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Ep. 75 - Men and Women in the Talmud #3

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In this episode we explore ancient stories involving divorce which also include kindness and empathy.

Ep. 74 - Men and Women in the Talmud #2

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This episode continues the topic we dealt with last time: what happens when a husband leaves his wife for extended periods of time in order to study Torah? While the story of Rabbi Akiva and Rachel is seen by many writers and commentators as beautiful and romantic, and even a model of commitment and loyalty of the spouses to each other, many other stories do not have happy ends…

Ep. 73 - Men And Women in the Talmud #1

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The Jewish people all over the world are still deeply traumatized, and Israel is still fighting a brutal war on several different fronts. Nobody knows when and how it will end. This Episode makes a dramatic shift in the topics discussed on this Podcast. All of us need a break from the news, and learning holy texts has been found to be healing. I also hope that listeners will gain an insight into a facet of Talmud most people do not expect.

Ep. 72 - After October 7th

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October 7, 2023 was the the worst year in the history of the State of Israel. More Jews were brutally murdered on that day than at any time since the Holocaust. A full year has passed since then, and Israel right now is fighting several wars simultaneously against its enemies who openly declare their goal of destroying the only Jewish state. This episode summarizes this very dark year and provides a perspective which, hopefully, helps seeing the light at the end of darkness.

Ep. 71 - Will Israeli Society Survive This War? (REPEAT)

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Jews around the world have just observed the 9th of Av - the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. Fasting, and thinking about the destruction of both of our Holy Temples in Jerusalem, felt especially poignant this year. Numerous rabbis, articles and TV commentators reminded all of us that Rome was able to destroy our country because we hated each other. While the Jews were involved in a brutal civil war, it was easy for the Romans to conquer us and exile us from our land…After what happened on October 7th, the Israeli society became more cohesive and united than almost ever before....

Ep. 70 - Why Are Israelis So Happy?

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According to the 2024 United Nations World Happiness Report, Israel is the 5th happiest country in the world, and in 2023 it was #4. Surrounded by enemies who want to destroy the only Jewish state, with the ever-present threat of terrorism, life in Israel is not easy or simple. And yet, the State of Israel is the only developed country with growing population, and it is the youngest of all the rich democracies. There are many other criteria in which Israel is an outlier. This episode answers the obvious question - why is Israel so different from most other countries in the...

Ep. 69 - New Israeli Poetry Since October 7

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Poetry very often is the best way to express our emotions. Since the massacre of October 7th, extremely rich and deep new poetry has emerged on social media in Israel. This episode includes several poems in translation, together with additional explanations and commentary by Rabbi Feldman.

Ep. 68 - Happy Birthday to the Jewish People!

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The festival of Shavuot is the least observed one of the major Jewish holidays. Many people don’t know what it is and what it celebrates. This is sad because Shavuot celebrates the birthday of the Jewish People. The reason that God liberated us from slavery in Egypt was for us to become His partners in changing the world by accepting the Torah.

Ep. 67 - Celebrating Passover After October 7th

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I think that the Seders this year will be more meaningful and relevant to most Jews around the world. This episode provides some insights into this wildly observed Jewish celebration.

Ep. 66 - The Scandal of the Ultra-Orthodox

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This Episode discusses the most contentious and emotional crisis in Israel-the refusal of the Ultra-Orthodox Jews to serve in the army.

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