Wondering Jews with Mijal and Noam: Can ChatGPT Be My Rabbi?

Shalom, and welcome back to Wondering Jews! I’m Noam, your co-host, and I’m so glad you’re joining us again for another deep dive into the wild, wonderful world of Jewish life, thought, and tradition.

And I’m Mijal! As always, we’re here to explore those intriguing, funny, and sometimes head-scratching questions that pop up on our Jewish journeys.

That’s right! Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or just starting to explore your roots, we’re here to learn and laugh together. Because hey, who doesn’t love a good bagel and a thought-provoking conversation?

And speaking of conversation, we absolutely love hearing from you! So, if you have any burning questions, hilarious observations, or just want to say “hi,” shoot us an email at [email protected].

Yes, please do! And just a heads up, it’s “Wondering Jews,” not “Wandering Jews.” We’ve gotten a few of those, haha. Speaking of getting things right, if you’re vibing with the show, toss us those five-star ratings and reviews—it really helps others find the podcast!

Speaking of finding things… Noam, are you ever going to tell us why you’re wearing your hat backwards today? New branding strategy for the podcast?

Maybe, maybe not. You’ll have to keep listening to find out.

Favorite Biblical Character

Alright, let’s jump into today’s episode! We’re kicking things off with a question from our listener, Amy, who asks: “Who is your favorite Biblical character and why?”

Ooh, great question! Amy, you really know how to make a guy think. You know, growing up, I don’t think I ever really liked Joseph. He always struck me as a little… how do I say this nicely… a bit of a brat. Like, come on, telling on your brothers and rocking that amazing technicolor dreamcoat? But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate his story so much more. I mean, talk about resilience! He goes through some serious stuff—betrayal, enslavement, imprisonment—but he never gives up hope. He uses his experiences to grow and ultimately achieves incredible things. I think that journey of alienation, growth, and ultimately forgiveness, is something we can all relate to on some level.

Okay, I see where you’re coming from, Noam, but for me, it’s always been King David. He’s such a complex and contradictory figure, kind of messy like all of us. He experiences such intense emotions—joy, despair, love, rage—and he doesn’t shy away from any of it. And the Psalms attributed to him? Pure poetry. I mean, is there anything more relatable than pouring your heart out to God, whether you’re feeling on top of the world or completely lost? David’s Psalms, like the one we say when we’re saying kaddish for someone who’s passed away, just hit me right in the feels.

Can ChatGPT Be My Rabbi?

So, for our main topic today, we’re diving into a question that’s both super relevant and kinda blowing my mind. This one comes from Abby, who’s part of my downtown minyan in Lower Manhattan. Abby asks, and get this: Can ChatGPT be my rabbi?

Whoa. Okay, that is a *lot* to unpack. I mean, I knew AI was getting sophisticated, but Rabbi ChatGPT?!

Right?! So, Abby was at our last Shabbat dinner, and we were, you know, just doing our usual thing—debating the finer points of gefilte fish recipes, arguing about Israeli politics—when the conversation turned to ChatGPT and all the buzz about AI. Someone mentioned how ChatGPT can now access and process religious texts, including, like, the entire Tanakh and Talmud. And that’s when Abby dropped the question that kind of stopped the room: “Could ChatGPT actually be my rabbi?”

I can only imagine the look on everyone’s faces! What did you say? How do you even begin to answer that?

Honestly, I was kinda speechless for a minute. Abby’s question really got me thinking: If AI can access and understand our sacred texts, does that mean it could answer our questions about Jewish law, offer new interpretations, or even, like, fulfill the roles of a rabbi? And, I think it’s important to acknowledge the elephant, or maybe the robot, in the room, which is that traditionally, the role of a rabbi has been very much tied to gender roles within Jewish communities. So, even considering the question of whether AI could fulfill those roles opens up a whole other can of worms, you know?

Exploring the Roles of a Rabbi

Okay, so to even begin wrapping our heads around this, I think we need to break down what we mean when we say “rabbi.” Because a rabbi isn’t just a walking, talking encyclopedia of Jewish knowledge, right? It’s a role with so many different layers.

Totally! I’m thinking back to my childhood rabbi, Rabbi Kaplan. He was this super warm, approachable guy who always knew just what to say. He wasn’t just a source of information, he was a mentor, a confidant, and a rock for our community, especially during tough times.

Exactly! So, let’s try to define some of those different roles a rabbi plays. First up, the Information Provider. Traditionally, rabbis have been the go-to source for all things Jewish. They’ve spent years, often decades, studying the Torah, Talmud, and other sacred texts. They can answer questions about Jewish law, history, customs—you name it.

Right, like that time I called my rabbi to ask if it was kosher to eat a bagel that had fallen on the floor. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

Classic! But seriously, do you think AI could ever replace that role? I mean, ChatGPT can already access a massive amount of information about Judaism. What happens when it becomes even more advanced?

Yeah, it’s kinda wild to think about. In some ways, AI is already pretty good at that information-provider role. You can literally ask ChatGPT a question about Shabbat laws, and it can spit out the relevant passages from the Shulchan Aruch. But, there’s a difference between just giving information and really understanding the nuances of Jewish law and tradition.

Totally! It’s like, would you trust a robot to tell you if that bagel was really trayf? You need a human who understands the context, the spirit of the law. At least for now.

Agreed. Okay, so what about the Educator & Engager role? Rabbis don’t just provide information; they teach. They bring Jewish ideas, law, and history to life in a way that’s meaningful and, dare I say, even exciting.

