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A discussion on a topic from the week's Parsha covering many important parts of Judaism that are not regularly addressed.... more
FAQs about Torah Cafe:How many episodes does Torah Cafe have?The podcast currently has 393 episodes available.
February 09, 2025What are the 613 Commandments?G-d gave the Jewish people 613 Commandments that we committed to follow as part of our covenant with Him. What are the 613 Commandments? Where can we find a list? What do the Commandments include? For more than 1,000 years Jewish scholars have debated over how to define Commandments, what exactly the 613 Commandments are and how to count them. A fascinating discussion about the 613 Commandments and the debate over exactly what are the commandments....more57minPlay
February 02, 2025The 10 Mitzvah CampaignsStarting in the 1960's, the Rebbe started public Mitzvah campaigns as a call to encourage Jews to readopt many of the important Commandments in Judaism that they were not observing. Over the Years the Rebbe launched 10 Mitzvah campaigns raising awareness and increasing observance of some of the most central Commandments. A fascinating discussion about the 10 Mitzvah Campaigns and how we can be part of them....more51minPlay
January 26, 2025Are Locust KosherWhile the Torah bans us from eating all insects, the Torah makes an exception for locust. The Torah lists certain types of locust that we are allowed to eat. Why did the Torah allow us to eat locust? Which types of locust are kosher? Can we eat them today? A fascinating discussion about the kosher status of locust....more36minPlay
January 19, 2025The Jews of TunisiaJews have lived in Tunisia since Roman times and built strong communities in Tunis, Djerba and other cities. While most Jews left after independence, there is still a Jewish community in Tunis and a close knit community on the Island of Djerba. ...more47minPlay
January 12, 2025Why does G-d have so many names?The Torah and Tanach refer to G-d thousands of times but switches between many different names for G-d. Why does G-d have so many names, what do they each mean? How do we know which name of G-d to use? When do we pronounce and correctly spell G-d's name and when are they mispronounced and misspelled? A fascinating discussion about G-d's various names, what they all mean and how they are used. ...more55minPlay
January 05, 2025Pilegesh Begivah - The Jewish Civil WarOne of the saddest and horrific moments in our history took place over 3,000 years ago when all the tribes joined forces to fight against the tribe of Benjamin. The horrific civil war and massacre that followed it almost led to the annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin.Learn the story of this civil war and its aftermath and its implications for us today. ...more56minPlay
December 29, 2024Why do we play Dreidel on Chanukah?One of the traditions of Chanukah in Ashkenazic communities is playing with a dreidel, a spinning top that has 4 sides with the Hebrew letters Nun, Gimmel, Hei and Shin. What is the origin of the dreidel? Does it contain mystical significance? What is the connection to Chanukah?A fascinating discussion about the Dreidel and its significance....more48minPlay
December 22, 2024Right-Handed & Left-Handed People in JudaismFor most people, their right arm is their dominant arm that they use for most activities. For some it is their left arm. In Judaism, there is a distinct role for the right arm (such as washing first, holding a kiddush cup) and for the left arm (wearing Tefillin). What happens when someone is left handed? Which arm do they use?A fascinating Chanukah themed discussion about right-handed and left-handed people in Judaism and the mystical significance behind each one. ...more46minPlay
December 15, 2024The KetubahWhen a couple marries, Jewish law gives certain obligations and rights to each spouse. Those rights and obligations are written up in a document called a Ketubah which every married Jewish couple must have. A fascinating discussion about the Ketubah, what it contains, how it is written and the various traditions and customs of the Ketubah that have developed over our long history....more50minPlay
December 11, 2024Polygamy in JudaismBonus Episode: Our biblical ancestors Abraham, Jacob, David and Solomon all had multiple wives. Is Polygamy moral? How can our great heroes have practiced it? Does Jewish law forbid polygamy? Should it be forbidden?A candid discussion about one of the most controversial questions in Jewish thought; how can our biblical figures have practiced polygamy?...more37minPlay
FAQs about Torah Cafe:How many episodes does Torah Cafe have?The podcast currently has 393 episodes available.