In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we talk to Dr. Tova Ganzel about biblical Judaism, and the shift of rabbinic authority over time. Tova Ganzel is a professor of Judaics at Bar Ilan University. In our discussion with her, we discuss the evolution of mitzvah observance from biblical times and the transmission of authority within Judaism. - Who gives rabbis their authority? - How did Jewish law evolve during the Second Temple Period? - What did the prophets do to popularize Judaism?  Tune in to hear a conversation on authoritative figures, authoritative texts, and accepting authority . Interview begins at 15:09Tova Ganzel is a Senior Lecturer at the Multidisciplinary Department of Jewish Studies at the Bar-Ilan University and Head of the Cramim Jewish Studies Honors Program. Tova was the director of the Midrasha – Institute for Advanced Torah Studies at Bar-Ilan University and is a certified women’s halakhic advisor (yo’etzet halakha). She holds a Ph.D. in Bible from Bar- Ilan and is a renowned figure in the world of Jewish education for women. Her work is widely published, and she is the recipient of numerous academic awards. She lives in Jerusalem with her husband and family.References:The Jewish Self by Jeremy KaganTractate Yoma 69bTractate Sanhedrin 64aBook of Nechemiah Pachad Yitzchak - “Letter #19” by Rav Yitzchak Hutner "I Am The Least Interesting Person In My Family" - Alex Edelman Performs Stand-Up on The Late ShowSeder Olam Rabbah 30 by Rav Eliyahu of VilnaEzekiel: From Destruction to Restoration by Tova GanzelShir HaShrim Rabbah 5:5Book of EzraMegillat EstherMegillat TaanitYechezkel 1Parshat YitroShulchan Aruch by Rabbi Yosef KaroPninei Halacha by HaRav Eliezer MelamedKitzur Shulchan Aruch by Rav Shlomo Ganzfried Mekor Chaim HaShalem by Rabbi Chaim David HaLeviMishna Berurah by Rabbi Yisrael Meir KaganYirmiyahu 17:21״יש צורות רבות ומגוונות לייצר דיון הלכתי, תקיפה היא לא אחת מהן״ by Tova Ganzel“Responsa: The Law as Seen By Rabbis for 1,000 Years" by Israel L. ShenkerMalachi 3:22-24Megillot Midbar Yehuda - HaChiburim HaIvriim by Elisha KimronMegillot in Qumran by Menahem KisterFrom Qumran to the Tannaic Time by Vered NoamThe Bar Kokhba Revolt - The Archaeological Evidence by Hanan Eshel and Boaz ZissuMaccabees I & IIBook of JubileesMishna Torah, Hilchot Mamarim by MaimonidesThe 13 Principles of Torah Elucidation by Rav YishmaelKovetz Shiurim: Divrei Sofrim by Rav ElchananDrashos Beis Yishai 15 by Rav Shlomo Fisher