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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
The Zohar, the great Kabbalistic work of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, makes a fascinating comment. It states that two great Jewish women, Tamar and Ruth, merited having the Messiah, Mashiach, come through their lineage because they both did kindness with those that had deceased.
What did Tamar and Ruth both do that merited them to be the Matriarchs of the lineage of Mashiach?
Join me as we explore the inner meaning of this Zohar, as well as other fundamental concepts, such as the role of man in this world and why did G-d create an imperfect world?
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/
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Zohar, Vol. I, 118b, linking Tamar and Ruth with King David and Mashiach - https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.1.188b.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Story of Tamar in Genesis Chapter 38 - https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.38?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Megillah of Ruth - https://www.sefaria.org/Ruth?lang=bi
Deuteronomy 25:5-10, discussing the Mitzvah of the Levirate Marriage, Yibum - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.25.5?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rabbeinu Bachya, Deuteronomy 25:9, Yibum is a great merit for the soul of the deceased - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.25.6?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Rabbeinu_Bahya%2C_Devarim.25.9.4&lang2=bi&w2=all&lang3=en
Isaiah 11:9, Mashiach will make G-d known to the world - https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.11.9?lang=bi
Did you ever wonder why the holiday of Shavuos doesn't have any special mitzvah for the masses to do on it? On Pesach we eat matzah, on Sukkos we sit in the sukkah and shake the lulav and esrog, yet on shavuos there's only customs, no biblical commandment for us?
Why is that?
Join me as we take a deeper look at Shavuos and discover its deep connection to another holiday, the holiday of Shemini Atzeres. Once we uncover the the hidden meaning of "Atzeres" we'll discover a whole new perspective on the holiday of Shavuos!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
thethinkingjew.com
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Code of Jewish Law, OC, 494, Chapter about services on Shavuos - https://www.sefaria.org/Shulchan_Arukh%2C_Orach_Chayim.494?lang=bi
Sukka 47b, Shemini Atzeres is called a holiday to itself - https://www.sefaria.org/Sukkah.47b.11?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Medrish Tanchuma, Pinchas #15, links Shavuos and Shemini Atzeres - https://www.sefaria.org/Midrash_Tanchuma%2C_Pinchas.15.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=bi
Pesachim 68b, Talmudic sages call Shavuos "Atzeres" - https://www.sefaria.org/Pesachim.68b.10?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Nachmanides , Leviticus 23:36, explanation of the above source - https://www.sefaria.org/Ramban_on_Leviticus.23.36.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Kedushas Levi, Homily for Pesach, explains deeper understanding of "atzeres" in regards to both Shavuos and Shemini Atzeres - https://www.sefaria.org/Kedushat_Levi%2C_Leviticus%2C_Homily_for_Pesach.28?lang=he&with=all&lang2=he
Rav Hirsch, Leviticus 23:36, also explains "atzeres" similar Kedushas Levi - https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Vayikra/23.36#e0nf
Did you ever wonder why there are 7 colors in a rainbow? Why didn't G-d create it with 8? or 6?
Ever wonder why G-d created the world in 6 days and then rested on the 7th? Why not in 5 and rest on the 6th?
In Judaism, numbers are more than a quantification. Each number has an inner meaning and that expresses itself everywhere we find that number.
Join me as we uncover the deeper meaning of the numbers 6, 7 and 8, and we realize how connected all these seemingly disparate "sevens" really are.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Questions? Comments? Topic Requests? Email me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
Sources:
Relationship between 6 and 7 (Hebrew), Maharal - https://www.sefaria.org/Derech_Chaim.5.15.12?lang=he&with=all&lang2=he
Deeper Understanding Of The Number 7 (Hebrew), Maharal - https://www.sefaria.org/Derekh_Chayim.5.15.6?lang=he
Relationship between 7 and 8 (Hebrew) Maharal - https://www.sefaria.org/Tiferet_Yisrael.1.3?lang=he&with=all&lang2=he
Bris overrides shabbos (Hebrew), Maharal - https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/pdfpager.aspx?req=14201&st=&pgnum=9
What exactly is holiness?
G-d defines the role of the Jewish nation as (Exodus 19:6), "A kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Clearly, holiness is not some elusive concept intended only for the greatest leaders of the generation. Holiness is a way of life that is attainable for each and every Jew.
So what exactly is it? Join me as we look through different examples that the Torah defines as holy, and we uncover the secret to living a fulfilled and holy life!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
Sources:
Exodus 19:6 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.19.6?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Leviticus 23:22 with Rashi - https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.23.22?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en
The Path of the Just by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto - https://www.sefaria.org/Messilat_Yesharim.26.9?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en
Comparison of Shechinah dwelling on Shabbos and Temple, Pri Tzadik, Bereishis - https://www.sefaria.org/Pri_Tzadik%2C_Bereshit.1.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Zohar III 29a - https://www.sefaria.org/Zohar.3.29a.10?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
The Talmud (Menachos 43b) teaches us that we're supposed to make 100 blessings each day! If you assume the average person is awake 14-16 hours a day, that's averages out to about once every ten minutes!
Clearly blessings are a fundamental part of a Jew's life.
But, what's so special about blessings? Why do we have to make so many of them? Why do we have to bless before we eat or drink anything?
Join me as we discuss a fundamental principle of Jewish philosophy regarding how we interact with the physical world, and stay tuned until the end to hear a mind-blowing novelty from the great Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the Ba'al Ha'Tanya, about the words muttar (permitted) and assur (forbidden).
