With the fast of the 10th of Teves approaching this week, I'm rebroadcasting episode 55 which contains such a powerful idea behind the spiritual power of this meaningful day. There are 6 public fast days on the Jewish calendar: Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av), Tzom Gedalia (the 3rd of Tishrei), Asarah Biteves (the 10th of Teves), Taanis Esther (the 13th of Adar) and Shiva Asar Bi'Tammuz (the 17th of Tammuz).   And while Yom Kippur and the fast of Esther each have their own...

If you ask most people what the miracle of Chanuka was, they'll most likely respond with the story of a small jug of pure oil burning in the Temple for 8 nights.  After all, we light our menorahs for 8 nights to commemorate that miracle! But, was that really the greatest miracle?  Did a tiny small untrained Jewish army led by rabbis not defeat the mighty Greek Empire? So what is the REAL miracle of Chanuka?  What is our primary focus?  Join me as we look through Jewish sources to discover...

The Torah is broken up into many different sections and parts. The primary two being the written law (Torah She'bichsav) and the oral law (Torah She'ba'al Peh).   In today's episode I lay out the general structure of the Torah and show how all the sections are interconnected.   I also cover topics such as: 1) How could the oral law have been written down? 2) Was every prophecy received included in Prophets? 3) What's the difference between Torah, Prophets and Writings? 4) Why did...

This past week I asked close to 50 people to think of something that they want to improve at over this coming year. A whopping 100% (!!!) thought of something that they're really bad at and is extremely difficult for them.  This is often how we think.  We know what we're bad at and want to change it, but when we approach it head on, we often fail and remain in the exact same place. So, how do we create real change?  How do we become the best version of ourselves possible? Join me  as we...

Do you find yourself approaching the High Holidays the same way every year?  Thinking about the same things you want to improve on that you said last year?  With so much busyness in life, how can we make a real change?  Join me as we look to our forefather Abraham, and his journey of finding God in a pagan culture, to help guide ourselves in 2022 and beyond! Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe thethinkingjew.com To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this...

After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Brittany Maynard moved to Oregon, then (2014) one of only four states with legalized physician assisted suicide.  She was a big activist for legalizing suicide for terminal patients, allowing them to "die on their own terms". In this class, we take a deep dive into the traditional sources on suicide and physician assisted suicide across many texts in the written and oral law, discussing such questions as: Is there any allowance for suicide in the...

Wouldn't life be simpler if we could just walk into a building and experience God? Would it not answer so many questions and doubts?  Would it not provide such clarity of purpose and mission? A long time ago, when the Temple stood in Jerusalem it provided just that.  Entering the temple was a transcendent experience - as if you were now experiencing life on a higher dimension.  So the question I explore in this episode is why did God remove that from us?  Why would God not want us to have a...

The first words a Jew says when he or she wakes up is 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘩 𝘈𝘯𝘪, a prayer expressing thanks to God for another day.  Jewish law desires one to say this prayer so immediately upon waking that the prayer doesn't contain the name of God in it, so one can say it even before they wash their hands (𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘴 𝘺𝘢𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘮). What is so special about this prayer that our sages instituted it as the first words, and really the first thoughts, of the day?  What is the deeper meaning behind it? Join me as I go...

This coming weekend begins the saddest part of the Jewish calendar.  Occurring across a three week period, between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av, this time period has held the most terrible tragedies for the Jewish nation. What were those tragedies?  What's the history behind these ominous days?  What's the message for us nowadays?  What are the practical laws (halachahs) that apply during this time? In this episode, I provide a broad overview of this time period: beginning with the...

In this episode we look into the concept of genetics in Torah law.  When are we developing the world and using the resources God gave us and when are we playing God?   Is it ethical to pick the gender of a child?  What about their height/eye color?  What if it impacts their health? Does that make it better? In addition to these general questions, we discuss the Rabbis approach to genetic diseases in the Jewish community (specifically Tay Sachs), the concept of determining Jewish/Kohein...

In this episode we take a look at the fascinating case of Cassandra C.  In September 2014, Cassandra C., then 17 years old, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After lying to the courts and running away from chemo, she was placed under the custody of the Connecticut Dept. of Children and Families. She was then forced to complete treatments against her and her family’s wishes, ultimately resulting in her complete recovery. In this episode we discuss the Torah's perspective on the...

Have you ever felt trapped in a certain behavior pattern and struggled to break out?  Often when we approach our behaviors head on, we lose badly.  How can the Torah guide us in this aspect? In Numbers chapter 6 the Torah discusses the Nazirite, one who accepts upon himself to separate from certain physical pleasures and focus on their spiritual growth.  And, the commentaries all struggle with understanding this section.  In one place, the Torah describes him as holy and even compares him to...

