Ask The Rabbi

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

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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. 

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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.

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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. Unfortunately, there has been a dramatic change since then, and right now, we are experiencing a destructive, even existential schism that frightens many of us. This is why I decided to repeat Episode 53 which deals with this painful and dangerous phenomenon that is threatening the survival of the State of Israel.

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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.

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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.

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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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