The Why of Judaism

The Why of Judaism, episode 11: The Jewish Calendar. Taking time to understand the deeper meaning in our lives. Sunday morning series with Rabbi Ya'akov Trump.

The Why of Judaism, episode 12: Engagement and the Wedding. Taking time to understand the deeper meaning in our lives. Sunday morning series with Rabbi Ya'akov Trump.

The Why of Judaism, episode 13: Purim. Taking time to understand the deeper meaning in our lives. Sunday morning series with Rabbi Ya'akov Trump.

The Why of Judaism, episode 14: Marriage and Ritual Purity. Taking time to understand the deeper meaning in our lives. Sunday morning series with Rabbi Ya'akov Trump.

The Why of Judaism, episode 15: Pesach. The month of Nissan is a time of joy, marked by the absence of Tachanun, a practice rooted in the festive inauguration of the Mishkan on the first of Nissan and the subsequent twelve days of offerings by the princes of the tribes. This celebratory spirit extends to Pesach itself, which technically lasts seven days, with the day before, when the Korban Pesach was brought, and the subsequent Isru Chag adding to the festive period.

The Why of Judaism, episode 16: The Omer. This lecture provides a comprehensive analysis of the Sefirat HaOmer period, exploring its agricultural, historical, and spiritual dimensions. The speaker details the nature of the Korban HaOmer as a meal offering that permits the consumption of new grain (Chadash) and serves as a bridge between the redemption of Pesach and the revelation of Shavuot.

The Why of Judaism, episode 17: Israel. The land of Israel holds a unique status in Torah as the place where Hashem’s presence is most directly realized and where the Jewish people fulfill their spiritual destiny. This sanctity, established through the historical processes of Joshua and Ezra, creates a unique environment for prophecy, divine providence, and the fulfillment of land-dependent mitzvot.

The Why of Judaism, episode 18: Shavuos. Rabbi Ya'akov Trump explores the profound themes and customs of Shavuos, ranging from the significance of the three days of preparation (Sheloshes Yemei Hagbalah) to the deeper meaning behind the festival's various names and traditions. The shiur examines why we read Megillas Rus, the origins of eating dairy, and the theological implications of the mountain being held over the Jewish people at Sinai.

The Why of Judaism, episode 19: End of Life. This shiur explores the profound 'why' behind Jewish end-of-life practices, ranging from the theological underpinnings of bikur cholim to the specific rituals performed at the time of death and burial. Rabbi Trump examines how these customs, such as viduy, the placement of the deceased, and the structure of the levayah, serve to honor the neshama while providing a framework for the living to process grief.

The Why of Judaism, episode 20: The Mystery of Jewish Mourning. Rabbi Ya'akov Trump explores the profound structure and spiritual depth of Jewish mourning practices, tracing their origins from the Torah and Talmud to the customs of the Beis Avel. The shiur examines how these rituals, including Shiva, Kaddish, and Yahrzeit, serve to guide the mourner through grief while honoring the neshama of the departed.