Mordechai Kaplan Rocks Out

When the great Jewish theologian wanted to bring his Reconstructionist thinking to the attention of Jews across the country, going into the studio to record an album was the natural thing to do. This six-disc box set dropped in 1963, the same year as the Beatles' Please, Please Me, and it is a masterpiece of creative thinking. Somewhat of a concept album, actors take it in turns to cue up questions that the great rabbi methodically answers. Some he swats away quickly. Others he chooses to unravel deliciously long responses. Our favorite? "Is there any warrant for the general apathy on the part of Jews to the fact that a large number among them are involved in all kinds of rackets and shady deals?" Listen to that here and wonder how many Rabbis today are dropping such masterworks...