Episodes
Robots Through the Ages: Shmooze with Paul Levinson
July 21, 2023 15:44 - 53 minutes - 72.9 MBGlad to interview Paul Levinson about Robots, AI, and the history of Science Fiction. Paul is lucky to have his novelette “Robinson Calculator,” included in a volume of sci-fi about Robots spanning over 100 years. In our conversation we talk about the famous RUR story from Prague ~ 100 years ago. We discuss the different […]
Shmooze with Paul Levinson: Exploring the Universe through Scholarship, Sci-Fi, and Songwriting
March 17, 2023 16:35 - 1 hour - 68.2 MB🚀 Welcome to Space Midrash! Today's episode is all about my interview with the legendary sci-fi author, Paul Levinson. 😍 In this interview, we covered everything from religion to space travel, and of course, his latest project, an alternate history of The Beatles. 🎶 One of the most interesting moments was when Paul talked about […]
Shmooze with Avi Loeb: from Extraterrestrial to Interstellar
March 03, 2023 15:39 - 52 minutes - 48.5 MBThis episode's guest is Professor Avi Loeb, Astronomy chair at Harvard. He has done more than 2000 interviews since publishing his book, Extraterrestrial, about his conclusion that the interstellar object called ua'muamua was of alien origin. To add to the pile, our interview was fresh and deeply Jewish. Dr. Loeb may be known worldwide now […]
Shmooze with Rachel Raz: Jewish Education in the Space Age
February 24, 2023 12:27 - 47 minutes - 44.2 MBRachel Raz is the executive producer of the Space Torah documentary about Dr.Jeffrey Hoffman, an astronaut who brought a dreidel and a Torah with him to space.
The Great American Eclipse
February 17, 2023 07:47 - 9 minutes - 9.11 MBThe Great American Eclipse will take place on April 8, 2024 in the afternoon. In this episode Jacob Offers his vision of organizing Jewish organizations together to see the Eclipse on April 8, 2024. Transcript Jacob Sager 00:00:01 You are listening to space midrash. The space age has arrived, and our culture, our civilization, is […]
Shmooze with Frank White: an Overview of the Overview Effect
February 10, 2023 17:40 - 1 hour - 57.7 MBInterview with Frank White, author of the Overview Effect.
20: Anniversary & Top Moments
July 22, 2022 15:29 - 9 minutes - 8.49 MBLooking back at 1 year of episodes, Jacob recounts 5 highlights of producing the show including his favorite episode.
19: Jewish Space Tourism
July 08, 2022 18:55 - 9 minutes - 8.62 MBIn this episode, Jacob defines the three types of Jewish tourism, outlines the current and expected modes of Space tourism, and finally mashes them together to explain how Jewish Space Tourism will start out. Transcript You are listening to space midrash. I am your host, Jacob Sager. I believe in an artful, ethical and inclusive […]
18: Narrative Collapse in the Space Age
July 08, 2022 18:54 - 9 minutes - 9.22 MBIn this episode, Jacob defines a narrative collapse, explores how the space age will bring more narrative collapse, and how he believes Jewish civilization can embrace narrative collapse, once again. Transcript You are listening to space midrash. I am your host, Jacob Sager. I believe in an artful, ethical, and inclusive humanity thriving amongst the […]
17: Jewish Civilization and the Overview Effect
July 08, 2022 18:51 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBIn this episode Jacob reviews Frank White's philosophy from his book “The Overview Effect,” and how this phenomena/effect can be positively embraced by a forward-thinking Jewish Civilization. Transcript: You are listening to space midrash. I am your host, Jacob Sager. I believe in an artful, ethical and inclusive humanity thriving amongst the cosmos. We are […]
16: Interstellar Jewish Geography
June 17, 2022 11:47 - 10 minutes - 9.35 MBJewish people who have lived are immortalized not just by streets and libraries on earth but on objects and landscapes in space that may or may not ever experience human occupation. If you’ve played Jewish geography with friends or feel a joyful affinity when learning that a historic figure such as scientist is Jewish then […]
15: Star Gazing at Summer Camp
June 03, 2022 18:37 - 13 minutes - 12 MBCamp allows us to think bigger, so what's bigger than space? This episode offers program ideas for bringing outer space to your Summer Camp. Outer Space + Summer Camp = 7 ideas for Space Programming at Jewish Summer Camps.
