Best Responsa Podcasts (2024)

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Seekers of Meaning 7/12/2024: Elissa Strauss, author of “When You Care,” book about caregiving 36:56

1d ago36:56

36:56

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Elissa Strauss discusses her new book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. In this “urgent and necessary book” (Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author), journalist Elissa Strauss explores the powerful role caring for others plays in our individu…

1
Seekers of Meaning 7/12/2024: Elissa Strauss, author of “When You Care,” book about caregiving 36:56

1d ago36:56

36:56

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Elissa Strauss discusses her new book, When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. In this “urgent and necessary book” (Rebecca Traister, New York Times bestselling author), journalist Elissa Strauss explores the powerful role caring for others plays in our individu…

1
Rabbi Akiva Eger II - Rulings, Plague & Portrait 39:53

2d ago39:53

39:53

To appreciate Rabbi Akiva Eger we need to understand his era; The cholera epidemic he lived through, the personalities of his generation as well as his rulings and how they were set out. Who was he really and what did he look like? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Akiva Eger 13:46 Rabbi Akiva Eger's Role During the Cholera Epidemic 27:09 Confli…

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Seekers of Meaning 7/5/2024: Rusty Rosman, author of “Two Envelopes” Book on End of Life Planning 29:47

8d ago29:47

29:47

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Rusty Rosman discusses her book, Two Envelopes: What You Want Your Loved Ones To Know When You Die. When you die, there are so many things your family and loved ones immediately need to know. Two Envelopes is your voice, conveying your wishes regarding your death and your …

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Seekers of Meaning 7/5/2024: Rusty Rosman, author of “Two Envelopes” Book on End of Life Planning 29:47

8d ago29:47

29:47

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, author Rusty Rosman discusses her book, Two Envelopes: What You Want Your Loved Ones To Know When You Die. When you die, there are so many things your family and loved ones immediately need to know. Two Envelopes is your voice, conveying your wishes regarding your death and your …

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Seekers of Meaning 6/28/2024: Dr. Judith Smith, author of “Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change” 35:10

15d ago35:10

35:10

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Judith Smith discusses her new book, Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change. Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult …

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Seekers of Meaning 6/28/2024: Dr. Judith Smith, author of “Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change” 35:10

16d ago35:10

35:10

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Judith Smith discusses her new book, Difficult: Mothering Difficult Adult Children Through Conflict and Change. Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult …

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50. The Get of Kleves: From Divorce to Dementia in Jewish Law - Feat. Rabbi Kalman Laufer 36:50

18d ago36:50

36:50

In this episode, Rabbi Kalman Laufer explores the complex and sensitive topic of "The Gett of Kleeves" and its implications for dementia in Jewish law. Through his analysis of the responsa collected in Sefer Or HaYashar, Rabbi Laufer sheds light on the halachic considerations surrounding divorce and claims of mental incapacity. As a bioethicist and…

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Rabbi Akiva Eger I - Genius, Battles & Compassion 39:57

18d ago39:57

39:57

Famous as a scholar and lamdan, his life was beset by challenges and setbacks, all of which he faced with remarkable fortitude. As the leader of Central Europe's Jewry, the impact of his writings and personality re-wrote the history of the 19th century for the Jews Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Government Intervention 08:01 Reb Akiva Eger's Schol…

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Seekers of Meaning 6/21/2024: David Zinner, Co-Founder, Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) 34:48

23d ago34:48

34:48

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, David Zinner, the co-founder and board chair of the Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) discussed JADE’s interactive web educational tool on Jewish practices and rituals related to death and end-of-life care. JADE works with the entire Jewish community, affiliated and u…

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Seekers of Meaning 6/21/2024: David Zinner, Co-Founder, Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) 34:48

23d ago34:48

34:48

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, David Zinner, the co-founder and board chair of the Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) discussed JADE’s interactive web educational tool on Jewish practices and rituals related to death and end-of-life care. JADE works with the entire Jewish community, affiliated and u…

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49. Evasion, Avoidance and Workarounds in the Halachic System - Feat. Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman 40:13

24d ago40:13

40:13

In this episode, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman joins us to explore the fascinating themes of his book "Letter and Spirit: Evasion, Avoidance, and Workarounds in the Halachic System". We delve into the intricate strategies and mechanisms that have evolved within Jewish law to navigate complex ethical and legal dilemmas. Rabbi Feldman shares his expertise …

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Seekers of Meaning 6/14/2024: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism 39:35

30d ago39:35

39:35

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, discusses the rising incidence of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the United States and describes some of the programs in Jewish education and interfaith understanding supported by the Ce…

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Seekers of Meaning 6/14/2024: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism 39:35

