Madlik Podcast – Disruptive Torah Thoughts on Judaism · Geoffrey Stern

The Original Sermon on the Mount — Jewish Edition

·32 min·2 clips

The Torah's covenant includes woodchoppers and water carriers—outsiders who weren't even Jewish.

This episode of the Madlik Podcast examines the Torah portion Nitzavim and its radical vision of covenant and community. Host Jeffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz explore how this biblical text establishes a foundational Jewish idea of inclusive belonging. The discussion centers on Deuteronomy 29, which lists all those entering the covenant—from leaders and elders to "your woodchopper and your water carrier." The hosts analyze classical commentaries that interpret these peripheral figures. Rashi suggests the woodchoppers and water carriers were Canaanite outsiders who joined the Israelites. The Sforno sees them as individuals, like women or minors, who typically lacked full legal agency but gained it in this covenantal moment. Nachmanides connects them to the *erev rav*, or "mixed multitude," that left Egypt with the Israelites. A source from Torah.com references "gerim gerurim," a term for converts drawn to the community for social or political reasons rather than purely religious conviction. The conversation turns to the story in Joshua 9, where the Gibeonites use a ruse to secure a treaty and are made woodchoppers and water carriers for the community. Maimonides is cited for viewing these roles positively, as honorable work that allowed even the greatest sages to earn a living while studying Torah. Scholar Joshua Berman's argument is highlighted: this covenant broke with ancient Near Eastern norms by establishing a treaty directly between God and every common person, not just a king. Erich Fromm's interpretation is presented, framing servitude to God as a theological basis for human freedom from earthly masters. The episode frames this covenant as a "social movement" that actively gathered outsiders. The hosts link the biblical concept to the American "We the People" and the High Holiday theme of collective responsibility before God. The tone is conversational and educational, weaving textual analysis with historical context. Listeners interested in Jewish theology, biblical social ethics, or the intersection of religion and political thought will find this episode engaging. Those seeking a purely narrative or non-academic exploration of scripture might find the detailed commentary less compelling.

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