This week we say shalom to TikToker and self-proclaimed "massive Jewish nerd" Miriam Anzovin. Miriam has delighted many and enraged others in the Jewish world with her unorthodox (in all the ways) take on important Jewish texts. In her TikTok series "Daf Reactions" Miriam goes through the Daf Yomi, a page-a-day cycle of Talmudic study, tying the Talmud in to her daily life as a milennial in modern society. Her videos take a critical look at the writings of the ancient sages, and connect the stories to what's happening in modern pop culture, politics, and society. Sometimes a lightning rod for controversy, and sometimes just the breath of fresh air that those studying the Talmud need, her work has gotten attention from around the world. For more Miriam, you can visit her website https://www.miriamanzovin.com/ Or check her out in the various places: TikTok Instagram Youtube BlueSky Threads Mastodon   If you want to support our show, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma

It's one of the big issues of our time. A great dividing line in our society. In fact, at this point it's almost impossible not to have big feelings about the issue of abortion. And one of the big weapons used in galvanizing people in the culture war is the Bible. But does it actually say what people on both sides of the issue claim it says? This week, Data Over Dogma dives into the deep end of this controversial pool to explore whether the Bible actually takes a stance on abortion. Many in the pro-life (or more accurately the anti-abortion) camp are absolutely certain that the Bible is in their corner. How defensible is their position. On the other side, many pro-choice folks say that the Bible not only doesn't condemn abortion, it actually has at least one place where it actually condones it. Are they misreading that passage? The abortion debate can feel very black and white in our time, and people are making biblical arguments about it left and right. On this week's show, we're stepping into the fray to see whose arguments hold up, and whose should be terminated.   If you want to support our show, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma

Want to know why the first two books of the Bible conflict with each other? Confused by the story of Joseph that seems to keep switching its narrative mid-stream? Looking for an explanation for why the pentateuch (that's the first five books of the Bible) seems like it's a bunch of different traditions all smashed together? Well, this week on D>D, we've brought in Princeton University's Dr. Liane M. Feldman to talk about--brace yourself--neodocumentarianism! That's right, neodocumentarianism. That's a MINIMUM of 26 Scrabble points, but it would take some extraordinary events to be able to play it... Anyway, if you don't know anything about the Neo-Documentary Hypothesis (and really, who does?), you're not alone. But you're definitely going to have some fun learning about it!   If you want to support our show, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma

Look out, Cecil B. DeMille, because the Dans are coming for you! That's right--making absolutely zero apologies to Messrs DeMille, Heston, or even Kilmer (for all you Dreamworks fans), we're letting the data run roughshod over the story of the biblical exodus. The tale is beloved: a man of lowly birth but raised among royalty returns to his roots to save his enslaved people from bondage, but did any of it actually happen? How much do we actually know, and how do we know it?  Then we dive deep into Exodus 22:29... because it's horrifying. Is it possible that God commanded his chosen people to sacrifice their own children to Him? That doesn't sound right. Maybe there's another way to interpret that, right? Right??? If you want to support our show, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma

How old was he? Well, he was so old that Dr. Dan is sick of getting asked about him all the time! That's right, this week we're starting the show discussing the ages of the patriarchs. Did Noah and his ancestors really live over nine hundred years each? Could Adam actually have celebrated his great, great, great, great, great, great grandson's 50th birthday with him? If not, why would the Bible say that?  Then we move on to another tricky topic: the apocrypha! Why were some books kept in the Bible, and others rejected? Who gets to make the call when a book is called into question? Are there set criteria? Are those criteria better than just "Martin Luther didn't like that one"? Find out the answer to these questions and more!   If you want to support our show, please consider becoming a monthly patron at www.patreon.com/DataOverDogma   Also, follow us on the various social media places:  facebook.com/DataOverDogmaPod twitter.com/data_over_dogma