Torah and Today

Nov 17 2024 122 ep. 13 mins 4
Torah and Today Podcast artwork

Welcome to Torah and Today with Rabbi Ken Brodkin.  

On this podcast, you can expect weekly wisdom as we explore how the Torah guides our lives in modern times. 

Tune in for insight on your Jewish journey. We'll draw from a mix of Torah sources as we grapple with issues we face as Jews in contemporary society.

This podcast is produced with the support of Congregation B'nai Israel in Manalapan NJ. 

  Religion & Spirituality
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Why Did God Love Avraham?

Nov 17 2024 11 mins  
It’s hard to think of a more influential person in human history than Avraham. The prophet Isaiah teaches us that this influential figure and founder of Israel was beloved to HaShem. But why did God love Avraham? The answer to this question—alluded to in Genesis 18, 19—is a key for understanding how we shine our light into today’s world.

Gratitude Will Change Your Life

Jun 04 2024 12 mins  
The life of Ruth and the Chag of Shavuot helps us to connect with a path that can immediately change our lives for the better: gratitude.

Audacious Hope

May 30 2024 12 mins  
The Jewish people face unprecedented challenges in our times. How do we prepare for the future in these days of great trials? 2,600 years ago, the prophet Jeremiah taught us a lesson in faith in a time when destruction was at the door—literally. His act of audacious hope is beckons us today.

Sukkot: A Moment To Celebrate

Oct 02 2023 11 mins  
The generation that returned from Bavel to Jerusalem reveled in their “rediscovery” of the Chag of Sukkos. Their modest celebration holds a lesson for our lives.

Journey of the Kohen

Sep 24 2023 13 mins  
Israeli singer Ishay Ribo takes us into the soul of the Kohen Gadol through his “Seder HaAvoda,” a song with 10 million views on YouTube.Why is a song about Yom Kippur enthralling to people of all backgrounds? What can we learn from the Kohen’s journey in our lives today?

Elul: One that I Seek

Aug 20 2023 12 mins  
During the Hebrew month of Elul, we contemplate the palpable presence of the King. How do we utilize these weeks to prepare for the Days of Awe? What does it mean for us to desire a King?

Let Us Worship Other Gods!

Aug 13 2023 12 mins  
What happens when your friend or loved one tries to sway you against your better judgment? How do you eschew the desires of loved ones, or the society around you? The Torah’s discussion of friends enticing us to worship idols is instructive for our times.

Not By Bread Alone

Aug 05 2023 11 mins  
The prophets teach us that we have a hunger and a thirst for something beyond bread & water: we seek to absorb the word of God. What steps can we take to discover and connect with the spiritual roots we yearn for?

Tzedek: Where Is Justice?

Jul 24 2023 14 mins  
The Torah tells us that will shall diligently pursue justice. We also learn that God is perfect and just. Yet, for all the Torah’s focus on justice, there seems to be plenty of injustice in our world. How do we square the existence injustice with a Just God? How can we be emissaries of justice and truth in our imperfect world?

Shavuos: Overcoming Travail in the Path of Torah

May 22 2023 11 mins  
The life of Rebbi Akiva is a model for how we overcome challenges in life, as we grow closer to Torah. Join us as we reflect on how Shavuos can propel us forward in this path.