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TSJ Interlude: Was George Washington a Stoic?

TSJ Interlude: Was George Washington a Stoic?

FromThe Stoic Jew


TSJ Interlude: Was George Washington a Stoic?

FromThe Stoic Jew

ratings:
Length:
12 minutes
Released:
Feb 15, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Synopsis: Since today is George Washington’s Birthday (a.k.a. Presidents Day) I thought it would be fun to take up the question: Was George Washington a Stoic? The answer is clear not only from biographical accounts but from the way he lived. Additionally, one of the two “non-platitudinous” eulogies given at the time of his death (according to biographer Joseph Ellis) sheds light on what kind of Stoic Washington was – a classification made clearer by Rabbeinu Yonah’s commentary on Mishlei.----------Sources:-  Robertson, Donald J. The Stoicism of George Washington-  Ellis, Joesph J. His Excellency-  Avos 4:1-  Rabbeinu Yonah on Mishlei 16:32----------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Stoic texts:The Meditations of Marcus AureliusLetters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)The Discourses of EpictetusThe Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweissBlog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.comSupport the show
Released:
Feb 15, 2021
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

My name is Rabbi Matt Schneeweiss. I am, first and foremost, an Orthodox Jew. My primary area of focus is the teachings of Shlomo ha'Melech (King Solomon) in Mishlei (Proverbs) and Koheles (Ecclesiastes). I also consider myself to be a student of the Stoic masters: Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius. Over the past two decades I have been exploring the relationship between Judaism and Stoicism - where they overlap, where they differ, and how they complement each other. This year I started a daily reading of Marcus Aurelius with an aim to explore these questions. I'll read a passage from Aurelius's Meditations and then muse (or meditate aloud) on my thoughts about what he said and what the Torah would have to say. As Seneca taught: "Each day acquire something that will fortify you against poverty, against death, indeed against other misfortunes as well; and after you have run over many thoughts, select one to be thoroughly digested that day" (Letter #2). If this podcast serves that purpose, then it will have been of value.