The Characters You Do Not Know

Rabbinic thought has always placed a high value on Jewish Unity. In this Podcast we will highlight how Unity can be found in the creation story, the revelation story, and at the center of daily prayer.

We will then analyze the special power of unity in the Arc of Achav's life.

Comparing Rav Soloveitchik's and Rav Kook's view on Teshuva and what it says about the nature of humanity.

In light of our first 3 classes on this topic we now take a closer look at the view of Rav Moshe Feinstein.

How do you define a Safeik Pikuach Nefesh? And how does this help us understand the responsibilities of Jewish doctors in a global society?

We will discuss the Meta Halachik idea of Eiva and how it is broadly applied to various relationships.

This 4 part series tries to understand how Judaism negotiates between the competing values of human life and the commandment to keep shabbos for doctors.

Part 1: Overview and Meta Halachik Thinking

Part 2: Eiva: A Rabbinic Failsafe

Part 3: Safeik Pikuach Nefesh

Part 4: Unpacking Rav Moshe Feinstein's View

In this episode we will discuss the views of the Rosh, Hagaot Maymaniot, Shulchan Aruch & the Taz. We will also discuss some of the many details added by later poskim on the subject.

Why is Slavery and Freedom interwoven into every nook and cranny of the Pesach Seder? They are both everywhere!

A quick review of the functions of Bedika/Biur and Bittul Hametz.

Bedika when traveling.

Bedika/Bittul in the context of Selling Hametz

From living a well balanced life to understanding how Halacha deals with depression. 

We will use 2 teshuvot of Rav Asher to develop a Jewish approach to Mental health issues in general. 

Analyzing the Shem Mi'Shmuel and using common midrashic ideas to understand Tu Bi'Shevat's relevance to our lives. 

Ever wonder why in so many shuls across the world who daven early every day of the week they daven later on shabbos morning? In this class we will trace the source of this practice and try to understand its benefits and limitations. 

What are the reasons so many people want to be buried in Israel? 

Is there ever a reason to exhume and move a body? Who makes that call?

Is the modern crockpot an example of Hatmanah Bi'Miktzas (partial insulation) or not? 

Learn how to lead Kabalat Shabbat.

We will discuss the two ways of looking at the Mitzvah of lighting Chanuka candles. Is it an obligation to create a spiritual space like Mezuza or is it an obligation on each individual to light candles. 

Can you make Israeli Salad? Cucumber Salad? Ceviche? Why yes or why not? 

On the books the Rabbis explain that we cannot invite non-Jews to Yom Tov meals. But is that always true? Let's take a look at the Sugya on Beitza 21b

Three views on whether to invite a guest to shul or for a shabbos meal if they will drive as a result.  

Anim Zemirit to Uncle Moishe's Pizza Song

Anim Zemirot: Classic tune

If you ever wanted to learn to daven Mussaf this is the basic Nusach with a couple of tunes. 

You know the Midrashim. Let's try to understand why Hazal told Og's story the way they did. Make sure to have a Chumash available, seeing the textual parallels inside will be very helpful. 

What happened to Chur? He appears out of no where and then we never hear about him again... A closer look at who he was may help us unravel the mystery. 

Who was Charvona and why do we also remember him favorably? 

They are Moshe and Aaron's first cousins. They may be behind the scenes, but they may be some of the founding members of a very important group of volunteers. Can you guess what I'm referring to? If not take a few minutes and learn something new. 

We know she is the daughter of Yitro and wife of Moshe, but what do we know about her? 

He is lurking in the background of the Yehuda and Tamar story, but his role seems irrelevant. What do we learn from his inclusion in the text of the Torah?

We know she is the mother of Moshe, but by name she is only mentioned 2X in the Bible. Yet Hazal read her into as much as they can. We will try to understand what may be motivating them from the text and an overall view of Moshe. 

The Torah recounts the 70 souls going down to Egypt tribe by tribe. But for some reason Shaul is called Shaul b Hakenanis. Who is she? And why is she mentioned?

A conversation in middle of a genealogy?! That breaks all of the rules.  The range of views to explain this anomaly in Hazal, Rishonim and Achronim is quite broad.  

Yehudit, Basmat, Machala, Anah, Oholivama and Basmat the 2nd.  3,4,5 or 6? 

What do we learn about Esav from his choice of wives?

He was the son of Esav and the father of Amaleik. Is he the link that can help us understand the Jewish relationship with Amaleik? Let's see how Hazal understood Elifaz. 

She was from a family of Cheiftans and the mother of Amaleik. But what do we know about her? And how does it help us better understand Amaleik? 

We all know Terach was the father of Avraham. We know many of the Midrashim that describe him as an idolater. But Hazal also see him as a convert to Avraham's cause. What we will attempt to do in this episode is understand where Hazal infer their fascinating backstory from. 

Her name doesn't appear in the text of the Bible, but her story is one that I'm sure you know. Turn the name around in your head and see if it turns into something. 

In this Episode we will delve into the character of Lot. We will focus on one of his character flaws and how it can be used as a foil for Avraham. You may know a little bit about Lot, but this might be an angle you've never heard before. 

These were the friends of Avraham. They were his Emorite compatriots and members of Avraham's Brit. But How do they help us better understand Avraham? What textual breadcrumbs do Hazal use to build their story?

Who was this mystery brother of Avraham. He will be very important because of his grandchildren and great grandchildren... Is there anything we can learn from him? 

We are going to be exploring the world of Avraham and all of the supporting characters that help us better understand the founder of Judaism. Go back to season 1 and listen to Nimrod as a part of the Avraham 360. 

He was the son of Yered and father of Mtzushelach, but what do we know about him? He walked with God, but died young... how would you make sense of that? Here are the approaches in Hazal

Something happens in the camp and Yehoshua wants them silenced. What happened? And who are these two mystery characters?

She Marries Yosef and mothers the final two tribes. Who was this mystery matriarch? 

We know she was Asher's daughter. Right...?