30d ago39:35

39:35

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, discusses the rising incidence of antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in the United States and describes some of the programs in Jewish education and interfaith understanding supported by the Ce…

1
Kabbalah II - Heresy : Spain 1290-1350 1:01:56

1M ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Unraveling the Mystery - Who was Moshe de Leon? How did the Zohar impact Jewish history? Is there a deep divide between Academics & Kabbalists. What did Rav Yaakov Emden write? And how was Marriage seen in 13th century Spain? Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Mystery of the Zohar 13:09 The Historical Context of Spain in the 13th and 14th Centuries 3…

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Seekers of Meaning 6/7/2024: Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, Co-Author of The Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare

1M ago

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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, MD, discusses the book, Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare: Practical Strategies to Navigate our Complex System and Save Money Tired of being overwhelmed with escalating healthcare costs, find your doctors more focused on their computer than o…

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Seekers of Meaning 6/7/2024: Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, Co-Author of The Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare

1M ago

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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Dr. Lawrence Lazarus, MD, discusses the book, Insider’s Guide to Quality, Affordable Healthcare: Practical Strategies to Navigate our Complex System and Save Money Tired of being overwhelmed with escalating healthcare costs, find your doctors more focused on their computer than o…

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48. Printing Press Politics: Investigating the Mishneh Torah Copyright Controversy - Feat. Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg 37:31

1M ago37:31

37:31

Join us for a fascinating journey through the intersection of Jewish history, copyright law, and community politics in our latest episode, "Printing Press Politics: Investigating the Mishneh Torah Copyright Controversy". Dr. Tamara Morsel-Eisenberg, a renowned expert in Jewish studies, joins us to delve into the contentious debate surrounding the r…

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47. The Lesser of Two Evils: Is it Ever Kosher to Look the Other Way? - Feat. Rabbi Shimon Altshul 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

In this episode, Rabbi Shimon Altshul joins us to delve into a captivating responsum of the Chasam Sofer (Y.D., no. 45), one of the most influential Jewish scholars of the 18th/19th century. We explore a kashrus controversy that rocked his community, where a debate over the potentially treif status of much of their food threatened to tear the commu…

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Kabbalah I - Controversy : Spain 1250-1295 53:05

1M ago53:05

53:05

In the 1200s Spanish Jewry faced great challenges within the community including Murder, Immorality & Defection. This was exacerbated by dangerous teachings within Kabbalah which had to be rooted out by the Rashba and banned.But 700 years later a pathway was found to Redemption. Chapters 00:00 Challenges of 13th-Century Spain: Tensions, Wealth, and…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/31/2024: Rabbi Dalia Marx, author of “From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar”

1M ago

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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D., the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at HUC-JIR’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, discusses her new book, From Time to Time, Journeys in the Jewish Calendar. Time is fundamental to the human experience, and in Judaism it is even mo…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/31/2024: Rabbi Dalia Marx, author of “From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar”

1M ago

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On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Dalia Marx, Ph.D., the Rabbi Aaron D. Panken Professor of Liturgy and Midrash at HUC-JIR’s Taube Family Campus in Jerusalem, discusses her new book, From Time to Time, Journeys in the Jewish Calendar. Time is fundamental to the human experience, and in Judaism it is even mo…

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46. Cutting it Close: The Problem with Pre-Shabbos Surgeries - Feat. Rabbi Yossi Kamman 38:43

2M ago38:43

38:43

In this episode, Rabbi Yossi Kamman joins us to explore a fascinating responsum (Likutei Sichos, Vol. 16, p. 518) of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (R. Menachem Mendel Schneerson) against scheduling elective surgeries within a few days of Shabbos. Rabbi Kamman presents us with an insightful profile of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, his approach to halachah, and wha…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/24/2024: Jewish Summer Camps, with Lisa David and Lori Zlotoff of the URJ Camps 39:09

2M ago39:09

39:09

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Lisa David, executive director, URJ Camps/Camp Harlam and URJ Camps Pipeline Strategy, and Lori Zlotoff, inclusion coordinator at URJ Camp Harlam, discuss the importance of summer camp experiences for Jewish children and teenagers. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Avail…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/24/2024: Jewish Summer Camps, with Lisa David and Lori Zlotoff of the URJ Camps 39:09

2M ago39:09

39:09

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Lisa David, executive director, URJ Camps/Camp Harlam and URJ Camps Pipeline Strategy, and Lori Zlotoff, inclusion coordinator at URJ Camp Harlam, discuss the importance of summer camp experiences for Jewish children and teenagers. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Avail…

1
Spanish Jewry III - Targets of Resentment: Prominent Jewish Figures in Spain 41:35

2M ago41:35

41:35

The Golden Age was over but what drove Jews to settle in Christian Spain?What is the true story of the pirates in Cordoba?Why was the commentary of the Rif so vital and why did the Ba’al HaMaor critique it?Who controlled the Jews: The Church or The Kings? Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:05 Legends and Stories in Jewish History 08:50 …

