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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.
September 29, 2024The Creation of Adam & EveRosh 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?...more41minPlay
September 22, 2024Torah Study for WomenTorah study has been central to Jewish life throughout our long history. Yet historically, Torah was primarily studied by men, with women having limited opportunities to study Torah. Starting in the early 20th century, women have had increasingly more opportunities to study Torah and an increasing number of women have become Torah scholars.A fascinating discussion about women's role in Torah study and why the opportunities provided for women to study Torah changed so much in the 20th century....more40minPlay
September 16, 2024The Maharal of PragueRabbi Yehudah Lowe of Prague, better known as Maharal was one of the greatest rabbis, scholars, philosophers, Kabbalists and statesmen in Jewish history. He served as the rabbi of Prague in the 16th Century but his influence spread far and wide and is still felt today. Perhaps, the Maharal is best known for the controversial legend about his creation of a Golem, a humanoid made from clay that protected the Jews of Prague. A fascinating discussion about the life and ideas of one of Judaism's most important personalities and whether he actually made a Golem. ...more41minPlay
September 09, 2024Judging Others FavorablyThe Torah instructs us that when judging the actions of others, we should always judge them favorably assuming the best motive and intent. This can be difficult at times especially when the intent is clearly negative or the actions particularly harmful. How can we realistically follow the command to always judge others favorably?A fascinating class on the important Mitzvah of judging others favorably. ...more52minPlay
September 01, 2024The End-of-TimesCentral to Judaism is the belief that there will come a time when the world with its challenges and problems as we know it will end and we will enter a new era without evil, struggling and challenges. There will be an individual who will lead us to this period called Moshiach - the anointed one.A fascinating discussion about the Jewish belief in the coming of Moshiach and what we believe will happen at the end of times....more55minPlay
August 25, 2024Can we go to the Temple Mount Today?The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the holiest site in Judaism. However, on the Temple Mount sit the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, Muslim shrines, marking the sites importance to Islam. Since Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967, Jews have been able to go to the Temple Mount under limited conditions.Are Jews supposed to be going up to the Temple Mount? While it is the holiest spot in Judaism, is it too holy for us to be going there? Would Jewish law forbid us from exercising control over Judaism's holiest spot?A fascinating look at the debate over where Jews may go to the Temple Mount today. ...more51minPlay
August 18, 2024Who Wrote the Siddur (Jewish Prayer Book)?The Synagogue revolves around the Siddur, the prayer book, a book that can be quite think filled with readings and prayers. Who wrote it? How was it written? Why are there some many different prayer books? A fascinating discussion about the history of the Siddur, the Jewish prayer book, how it developed over 2500 years and how it is structured today....more47minPlay
August 12, 2024The History of Blood-LibelsOne of the most persistent and dangerous anti-Semitic accusations against Jews has been the blood libel. While it came in various forms, it included the claim that Jews participated in slaughtering non-Jews for ritual purposes. Despite the absurdity and offensiveness of the claim, blood libels, led to countless arrests, torture, sham-trials and massacres against Jews over our long history. A fascinating discussion about the history of blood libels and why despite the passage of time, these dangerous myths and similar anti-Semitic libels continue today. ...more48minPlay
August 04, 2024How to Write a Jewish WillIt is important to plan ahead and write a will while one is young and healthy to ensure their wishes are fulfilled after their death. For Jews, it's important that our wills not only conform with local laws that will ensure that the wishes of the deceased are carried out. We must also ensure that our wills conform with Jewish laws and values so that our estate is transferred to our heirs in a Jewish and Halachic ethical manner.A fascinating discussion about Jewish wills and estate planning....more59minPlay
July 28, 2024Cities of RefugeWhen Jews lived in the Land of Israel and our religious judicial system was in force, we had 6 cities of refuge for someone who killed a person unintentionally (manslaughter). The killer would flee to a city of refuge and be safe there from any relatives of the victim wanting to avenge the murder.A fascinating discussion about the Cities of Refuge. ...more41minPlay
FAQs about Torah Cafe:How many episodes does Torah Cafe have?The podcast currently has 393 episodes available.