Jewish Matters

The Challenge of Jewish Power: Lessons From the Maccabean Revolt For Today with Rabbi Yehuda HaCohen, West Bank Jewish Peace Activist and Educator

For 2,000 years the Jewish people were in a state of powerless. What can the story of the Maccabean Revolt teach us to help us become more comfortable with the power we’ve managed to obtain in the modern age, how Jewish values can inform our use of that power and what it really means ‘to live as a free people in our land’?

We will be hearing a first hand description from Rabbi Yehuda HaKohen who lives on the very mountain where the Maccabees hid, trained their forces and launched their guerrilla campaign against foreign rule.

From Prison to Viceroy: Joseph’s Master Plan Overview and Insights on the Parshat Miketz with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Jacob’s favoritism for Joseph, and Joseph’s presumptuous dreams, end badly when his brothers’ jealousy leads them to sell him off into slavery. Joseph recovers by becoming chief steward of an aristocrat’s house in Egypt, only to be accused of sexual assault by the mistress of the home and be thrown in jail.  The parsha ends with Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s butler and baker’s dreams. 

Holiday Series  -Chanukah: Kindling Our Inner Lights & the Light of the Jewish People with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Chanukah is a commemoration of a Jewish victory over religious oppression, and a time a spiritual rededication.  What is the history behind the story of the Maccabee victory, and why do we celebrate it by lighting the Menorah?  What is message for us today in our contemporary world?  

The Struggles of Joseph: A Family Torn Apart.  Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayeshev with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast.

Jacob’s favoritism for Joseph, and Joseph’s presumptuous dreams, end badly when his brothers’ jealousy leads them to sell him off into slavery. Joseph recovers by becoming chief steward of an aristocrat’s house in Egypt, only to be accused of sexual assault by the mistress of the home and be thrown in jail.  The parsha ends with Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s butler and baker’s dreams. 

Sons of Abraham # 3 Lost Jews? The Origins of the Ancient Samaritans with Guy Yehoshua, Samartian Spokesperson and Scribe.  The Sunset Series on Jewish Matters Podcast 

The Samaritans live in Samaria, North of Jerusalem. They have been a distinct people practicing Samaritanism for thousands of years.  Their center of worship is on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, not Jerusalem.  They have a Torah scroll written in biblical Hebrew script, and their prayer is done in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic. Are they descendants of an ancient Jewish community, or did they come from somewhere else? What is their origin and why have they remained a separate community? Are they Jews or a distinct people and religion?

Great Jews # 14 Rav Shlomo Goren “ The Rabbi of the IDF on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Rav Shlomo Goren was the first Chief Rabbi of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).  From his family’s Aliyah to a farm in the Galilee to his clandestine work with the Hagana and Lehi to Talmudic genius, Rabbi Goren’s life embodied the birth of the State of Israel.  In 1967 during the 6 day war he was one of the first to liberate of the Kottel (Western Wall) where he blew the Shofar, as well as the Tomb of Rachel and Hebron.

Genesis Unveiled # 8 Part II.  Why Was Our Country Named Israel If We Are Jews?  In-depth Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach wiht Rabbi Jonathan Feldmah on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yaakov has a mysterious night-time struggle before confronting his brother Esav which will re-define who he is and give him his new name, Israel.  By understanding the story we get to the essence of what the Jewish people are about, our mission as Jews, and our country Israel.

Yaakov’s Life: Showdown With His Estranged Brother, Wrestling with An Angel and Dealing With His Daughter’s Rapist. Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yaakov has numerous tests he must confront with the people around him, and this Parsha has three particularly trying ones.  He must re-engage his brother who wanted to kill him, wrestle with a nighttime nemesis and handle the fallout from his daughter’s rape by the neighboring king’s son. 

Who are the Druze?  An Inside Look with Mendi Safadi at The Sunset Series on Jewish Matters Podcast.

The Druze are a secretive people whose origins and beliefs are surrounded by mystery. They trace their origins back to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, and self-identify as the People of Monotheism.  The tenets of their religious are kept secret to non-believers.  They live mostly in the Golan Heights in Israel, as well as in Lebanon and Syria, with a population one million total, 150,000 in Israel.  They are loyal to the State of Israel and serve in the IDF and also maintain ties with the neighboring Druze

What’s In A Name: A Deeper Look at Hebrew Names, A Deeper Look at Parshat Vayetze with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Hebrew names are more than just a title.  According to the mystical tradition the qualities embedded in the name, through its meaning or the person we are named after are an expression of our true inner nature.  We will explore this dynamic, talk about the meaning Hebrew names, their significance, and how they are given and used.