This is Big Questions of Jewish Belief, the podcast where we face up to the challenges of religious faith. We all have questions about our faith. Questions about the truth of the Torah, the morality of its laws and what it teaches about having a relationship with God. So each week during this miniseries I’ll be inviting rigorous thinkers to challenge me with their questions on Belief. My name is Raphael Zarum - I’m the Dean of LSJS - the London School of Jewish Studies, where I hold the Rabb ...
…
continue reading
Inviting you into the conversation with leading educators, scholars, leaders, and us to discuss the issues facing Judaism today. This is not a podcast about books, but what's happening off the page. W are asking our guests just one question: Can you teach us the Torah standing on one leg - al regel ahat? Listen to hear what it is that has guided some of the leading figures of the Jewish world to where they are today and what they are thinking about as we look toward the future.
…
continue reading
For anyone interested in Jewish life, culture and heritage / www.jscn.org.uk / email: hello@jscn.org.uk :: supported by the National Lottery Community Fund
…
continue reading
As we prepare for Tisha B’Av, we need little reminding of how fragile and fraught our existence as Jews can be even here in Israel. There have been daily reminders since Simchat Torah of the harsh realities of being a Jew whether in Eretz Yisrael or the diaspora. We felt it most appropriate this year, therefore, to reshare two of the most powerful …
…
continue reading
Join us for this week's episode of The Koren Podcast Al Regel Ahat where Aryeh talks to tour guide and experiential Jewish educator Shuli Mishkin about the benefits of learning Torah out in the land, a topic particularly pertinent to the period of the Three Weeks leading into Tisha B'Av. Shulie Mishkin made Aliyah from New York with a Master's degr…
…
continue reading
How does Torah work? This week we sat down with Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum to hear his Torah al regel ahat! Rabbi Zarum is the author of Question Belief: Torah and Tradition in an Age of Doubt, a finalist for the Rabbi Sacks Book Prize 2023, as well as the Dean of the London School of Jewish Studies, and the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought. …
…
continue reading
Join Alex and Aryeh for a night at Shavua HaSefer at Jerusalem's First Station! Come visit the Koren stand in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv for amazing discounts or get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout! ______________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Jewish Customs Torah in a Connected…
…
continue reading
We're back! This week we sat down with Rabbi Zvi Ron, author of the new book Jewish Customs: Exploring Common and Uncommon Minhagim as he talks about his Torah al regel ahat! ______________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Jewish Customs | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout…
…
continue reading
Join us as we hear from Rabbi Jonathan Ziring teach his Torah al regel ahat! Rabbi Ziring is the Rosh Yeshiva of Migdal HaTorah in Modi'in. He studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and continued his learning there as a member of the Kollel Gavoah. He was also a fellow at the Tikvah Fund and Center for Modern Torah Leadership's Summer Beit Midrash. Rabbi Z…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Yom HaZikaron - Yosef Guedalia hy"d
1:39:58
1:39:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:39:58
In this deeply moving episode of the Koren Podcast, Al Regel Ahat, we have the honor of sitting down with David, Asher, and Charlie Guedalia, as they share the remarkable story of their beloved son and brother, Yosef. Yosef's name has become synonymous with courage, sacrifice, and heroism. On that fateful day in Kfar Aza, Yosef fearlessly put himse…
…
continue reading
Have you ever wondered why sometimes halakha seems immovable but other times it seems flexible and full of workarounds? We can't own hametz on Pesah so we just sell it to a non-Jew. First borns must fast on erev-Pesah, just make a siyum! Rabbi Daniel Feldman explores these topics and more in his new book Letter and Spirit: Evasions, Avoidance, and …
…
continue reading
Jews have long been proud to call themselves the Chosen People. But isn’t that a little bit racist? Rabbi Zarum is joined by Jonathan and Sophia who bring their own experiences and knowledge to the journey of discovering what exactly ‘chosen’ means and what exactly we’ve been chosen for. For further study, Rafi’s book Questioning Belief is now avai…
…
continue reading
We were joined this week by Jewish renaissance man, teacher, author, podcaster, twitter star, Rabbi Dovid Bashevkin! Rabbi Bashevkin is the Director of Education at NCSY, Clinical Assistant Professor of Jewish Values at the Sy Syms School of Business at Yeshiva University. He has published four books, Sin·a·gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought,…
…
continue reading
Rafi takes Jonathan and Sophia along a fascinating route which takes in collective punishment in Sodom and Gomorrah, shooting Orcs in Star Wars, and the Israel Defence Force’s policy on terrorists. If that’s not enough for you, you’ll find a whole chapter on Collective Punishment and whether it’s fair, in the book Questioning Belief by Rabbi Dr Rap…
…
continue reading
We’ve known the story of Noah and the Ark since we were babies. Do we as Jews believe it really happened? And if it didn’t, why is it in the Torah? Armed with studies in classics and science, Jonathan and Sophia join Rafi to challenge the veracity of the flood and discover a surprising message for today’s #climatecrisis era. For further study, Rafi…
…
continue reading
For our second special Purim episode... It's Modi! Modi Rosenfeld is a wonderful stand-up,actor, and Jewish advocate. What a treat it was to spend some time with him learning about Moshiach energy, making people smile, and building Jewish futures. Listen now as Modi shares his Torah al regel ahat! | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.c…
…
continue reading
It's almost Purim! To get into the spirit we are releasing 2 episodes this week! For the first of our Purim specials we were joined by actor, comedian, and all-round mensch Elon Gold! Listen now as Elon shares his Torah al regel ahat! | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact u…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
(01) What does it mean to believe in God?
