Jewish Matters

Love, Family Business and Subterfuge: Jacob Builds a Life.  Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayeitzei with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yakov sets out on his own to find a wife, and falls in love with Rachel only to have his father-in-law Lavan switch her for Leah her older sister.  He still marries Rachel as well and proceeds to have 13 children with four women.  We follow his constant struggle with Lavan who he works for, but Yaakov eventually outsmarts even the tricky Lavan. Finally after 20 years he secretly flees with his family, which looks like it may not end well.

Sons of Abraham # 1 An Inside Look at Israel's Bedouin Community with Dr. Yasmin Abu Fraiha.  A special program of The Sunset Series.

The Bedouin are a subgroup within the Arab minority in the State of Israel, with cultural, historical, social and political uniqueness.  Some serve in the IDF and are know to be skilled trackers.  Before the State of Israel most of them lead a semi-nomadic life, mostly in the Negev desert, with some of the Galilee.  In more recent times the State of Israel has settled them in specific towns, however many are resistant this change.  We will explore who the Bedouin are, what are some of their unique customs and what is their future.   

Dr. Yasmeen Abu-Fraiha is a young doctor, specializing in internal medicine.  She  serves on the Board of Directors of Project Wadi Attir, Yanabia, Tamar Center and AJEEC-NISPED, all are social projects and NGOs aiming to improve Bedouin lives in Israel.  She is currently acting as the Executive Director of Rodaina, an NGO she founded that aims to prevent genetic diseases in the Middle East, especially in the Bedouin community, by spearheading premarital genetic testing and matching.  She has won awards for her work in the field of health and was also chosen to be part of Forbes' "30 Under 30" list. Yasmeen holds a BSc in Medical Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Genesis Unveiled # 6 Part II Jacob Takes the Blessing: Can You Lie to a Swindler?  In-Depth Insights on the Parshat Todot on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Toldot Part II, the parsha in-depth.  The 9th commandment tells us not to lie, so how could Jacob impersonate his brother to take the blessing?  Does the Torah ever allow us to lie?  Can you use illegal or dishonest means to take back what is yours from a cheat or a swindler?  Should we also try to fight against someone who has wronged us to get back what is ours?

Genesis Unveiled # 6  Jacob Gets The Blessing: When Do the Ends Justify The Means? Overview and Insights on the Parshat Todot in 20 minutes with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

From the moment Yaakov is holding onto Esav’s heel he struggles to supplant his older brother, sometimes using questionable means by setting him up and impersonating him to get the blessing from their father.  Were his actions justified, and how could his mother push him to do it?  Why did Yitzhak favor Esav and want him to carry on the family mission?  Can a blessing be given to the wrong person?  These questions and more…

Genesis Unveiled # 5 From Avraham & Sarah to Yitzhak and Rivka , Overview and Insights on the Parshat Chaye Sarah in 20 minutes with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

The parsha chronicles the end of the generation of Avraham and Sarah with their passing, and the marriage of Yitzhak to Rivka which will be begin the next chapter in the lives of the patriarchs and matriarchs.  The death of Sarah introduces the importance of Hebron in Jewish history, and the marriage of Yitzhak give us insights into the Torah’s outlook on marriage. 

Genesis Unveiled # 4 on Parshat Vayera in 20 Minutes: Abraham’s Tent with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

The parsha begins with Abraham and Sarah’s legendary hospitality, which is compared and contrasted with Lot, her brother.  The differences in how he extends his hospitality and in the birth of his children are striking, for these ethical acts become warped in Lot’s family.  The parsha ends with one of the most enigmatic and yet heroic stories in the Torah, the binding of Isaac.

Avraham The Spiritual Seeker # 3 Genesis Unveiled in Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Abraham’s life begins with a journey, a story of breaking free from the beliefs of his society and leaving his land.  What was Avraham and Sarah’s greatness, and what are we supposed to learn from it?  What was special about Avraham and Sarah that they merited to be the founders of the Jewish people?

Noah: A Complex Personality with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

The story of Noah is a tragic one, for the world and for Noah.   What were Noah’s qualities that he deserved to be saved, and what were his shortfalls?  We will explore the next stage in the unfolding of the history of humanity according to the Torah. 

Creation and the Fall of Man #1 Genesis Unveiled with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Genesis is an enigmatic book, it is a book of stories, yet it is also philosophy, ethics, history and science.  Join us as we explore the Torah’s outlook on the story of the garden of Eden, the order in the natural world, human nature, free will and more…