Torah Cafe

By Zalman GordonReligion & Spirituality Judaism

Torah Cafe episodes

March 04, 2024 The Battle for Shabbat
Shabbat, is one of the central parts of Judaism. From Judaism's earliest days, Jews stopped work on Friday before sundown and didn't resume working until after dark on Saturday. Observing Shabbat was not always easy for Jews. Often Jews found themselves in places that expected them to work on Shabbat.
A fascinating discussion about how Jews struggled to observe Shabbat in many times and places throughout our long history particularly here in the United States.
57 min
February 25, 2024 Mixing Milk & Meat
One of the basic Kosher laws is a prohibition of not mixing milk and meat. As a result, Kosher kitchen must have separate ovens, pots, pans and dishes for milk and meat.A fascinating discussion about the kosher rules of not mixing milk and meat and how they impact our kosher kitchens.
49 min
February 18, 2024 Who were the Ge'onim?
One of the most important periods in Jewish history was the period of the geonim (600-1000 C.E.). During this period, Jewish life was centered in Babylon where there were two great Yeshivot (schools). The heads of these schools were called Ge'onim, The Ge'onim were effectively the leaders of world Jewry during this period.
A fascinating discussion about the Ge'onim and the Ge'onic period.
52 min
February 11, 2024 How do you find your life mission?
In Judaism we believe that every person is entrusted with a life-mission by G-d. How can you find your life's mission? How do you know if you are on the right track?
54 min
February 04, 2024 Beth Din - The Jewish Court System
Jewish communities throughout history have always had their own court systems called Beth Din (or Batei Din) for Jewish ritual, family and legal purposes. These courts often served in parallel to local Christian, Muslim or secular courts.
Today, there is a developed system of Batei Din in Israel, the US and other countries with Jewish community that serves the Jewish community in parallel to the secular court system.
A fascinating discussion about the Beth Din, the Jewish Court system, how it works and their relationship with our secular court system.
45 min
January 28, 2024 Where is Mount Sinai?
Judaism began when Israel stood at Mount Sinai and heard the Ten Commandments. Moses climbed to the top of Mount Sinai where G-d taught him all the commandments and gave him the Torah. Mount Sinai is also the spot of an earlier revelation to Moses and a later revelation to Elijah the Prophet. Where is Mount Sinai? Why was it chosen as the place for Judaism to begin? Is it a holy spot in Judaism?
46 min
January 21, 2024 The Jews of Yemen
Jews have lived in Yemen for well over 2,000 years until they were almost all forced to flee to Israel in 1949-1950. The Yemenite Jews who were somewhat isolated from other Jewish communities developed their own unique Jewish customs and traditions.
A fascinating discussion about the Jews of Yemen.
46 min
January 14, 2024 Think Good and It Will be Good
A central Chassidic teaching is that our thoughts control our destiny. When we think positively, it makes good things happen to us. But how do we get ourselves to think positively? Are we expected to be naive and ignore the challenges that we face?
A fascinating discussion about thinking positively, how to get ourselves to think good and how that will impact what happens to us.
44 min
January 07, 2024 Do Jews Believe in Demons?
Jewish sources speak extensively about evil angels and spirits that exist in our universe and sometimes impact humans. Do Jews believe in demons? What are demons? How can they impact us? Should we be afraid of them?
A fascinating class about the Jewish belief in demons
44 min
January 02, 2024 Why is life so hard?
Overcoming challenges and hardships is central to the Jewish ethos. Before Judaism began, our ancestors worked hard as slaves in Egypt preparing our people for a history filled with challenges and hardship. Why did G-d make life so hard? Why do we have to face so many challenges and hardships?
34 min