Best Aleph Insights Podcasts (2024)

1
Rediscovering Tzitzit: Insights from Parshat Shelach (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 2) 28:33

4M ago28:33

28:33

(Part 2 of 2) Are tzitzit supposed to “mean” something? Most people who wear tzitzit probably don't find it especially objectionable or burdensome, but how many people can honestly say that wearing tzitzit is a deeply meaningful spiritual practice? That it helps them to be a better Jew, a better person, to feel closer to God? Probably not so many. …

1
Parshat Shelach: Insights Into Tzitizt (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 2) 28:33

4M ago28:33

28:33

(Part 2 of 2) Parshat Shelach teaches us the mitzvah of Tzitzit. How are we to understand these little fringes? Sounds like a perfect job for the crew at "Meaningful Judaism," our podcast dedicated to uncovering the meaning in mitzvot, so we decided to pop back into this feed and share this episode from our archives. Check out the 2024 Perks campai…

1
Rediscovering Tzitzit: Insights from Parshat Shelach (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 1) 37:10

4M ago37:10

37:10

(Part 1 of 2) The Aleph Beta Team is hard at work on new episodes of Meaningful Judaism. But in the meantime, we decided to go back to our archives and share this episode about tzitzit, which is discussed in this week's parsha. Are tzitzit supposed to “mean” something? Most people who wear tzitzit probably don't find it especially objectionable or …

1
Parshat Shelach: Insights into Tzitzit: (Re-release of "What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? Part 1) 36:40

4M ago36:40

36:40

(Part 1/2) Parshat Shelach teaches us the mitzvah of Tzitzit. How are we to understand these little fringes? Sounds like a perfect job for the crew at "Meaningful Judaism," our podcast dedicated to uncovering the meaning in mitzvot, so we decided to pop back into this feed and share this episode from our archives. Enjoy! Check out the 2024 Perks ca…

1
Ep. 5 What About Moses? 43:51

5M ago43:51

43:51

In the concluding episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu delve deep into the perplexing issue of Moshe's legacy. In a thought-provoking discussion, they explore the paradox of Moshe – how could a leader uniquely equipped to empathize with those of mixed heritage, have no compassion for the Mekallel, a man who shared his challenging beginnings…

1
Ep. 4 The Mekallel’s Return to Eden 37:00

5M ago37:00

37:00

Is there any redemption for the mekallel? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu head back to Leviticus to explore a fascinating connection between the mekallel, the utopian laws of the Jubilee year, and the Torah’s original utopia, Eden. This new thread of evidence shines a more uplifting light on our dark text – while unlocking unexpected insight…

1
Ep. 3 The Philosophy of Blasphemy and Micah’s Idol in the Book of Judges 56:53

5M ago56:53

56:53

In this episode, Rabbi Forhman and Imu finally discuss two long-awaited topics. Firstly, what really is so wrong about blasphemy? After all, blasphemy is just words. How can words hurt God? And secondly, the much-promised epilogue to the story of the Mekallel, buried in the book of Shoftim (Judges). And as it turns out, the epilogue deals with the …

1
Ep. 2 Moshe and the Mekallel: A Tale of Two Outcasts 30:01

6M ago30:01

30:01

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue to search for justice in the Mekallel’s harsh punishment. Does the answer lie in the strange connection they found last episode between the Mekallel and Moses? To find out, they dive into Moses' coming-of-age story in Exodus, and discover an even deeper bond between these two men who on the surface couldn’t be more di…

1
Ep. 1 The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Full Season Now Available] 46:44

6M ago46:44

46:44

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu …

1
The Hidden Angels in the Megillah [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other] 33:08

8M ago33:08

33:08

The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn’t even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther saved their people in a time of crisis – but does this story have any moral message for us? As we’re listening to the Megillah on Purim, what can we learn about coming close to God in our e…

1
The Hidden Angels in the Megillah [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other] 32:55

8M ago32:55

32:55

The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn’t even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther saved their people in a time of crisis – but does this story have any moral message for us? As we’re listening to the Megillah on Purim, what can we learn about coming close to God in our e…

1
A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer 2:00

8M ago2:00

2:00

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following …

1
A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer 2:00

8M ago2:00

2:00

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following …

1
A Book Like No Other: Season 3 - Trailer 2:00

8M ago2:00

2:00

A Book Like No Other is a chance to learn alongside Aleph Beta Founder and Lead Scholar, Rabbi David Fohrman, a master close reader of Torah, as he embarks on his most far-reaching and in-depth explorations. Each season is a stand-alone journey into a different Torah text. Our only goal: reading the Torah carefully, on its own terms, and following …

