Treyf and the Sacred StomachIn the Torah, treyf means something different from what we usually think—but its original meaning can shed light on the deeper purpose of keeping kosher today./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753390
Pork and the Shabbat FishEvery Shabbat, a Talmudic sage made sure to eat a fish that supposedly tasted like pork. Why?/episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753375
Geulah: A Yom Yerushaliym PresentationHow the mitzvah of redemption, geulah, helps reveal the true meaning of Jerusalem Day./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753365
Locusts, Plagues, and Jewish UnityAs a devastating plague that ravaged 19th-century America reminds us, locusts are among the most destructive creatures in nature—yet forms of them are also the only insects that are kosher. What does this curious incongruity reveal?/episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753360
A Mitzvah's Advice for the Internet AgeTwo commandments shed light on why people often behave online in ways they never would face-to-face—and how to avoid doing so yourself./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753350
Judging By MajorityJewish legal cases are typically decided by majority-rule. What does that say about Judaism's understanding of justice and human beings?/episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753340
The Goring of Joseph and of Bava KammaJewish law considers a violent ox to be problematic, but in the Torah Moses understood it in a very different way./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753330
The Temple Without and WithinA mitzvah directed toward the priesthood has an important meaning for our everyday lives./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753320
The Sabbath-Keeping Cow and the Torta of TortsA midrash about a cow that keeps Shabbat helps illuminate the purpose of a law about restitution. /episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753305
Pitfalls and Good DeedsHow a mitzvah about damages connects to the moment the American Declaration of Independence was signed./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753285
John Adams and Respect for Public OfficeThe second president's interest in proper titles connects to the commandment not to curse those who hold public office./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753270
Justice, Judges, and the Goodness of GodA series of stories illustrates the gravity that accompanies the role of a judge in a Jewish court./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753255
Benjamin Franklin and the TorahThe founding father cited a mitzvah to protest the British Crown's trade restrictions./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753250
Wounding and the Sanctity of LifeTo wound another person is to offend both that person and the Almighty Himself./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753220
MatseivahA Torah prohibition helps us understand the tradition of placing stones on top of Jewish graves./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753205
John Quincy Adams and the KetoretIn a letter to her son, Abigail Adams channels the meaning behind a prohibition related to the altar of incense./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753190
The Working DayA mitzvah for employers demonstrates the high value that Judaism places on labor./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753185
The Custodian and the WagesA story about Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik reveals the responsibility that humans have for their own lives./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753180
The Sciatic Nerve and the Maimonidean PassoverTwo mitzvot seem to be in conflict, inspiring a vigorous argument between Maimonides and another commentator. /episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753175
The Offerings and the Meaning of LifeJews are forbidden to eat specific fats of specific animals. Why?/episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753105
Thomas Keller and the Urgency of TimeA documentary about a celebrity chef provides a frame for understanding the law of leftovers./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753100
Sacred Space and Holy DustA curious mitzvah reminds us of the nature of sacred space and of priestly obligations in Judaism./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753095
L'Chaim and the Jewish Love of LifeA translation error in the traditional Jewish toast obscures its deeper meaning. /episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753090
Waters of Purification and the Man in the ArenaHow the red heifer ceremony mirrors what it takes to make the world better./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753085
Winnie the Pooh and the Sanctification of TasteYehuda Halevi's profound work The Kuzari, together with a story about Winnie the Pooh, explains how Jews use food to connect to God./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753080
Kohanim Dream of KorbanA movie about a sushi chef reveals the importance of mindset for priests when they bring offerings to the Temple./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753070
More Things in Heaven and EarthA Talmudic story about a pagan figure brings together two seemingly unrelated mitzvot: the obligation to honor one's parents and the red heifer offering./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753065
Judges and Freedom from FearWhat does the Torah mean when it commands us to "fear no man"? /episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753060
Mercy and the Mother BirdA mitzvah about mercy toward animals helps train humans to have mercy toward each other./episode/index/show/77c53347-3d15-4823-8334-70581ad2105e/id/36753055