While traveling in the desert, God commands Moses to set up the Jews in very specific formation; three tribes in each direction and the tabernacle in the center.  The Torah also teaches that each encampment had its own flag, as well as each tribe had its own flag. What was the role of these flags and encampments?  Why not keep the people united as one whole group?  To strengthen the question, one of the great merits the Jews had when they received the Torah was their unity, so why would God...

I heard earlier today that one of my greatest Rabbis passed away.  His name was Rabbi Eliyahu Margulies zt'l, and he was the first teacher I had that really opened my eyes to the deeper side of Torah.  Many of the ideas that I share on this podcast and throughout all of my teaching are sourced in what I learned from this great man. In his honor and in his memory, I decided to share a beautiful and deep idea that I heard from him 10 years ago (to the week), when I was studying in the great...

One of the most famous Jewish dictums is (Leviticus 19:18), "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  But this verse seems quite difficult!  Is it really possible?  What does that mean?  Do I really have to do everything that I would do for myself for all my Jewish brethren as well?  Buy them their groceries?  Lease them a car?  Take out a mortgage for them?  It seems impossible! Join me as we analyze a fascinating debate between the Rambam (Maimonides) and the Ramban (Nachmanides)...

There is a biblical obligation to count 50 days from the Omer offering (Leviticus chapter 23), and then on the 50th day to bring an offering of two breads and celebrate a holiday (Shavuos).  Even in modern times, in which we no longer have a temple and can no longer perform these offerings, we still count the 50 day period from when the Omer should've been brought until Shavuos. What exactly is the purpose of the counting?  Why is the Omer offering brought in the middle of Passover?  What is...

The Yahrtzeit is the Hebrew date of passing of a close family member.  There are many customs observed on the yahrtzeit as a merit for the departed soul, such as, lighting a 24 hour candle, learning Torah and saying the mourner's kaddish. In this episode, I take a deeper look at the significance of the yahrtzeit and its customs.  What exactly happens to the soul on the yahrtzeit?  Why is the Hebrew date of passing still significant in future years?  What can we practically do to carry on the...

What is the real definition of "freedom"? Is it doing whatever we want, however we want, whenever we want or is it something more internal?  How does the Torah define freedom?   Join me as we analyze a few unique stories of "freedom" to uncover this essential principle.  Additionally, we'll discuss many other fundamental ideas, such as free choice, the receiving of the Torah, and our general decision making process. This is an edited recording of a class I gave in 2018 on the topic of...

This episode is the last one discussing the laws of Passover.  In episode 68, I discussed the laws (and philosophy) of removing chametz from your house in general.  In episode 69, I discussed how to kasher your year-round kitchen to allow you to use it for cooking Passover food.  In this episode, I discuss the laws of the Passover Seder. We'll go through each step of the seder and mention the relevant laws to that section.  Also, a final reminder to sell your chametz (as discussed in...

In this episode, I discuss the laws of using your year-round kitchen for Passover foods.  Obviously, we want to avoid any chametz from getting into our Passover food, but in addition to actual physical chametz, the Torah prohibits chametz "flavor" from being cooked into our Passover food as well. The episode begins with the general rules of taste transfers in Jewish law and then goes through the classic sections and appliances in your kitchen, teaching you how to prepare each one for use on...

This episode begins with the laws of chametz, leavened bread, on the holiday of Passover.  Interestingly, in addition to the famous prohibition against eating chametz on Passover, there is actually a less-known law prohibiting even owning chametz on Pesach! After defining what exactly chametz is, we'll learn how to avoid all the prohibitions regarding chametz, which will enable us to transform our homes into our "Pesach zone". At the end of the episode, we'll dive into the deeper sources of...

The concept of Kosher is probably one of the most well-known Torah laws in the world. Why is that?  Is there a deeper theme behind it that reflects the broader lessons of Torah?   In this episode, we'll discuss that which the great Kabbalists before us, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lozzatto, Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi and the holy Ariz'al, revealed to us about the importance of eating kosher.   We begin with looking at the role of Torah and Mitzvahs in general, we then continue to understand why...

The Kaddish is one of the mot powerful prayers that we have.  The Talmud goes so far as to say that the Kaddish is one of two merits that allow the world to continue to exist.  Additionally,  the Kaddish is one of the most observed rituals in Judaism.  Even Jews who don't frequently attend services, will make sure to come to synagogue when they need to say Kaddish. In today's episode I want to explore this powerful prayer.  We'll discuss why it's such a unique prayer, why mourners are the...

The verse states that G-d loves peace and makes peace, and yet when it comes to the nation of Amalek, G-d very strongly condemns them and demands the Jewish nation to completely destroy any trace memory of them.  Why is that?  Why would a peaceful G-d desire that?  There must be more to the Amalekite concept than initially meets the eye. Join me as we discover the Kabbalistic depth behind the essence of Amalek, what they really stand for and how they oppose G-d and the Jewish nation.  We'll...