1
Mishpatim: The Legal Debate That Changed Jewish History 38:35

9M ago38:35

38:35

Parshat Mishpatim outlines the laws of indentured servants and maidservants, including servants going free in the seventh year, servants getting married while working, and a father making a deal for his daughter’s hand in marriage. This set of laws seems strikingly similar to an earlier story involving a worker and a father trying marrying off his …

1
Yitro: What Was Really Written on the Tablets? 25:12

9M ago25:12

25:12

In Parshat Yitro, we read about the revelation at Sinai and the giving of the 10 Commandments. The image of the 10 Commandments is one of the most familiar images from the Torah, but when you read the Sages’ description of the tablets, not only will you be shocked to hear that we may have been depicting the image wrong all along, but we may also be…

1
The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other] 46:44

10M ago46:44

46:44

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu …

1
Bo: What Did the Egyptians Get Out of the Exodus? 41:44

10M ago41:44

41:44

Parshat Bo tells the story of the last three plagues. The 10th plague, the death of the firstborn, ultimately compels Pharaoh and the Egyptians to free the Israelites from slavery, but was that really the purpose of the plagues? Were they just meant to punish the Egyptians? Or were the Egyptians meant to get something else out of these destructive …

1
The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Introducing our new season of A Book Like No Other] 46:44

10M ago46:44

46:44

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu …

1
Shemot: What Was Moses’ Real Mission? 22:12

10M ago22:12

22:12

In Parshat Shemot, we read the story of the burning bush, where Moses was charged with a mission. We are often taught that Moses’ job was to take the Israelites out of Egypt, but a close read of the text suggests that there is actually something else Moses also had to do. Join Ari Levisohn and Evan Weiner as they dive into Moses' encounter with the…

1
Vayechi: God's Hidden Hand 29:49

10M ago29:49

29:49

In Parshat Vayechi, Jacob remembers when the God of his ancestors, “El Shaddai,” appeared to him and promised a bright future for his descendants. But what about the times when his life didn’t seem to be going according to God’s plan? Is God still present in times of suffering? Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Beth Lesch as they explore the question of…

1
Vayigash: Was Joseph the Golden Calf? 29:45

11M ago29:45

29:45

In Parshat Vayigash, Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers, and they realize that the Egyptian official they had bowed down to was none other than their long lost brother. What did Jacob's sons think about their powerful brother now? Why does Joseph have to emphasize God's role in orchestrating the events of their lives? Join Ari Levisohn …

1
Parshat Miketz: A Phantom Blessing 34:09

11M ago34:09

34:09

In Parshat Miketz, Jacob sends his sons on a mission to get food from Egypt so they can survive a famine plaguing the entire Middle East. On the surface, it seems like a straightforward request, but a closer read reveals a deeper purpose in their mission. Join Ari Levisohn and Rabbi David Fohrman as they uncover a hidden layer of meaning in this we…

1
Parshat Vayeshev: What Was Jacob Thinking? 32:54

11M ago32:54

32:54

In Parshat Vayeshev, the Torah tells us that Joseph’s brothers were so angry at him that they couldn’t even speak a word to his face. Yet, the very next thing we’re told is that Jacob sends Joseph, unsupervised, to go check on his brothers. What was Jacob thinking? Why wasn’t he worried that the brothers might hurt Joseph? Join Ari Levisohn and Adi…

1
Vayishlach: Were We Wrong About Esav? 29:59

11M ago29:59

29:59

When Esau came to meet Jacob with 400 men, it could only mean one thing: 20 years after Jacob stole Esau's blessings, Esau is finally seeking his revenge. But... what if we are misjudging Esau? Join Beth Lesch and Rabbi David Fohrman as they explore some fascinating parallels between this week's parsha and a later story, all leading to a shocking c…

1
Parshat Vayetze: Was Jacob Punished? 30:39

12M ago30:39

30:39

Parshat Vayeitzei begins with Jacob on the run from Esau and follows Jacob's trials and tribulations throughout his time in Laban's house. At the end of the parsha, Jacob is back on the run and gets into a heated argument with Laban. What is Jacob's role in this cycle of conflicts? Join Ari Levisohn and Tikva Hecht as they uncover a transformative …

