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The Thinking Jew Podcast discusses thought provoking insights on topics of Judaism and Torah. Join Rabbi Moshe as he explores the parsha, holidays, Jewish law and philosophy and you’re sure to gain a deeper Torah perspective for the modern world.
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For question, comments or future topic requests, email me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
This episode begins with the laws of chametz, leavened bread, on the holiday of Passover. Interestingly, in addition to the famous prohibition against eating chametz on Passover, there is actually a less-known law prohibiting even owning chametz on Pesach!
After defining what exactly chametz is, we'll learn how to avoid all the prohibitions regarding chametz, which will enable us to transform our homes into our "Pesach zone".
At the end of the episode, we'll dive into the deeper sources of what chametz signifies, and we'll uncover a powerful new understanding of our what removing chametz from our possession really represents.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this episode can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/397960?lang=bi
The concept of Kosher is probably one of the most well-known Torah laws in the world. Why is that? Is there a deeper theme behind it that reflects the broader lessons of Torah?
In this episode, we'll discuss that which the great Kabbalists before us, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lozzatto, Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi and the holy Ariz'al, revealed to us about the importance of eating kosher.
We begin with looking at the role of Torah and Mitzvahs in general, we then continue to understand why there are so many mitzvahs regarding food, and conclude with explaining the Kabbalistic spiritual side of eating and of making blessings over food.
The episode is dedicated in honor and as a token of appreciated for the great work that the Dallas Kosher (DK) does for the DFW community. To learn more about the DK or to become a member, go to dallaskosher.org
For episodes on related topics, check out: episode 12 regarding the function of Mitzvahs, episode 24 about making blessings on food, and episode 25 about Jewish holiness!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this episode can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/395952?lang=bi
The Kaddish is one of the most powerful prayers that we have. The Talmud goes so far as to say that the Kaddish is one of two merits that allow the world to continue to exist. Additionally, the Kaddish is one of the most observed rituals in Judaism. Even Jews who don't frequently attend services, will make sure to come to synagogue when they need to say Kaddish.
In today's episode I want to explore this powerful prayer. We'll discuss why it's such a unique prayer, why mourners are the ones charged with leading it, how does this prayer impact the departed soul and much more!
Thank you to Dr. Sarah and Dr. Akiva Lorenz for sponsoring this episode in memory of Sarah's father, Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Sawilowsky ob'm, Shlomo Noach ben Alter Avraham Yakov z'l. May the Torah learned here serve as a great merit for his soul.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/394220?lang=bi
The verse states that G-d loves peace and makes peace, and yet when it comes to the nation of Amalek, G-d very strongly condemns them and demands the Jewish nation to completely destroy any trace memory of them.
Why is that? Why would a peaceful G-d desire that? There must be more to the Amalekite concept than initially meets the eye.
Join me as we discover the Kabbalistic depth behind the essence of Amalek, what they really stand for and how they oppose G-d and the Jewish nation. We'll look at the expression of Amalek in the desert after the exodus, the expression of Amalek as Haman, a descendant of Amalekite royalty as well as Amalek as the serpent in the Garden of Eden.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/392323?lang=bi
One of the great themes of the holiday of Purim is the concept of "Vinahafoch Hu," and it is completely reversed. This concept appears throughout the Purim story and alludes to the fact that all of the parts of the story that appeared initially as gloomy, difficult and mournful in the end were reversed and not only were we saved from them, but those very same things were the source of our joy and happiness.
Join me as we explore a few examples of this from the Purim story and end with a meaningful idea which will add depth and meaning to your Purim holiday!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/390642?lang=bi
Every Friday night, we begin the Shabbos meal with sanctifying the Shabbos over a cup of wine (making Kiddush). It seems like such a simple action, but the Talmud teaches that through saying this Kiddush, we are actually becoming partners with God in the creation of the world!
What does that mean? How does saying a few verses and blessings turn us into God's partners?
Join me as we begin with the source of Kiddush in the Torah, then understand the basic text and finally uncover the deeper meaning and power of the Friday night Kiddush!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/389007?lang=bi
In many places throughout the Torah and Rabbinic writing we find an emphasis on clothing. There are mitzvahs surrounding the clothing we wear, and there's even an entire Torah portion on the materials and style of the priests' clothing while serving in the tabernacle and temple. The question is, why does God care about our clothing? Doesn't God care more about who we internally than our external appearance?
Another example of the significance of clothing can be found in the Midrash, which states that one of the merits that saved the Jews from Egyptian bondage was that they kept their Jewish style of clothing. Again, isn't there something more internal that warranted their salvation? Didn't they cry out to God? Didn't they sacrifice a paschal lamb?
Join me as we look back to the beginning of time to uncover a deep Kabbalistic perspective on what the role of clothing really is in Jewish thought and how it's still relevant to this day.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me, please email thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/385490?lang=bi
The Jewish calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it aligns with the cycles of both the sun and the moon. Since the solar year is 11 days longer than the lunar year, every few years (occurring 7 times in every 19 years) we add an extra month to the year, to align these two calendars. This year is a leap year, and we recently began the Jewish month of Adar Aleph, the first Adar.
Join me in this fascinating episode as we explore a deeper perspective on the Jewish leap year. What does the Sun represent in Jewish thought? What is the moon? Is there a significance to aligning the sun and the moon? Why does the month of Adar get repeated? Can we choose a different month?
Uncover the deeper side of the Jewish leap year and gain a more meaningful understanding of this beautiful time period that we're going through.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me, please email thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/380538?lang=bi
One of the most recognizable Jewish dishes is the gefilte fish. Often served with a cooked carrot and a side of beets and horseradish sauce, known as chrein, it's probably the most classic appetizer at any Ashkenazi shabbos table.
In this episode, we begin with the history of the gefilte and actually discover it wasn't originally a Jewish creation! We then continue to learn why it nonetheless became an essential part of the Shabbos meals. In the process, we uncover the deep Kabbalistic reasons behind eating fish on shabbos in general, as well as the halachik (Jewish Law) reasons for specifically eating gefilte fish.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me, please email thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Much of the history of gefilte fish discussed was taken from "Encyclopedia of Jewish Food" by Gil Marks and can be seen here: https://books.google.com/books?id=gFK_yx7Ps7cC&lpg=PP1&pg=PT691
A big thank you to Akiva Lorenz for helping me with the German pronunciations!
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/378890?lang=bi
The Mishna (Rosh HaShanah 2a) teaches us that the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat is the "New Years for the Trees." In the practical sense this impacts multiple laws of agriculture as explained in the Torah. But is that all it is? Is it merely a birthday for the trees or is there a stronger more personal connection to us?
We find multiple examples in the Torah comparing trees and people and in this episode we'll explore that connection and discover one special connection that people and fruit trees have in common; bringing forth potential.
Join me as we look through the various sources in the Torah developing this comparison and then end with an unbelievable idea from the Maharal of Prague that will really deepen our connection to Tu Bi'Shevat.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me, please email thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/376455?lang=bi
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