40:56
40:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:56
Two rigorous thinkers, Jonathan Gibson - Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics, and Sophia Bor – Cambridge Theology graduate and law student, challenge Rabbi Zarum in this episode on belief in God. Does Judaism require belief in God? Is God the same for everyone? Can we ‘prove’ He exists, and how? Both pract…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
(00) Welcome to Big Questions of Jewish Belief
2:22
2:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:22
This is Big Questions of Jewish Belief, the podcast where we face up to the challenges of religious faith. We all have questions about our faith. Questions about the truth of the Torah, the morality of its laws and what it teaches about having a relationship with God, So each week I’ll be inviting rigorous thinkers to challenge me with their questi…
…
continue reading
We're back for our fifth season of The Koren Podcast asking our guests to teach us their Torah al regel ahat - standing on one leg. We were joined this week by Rabbi Shlomo Brody, author of the National Jewish Book Award-winning A Guide to the Complex and the new Ethics of Our Fighters. Rabbi Brody is a leading expert in Jewish ethics and his new b…
…
continue reading
We're back for our fifth season of The Koren Podcast asking our guests to teach us their Torah al regel ahat - standing on one leg. We were joined this week by Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who, at the time of recording, has been held hostage by Hamas terrorists for 136 days. Hersh is one of 134 people who have …
…
continue reading
We are joined this week by one of the most recognizable faces (and eyebrows!) of world Jewry today. Eylon Levy is the Israeli Government Spokesman who has appeared in hundreds of TV and radio interviews to be the voice of right and reason against so many ill-informed (even if well-intentioned) journalists around the world. Eylon took a few minutes …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Platoon Leader (Res.) Rabbi Avishai Magence
29:27
29:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
29:27
This week we are joined by our colleague and friend Rabbi Avishai Magence. Avishai is the projects director at Koren and, in normal life, is responsible for overseeing all of the ongoing projects at Koren. Since October 7th Avishai has been serving in the IDF reserves as a platoon leader in the defence of Israel. The current war is the fourth in wh…
…
continue reading
We are joined this week by Aryeh Myers, a paramedic, and member of the International Relations department of Magen David Adom. Aryeh has been working round the clock since October 7th and took some time out to speak with Aryeh and Alex about the heroic response of his colleagues, the hope Magen David Adom provides as an apolitical organization that…
…
continue reading
In place of a usual episode of the Koren Podcast Al Regel Ahat this week, Aryeh and Alex spent a journey back from an army base in Israel trying to process some of the events of the last couple of weeks. We want to thank all of the people on the front lines fighting for Israel's safety, and all those in the diaspora who have moved mountains to assi…
…
continue reading
Moadim Lesimha, a gut moed, and hag sameah! On this week's episode of The Koren Podcast Al Regel Ahat, we spoke with Dr. Erica Brown, Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University and founding Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership as well as a world-renowned speaker, teacher, and author…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rabbi Michael Rosensweig - Yom Kippur Special
1:05:54
1:05:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:05:54
What an honor it was to spend some time before Yom Kippur speaking with Rabbi Michael Rosensweig! Rabbi Rosensweig is one of the Roshei Yeshiva of Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and the author of the new, best-selling, book Mimini Mikhael: Essays on Yom Kippur and Teshuvah He is also the rebbe of dozens, if not hundreds, of Rabbi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rabbi Dr Jacob J Schacter - Rosh HaShana Special
33:33
33:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:33
We're back from summer break and jumping straight back into things with this week's guest, Rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schacter. Rabbi Schacter is the author of the introduction and commentary to the new Reid Family Edition Koren Selihot, an accomplished historian, and beloved teacher and rabbi. There is no one better to inspire you ahead of the High Holida…
…
continue reading
We've been asking our guests to teach us the whole Torah standing on one leg inspired by the story of Hillel and Shammai, but where did Hillel get his now famous answer? Surely Rabbi Akiva's similar maxim makes more sense! Rabbi David Fohrman, the founder of AlephBeta, thinks that Hillel gets his answer from an unexpected, and deeply profound sourc…
…
continue reading
What's it like to run an organization that is responsible for more Torah learning than any other in the world? How does one carry the mantle of an eminent father after their passing and continue their legacy for future generations? Alex and Aryeh talked to Rabb Meni Even Israel, the director of the Steinsaltz Center and son of Rabbi Adin Even Israe…