1
Israel at War: A War of Revenge? 40:34

12M ago40:34

40:34

The feelings of rage and desire for revenge against Hamas still boil strong in the hearts of many. How should those feelings motivate Israel and her supporters in the war against Hamas? What did Hamas want us to feel and how can we protect ourselves from the dangers of uncontrolled rage? Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev as they explore sever…

1
Parshat Toldot: What is True Strength? 40:26

12M ago40:26

40:26

Parshat Toldot contains the only story in the Torah that is really only about Isaac: the often overlooked story of the wells. What does this brief story really teach us about Isaac’s character? The Sages associate Isaac with the attribute of strength, but how does the story of the wells show us Isaac's might? Join Adina Blaustein and Beth Lesch as …

1
Israel at War #5: The Lesson of "I Don't Know" 35:26

12M ago35:26

35:26

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu are back sharing more stories from Rabbi Fohrman's last week in Israel, plus a fascinating discussion about last week's haftorah, its shocking conclusion, and the spiritual value of embracing "I don't know." Check out the 2024 Perks campaign here! Go ahead, treat yourself and make a difference at the same time! Thank you for y…

1
Chayei Sarah: A Marriage of Truth and Kindness 36:31

12M ago36:31

36:31

The Midrash says that chesed and emet, Kindness and Truth, disagreed about whether God should create humankind. And the puzzling outcome of that argument was: “God took Truth and threw it to the earth.” But what does that actually mean? The answer may be in Parshat Chayei Sarah, where chesed and emet “meet up” for the very first time in a rather su…

1
Israel at War: Do Our Small Gestures Matter in the Big Scheme of Things? 45:51

1y ago45:51

45:51

In our fourth takeover episode dedicated to the war in Israel, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev share stories of volunteerism and heroism in Israel and abroad, while grappling with a shared sense of helplessness. Together, they explore the limits of utilitarianism, emphasizing the significance of being present for people, lending a listening ear, or si…

1
Parshat Vayera: Lot's Fake Kindness 28:40

1y ago28:40

28:40

Parshat Vayera tells the story of visiting angels being graciously hosted, not once but twice! Abraham's hospitality is legendary, and Lot's welcoming the angels feels like a de ja vu...until things turn ugly. What went wrong? How could Lot's act of kindness to the angels end so disastrously? Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Ari Levisohn as they explor…

1
Israel at War: Heartwarming Stories and Moral Dilemmas [Corrected] 43:38

1y ago43:38

43:38

Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they share heartwarming stories and grapple with the moral ambiguity provoked by the war between Israel and Hamas. Check out the 2024 Perks campaign here! Go ahead, treat yourself and make a difference at the same time! Thank you for your support! Into the Verse is a project of Aleph Beta, a Torah media company dedicat…

1
Lech Lecha: Responding to Life’s Challenges 35:44

1y ago35:44

35:44

When life throws us challenges and doesn’t go the way we hoped, how do we avoid falling into despair? In Parshat Lech Lecha, Abraham and Sarah struggle with infertility, and Abraham cries out to God, “I am childless!” What is the Torah’s message to Abraham on how to persevere through life’s trials and tribulations? Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Ari …

1
Hamas in Parshat Noach: Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Discuss 34:35

1y ago34:35

34:35

Parshat Noach describes the extreme violence that led to God's decision to destroy the world with a flood. This violence is referred to as "chamas" in Hebrew, a term that bears an eerie resemblance to "Hamas." In light of recent devastating attacks by Hamas on Israel, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev engaged in a discussion, exploring how to react to a…

1
Israel Under Attack: Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Process the Events 41:35

1y ago41:35

41:35

In place of our usual parsha podcast, Rabbi David Fohrman sat down with Aleph Beta CEO, Imu Shalev, to reflect on the ongoing situation in Israel and discussed creative ways to help in these times of need, as well as how to cope with our intense emotions. To find meaningful content on Parshat Bereishit, check out our website. Please consider suppor…

1
Sukkot: Why Do We Take the Lulav and Etrog? (Rebroadcast) 37:22

1y ago37:22

37:22

The Torah commands us to “take” these plants but doesn’t tell us why. The only clue we get is what the Torah says next: “And you shall rejoice before God” on this holiday. But what exactly are we rejoicing about? And why is holding these plants supposed to bring us so much happiness? Ami Silver and Imu Shalev explore some unexpected connections bet…

