Parshat Kedoshim included the prohibition against shaving the corners of the beard. In this podcast, Rabbi David Levin-Kruss discusses why is it that many orthodox Jewish men use an electric shaver? This class examines the halachic basis for this isur and then looks at what this issue teaches us about the Jewish legal system and the sociology of contemporary Jewish life.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

In this podcast, Rabbi James Jacobson-Maisels discusses tzara’at and opening our hearts. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

The tragic death of Nadav and Avihu in Parashat Shemini is unexpected and seemingly unwarranted. In this podcast, Rabbi Michael Hattin examines some traditional interpretations before advancing a different reading that draws on the larger context.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

 

In this podcast, David Levin-Kruss compares the four sons in the pesach seder to the "four rabbis" who entered Pardes - one died, one became mentally inbalanced, a third became a heretic and only R. Akiva came out whole. We will show how the pesach seder provides a blueprint for creating a world where all can learn Judaism and mysticism and come out in a good way.

Click here for accompanying handout.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

In this podcast, Rabbi Daniel Landes discusses Pesach. "This is the Bread of Affliction." How afflicted do we need to be in order to make this Aramaic language declaration during our Passover Seder?

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

Although Parshat Vayikra focuses on the details of sacrificial service, we will examine how ethical behavior must inform and also result from worship of G-d.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write us to at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

In this podcast on Parshat Pekudei, Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits uncovers the ethics in the building of, and in the architecture of, the Mishkan (tabernacle) as a fitting conclusion to the Book of Exodus from slavery.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

In this podcast, Rabbi Zvi Grumet discusses the importance of community and how this is illustrated in the story and practice of Purim. He looks at the different areas within the megillah and the laws that highlight why Purim is a festival that strengthens in multiple layers the unity of the Jewish people.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected]

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

In this podcast, Rabbi Alex Israel discusses the issue of whether we affect our clothing or does clothing affect us? We will think about the role of clothing as regards ourselves, the priest's clothing, and the Purim story.

Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at [email protected].

Credits

Larry Kluger – Creative Consultant

Arlene Harel – Production Coordinator

Parshat Teruma provides an intense description of the mishkan. Why is there such detail when the mishkan was never meant to be reconstructed? Rabbi Mike Feuer discusses this and looks deeper into what we can learn from the relationship between beauty and holiness.