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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
Have you heard people say, "Do you live in the eruv?" or "Which eruv is that in?" What exactly is an eruv? How does a community go about creating a eruv and what does it accomplish?
Join me as we discover the history of where eruvs come from and then continue on to the practical process of building one in the modern world.
I'm excited to share with you that my community in Richardson, TX is at the brink of completing our community eruv, so this is a very exciting topic for me to share with you!!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with questions or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Exodus 16:29, the prohibition to carry between two domains - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.16.29?lang=bi&with=Commentary&lang2=he
Talmud Eruvin 17b, the exegesis of the above verse - https://www.sefaria.org/Eruvin.17b.10?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en
Talmud Shabbos 6a, the four domains regarding Shabbos - https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.6a.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Talmud Shabbos 14b, King Solomon instituted the eruv - https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.14b.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Kuzari 3:51, uses the above idea to explain how eruv doesn't override biblical law - https://www.sefaria.org/Kuzari.3.51?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
The destruction of the holy Temples in Jerusalem took places between 2000-2500 years ago. It's an event so distant in our national history, yet we relive it again every year. Why?
Don't cry over spilled milk! What's done is done! Why are we still crying over an event that ended over two millennia ago?
Join me as we take a Kabbalistic look at the role of the Temple from a creation perspective. We'll understand what the Temple added to our world and what we're still missing today without it.
May HaShem send Mashiach soon in our days, rebuild the third temple and restore that connection speedily in our days!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with questions or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
full source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/422166
Sha'arei Orah, Kabbalistic background to the Temple - https://www.sefaria.org/Shaarei_Orah%2C_First_Gate%2C_Tenth_Sefirah.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Pirkei Avos 5:5, Ten Constant Miracles in the Temple - https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.5.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Psalms teaches us that God created our world out of endless kindness. We also know that God loves every single one of us a deeper love than we can ever imagine. Based on this, how can there be so much evil in the world?
Why does evil exist at all? Why couldn't God have just created a happy paradise-like existence?
Join me as we explore many deep Kabbalistic ideas to get to the root of understanding the necessity of evil and its true purpose! At the end of the episode, I quote a parable from the Zohar that really expresses the concept perfectly!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with questions or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Deuteronomy 4:35, there is nothing other than God - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.4.35?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Psalms 89:3, God created a world out of love - https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.89.3?lang=bi
Isaiah 45:7, God created evil - https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.45.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Nachmanides, Genesis 1:1, explaining root of Barah means creation ex nihilo - https://www.sefaria.org/Ramban_on_Genesis.1.1.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Zohar, Vol. II, 163a, God created evil to tempt us like the king's son - https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.2.163a.4?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
We have recently began the saddest part of the Jewish calendar. It's a three week period, between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, and historically this time period has held the most terrible tragedies for the Jewish nation.
What were those tragedies? What's the history behind these ominous days? What's the message for us nowadays? What are the practical laws (halachahs) that apply during this time?
Come join me as I provide a broad overview of this time period: beginning with the history, then the meaning and concluding with the relevant laws (beginning at 7:57).
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with questions or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Mishna Taanis 4:6, history of tragic events on 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Av - https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Taanit.4.6?lang=bi
Numbers Chapter 13, the story of the spies and their negative report - https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.13?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Medrish Bamidbar Rabbah 16:20, because the Jews cried and pushed HaShem away, HaShem acted in kind in the future - https://www.sefaria.org/Bamidbar_Rabbah.16.20?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Yoma 9b, the second temple was destroyed on account of baseless hatred - https://www.sefaria.org/Yoma.9b.8?lang=bi
Zohar, Parshas Acharei Mos 73a, the Jews, the Torah and G-d are all one - https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.73a.4?vhe=New_Torat_Emet_Zohar&lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Taanis 30b, whoever mourns the loss of the Temple will merit to see it in its joy - https://www.sefaria.org/Taanit.30b.4?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
We talk about God all the time. We say God is compassionate, loving, just etc. We love God's Torah and try our best to follow His commandments, the Mitzvohs. But, what exactly is God? What are we referring to when we say God?
Join me as we discuss the complexity in properly understanding God's essence, and how despite that we can still understand different elements of God.
