The Tisch with Rabbi Michael Knopf

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week: why does the Torah prohibit us from cursing God, along with human judges and leaders?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week: why does the Torah prohibit us from abusing immigrants, widows, and orphans? What’s the point of defending immigrants, widows, and orphans?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week, a very challenging topic: why does the Torah command that murderers be executed? What’s the point of the death penalty, and is the point relevant in our time?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week, a very challenging topic: why are we allowed, according to the Torah, to own slaves?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week – why are we commanded to honor our parents?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week – why are we commanded to refrain from labor on Shabbat? What’s the point of observing the Sabbath?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week – why are we commanded to make “Kiddush” on Shabbat? What’s the point of remembering the Sabbath day and sanctifying it?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week – why are we commanded not to take God’s name in vain? What’s the point of not swearing falsely by God’s name?

“What’s the point of Judaism?” How many of us have asked this question? Turns out, Jews have been asking them for a long time. Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his students study and discuss “Sefer Ha-Hinukh / The Book of Education.” Written anonymously in the mid-13th century, this radical book offers rationales for every commandment in the Torah.

This week – why are we commanded not to make or worship idols? What’s the point of not practicing idolatry?

Join Rabbi Michael Knopf for a no-holds-barred romp through a thousand years of Jewish history (roughly 900 BCE – 200 CE), from the Bible to the Mishnah.

This series investigates the life and times of our ancient kings, prophets, priests, and rabbis; revolutions, wars, exiles, and occupations. Be prepared to learn what they never dared teach you in Hebrew School, and to have some “sacred cows” smashed to pieces!