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/
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Deuteronomy 12:10 - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.10.12?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Tur in the Name of Rav Natrunai Gaon (King David enacted 100 blessings) - https://www.sefaria.org/Tur%2C_Orach_Chaim.46.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Menachos 43b - https://www.sefaria.org/Menachot.43b.15?lang=bi&with=Rashi&lang2=en
Berachos 35a - https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.35a.21?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Nefesh HaChaim (etymology of 'baruch') - https://www.sefaria.org/Nefesh_HaChayim%2C_Gate_II.2.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Pirkei Avos (Ethics of our Fathers) 5:1 - https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.5.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Tanya (etymology of 'mutar' and 'assur') - https://www.sefaria.org/Tanya%2C_Part_One%2C_The_Book_of_the_Average_Men.7.1?lang=he&with=all&lang2=he
If you look at any mitzvah as it's described in the Torah, it's impossible to understand all the nuance and details necessary to fulfil it properly from the text alone. The Oral law (Torah She'ba'al Peh), also given from G-d to Moses at Mount Sinai, fills in all the missing details.
The power of interpretation and application of this Oral Law was given to the great sages of each generation. So, what do you do when you're unsure of how to do a mitzvah? You ask the Rabbi! And the Torah says (Deut. 17:10-11) that you're obligated to listen to the Rabbis' interpretation. (The verse is discussing Sanhedrin, the Supreme Jewish Court located in the Temple). So if the Rabbi's are empowered to interpret and apply the Torah law, can they change it based on personal preference or perceived communal needs? What are the limits to the Rabbis' ability to interpret and apply Torah law?
Join me as we discuss the basics of the Oral Law and some common misconceptions regarding Rabbinic leniencies in Judaism.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Sources:
Listen to the Rabbis - Deuteronomy 17:10-11 - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.17.10-11?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Laws of Debt Forgiveness on the Sabbatical year - Deuteronomy 15:1-3 - https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.15.1-3?lang=bi&aliyot=0
Hillel's enactment of Pruzbul - Gittin 36a - https://www.sefaria.org/Gittin.36a.11?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Biblical classification of a public domain - Rashi Eruvin 6a - https://www.sefaria.org/Eruvin.6a.11?lang=bi&p2=Rashi_on_Eruvin.6a.11.1&lang2=bi
Simple list of rules for interpreting the Oral Law from Rabbi Yishmael said in morning services - https://tinyurl.com/rabbiyishmael
The counting of the Omer is a 50 day period connecting the holiday of Passover to the holiday of Shavuos. If you look in the Torah, the Omer actually seems completely disconnected from both holidays. It was just a barley offering that happens to be brought on the second day of Passover. So, what's the deeper connection between the Omer offering and the holidays?
Also, did you ever wonder why the holiday of Shavuos has no date in the Torah? All the holidays have set dates on the calendar, except for Shavuos. It is dated as 50 days after the bringing of the Omer offering! Why is Shavuos not celebrated on its own? Why is it connected to the Omer?
Join me as we take a deeper look at what the Omer, as well as the freedom of Passover and gift of Shavuos is really all about.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
Sources:
Leviticus 23:10 - https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.23.10?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Exodus 5:1 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.5.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Maharal, Tiferes Yisroel, Ch. 25 - https://www.sefaria.org/Tiferet_Yisrael.25.4?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
We all associate Passover with feelings of freedom and royalty. We sit at our seders like kings and queens, discussing our liberation from Egyptian bondage.
In reality, there's much more to Passover than just freedom.
Join me as we take a deeper look at what themes G-d tells us really drove the whole exodus experience, and we'll discover that it's really all about the love between G-d and the Jewish people.
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
Sources:
Shir HaShirim - https://www.sefaria.org/Song_of_Songs?lang=bi
Exodus 20:2 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.20.2?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Rav Hirsch on Exodus 20:2 - https://mg.alhatorah.org/Full/Shemot/20.2#e0nf
Exodus 4:22 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.4.22?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Maharal in Chiddushei Agados to Shabbos 32b - https://beta.hebrewbooks.org/reader/reader.aspx?sfid=14194#p=46&fitMode=fitwidth&hlts=&ocr=
Rashi on Exodus 13:8 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.13.8?lang=bi&aliyot=0&p2=Rashi_on_Exodus.13.8.1&lang2=bi
Why do you suppose the Rabbis titled the Passover night ritual a seder? Do you know that the word seder means order? Why commemorate a miraculous, beyond natural order event with an "order"?
Join me as we take a deeper look at the Seder; uncovering topics such as the Jews matzah not rising, the birth of the Jewish nation and the miraculous 'order' of our world.
Wishing everyone a happy kosher and healthy Pesach!
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Sources: Maimonides, Mishne Torah, Laws of Chametz and Matzah 7:1 - https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Leavened_and_Unleavened_Bread.7.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=bi
Maharal, Second introduction to Gevuros HaShem https://www.sefaria.org/Gevurot_Hashem%2C_Second_Introduction_to_Gevurot_Hashem.9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
Midrash Shocher Tov on Psalms 114 - https://www.sefaria.org/Midrash_Tehillim.114.3?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=bi
Exodus 12:30 - https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.12.39?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://tinyurl.com/thethinkingjewpodcast
In this episode I go through the process of preparing your kitchen for Passover, as well as some other relevant Jewish laws regarding preparing for the upcoming holiday.
Although in general the discussion is more philosophical and kabbalistic, due to the complexity of the laws of Pesach, I wanted to provide a clear overview of the general laws to help everyone prepare their homes and themselves for the upcoming celebration of freedom!
As always, if you have any specific questions, comments or feedback, you can reach me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com
Happy Listening!
Rabbi Moshe
Text for nullification of chametz after bedikas chametz - https://media.aish.com/images/nullify-pm.gif
For an itemized utensil checklist - https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2021KasherChecklist.pdf
General kitchen requirements overview - https://www.star-k.org/articles/articles/338/preparing-kashering-the-pesach-kitchen/
To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/
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