The Long Secret History of Judaism, Part I

In this episode of "The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast," Earl Fontainelle explores the long and complex history of Judaism and its central texts, particularly the Torah/Tanakh, emphasizing its profound influence on Western culture and esotericism. The episode examines the evolution of the Old Testament, highlighting the documentary hypothesis and the multiple layers of textual traditions that comprise it. It traces the history of the Jewish people from their early kingdom to the Babylonian captivity and subsequent periods, distinguishing between the history of the people and the development of Judaism as a religion. The discussion covers the shift from henotheism to monotheism and the significance of exile and redemption themes, culminating in an introduction to Rabbinic Judaism, its textual exegesis, and its early mystical traditions, setting the stage for future episodes on related esoteric topics.