Right! It’s about making those ancient texts relevant to our lives today. And that takes a special kind of skill, right? You need to be able to connect with people, to understand their struggles and aspirations. And, honestly, I think that’s where AI might fall short, at least for now.

Yeah, I mean, could you imagine having a robot lead your Hebrew school class? Or give a sermon that moves you to tears (or laughter)? It’s hard to imagine.

Exactly! It’s about the human connection, the ability to inspire and uplift. Okay, what about the Caregiver & Empathizer role? Because a huge part of what a rabbi does is provide support, guidance, and a sense of belonging, especially to those who are hurting or going through a tough time.

So true. Think about it: When you’re grieving a loss, celebrating a simcha, or just feeling lost and alone, you often turn to your rabbi for comfort and guidance. And that requires empathy, compassion, a genuine understanding of the human experience. That’s gotta be something AI just can’t replicate … right?

It’s definitely tricky. You’re right—true empathy, that ability to sit with someone in their pain and truly see them—is a deeply human quality. But, there’s also an argument to be made that AI could actually help alleviate loneliness and provide a sense of connection, especially for people who might not have access to a human rabbi. Like, imagine a world where AI chatbots could offer a listening ear or even facilitate virtual support groups.

Hmm, interesting. Okay, let’s move on to the Life Cycle Officiant role. Rabbis perform some of the most important ceremonies in our lives—weddings, funerals, bar/bat mitzvahs. These are moments filled with such intense emotion, moments where we need someone to hold space for us, to guide us through those rituals and traditions.

And again, it’s not just about going through the motions. It’s about infusing those moments with meaning and making them feel personal and authentic. Honestly, I can’t imagine having a robot officiate my wedding or, God forbid, my funeral.

I hear you. Although, I will admit, a robot rabbi would probably nail that whole breaking-the-glass-at-the-wedding thing every single time. No shattered chandeliers with Robot Rabbi!

Haha, true! But yeah, I think the human element, that shared experience of joy or sorrow, is pretty irreplaceable. Okay, what about the Decision Maker role? Rabbis are often called upon to provide guidance and make halakhic rulings based on Jewish law.

Like that bagel situation we were talking about earlier?

Exactly! But obviously, some decisions are way more complex than a fallen bagel. We’re talking about issues that can have a profound impact on people’s lives. And to navigate those complexities, you need wisdom, judgment, the ability to weigh different perspectives and make decisions that are both just and compassionate.

And that often requires a deep understanding of not just the letter of the law, but also the spirit of the law, right? Like, what’s the most loving and ethical way to approach a particular situation? Again, it’s a lot to ask of a robot. Although, maybe Robot Rabbi wouldn’t be susceptible to human biases…

True, that’s an interesting point. Okay, last but not least, the Role Model role. This one’s a bit more nebulous, but I think it’s still important. People often look to their rabbis as examples of how to live a meaningful and ethical Jewish life.

Yeah, like, “What would Rabbi so-and-so do?” Though, let’s be real, that can be a lot of pressure! No one’s perfect, and rabbis are human too. They make mistakes, they have flaws, they get hangry just like the rest of us.

Totally! And I think that’s actually part of why we connect with them. Because their humanity allows us to see our own humanity reflected back at us. They remind us that it’s okay to not have all the answers, to mess up sometimes, to be a work in progress. And that’s something that AI, at least in its current form, simply can’t replicate. You can’t program authenticity.

Can ChatGPT Be a Rabbi?

Okay, so we’ve covered a lot of ground here. We’ve talked about the many hats a rabbi wears, from information provider to educator, caregiver, life cycle officiant, decision maker, and role model. And we’ve explored how AI might be able to fulfill some of those roles, while others seem to require a level of human connection and empathy that technology has yet to achieve. So, where does that leave us with Abby’s original question: Can ChatGPT be a rabbi?

Right! What’s the verdict?

Well, I think the answer, like with so many things in Jewish life, is: it depends! It depends on how we define “rabbi” and what we’re looking for in that role. If we’re looking for a source of information, a teacher, or even someone to mechanically perform certain rituals, then sure, AI could potentially play a role. Maybe not today, but definitely in the not-so-distant future. But, if we’re looking for a leader who can truly connect with us on a human level, who can offer comfort in times of need, who can guide us through life’s biggest challenges with wisdom and compassion… well, that’s where I think the irreplaceable value of human connection comes in.

I’m with you on that. And you know what else I realized through this whole conversation?

What’s that?

Maybe it’s not really about whether AI can replace rabbis. Maybe it’s more about how AI can help us be better Jews, better humans. Maybe it can free up rabbis to focus on those uniquely human aspects of the role—the pastoral care, the deep listening, the building of meaningful relationships—while AI handles the more technical aspects.

Concluding Thoughts

This whole conversation has really got me thinking about the future of Judaism and how technology is going to shape it. It’s a little scary, a little exciting, and definitely something we need to be talking about more.

Absolutely. And I think, at the end of the day, what makes Judaism so special is the sense of community, the shared history, the traditions that connect us across generations. And that’s something that can’t be replicated by any algorithm, no matter how sophisticated it becomes.

It’s about showing up for each other, being present in those moments that matter, whether it’s a Shabbat dinner, a wedding, or just lending a listening ear. It’s about seeing and being seen, you know?

100%. And on that note, I think we’re ready to wrap up this episode of Wondering Jews!

Outro

Thanks for joining us on this wild ride through the world of AI rabbis, folks! Who knew we’d be having this conversation back when we started this podcast?

I know, right? Next week, we’re tackling the age-old question: Do unicorns need to keep kosher? Spoiler alert: it’s complicated.

Until then, stay curious, stay connected, and keep those questions coming!

Shalom, friends!