In the course of the discussion, we'll also discover the difference between God's various name and how some of science's most modern thinking also hints to a Creator God.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with questions or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Rosh on Yoma 8:19, Tetragrammaton is name of essence - https://www.sefaria.org/Rosh_on_Yoma.8.19?lang=bi
Maimonides, Guide to the Perplexed 1:61, difference between Tetragrammaton and other names of God - https://www.sefaria.org/Guide_for_the_Perplexed%2C_Part_1.61?lang=bi
Sifsei Chachamim on Rashi Genesis 2:5, Name of essence is contraction of was, is and will be - https://www.sefaria.org/Siftei_Chakhamim%2C_Genesis.2.5.6?vhe=Siftei_Hakhamim&lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=he
Sh'lah, Asarah Ma'amaros 1:8, more on above (Hebrew only) - https://www.sefaria.org/Siftei_Chakhamim%2C_Genesis.2.5.6?vhe=Siftei_Hakhamim&lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=he
Vilna Ga'on, Aderes Eliyahu, Genesis 1:1, Creation of time is hinted in the word Bereishis - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Aderet_Eliyahu%2C_Genesis.1.1.2&lang2=bi&w2=all&lang3=bi
Article regarding the beginning of the big bang - https://www.space.com/13347-big-bang-origins-universe-birth.html
Quote from Stephen Hawking regarding beginning of the big bang - https://tinyurl.com/hawkingbeginningtime, see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initial_singularity
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, Innerspace pg. 98, God as a being and a principle - not available online
The Mezuzah hanging on the doorpost of a house is one of the most identifiably Jewish symbols that exists. For centuries, across the many countries we've been exiled in, the Jews have faithfully hung their Mezuzah scroll on the entrance to their homes. But Why?
Why do we hang a mezuzah? What's the hidden meaning behind the Mezuzah?
Join me as we explore the basic laws of Mezuzah as well as the deeper kabbalistic essence of it, and you'll gain a more meaningful understanding of this beautiful mitzvah.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
Contact me with any questions, feedback or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20, obligation to hang Mezuzahs - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.6.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en, https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.11.20?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Code of Jewish Law, Yoreh Dei'ah 286, all the doorways in your home need a Mezuzah - https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Yoreh_De'ah.286.18?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Blessing on Mezuzah - https://www.sefaria.org/Siddur_Ashkenaz%2C_Berachot%2C_Birkhot_Hamitzvot.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Sefer HaChinuch, 423, purpose of Mezuzah is to constantly remind us of God - https://www.sefaria.org/Sefer_HaChinukh.423.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Exodus 12:7, 13 commandment to place blood on the doorposts in Egypt - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.12.7?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Mechilta DiRebbi Yishmael, Exodus 12:22, connecting the Mezuzah of paschal lamb to classic mitzvah of Mezuzah - https://www.sefaria.org/Mekhilta_d'Rabbi_Yishmael.12.22.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Recanti Deuteronomy 34, Mezuzas is same letters as repelling death - https://www.sefaria.org/Recanati_on_the_Torah%2C_Vaetchanan.34?vhe=Recanati_on_the_Torah&lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Source of Recanti above in Tikkunei Zohar - https://www.sefaria.org/Tikkunei_Zohar.66a.6?vhe=Tikkunei_Zohar&lang=bi
Darkei Moshe quoting Kol Bo, Yoreh Dei'ah 288:3, letters of Shakai stand for protector of the dwellings of Israel - https://www.sefaria.org/Darchei_Moshe%2C_Yoreh_Deah.288.3.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Why does Jewish law always prioritize the right side to the left?
When you get dressed in the morning, the Code of Jewish Law writes that you should put your right hand in first. It also writes that you should bathe your right side of your body first. We cover our eyes for Shema with our right hand, place mezuzahs on the right side of the doorpost and many other examples.
So what is the concept of 'right' and 'left' in Jewish thought?
Join me as we look at the Kabbalistic concept of right and left, corresponding to chessed (kindness) and gevurah (restraint), and we'll discover how that's really the backdrop of all of these laws. The fundamental principle drawn from here is a basic building block of all relationships as discussed in the episode.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
Contact me with any questions, feedback or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Code of Jewish Law, OC 2:4, one example of prioritizing the right side - https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.2.4?lang=bi&p2=Mishnah_Berurah.2.5&lang2=bi
Tikunei Zohar, Introduction, 17a, kabbalistic source of right corresponding to kindness and left to justice and restraint - https://www.sefaria.org/Tikkunei_Zohar.17a?lang=bi
Job 19:26, source of understanding G-d through analyzing the human body - https://www.sefaria.org/Job.19.26?lang=bi
Psalms 89:3, G-d created a world of kindness - https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.89.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
We live in a world where it's so difficult to know what is true and what is not. Kabbalah calls our world an alma dishikra, a world of falsehood. We see this in the media every day. Two reporters will witness the exact same event and document it oppositely, both believing they're reporting the truth. So what is true?
How does the Torah define Truth?