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45. [Special Episode] Responsa from the RCA - Feat. Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon, Rav Mark Dratch, Rav Shlomo Weissman and more! 42:30

2M ago42:30

42:30

We attended the Rabbinical Council of America Conference 2024 and did some rapid fire interviews with many of the rabbis who were present. They were given a few minutes to share their favorite responsa and which topic they (in theory or in practice) would write a teshuva about. Order of guests: Rabbi Mark Dratch Rabbi Jordan Aurebach Rabbi Maury Ke…

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44. Minhag vs. Halacha: The Friday Night Kiddush Controversy - Feat. Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger 36:44

2M ago36:44

36:44

In this episode, we're joined by Rabbanit Ayelet Schlesinger for a fascinating exploration of a recurring question: What happens when minhag (custom) conflicts with halacha (Jewish law)? Using the case study of Friday Night Kiddush, we delve into how three responsa - Yachin U'Boaz (1:118), Or Zarua (Vol. 1, Responsum no. 752), and Yabia Omer (1:15)…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/17/2024: Reb Simcha Raphael, author of “Musings With The Angel Of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing” 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Reb Simcha Raphael, Ph.D., discusses his new book of poetry, Musings with the Angel of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing. Intense and deeply personal, this compilation of poetry, grapples with the reality of death, loss, and finding meaning in the face of life’s finitude in …

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Seekers of Meaning 5/17/2024: Reb Simcha Raphael, author of “Musings With The Angel Of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing” 36:22

2M ago36:22

36:22

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Reb Simcha Raphael, Ph.D., discusses his new book of poetry, Musings with the Angel of Death: Poems of Love, Life and Longing. Intense and deeply personal, this compilation of poetry, grapples with the reality of death, loss, and finding meaning in the face of life’s finitude in …

1
Spanish Jewry II - The Golden Age : Poetry, Power and Politics 45:18

2M ago45:18

45:18

A unique world existed for two centuries in which a Jewish general lead Moslem armies into battle and authored 1,500 poems while Chasdai, the most famous Jew, discovered the antidote to poison and oversaw the creation of Jewish grammar. Was Yosef Hannagid responsible for the death of an Arab prince? And how did Spain over-rule Babylonia? Chapters 0…

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43. The Way is Shut: A Probing of Post-Talmudic Authority - Feat. Rabbi Shmuel Phillips 38:08

2M ago38:08

38:08

May later generations disagree with their predecessors? Can religious authority be controlled by a specific locale? Our guest, Rabbi Shmuel Phillips addresses these questions and distills several fundamental lessons from a lesser known responsum of the Rambam (Iggeres no. 18). More info and the best links for buying his books are at www.TalmudRecla…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/10/2024: Rabbi Mark Washofsky, author of book, “Reading Reform Responsa” 41:14

2M ago41:14

41:14

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, discusses his new book, Reading Reform Responsa: Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Today’s Issues, now available from CCAR Press or Amazon.com. The responsa literature, in which rabbis answer questions about halachah (Jewish law), is a vast treasury …

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Seekers of Meaning 5/10/2024: Rabbi Mark Washofsky, author of book, “Reading Reform Responsa” 41:14

2M ago41:14

41:14

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Mark Washofsky, PhD, discusses his new book, Reading Reform Responsa: Jewish Tradition, Reform Rabbis, and Today’s Issues, now available from CCAR Press or Amazon.com. The responsa literature, in which rabbis answer questions about halachah (Jewish law), is a vast treasury …

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Spanish Jewry I - The Dark Ages: The Forced Conversion of the Jews 34:39

2M ago34:39

34:39

The history of the Jews in Spain has always been part of our collective memory. But the real story starts 1,000 years earlier. Long before the Rishonim, flourishing communities existed. What were their lives like? Why do we not know more about them? And what happened in 711CE? For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 The Visi…

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42. Should I Study Biblical Criticism? - Feat. Rabbi Steven Gotlib 36:38

2M ago36:38

36:38

Should I Study Biblical Criticism? In this episode, we provide a glimpse into the complex and often contentious world of Biblical criticism, exploring how two prominent theological schools of thought - Conservative and Orthodox - approach the study of our holy Torah. While both sides affirm the general authority of the Bible, they diverge sharply o…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/3/2024: Shira Zemel, National Council of Jewish Women, on Reproductive Freedom 31:59

2M ago31:59

31:59

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shira Zemel, Abortion Access Campaign Co-Director for the National Council of Jewish Women, discusses the organization’s efforts to protect women’s reproductive freedom. Since its founding, NCJW has been a leader in the reproductive health and rights movement, and while much adva…

