Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

Ep. 66 - Ask Away! #18: Mikvah, Mitzvot, and Decoding Bread [The Q&A Series]


Listen Later

In Episode 18 of the Ask Away series on the Everyday Judaism Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe answers diverse questions from participants at the TORCH Centre in Houston, recorded on a Sunday before Rosh Hashanah (pre-October 8, 2025). The session covers topics from the spiritual significance of bread-making to mikvah customs, technology’s role, and Rosh Hashanah prayers. Key themes include:

  • Bread and Spiritual Symbolism: The 11-step bread-making process (Sidura DePas) counters the negative spiritual force of 11, tied to the curse of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:19). These steps are prohibited on Shabbat, and the temple’s 11-ingredient incense similarly counters evil, contrasting with the holiness of 10 (e.g., Ten Commandments) (1:06–3:38).
  • Tree of Knowledge: All trees were originally edible (Genesis 1:29, 2:9), not just a cinnamon tree, but this changed post-sin, making only fruit edible (4:13–5:16).
  • Numerology and Superstition: The number 11 isn’t inherently negative for birth dates, and superstitions (e.g., about yahrzeit candles or the number 13) are discouraged. Rosh Hashanah symbols like pomegranates inspire mitzvot, though no one can fulfill all 613 due to specific conditions (e.g., Kohen, Levi, or situational mitzvot) (5:35–10:42).
  • Mikvah Customs: Men have no biblical obligation but follow a rabbinic custom to immerse before Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and festivals, using pools if needed. Women are obligated only post-menstruation, requiring kosher mikvahs. Post-menopause immersion is not required but can be spiritually beneficial, as seen in a case of Shema-induced distress (13:22–19:37, 26:15–28:37).
  • Technology and Free Will: Hashem created technologies like social media to offer free will, allowing choices between good (e.g., sharing Torah) and distraction (e.g., games, news). Rabbi Wolbe uses platforms to spread Torah, urging listeners to prioritize meaningful activities (20:21–25:16).
  • Pidyon HaBen: This mitzvah involves “redeeming” a firstborn Israelite son with five silver coins to a Kohen, symbolizing returning the child to the parents from Hashem (29:49–31:27).
  • Rosh Hashanah Prayers: Focus on ultimate closeness to Hashem, not small personal requests, as this encompasses all needs (health, wealth, wisdom) for divine service, aligning with the holiday’s lofty spiritual purpose (39:52–43:30).

The episode concludes with blessings for a sweet Rosh Hashanah, spiritual growth, and a year of health and success, encouraging listeners to share Torah content.

Please submit your questions at [email protected]

_____________
The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way.
_____________
This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen Lerner

  • Download & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:
    https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5

This episode (Ep. #66) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!


Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on September 21, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on October 16, 2025
_____________
Connect with Us:
Subscribe to the Everyday Judaism Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-judaism-rabbi-aryeh-wolbe/id1600622789) or Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3AXCNcyKSVsaOLsLQsCN1C) to stay inspired! 
Share your questions at [email protected] or visit torchweb.org for more Torah content.  
_____________

About the Host:
Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback: [email protected]
_____________

Support Our Mission:
Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!
_____________
Subscribe and Listen to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

  • NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Living Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Thinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Unboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodes
  • Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodes

For a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org
_____________

Keywords:
#Torah, #Halacha, #JewishTraditions, #Rituals, #Mikvah, #SpiritualGrowth, #SocialMedia, #FreeWill, #Shabbat, #YomTov, #Prayers, #Blessings

★ Support this podcast ★
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh WolbeBy TORCH

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

13 ratings


More shows like Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

View all
The Ben Shapiro Show by The Daily Wire

The Ben Shapiro Show

154,549 Listeners

This Jewish Life - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe by TORCH

This Jewish Life - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

181 Listeners

The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe by TORCH

The Parsha Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

231 Listeners

Orthodox Conundrum by Scott Kahn

Orthodox Conundrum

214 Listeners

The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe by TORCH

The Ethics Podcast - With Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe

80 Listeners

Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcast Collection by TORCH

Rabbi Yaakov Wolbe Podcast Collection

80 Listeners

Jewish Inspiration Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe by TORCH

Jewish Inspiration Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

64 Listeners

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed by Dan Kullman

The Shema Podcast for the Perplexed

24 Listeners

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein by Rivkah and Eda

From the Inside Out: With Rivkah Krinsky and Eda Schottenstein

263 Listeners

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor by Ark Media, Ilan Benatar

Call Me Back - with Dan Senor

3,228 Listeners

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing by The Times of Israel

The Times of Israel Daily Briefing

1,089 Listeners

The Victor Davis Hanson Show by Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

The Victor Davis Hanson Show

9,106 Listeners

Honestly with Bari Weiss by The Free Press

Honestly with Bari Weiss

8,835 Listeners

Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe by TORCH

Parsha Review Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

14 Listeners

Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection by TORCH

Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection

16 Listeners