Join me as we discover the answer to this question through the story of the 12 spies (Numbers chapters 13-14) who spoke falsehood and scared the Jewish nation from going in to the promised land.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with any questions, feedback or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Numbers Chapters 13-14, the story of the spies - https://www.sefaria.org/Numbers.13?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Maimonides, Foundations of the Torah 1:1-4 - https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Foundations_of_the_Torah.1?lang=bi
Sanhedrin 104b, the spies returned on the 9th of Av and G-d punished them for crying for no reason - https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.104b.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Sanhedrin 104b, why does Lamentations reverse the order of ayin and peh - https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.104b.11?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rav Hutner, Rosh HaShanah, 15:3 (not available online) truth means the extension matches it's source
Sotah 35b, the strange punishment of the 10 bad spies - https://www.sefaria.org/Sotah.35a?lang=bi
Maharal on Rashi, Numbers 14:37, explaining how the strange punishment the spies received was measure for measure - https://www.sefaria.org/Gur_Aryeh_on_Bamidbar.14.37.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
There are two ceremonies described in the Code of Jewish Law regarding transitioning from Shabbos back to the work week: Havdala and Melava Malka. Havdala consists of making blessings over wine, spices and a torch, and Melava Malka is a customary meal that we eat to escort the Shabbos queen out.
What is the source of these two ceremonies? In what way do they function as a transition from the holiness and sanctity of Shabbos to the mundane of the regular week?
Join me as we look back at the first Shabbos and the initial transition to the work week in the times of Adam, and Eve and we'll uncover some of the hidden depths behind these holy ceremonies.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with any questions, feedback or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Genesis Ch. 3, the sin of Adam and Eve - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.3.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Text of Havdalah - https://www.sefaria.org/Siddur_Ashkenaz%2C_Shabbat%2C_Havdalah?lang=bi
Code of Jewish Law, Havdala, 296-299 - https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.296.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Code of Jewish Law, Melava Malkah, 300 - https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.300.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Sanhedrin 38b, Man ate from the tree on Friday - https://tinyurl.com/fridayeating
Derech HaShem of Rabbi Lozzatto, When man sinned he toppled the world down with him - https://tinyurl.com/dhworld
Da'as Tevunos of Rabbi Lozzatto, Had Adam made it to Shabbos without sinning he would've completed his mission - https://tinyurl.com/daastvunos
Medrish Bereishit Rabbah 12:6, G-d waited until after Shabbos to banish Adam from the garden, world stayed bright the entire time until after shabbos, Adam got scared and G-d inspired him to create fire - https://www.sefaria.org/Bereishit_Rabbah.12.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Sfas Emes, Bereishis, Shabbos remained untainted, unaffected by the sin - https://tinyurl.com/holyshabbos
Beitza 16a, Man receives an extra soul on Shabbos - https://www.sefaria.org/Beitzah.16a.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Shita Mikubetzes on Beitza 16a, smell besamim after shabbos because extra soul leaves us - https://tinyurl.com/shitabeitza
Bnei Yissaschar, Purim, sense of smell wasn't tainted by sin of Adam - https://tinyurl.com/bysmell
Elya Rabbah on OC 300, Luz bone only satiated from Melava Malka because wasn't tainted from sin of Adam - https://tinyurl.com/luzbone
One of the first laws discussed in the Code of Jewish Law is the obligation to wash your hands when you wake up in the morning.
What's the reason behind this mitzvah? Why do we have to wash our hands? What is the proper procedure of washing?
Join me as we dive deep into the mitzvah of Netilas Yadayim, washing your hands in the morning, also discussing the general concept of ritual impurity as it applies across Judaism.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
To contact me with any questions, feedback or topic requests: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Brachos 14b, washing as preparation for prayer - https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.14b.25?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rabbeinu Asher, Berachos 9:23 - https://www.sefaria.org/Rosh_on_Berakhot.9.23.1?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en
Brachos 60b, washing as part of the waking up process - https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.60b.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Tshuvos HaRashba (responsa) Vol. I, #191 (Hebrew only) - https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14649&st=&pgnum=93&hilite=
Shabbos 108b, washing to remove impurities - https://www.sefaria.org/Shabbat.108b.13?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en
Zohar, part 1, 184:2, longer explanation of Shabbos 108b - https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.184b.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Code of Jewish Law, Mishnah Berurah 4:(1), first two reasons - https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berurah.4?lang=bi
Code of Jewish Law, Mishnah Berurah 4:(8), third reason - https://www.sefaria.org/Mishnah_Berurah.4.8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Instructional video of washing your hands in the morning (1 minute) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAetGXuyVMU
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