In this final episode of season one we discuss the obligation and ideas behind the blessing of ha-gomel. At the end of this episode we also share some feedback and reflections on this first season.

We will be taking a short break over the summer and will be back after Tisha b’Av with new episodes.

Please reach out to us as at womentalkingmitzvot@gmail.com if you are interested in sponsoring the upcoming season or individual episodes which can be dedicated with a personal message.

Link to Deracheha article:

www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-gomel/ 

In honor of Shavuot, this episode focuses on the development of women’s Talmud Torah. We also take the opportunity to speak about our personal journeys in the world of Torah learning, in the hope that it may serve as inspiration for others.

Deracheha Article Link:

https://www.deracheha.org/constants/#learning-torah

This conversation touches on halachic aspects of counting the omer and the ideas behind the mitzva. We also discuss the customs of mourning observed during this time period.

Link to Deracheha Article:

https://www.deracheha.org/sefirat-ha-omer/

How is this episode different from all other episodes? We speak about the seder-night mitzva of Sippur Yetziat Mitzrayim, telling the Exodus story, and then discuss the challenges of fulfilling it. We also offer Torah thoughts and insights on some key passages of the Haggada.

Links to Deracheha Articles

\https://www.deracheha.org/af-hen/https://www.deracheha.org/the-seder-part-1/https://www.deracheha.org/the-seder-part-2/

That Jewish Moment-Sari Kopitnikoff-Seder Tools

https://www.thatjewishmoment.com/

This episode takes a deep dive into the mitzvot of Purim–Megilla, Purim Seuda, Mishloach Manot and Matanot La-evyonim (gifts for the poor)--with an emphasis on women’s obligation in these mitzvot and the halachot of women and megilla reading. 

Deracheha articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/af-hen/

https://www.deracheha.org/mitzvot-of-purim/

https://www.deracheha.org/megilla-reading/

Two Purim songs referenced by Shayna: 

Im matzati chen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0eKJWMNcCk&list=RDd0eKJWMNcCk&start_radio=1

Im hachareish tachareishi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJgXuJvZZfc&list=RDLJgXuJvZZfc&start_radio=1

The Purim Story audio recording:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYs1YFCck8E

Rav Aharon Lichtenstein's article on Esther:

https://etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/great-thinkers/harav-aharon-lichtenstein/if-you-remain-silent-time-concern-jewish-people

This episode begins with an exploration of the obligation to recite birkat ha-mazon after eating bread and what that means for us. Next, we discuss the halachic parameters of starting benching off with a ‘zimmun’--for men and women.

This episode has been sponsored in gratitude to the Women Talking Mitzvot podcast and its hosts by the Buchman Community in Modiin.

Women’s Zimmun Card:

Women's Zimmun Card • Deracheha 

Deracheha articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-mazon/

https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-part-1/

https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-part-2/

Link to article on the origins of the bentching tune:

https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/legends-of-jewish-music-remembered

This episode discusses the halachik issues related to applying makeup and other cosmetic products on Shabbat. This topic has a direct impact on the lives of so many people and touches on sensitive issues such as self image, communal beauty norms, and the role halacha plays in our personal lives.

Deracheha articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-3-makeup/#makeup_on_shabbat

https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-4-makeup-removal-and-mikveh/

https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-1-types-of-product/

https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-2-scent-and-healing/

This episode delves into the ways in which we imbue Shabbat with holiness and how these acts are refracted through the act of making kiddush over wine.  We also talk about women’s obligation in both nighttime and daytime kiddush and some practical halachik scenarios that frequently come up.

Related Deracheha Articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-1-obligation/

https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-2-practical-issues/

https://www.deracheha.org/discharging-anothers-obligations/

https://www.deracheha.org/discharging-obligations-in-practice/

The mitzvah of Chanuka candle lighting has classically been fulfilled in diverse ways, with differences between Sephardi and Ashkenazi households, and between women of different communities. This conversation explores several halachic aspects of the mitzva, as well as ways to imbue our celebration of Chanuka with more meaning.

Links to Deracheha Articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/af-hen/

https://www.deracheha.org/chanuka/

This conversation explores the mitzva of lighting Shabbat candles, which is primarily fulfilled by women. We discuss the meaning and special place of this mitzva, alongside important halachic points about lighting in different circumstances.

Deracheha articles:

https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-1/

https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-2/

Song mentioned by Shayna, "My Dear Imma"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nld0iWR0LJc&list=RDNld0iWR0LJc&start_radio=1