In a spirited VladTV interview, Rabbi Shmuley, known as America’s Rabbi and a prominent Orthodox Jewish author, debated spirituality and ethics with host DJ Vlad.

The conversation explored the nuances of religious identity, with Rabbi Shmuley challenging Vlad’s claim of being “Jewish but not religious.” Shmuley argued that ethical behaviour—respect, honesty, and kindness—forms the core of true religion, beyond rituals and dogma. The rabbi contended that without belief in an absolute God, moral values lose their foundation, becoming subjective opinions rather than universal ethics. Vlad, identifying as agnostic, expressed skepticism towards belief in a divine intelligence. However, Rabbi Shmuley insisted that morality depends on divine commandments, warning that rejection of God risks moral relativism. Touching on history and current affairs, he cited examples like the Crusades and totalitarian regimes to underscore how different moral codes arise from different spiritual beliefs. The thought-provoking exchange emphasized the ongoing debate about God’s role in ethics and human behaviour.

Rabbi Shmuley also reveals how his deep friendship with Michael Jackson began in 1999 after the pop icon was intrigued by the rabbi’s bestselling book *Kosher Sex*. Over thousands of hours together, Shmuley became Michael’s spiritual advisor and confidant, sharing unheard stories and taped conversations that captured Michael’s pain and humanity, later published in *The Soul of Michael Jackson*.

Addressing controversies like the lyrics in “They Don’t Care About Us,” Shmuley emphasized Michael’s respect for Jewish people, highlighting that his private tutor was a Jewish Holocaust survivor whom Michael supported. The rabbi also opened up about Michael’s addiction to prescription medications, explaining Michael differentiated between street drugs and doctor-prescribed painkillers—though this proved fatal. Despite Shmuley’s efforts to intervene, the tragic outcome underscored the vulnerability behind the global superstar’s fame and talent.