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Seekers of Meaning 5/3/2024: Shira Zemel, National Council of Jewish Women, on Reproductive Freedom 31:59

2M ago31:59

31:59

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Shira Zemel, Abortion Access Campaign Co-Director for the National Council of Jewish Women, discusses the organization’s efforts to protect women’s reproductive freedom. Since its founding, NCJW has been a leader in the reproductive health and rights movement, and while much adva…

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41. The Epistle to Yemen - Feat. Rabbi Chezkie Glatt 37:43

2M ago37:43

37:43

In this episode, we explore the Rambam's Iggeres Teiman (Epistle to Yemen) - a powerful and poignant letter written to the Jewish community of Yemen around the year 1173/1174.Our guest, Rabbi Chezkie Glatt explains how the letter offers words of comfort, encouragement, and hope in the face of heresy and hardship. We provide a general survey of the …

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Picking up the Pieces: On the Oven of Akhnai 58:31

3M ago58:31

58:31

Some thoughts and ideas on the famous story of the Oven of Akhnai, which appears in tomorrow's Daf (Bava Metzia 59)

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Seekers of Meaning 4/26/2024: Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses 2024 RE-Charging Reform Conference 44:11

3M ago44:11

44:11

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, discusses the upcoming second annual Re-Charging Reform conference, being held at the synagogue May 29-30. The conference expects to consider these key topics: Israel’s and world Jewry’s confidence …

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Seekers of Meaning 4/26/2024: Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch discusses 2024 RE-Charging Reform Conference 44:11

3M ago44:11

44:11

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York, discusses the upcoming second annual Re-Charging Reform conference, being held at the synagogue May 29-30. The conference expects to consider these key topics: Israel’s and world Jewry’s confidence …

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Responsa in History III 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

Do synagogues have rights over membership?Why did a Chazan risk excommunication in Perpignan?Why were responsa printed in defiance of the author’s wishes?And the 1708 Chametz glue on a Pesach document… Chapters 00:00 Excommunication and Imposing Bans 06:18 Excommunication and Scholarly Disputes 13:28 The Role of the Chazan in the Synagogue 26:04 In…

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Seekers of Meaning 4/19/2024: A Passover Message from Rabbi Address 17:08

3M ago17:08

17:08

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a Pesach message and some questions for conversation around the Passover table. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this …

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Seekers of Meaning 4/19/2024: A Passover Message from Rabbi Address 17:08

3M ago17:08

17:08

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address offers a Pesach message and some questions for conversation around the Passover table. Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service You can add the Jewish Sacred Aging TV channel to your Roku streaming subscription by visiting this …

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Do the Laws of Eruv Make Any Sense At All? 100th Episode Update 21:40

3M ago21:40

21:40

In celebration of 100 episodes of Responsa Radio, we're re-releasing our favorites with an update from Rav Eitan and Rav Avi at the end of the episode. Our producer, Jeremy Tabick's favorite is episode #7: The laws of eruv—constructing a sometimes questionable boundary around a neighborhood to allow carrying objects on shabbat—often seem obscure, b…

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40. [Special Episode] Letters to the Editor - Feat. The Listeners! 21:04

3M ago21:04

21:04

It's finally here! In this episode, we go through YOUR reactions to previous episodes of the podcast and much more! God willing, we will return with more regular episodes following Pesach. Links to references made in the episode: 1) Support the Podcast / Sponsor an Episode - Eichlers Registry. 2) Igros Moshe Series with Tradition Online. 3) Challen…

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Seekers of Meaning 4/12/2024: Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer from Yodeah.org, providing genetic cancer counseling for Jewish families 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer discuss Yodeah.org, their online portal for genetic screening and counseling of Jewish families for the BRCA gene and other genetic markers for cancer risk. Ashkenazi Jewish men and women are disproportionately more likely to carry here…

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Seekers of Meaning 4/12/2024: Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer from Yodeah.org, providing genetic cancer counseling for Jewish families 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Peter Kasdan and Dr. Liz Etkin-Kramer discuss Yodeah.org, their online portal for genetic screening and counseling of Jewish families for the BRCA gene and other genetic markers for cancer risk. Ashkenazi Jewish men and women are disproportionately more likely to carry here…

1
Financial Responsa in History II - Shuls, Politics & Power (feat. Dayan Y Posen) 49:50

3M ago49:50

49:50

For centuries Jews faced restrictions building their shuls. Halachic questions arose across Europe concerning rights, ownership and use. And closer to our day, when communities split, the assets would often be fought over. For the trip, please email: giana.elav@gmail.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 07:41 Shul as a Place of Assembly and…

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