The Pillars: Jerusalem, Athens, and the Western Mind
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.
- Update frequency
- every 4 days
- Average duration
- 37 minutes
- Episodes
- 91
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
From Trajan to Marcus Aurelius: Rome at its Peak
The height of the Roman Empire will come during the second century of the common era. On today’s episode, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions:
- What caused the Third Jewish Revolt and …
From Tiberius to Domitian: First-Century Rome in Turmoil
The period following the reign of Augustus was a tumultuous one in Rome. As we explore that time period, Rabbi Rocklin will help us with the following questions:
- Was Nero actually fiddling while Rom…
Roman Poetry: Horace, Ovid, and Seneca
The legacy of Roman poetry is one that has stayed with us for generations. On today’s episode, Rabbi Rocklin will help us answer the following questions:
- How did Roman poetry differ from Greek poetr…
Rome Meets the Jews: The First Challenge to Paganism
The relationship between Rome and the Jews is critical to the further development of western civilization. As we learn about their clash, we’ll explore the following questions:
- How did the Jews end …
The Aeneid II: Rome will Rise
Rome’s founding narrative continues to take shape as we move forward in The Aeneid. Together, we’ll explore the following questions:
- How does Virgil use the story of the Trojan horse to show that th…
The Aeneid I: The New Hero
The Roman Empire will find its destiny rooted in Virgil’s epic, The Aeneid. As we explore the poem, Rabbi Rocklin will help us address the following questions:
- How is Virgil’s storytelling in The Ae…
The Pax Romana: Rome Under Augustus
Creating the Roman Empire was no easy task, and Octavian Augustus was the man for the job. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the following questions:
- How did Augustus manage to successfully change R…
Cicero: Roman Oratory
In the tumult of the late Roman Republic, Cicero rose to greatness and glory. Today, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions:
- Why is Cicero considered so important among the great Roman o…
The Late Roman Republic: Its Troubles and Tribulations
The great Roman Republic eventually came crashing down in a series of civil wars and revolts. As we learn about its final gasps, we’ll address the following questions:
- How did the Gracchi brothers’ …
Myth and Memory: Livy's Stories of Rome
The Rome that lives on in memory owes its legacy to one of its greatest historians: Livy. As we read some of his writings, we’ll discuss the following questions:
- What made Livy unique among historia…
Across the Ionian Sea: The Rise of Rome and the Punic Wars
The next great power in western civilization will rise as Rome takes its place on the world’s stage. As we learn about Rome’s rise to power, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions:
- How a…
The Dawn of the West: Hellenism and the Jews
The Hellenistic era will open the door for Greek and Jewish thought to finally meet and begin to wrestle with each other. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the following questions:
- How did Jewish li…
Greece and the Fine Arts: The Legacy of Greek Art and Architecture
No discussion of Ancient Greece is complete without talking about its influence in the worlds of art and architecture. Today, we’ll address the following questions:
- How does Greek sculpture try to d…
Aristotle: On Politics
To Aristotle, moderation is the key to happiness, both for the individual and in the political arena. As we explore Aristotle’s Politics, Rabbi Rocklin will answer the following questions:
- What was …
Aristotle 101: A Counter-View to Plato
The next great thinker in the world of philosophy was Plato’s greatest student, Aristotle. On today’s episode, we’ll explore the following questions:
- What are the differences between Plato’s and Ari…
Xenophon: The One that Got Away
Socrates had another student who, unlike Plato, has been relegated to the dusty shelves. As we learn about Xenophon, we’ll explore the following questions:
- Who was Xenophon, and why did he fall out …
Plato's Dialogues: Crito, Phaedo, Euthyphro, Symposium, and the Laws
The questions that animate the spirit of the west can be found in Plato’s dialogues. As we discuss five of them, Rabbi Rocklin will walk us through the following questions:
- How is Socrates’ refusal …
Plato's Apology II: The Un-Apologetic Philosopher
In his closing arguments, Socrates will continue to insist that the unexamined life is not worth living. In exploring that issue, we’ll address the following questions:
- How does Socrates try to conv…
Plato’s Apology I: Philosophy Under Fire
The death of Socrates sets off a new phase in the world of philosophy. In today’s episode, Rabbi Rocklin will address the following questions:
- How is Socrates’ death a continuation of the traditiona…
Plato's Republic II: The Individual vs. Society
Our study of Plato’s Republic continues with Socrates’ remarkable insight into human nature. Rabbi Rocklin will walk us through the following questions:
- To Socrates, what is the relationship between…