Torah Cafe

By Zalman GordonReligion & Spirituality Judaism

Torah Cafe episodes

December 01, 2024 Jacob's Ladder
In a fascinating episode, the Torah tells us how Jacob dreamed about a ladder standing on the ground with its top reaching the heavens and he saw angels going up and down the ladder. The meaning of the dream remains cryptic with countless explanations offered by different Torah commentaries and Jewish thinkers.
54 min
November 24, 2024 The Book of Tehillim (Psalms)
Tehillim (Psalms) is one of the most read books of Tanach (the Scriptures) with 150 poems and songs covering historic events, prayers and inspiration. Jews throughout history have read Tehillim as the go-to book whenever they were in trouble or needed help.
Who wrote the book of Tehillim? What do the poems speak about? Why has it become so central to Jewish prayer?
54 min
November 17, 2024 It's a Mitzvah to be Happy!
Happiness is important for us to function well and to succeed. Happiness makes us pleasant people and helps us build relationships. Happiness is a goal for most people. In Judaism, it's a mitzvah to be happy!
But how do we become happy? What can we do to make ourselves happier?
A fascinating discussion about happiness, why it's so central to Judaism and the unique Jewish approach to finding true happiness!
44 min
November 10, 2024 Jewish Hospitality
Hospitality has always been a strong Jewish trait and a Mitzvah. Jewish communities have always had hospitality housing and food for travelers while Jewish families opened their homes to strangers.
Why is hospitality so important in Judaism? What should good hospitality include? Are there limits to hospitality?
A fascinating discussion about the Jewish value and Mitzvah of hospitality.
41 min
November 03, 2024 The Jews of Egypt
After the Exodus from Egypt, Jews continued to go back to Egypt for most of our history. Jews lived in Egypt continuously from the time of the destruction of the First Temple around 421 BCE until the mid 20th century, making it possibly the longest continuous Jewish community in history.
A fascinating discussion about the history of the Jews of Egypt.
56 min
October 27, 2024 Does Judaism Believe in Science?
Since modern science developed, there has been a long-standing tension between religion and science as many scientific discoveries contradicted long-standing religious beliefs and many scientists believed that new scientific wisdom made religion unnecessary.
What does Judaism say about modern science? Can Jewish beliefs be reconciled with modern science? Do we embrace science, reject it or tread carefully around it? Does science weaken or strengthen our faith?
45 min
October 20, 2024 Chol Hamo'ed - The Mundane Festival
The final 5 days of Sukkot and the middle 4 days of Passover are called Chol Hamo'ed - "Mundane Festival". They are part of the holiday but not holidays. They are regular days and holy days. We are allowed to work but not supposed to work if possible. What are these paradoxical days about?
A fascinating discussion about Chol Hamo'ed, the middle days of the festivals.
25 min
October 13, 2024 Sleeping in the Sukkah
We are commanded to live in the Sukkah over the festival of Sukkot. Our sages say that living in the Sukkah includes both eating and sleeping in the Sukkah. In the middle ages, Ashkenazic Jews stopped sleeping in the Sukkah. Today, many Jews sleep in the Sukkah while many others do not.

A fascinating discussion about the debate over sleeping in the Sukkah.
26 min
October 06, 2024 The Assassination of Gedaliah
One of the saddest chapters in Jewish history was the assassination of Gedaliah, the first Governor of Judea as a Babylonian province. The story told in the book of Kings is the first recorded Jewish assassination. The assassination which led to the end of the Jewish community in Judea for a few decades, is marked each year with the Fast of Gedaliah.
Learn about the tragic story of Gedaliah and why we still mark the day of his assassination today.
34 min
September 29, 2024 The Creation of Adam & Eve
Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of Adama and Eve, the first people and the ancestors of all humans today. The creation of Adam and Eve is described in detail at the beginning of the Torah.
Why did G-d create Adam and Eve? How were they created? What did they do once they were created?
41 min