…
continue reading
How can we relate to the 3 Weeks? What is the lesson to be learned from Tisha B'Av? Is there a universal message to the book of Eikha (Lamentations) or is it something to read just once a year? We were joined by Dr. Yael Ziegler to talk to gain inspiration, and direction for this time of year. Yael's unique approach to the book of Eikha and how it …
…
continue reading
Is theology dead? Sam Lebens would have us think not. We had an unbelievable conversation with Sam Lebens as he taught us his whole Torah standing on one leg, al regel ahat! Listen now as we talk theology, philosophy, football, books, comedy, and more! ______________________________________________________________ A Guide for the Jewish Undecided b…
…
continue reading
What does the future hold for Israel? For the Jews? For the Peace Process? Of course, nobody knows but if there were to be one voice to listen to to make predictions it would be Michael Oren's. Michael has spent most of his life dedicated to public service in Israel and abroad. He has spent time in government and diplomacy. Before that, he spent so…
…
continue reading
This episode of the Koren Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience! Alex and Aryeh were back on the road, this time in London as part of the Mizrachi UK Weekend of Inspiration, one of the biggest events in the Religious Zionist calendar in Europe. We were honored, or rather "honoured", to be joined by the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Co…
…
continue reading
We have something a little different this week. Join Alex and Aryeh as they sit down with mother and daughter duo Rabbanit Malke Bina, founder of Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies, and their CEO Chaya Bina Katz to learn from both of them the whole Torah Al Regel Ahat. ______________________________________________________________ Useful Lin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rav Doron Perez - Yom HaAtzma'ut special!
32:04
32:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:04
Yom HaAtzma'ut sameah!!! We're celebrating 75 years of the State of Israel. The place our hosts are proud to call home and from where we have been serving Jewish communities around the world for 60+ years! Aryeh and Alex were joined by Rav Doron Perez, Executive Director of World Mizrachi to talk about the importance and impact of Religious Zionism…
…
continue reading
It was a profound privilege to be invited into the home of Holocaust survivor Rena Quint to hear her story. We are truly grateful that Rena allowed us to record her story for a special episode of the Kore Podcast Al Regal Ahat for Yom HaShoah 2023. Rena was born in Freida Lichtenstein in Pietrokow, Poland in 1936. By age 3 she was imprisoned in the…
…
continue reading
We're back again standing on one leg! This week, Aryeh and Alex are joined by Yaakov Katz. Yaakov has served as the editor-in-chief of the JPost for seven years and recently announced his intention to step down as editor. He has worked as a journalist, focusing on security and defense for several years, and was previously an advisor to Naftali Benn…
…
continue reading
The Koren Podcast Al Regel Ahat is back again and this time we're joined by one of Israel's leading journalists, news anchors, and Torah teachers, Sivan Rahav Meir! Sivan has appeared regularly on TV and radio since the age of 8 but as a teenager, a chance encounter would change the trajectory of her life forever as she found a path to orthodox Jud…
…
continue reading
With Purim just around the corner Aryeh and Alex sat down with the incredible, unstoppable, and incomparable Jordan B. Gorfinkel - better known as Gorf! Gorf is the mastermind behind the new Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel series launched this year with Esther! Gorf is also the architect of the world-famous Passover Haggada Graphic Novel which has been …
…
continue reading
WE'RE BACK!!! We are so excited to kick off a brand-new season of The Koren Podcast with an all-new look and sound! This season, we'll only be asking our guests one question, can you teach us the Torah al regel aḥat - standing on one leg? Each of our guests this season will be sharing the one idea, principle, verse, maxim, story, or saying that has…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Anatomy of Jewish Law with Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman, MD
1:02:56
1:02:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:56
We were joined by our second MD of the season, Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman, the Isaac and Bella Tendler Chair of Jewish medical ethics at Yeshiva University, and Attending Physician of Emergency Medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center. Rabbi Dr. Reichman is also the author of The Anatomy of Jewish Law published by Maggid Books. He analyzes rabbinic…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Go out and dance in the vineyards - Israel's wine and viniculture with Sam Baum
54:31
54:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:31
