Torah Cafe

Feb 02 2025 339 ep. 47 mins 35
Torah Cafe Podcast artwork

A discussion on a topic from the week's Parsha covering many important parts of Judaism that are not regularly addressed.

  Religion & Spirituality
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The 10 Mitzvah Campaigns

Feb 02 2025 50 mins  
Starting 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

Are Locust Kosher

Jan 26 2025 35 mins  
While 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.

The Jews of Tunisia

Jan 19 2025 46 mins  
Jews 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.

Why does G-d have so many names?

Jan 12 2025 54 mins  
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 th

Pilegesh Begivah - The Jewish Civil War

Jan 05 2025 55 mins  
One 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.

Why do we play Dreidel on Chanukah?

Dec 29 2024 47 mins  
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.

Right-Handed & Left-Handed People in Judaism

Dec 22 2024 45 mins  
For 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-ha

The Ketubah

Dec 15 2024 49 mins  
When 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.

Polygamy in Judaism

Dec 11 2024 36 mins  
Bonus 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?

How did Jacob marry 2 sisters?

Dec 09 2024 40 mins  
Our ancestor Jacob was tricked by his uncle Laban into marrying Laban's 2 daughters Rachel and Leah. While the Torah allows for polygamy, it does not allow for marrying two sisters. How then was Jacob able to marry two sisters in violation of Jewish law? This classic question has been asked and addressed by countless commentaries over our long history. A fascinating discussion add