JERUSALEM โ Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen, a former DJ, martial artist, and world traveler who once spent six years studying to become a Buddhist monk, has launched a new podcast aimed at answering some of the most difficult and personal questions people ask about life, faith, and identity.
The podcast, titled Rabbi In the Hot Seat, is a bi-monthly series that draws questions directly from social media users. It addresses topics ranging from spirituality and guilt to sex, drugs, war, forgiveness, and living a meaningful life.
An Unconventional Journey to the Rabbinate
Rabbi Cohenโs path to Jewish leadership is far from conventional. Before coming to Israel, he traveled extensively and immersed himself in Eastern spiritual practice, spending years preparing to become a Buddhist monk. That journey ultimately led him to Israel, where he encountered Jewish learning in a way that, he says, reshaped his understanding of spirituality and responsibility.
Today, he is one of the most sought-after educators within Aish, the international Jewish educational organization known for its outreach and engagement with Jews of varied backgrounds.
Rabbi Cohen gained broader public recognition after helping Nuseir Yassin, known as Nas Daily, explore Judaism. Cohen appeared in the 2024 Nas Daily Judaism video, which introduced millions of viewers to Jewish ideas and practices through a personal and accessible lens.
A Podcast Built on Questions, Not Lectures
According to Rabbi Cohen, the idea for Rabbi In the Hot Seat emerged from frustration with traditional models of Jewish education.
โI think it’s very important to answer people’s questions and to meet them where they are,โ Cohen said in explaining the motivation behind the project. โSo much Jewish education follows the philosophy of, โHere, this is what I want to teach you.โ Too many educators are not focused on what’s really relevant to their audience and what is actually happening in their lives.โ
Each episode centers on questions submitted by followers from diverse backgrounds. Some identify as Jewish, others do not. Cohen said the intent is to create a space where no topic is off limits and no question is dismissed as inappropriate or unserious.
Addressing Life as It Is Lived
The inaugural episode addresses a wide range of themes that reflect contemporary concerns, including identity, spirituality, substance use, sexuality, war, and moral responsibility. The approach, Cohen said, is deliberately candid.
โI want to answer the questions people are struggling with,โ he said. โI wanted to open up the platform and allow people to really ask anything that they ever feel about life, Judaism, and anything else that they want.โ
He added that the goal is not only religious engagement, but broader personal empowerment. โThe podcast aims to give real, honest, authentic, and deep answers so that listeners can feel more engaged in their Jewish identity and generally more empowered in life.โ
Aishโs Broader Educational Mission
The launch of Rabbi In the Hot Seat aligns with Aishโs long-standing mission to make Jewish learning accessible and relevant, particularly at a time when Jewish identity is under pressure globally, and antisemitism has surged following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Educators within Aish say Cohenโs background and communication style allow him to reach audiences who may not otherwise engage with Jewish learning, particularly younger listeners accustomed to interactive and question-driven formats.
Looking Ahead
The podcast will be released twice per month and distributed across major podcast platforms. Organizers say future episodes will continue to draw from audience submissions, ensuring the content remains responsive to current concerns.
For Rabbi Cohen, the project reflects a broader philosophy shaped by his personal journey. Education, he argues, begins with listening.
To listen to Rabbi In the Hot Seat, listeners are invited to follow the link to their podcast platform of choice.
