What is Mahloket Matters?
Mahloket Matters, founded by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Roth in 2008, grew from his vision of transforming Jewish text study into a training ground for navigating contemporary disagreements. While teaching at Pardes, Daniel began using close readings of classical sources and exploration of opposing commentaries as a model for constructive dialogue. This approach evolved into Mahloket Matters, a movement that has reached over 23,000 people through fellowships, workshops, and curricula for teens, educators, clergy, synagogues, and community leaders.
In Jewish tradition, mahloket—debate or disagreement—is not something to avoid but a sacred path to wisdom and connection. The sages of the Mishnah and Talmud saw it as essential to deepening understanding and strengthening community. Mahloket Matters carries this wisdom forward, combining Jewish text study, social psychology, and practical conflict resolution skills to foster open, empathetic engagement across differences. Using Pardes’s disagreement protocol, participants learn how to disagree with humility, curiosity, and integrity in order to spark individual growth, strengthen relationships, help solve problems, and build a more compassionate world.