After the 9 Days and a pretty brutal week for Israel, we thought it might be nice to sit back with a nice glass of wine and talk about something a little lighter. With agriculture, and the grape harvest starting on or around Tu B'Av (15th Av), what better topic for an episode than Israel's growing wine industry! Alex spent an afternoon strolling th…
…
continue reading
The inimitable Dr. Yael Ziegler joined us to start preparing for Tisha B'Av. We talked about Dr. Ziegler's new book Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World, messages we can take into Tisha B'Av, and lessons of hope we can take out. We spoke about how we can learn lessons from recent tragedies to not only grapple with the sadness of the day but als…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Kosher Fertility with Dr. Bat-Sheva Maslow, MD
45:01
45:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:01
The first mitzva in the Torah is to be fruitful and multiply but to some people, this is easier said than done. There are many couples for whom the dream of starting their family is a cause of anxiety and pain when things don't go as planned. This week's guest, Dr. Bat-Sheva Maslow, MD works closely with couples facing difficulties in their journey…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Torah & Science... friends or enemies? Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum
1:00:55
1:00:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:55
While the Torah is clear that every plant and animal species was individually designed “according to its kind”, Darwin’s theory of evolution states the multitude of species we see today all evolved from just a few original forms. Which is right? And if humans evolved too then how could we have been created “in God’s image?” ABOUT Rabbi Dr Raphael Z…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Live From Jerusalem, It's The Koren Podcast!
1:10:02
1:10:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:02
We were joined LIVE at Shavua HaSefer, Israel's national book week, at Jerusalem's First Station by 8 of our amazing authors to talk about their books, inspirations, recomendations, and more! Listen in to our conversations with: Shayna Goldberg (00:00:38-00:09:35) Shira Lankin Sheps (00:09:39-00:15:42) David Arnovitz (0015:57-00:29:42) Dr. Nechemia…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Immigrants, We Get the Job Done! - Modern Reflections on Megillat Rut with Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern
38:44
38:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:44
It's almost Shavuot! Alex and Aryeh sat down with our friend and colleague Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern to discuss some contemporary reflections on Megillat Rut, the book of Ruth. In a discussion that is bookended by Broadway references, Stu introduces ideas about the Jewish approach to immigrants, refugees, converts, antisemitism, biblical symmetry, and …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Value of Friendship with Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz and Rabbi Shalom Rosner
59:13
59:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:13
We decided to dedicate an episode of The Koren Podcast to friendship. We all know that the mourning observed during Sefirat HaOmer is due to the lack of respect shown by the students of Rabbi Akiva to each other. Just in time for Lag BaOmer, we had the chance to speak with two people who live and breathe friendship as a Torah value. Rabbi Aryeh Leb…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Building Independence with Asher Cailingold
1:11:39
1:11:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:11:39
Hag HaAtzma'Ut Sameah! Happy 74th Israel Independence Day! It was a distinct privilege to be invited into the home of someone who played an active role in the creation of the State of Israel. Asher Cailingold was born in London, England in 1930 to one of the few Religious Zionist families living there at the time and, inspired by the examples set f…
…
continue reading
Start preparing for Seder night! Alex and Aryeh are joined by Rabbi Haimer Jachter, author of Reason to Believe and Bridging Traditions, to share some of his insight as an Ashkenazi Rabbi leading a Sepharadi community. Talk ranges from the importance of tradition, what binds all Jews together, what Pesah will be like in the Third Beit HaMikdash (th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Purim Special with Guest Host Dr. Daniel Rose
43:06
43:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:06
Purim Sameah! Join guest host, Dr. Daniel Rose Ph.D., as he and his very special guests as they discuss the Torah values found amongst some other acronymous entities; the MCU, DC, EPL, NFL, and more! ****WARNING**** THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! Editors note Tom Brady is referred to as having recently retired during the course of this episode. …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Ukrainian Refugee Crisis with Zak Jeffay
35:39
35:39
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:39
Far be it from us to offer explanations or analysis of the current conflict in Ukraine but the wave of refugees and displaced persons trying to escape the Russian invasion cannot but pull out our heartstrings. We are so incredibly fortunate that our friend, Zak Jeffay, was able to take a few minutes to sit with us shortly after returning to Israel …
…
continue reading