When It Displeases the Court: Truth, Testimony, and the Ninth Commandment What does it mean to speak "the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"? The Torah's prohibition on false testimony is a deeper call to honor truth itself in all spheres of life. The Green-Eyed Monster: Envy and the End of the Decalogue Why does the Ten Commandments end with "Thou shalt not covet"? This surprising finale unlocks the purpose of the entire code—and shows how civilization depends on them.

When It Displeases the Court: Truth, Testimony, and the Ninth Commandment What does it mean to speak "the whole truth, and nothing but the truth"? The Torah's prohibition on false testimony is a deeper call to honor truth itself in all spheres of life. The Green-Eyed Monster: Envy and the End of the Decalogue Why does the Ten Commandments end with "Thou shalt not covet"? This surprising finale unlocks the purpose of the entire code—and shows how civilization depends on them.

Episode 5: The Ninth and Tenth Commandments

Family and the Seventh Commandment Adultery is not only a private failing—it strikes at the covenantal heart of marriage. This commandment shows how Jewish tradition links faith in family to faith in God. Life, Liberty, and Judaism: The Eighth Commandment and the Birth of Human Rights "Thou shalt not steal." Just two words in Hebrew—but within them lies a revolutionary idea: that liberty and property are moral concepts, and that justice begins with respecting what belongs to others.

Family and the Seventh Commandment Adultery is not only a private failing—it strikes at the covenantal heart of marriage. This commandment shows how Jewish tradition links faith in family to faith in God. Life, Liberty, and Judaism: The Eighth Commandment and the Birth of Human Rights "Thou shalt not steal." Just two words in Hebrew—but within them lies a revolutionary idea: that liberty and property are moral concepts, and that justice begins with respecting what belongs to others.

Episode 4: The Seventh and Eighth Commandments

God, Father, and Mother: The Partnership That Defines the Jewish Family Why is honoring one's parents listed alongside commandments about God? Judaism sees family as a sacred partnership in creation and as the foundation of faith itself. Human Life and the Divine Life: The Sixth Commandment "All humans are created in the image of God"—but what does that mean? The commandment not to murder offers a moral insight that shaped the West and needs to be recovered today.

God, Father, and Mother: The Partnership That Defines the Jewish Family Why is honoring one's parents listed alongside commandments about God? Judaism sees family as a sacred partnership in creation and as the foundation of faith itself. Human Life and the Divine Life: The Sixth Commandment "All humans are created in the image of God"—but what does that mean? The commandment not to murder offers a moral insight that shaped the West and needs to be recovered today.

Episode 3: The Fifth and Sixth Commandments

Who Is God? The Third Commandment and the Name of the Lord What does it mean that the Creator has a personal and ineffable name? Rabbi Soloveichik explores how the sanctity of God's name illuminates the biblical vision of divinity and reverence. The Most Misunderstood Day: Sabbath and the Fourth Commandment Shabbat introduced the idea of a day of rest to the world—but what is its real purpose? Discover how the Sabbath reshapes our understanding of work, holiness, and human dignity.

Who Is God? The Third Commandment and the Name of the Lord What does it mean that the Creator has a personal and ineffable name? Rabbi Soloveichik explores how the sanctity of God's name illuminates the biblical vision of divinity and reverence. The Most Misunderstood Day: Sabbath and the Fourth Commandment Shabbat introduced the idea of a day of rest to the world—but what is its real purpose? Discover how the Sabbath reshapes our understanding of work, holiness, and human dignity.

Episode 2: The Third and Fourth Commandments

How Do We Know God? The First Commandment Judah Halevi pondered why the one true God revealed Himself not merely as Creator of the Universe, but as the God of Abraham Who took Israel out of Egypt. What does this tell us about Judaism's view of God—and the link between the particular and the universal? Judaism vs. Idolatry: The Second Commandment Judaism's confrontation with idolatry is far from ancient history. Here Rabbi Soloveichik reveals what paganism truly is and how its spirit is returning in modern forms.

How Do We Know God? The First Commandment Judah Halevi pondered why the one true God revealed Himself not merely as Creator of the Universe, but as the God of Abraham Who took Israel out of Egypt. What does this tell us about Judaism's view of God—and the link between the particular and the universal? Judaism vs. Idolatry: The Second Commandment Judaism's confrontation with idolatry is far from ancient history. Here Rabbi Soloveichik reveals what paganism truly is and how its spirit is returning in modern forms.

Episode 1: The First and Second Commandments

Vladimir Jabotinsky founds one of the most important youth movements in Jewish history.

Vladimir Jabotinsky founds one of the most important youth movements in Jewish history.

Beitar

Even in this difficult time for the Jewish people, we are blessed to bear witness to the lights of the soldiers of Israel—who testify to the living legacy of Judah Maccabee.

Even in this difficult time for the Jewish people, we are blessed to bear witness to the lights of the soldiers of Israel—who testify to the living legacy of Judah Maccabee.

Episode 9: Epilogue: The Shamash and the Light of Judah

By the end of his life, the achievements of Judah rivaled—and in some ways surpassed—those of every great general throughout history.

By the end of his life, the achievements of Judah rivaled—and in some ways surpassed—those of every great general throughout history.

Judah's Last Stand

Judah defeats a new general sent against the Hasmoneans in miraculous fashion.

Judah defeats a new general sent against the Hasmoneans in miraculous fashion.

The Day of Nikanor

In the Battle of Beth Zechariah, the Seleucids defeated the Hasmoneans by using war elephants, but not before the Maccabee Eliezer did something that will be remembered forever.

In the Battle of Beth Zechariah, the Seleucids defeated the Hasmoneans by using war elephants, but not before the Maccabee Eliezer did something that will be remembered forever.

Against the Elephants

It was the liberation and purification of the Temple in Jerusalem that inspired Judah and his men to fight.

It was the liberation and purification of the Temple in Jerusalem that inspired Judah and his men to fight.

The True Story of Hanukkah

Unlike any other leader in Jewish history, Judah combined faith in God, an ability to inspire his men, and strategic genius to lead the Hasmoneans.

Unlike any other leader in Jewish history, Judah combined faith in God, an ability to inspire his men, and strategic genius to lead the Hasmoneans.

Judah as General

The Maccabean fusion of public faith in God and a willingness to fight was born in the priest Mattathias.

The Maccabean fusion of public faith in God and a willingness to fight was born in the priest Mattathias.

The Religious Vision of Mattathias

How the essence of athletics lies at the heart of the Hanukkah story.

How the essence of athletics lies at the heart of the Hanukkah story.

All Greek to Thee: The Challenge of Hellenism

Why is Judah and his family so famous when even learned Jews know so little about him?

Why is Judah and his family so famous when even learned Jews know so little about him?

Mesmerized by the Maccabees: Why Is One Family So Fascinating?

Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik is one of America's leading voices on Jewish ideas, religious freedom, and faith in the modern age. In conjunction with the release of his new YouTube lecture series, "Sacred Time: A Journey through the Jewish Holidays," this podcast will collect and feature Rabbi Soloveichik's latest podcasts, lectures, live events, and more.

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