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Cover image credit: Thumbnail: YouTube · Ari Shaffir

Jew

Ari Shaffir

YouTube · 2022 · 1 h 30 min

An ex-Orthodox comedian breaks down his childhood religion.

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Orthodox Jewish day school and Yeshiva studies are rarely mined for stand-up, but Ari Shaffir uses his deep familiarity with ancient texts to analyze the absurdities of the religion he walked away from. He treats Talmudic logic as a direct precursor to joke writing, turning dense theological rules into setups.

The centerpiece of the set is his detailed explanation of Kabbalistic teachings on masturbation, specifically the warning that wasted seed conceives invisible demon children who will greet you in the afterlife. He also explains the actual meaning of the word “goy” and clarifies why modern Jewish people are only considered cheap when compared to biblical figures like Chaim and Shlomo.

The special was recorded over two nights in June 2022 at Roulette, an experimental arts space in Brooklyn, and released for free on YouTube that November. This release followed a turbulent period in Shaffir’s career, including a two-year delay after controversial remarks about Kobe Bryant led to cancelled tapings and venue pullouts in 2020. Despite the self-published format, the 90-minute set found a massive audience, earning a spot on the New York Times’ list of the year’s best comedy.

The set list

3 bits

  1. Adam and Eve and the creation of woman

    Shaffir details God creating Eve from Adam's rib to prevent Adam from having sex with animals, mocking the childhood myth taught by rabbis that men have fewer ribs than women.

  2. The Yiddish term 'goy' and Hasidic Jewish appearance

    Recounts introducing comedian Ms. Pat to Hasidic Jews with payot ('curly fries') and analyzes 'goy' as a derogatory yet universally inclusive slur.

  3. Yeshiva rabbi and Noah's Ark

    Details reconnecting with his Jerusalem yeshiva rabbi who asked if he still uses Jewish teachings, leading into a lesson on Noah's Ark that Shaffir pivots into a routine about anal sex.

How it plays

Tone
Raunchy, candid, analytical, and celebratory.
On stage
Brutally honest, edgy, and irreverent, yet noticeably introspective and affectionate toward his subject matter.
About
Orthodox Judaism, Biblical stories and Genesis, Talmudic lessons and kosher laws, Jewish customs, holidays, and traditions, Christianity vs. Judaism

What the critics said

Praised widely among prominent podcast comedians (including Joe Rogan, Shane Gillis, and Tim Dillon) and lauded by viewers online as an accessible, deeply researched, and hilarious oral history of Judaism.

In the room: Enthusiastic and engaged during sold-out tapings with phone-free restrictions.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: arishaffir.standuptix.com, jta.org, medialib.net, ynetnews.com, en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org, isnt-that-special.castos.com, fight.fudgie.org.

Backstory

Shaffir grew up Modern Orthodox and studied at a Jerusalem yeshiva before leaving religion behind; the special was released in November 2022 amidst high-profile public controversies regarding antisemitism involving Kanye West, Kyrie Irving, and Dave Chappelle.

Details

Released
Taped
Roulette, Brooklyn
Runtime
1 h 30 min
Where
YouTube
Director
Eric Abrams
Topics
Before
Double Negative (Adulthood) (2017)
After
America's Sweetheart (2025)

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