14: Jewish Objects Brought to Space
May 20, 2022 17:15 - 10 minutes - 9.78 MBMany Jewish objects have crossed the Karmen line into space - religious, cultural, and personally meaningful items. This episode is a quick overview of those items.
13: Two Torahs on Columbia
May 13, 2022 16:14 - 9 minutes - 9.34 MBthe Space Shuttle Columbia was the first to carry passengers. Across 22 years, it spent more than 300 days in Orbit. Among it's payloads were two different Torahs. One at the beginning of it's saga and the other, tragically at the end. This episode chronicles the Torahs brought aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia by Jeffrey Hoffman in 1996 and Ilan Ramon in 2003.
12: The New Jewish Astronauts
May 06, 2022 16:54 - 10 minutes - 9.93 MBBefore the inaugural Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic flights, there had been 16 Jewish astronauts, all professional. Since last year, 3 more Jews have ventured into space. These new Jewish Astronauts embody the intersection of Jewish and Space Age values. This Episode briefly recaps the missions of Jared Issacman (SpaceX), William Shatner (Blue Origin), and […]
11: Seeding a Jewish Space Program
April 22, 2022 09:18 - 10 minutes - 9.79 MBIn the beginning there were two space programs: The United States and the Soviet Union. Now that private companies and highschoolers can participate, Jacob considers how and why a Jewish Space Program can take shape.
10: Our Seder in Outer Space
April 15, 2022 14:52 - 10 minutes - 10.3 MBPassover and The Space Age go together. Before this podcast, Jacob began considering the impact of the Overview Effect on Jewish communities Worldwide. The Overview Effect being the cognition or experience of viewing the earth from space or in space. He wrote his original thoughts in an essay on Times of Israel blogs in 2021. […]
9: Anti-Semitism in Outer Space
March 11, 2022 16:20 - 10 minutes - 10 MBAntiSemitism has already occurred with the space age. Is it a joke or are there real consequences?
8: Havdalah – human senses in time and space
February 25, 2022 16:22 - 9 minutes - 8.89 MBHavdalah begins with counting stars and ends with extinguishing a candle into wine. Space Midrash will explore how this weekly ritual enriches the human perception of time, on earth or anywhere in the cosmos...
7: Why ‘drash on Space?
February 11, 2022 11:55 - 10 minutes - 10.3 MBEpisode 7 turns inward: Jacob's daughter asked him to make an episode explaining what Space Midrash means. He describes the intersection of Jewish Civilization and the Space Age as well as defines the title: Space Midrash.
6: Remembering Fallen Jewish Astronauts
January 28, 2022 16:27 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBAmong the 16 early Jewish astronauts, 2 died in the respective Shuttle disasters. This episode recalls the missions of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia as well as the lives and accomplishments of fallen Jewish crew members Judith Resnick and Ilan Ramon.
5: Jewish Moments in Space Tourism, 2021
January 21, 2022 16:45 - 13 minutes - 12.5 MBDiscussion on the Jewish people and objects who made meaningful space headlines in 2021.
4: Sitting Shiva for Spock
October 08, 2021 11:18 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MBAs we come into the space age and more people venture out into the unknown, we must consider how we will deal with death and mourning. The death of Spock in Star Trek 2 provides us with a unique opportunity to explore these concepts. In particular, Kirk's eulogy for Spock reminds us that it is the survivors of the dead who we can honor. Through existential tools like the Mourner's Cottage and Shiva, we can embrace the confusion and loss that comes with death.
Ep. 3: How do we see ourselves (from space)?
August 27, 2021 15:37 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBAs technology advances, we are increasingly thrust into a reality where we must come to terms with our place in the universe. This new reality has the potential to drastically change the way we see ourselves and our place in the world. Jewish civilization, with its long history of storytelling, has the opportunity to lead the way in this new era.
Ep. 2: Which Astronauts are Jewish?
August 20, 2021 15:57 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MBEventually you'll call them the early Jewish astronauts. In this episode Jacob discusses the first 16 Jewish Astronauts and the Jewish objects they brought into space. In his opening monologue, he probes why there's a higher percentage of Jewish astronauts than Jews from the general population as well as confront the misconception that there were only 2 Jewish astronauts. -The 16 Jewish astronauts and their backgrounds -What they have done in space -The significance of a Jewish astronaut post...
Ep. 7: What’s next for Space Midrash?
July 23, 2021 16:57 - 7 minutes - 7.05 MBThank you for listening to season 1 of Space Midrash! In this episode, Jacob outlines his plan for the future of the podcast. Season 1: Jacob's philosphical framing Season 2: Interviews with Jews throughout the space industry Season 3: Interviews with Jewish Astronauts Season 4: The Sci-Fi Season: probing Jewish themes in space sci-fi Season… Continue reading Ep. 7: What’s next for Space Midrash?
Ep. 6: What are Space Age Jewish Values?
July 23, 2021 16:54 - 10 minutes - 9.36 MBThank you for listening to Space Midrash so far! In this episode, Jacob shares his vision and mission for this project, which is outlined below. Vision: Jewish values positively shaping and leading human culture in space An artful, ethical, and inclusive humanity thriving among the cosmos Eradication of anti-semetism and bigotry through international and cross… Continue reading Ep. 6: What are Space Age Jewish Values?
Ep. 5: How does Havdala connect back to Earth?
July 23, 2021 16:46 - 10 minutes - 9.36 MBIn this episode Jacob discusses havdala, the Jewish weekly ritual to distinguish one week from another. The ritual involves a multi-wicked candle, spices, and wine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havdalah We bought a beautiful candle recently for havdala on amazon, highly recommended:
Ep. 4: Did Kirk sit shiva for Spock?
July 23, 2021 16:41 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBTW/CW: In this episode, Jacob drashes on Spock's death in Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn. He's not a big fan and may not have the details correct but he does not want to offend members of the Star Trek Community. In this episode, Jacob unpacks Spock's death in the original Star Trek movie, considers… Continue reading Ep. 4: Did Kirk sit shiva for Spock?
Ep. 3: Who are we in the Space Age?
July 23, 2021 16:35 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this episode Jacob unpacks three major ideas from Frank White's “The Overview: Effect” and applies them to Jewish self-conception. The ideas are The Overview Effect The Copernican Perspective The Universal Insight Frank writes regularly on LinkedIn as well as at 2211.world, a space philosophy blog. Check out a great piece from this summer: Frank… Continue reading Ep. 3: Who are we in the Space Age?
Ep. 2: Do you know the Jewish Astronauts
July 23, 2021 16:23 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBIn this episode of Space Midrash, Jacob explores common perceptions and misperceptions of the Jews who have been to space so far, as well as listing their names and briefly describing any Judaica they brought along. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_astronauts During the episode, Jacob mentions the Space Torah Project, a film by Rachel Raz about Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman,… Continue reading Ep. 2: Do you know the Jewish Astronauts
Ep. 1: What does the Space Age mean for the Jews?
July 23, 2021 16:17 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MBSpace Midrash is a podcast that explores the intersection of Jewish civilization and the space age. Our goal is to promote understanding and cooperation between these two areas. Jacob Sager is the host of the Space Midrash podcast. - How space is becoming increasingly important in our world - The increase in the number of disputes related to space - The recent overturning of laws in Israel that excluded converts to Judaism - The proliferation of live stream channels that offer different pe...
Season 1 Promo
July 22, 2021 08:34 - 32 seconds - 519 KBWhat is space midrash? It's a podcast by me, Jacob Sager. I have a vision for an ethical, artful, and inclusive humanity thriving among the cosmos. I'm on a mission to probe the intersection of Jewish civilization and the space age at our present juncture. Space Midrash is the mission log. Join me as I […]