1
High Holidays: Just How Guilty Should I Feel? 31:43

1y ago31:43

31:43

Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, should be a time of introspection, but it often feels like we're so overwhelmed by our own guilt, by the idea of coming to terms with ourselves, that we don't know where to start. In this episode, join Rabbi Fohrman as he takes a deeper look at the 13 Attributes of Mercy and uncovers a path to finding true forgiven…

1
Join Us for a Meaningful Tisha B'Av 0:52

1+ y ago0:52

0:52

Support Book Like No Other today and gain access to tons of meaningful Tisha B'av content on the Aleph Beta website. Visit www.alephbeta.org and use the coupon code BOOK2023. Check out the 2024 Perks campaign here! Go ahead, treat yourself and make a difference at the same time! Thank you for your support! A Book Like No Other is a product of Aleph…

1
Join Us for a Meaningful Tisha B'Av 1:04

1+ y ago1:04

1:04

Support Meaningful Judaism today and gain access to tons of meaningful Tisha B'av content on the Aleph Beta website. Visit www.alephbeta.org and use the coupon code MJ2023. Check out the 2024 Perks campaign here! Go ahead, treat yourself and make a difference at the same time! Thank you for your support! Meaningful Judaism is a project of Aleph Bet…

1
What Else Is Meaningful About Tzitzit and Kashrut? (Season Finale) 38:16

1+ y ago38:16

38:16

Season 1 of Meaningful Judaism is ending, but before we go, we just have to share some extra Torah that didn’t make it into earlier episodes. There’s the beautiful idea about angels that got cut from our episode on tzitzit – but we’ve found some amazing new evidence, so we’re bringing it back! And then there’s the problem of fish and birds. They go…

1
What’s Meaningful About Not Eating Bacon? 59:50

1+ y ago59:50

59:50

It’s one of the most famous of the Torah's laws: no eating bacon! But is there any particular reason for this restriction? Why does God permit us to eat cow but forbid pig? In this episode, Imu Shalev and Beth Lesch look for clues in the Torah’s language and zoom in on something that’s easy to miss: The Torah never actually says "Pigs aren't kosher…

1
Questioning Whether This Podcast Should Exist 39:01

1+ y ago39:01

39:01

Yep, you read the episode title right. Should this podcast even exist?? We here at Meaningful Judaism put our hearts into creating quality podcasts that probe the meanings behind the mitzvot… but what if this whole premise is misguided? What if there’s a fundamental flaw? Does God really want us to be demanding reasons for the mitzvot? If we were r…

1
What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? (Part 2) 28:03

1+ y ago28:03

28:03

(Part 2 of 2) Are tzitzit supposed to “mean” something? Most people who wear tzitzit probably don't find it especially objectionable or burdensome, but how many people can honestly say that wearing tzitzit is a deeply meaningful spiritual practice? That it helps them to be a better Jew, a better person, to feel closer to God? Probably not so many. …

1
What’s Meaningful About Tzitzit? (Part 1) 36:40

1+ y ago36:40

36:40

(Part 1 of 2) Are tzitzit supposed to “mean” something? Most people who wear tzitzit probably don't find it especially objectionable or burdensome, but how many people can honestly say that wearing tzitzit is a deeply meaningful spiritual practice? That it helps them to be a better Jew, a better person, to feel closer to God? Probably not so many. …

1
What’s Meaningful About Keeping Shabbat? 48:50

1+ y ago48:50

48:50

What’s meaningful about keeping Shabbat? Lots of things, right? It’s a day of rest, a chance to put down our phones, learn and pray, focus on our family and friends. But Shabbat has its challenging aspects too. Sometimes the restrictions of Shabbat weigh on us and make it hard for us to appreciate how meaningful it is. So how do we hold on to a sen…

1
What's Meaningful About Niddah? (Part 2) 41:47

1+ y ago41:47

41:47

What is the meaning of the ‘niddah’ law? Why does the Torah require husbands and wives to separate when the wife has her period? The laws in Vayikra describe the “whats” of niddah but not the “why.” Why would God want to keep husbands and wives apart from one another? And what does menstruation have to do with it? And those are just the easy questi…

1
What's Meaningful About Niddah? (Part 1) 49:28

1+ y ago49:28

49:28

What is the meaning of the ‘niddah’ law? Why does the Torah require husbands and wives to separate when the wife has her period? The laws in Vayikra describe the “whats” of niddah but not the “why.” Why would God want to keep husbands and wives apart from one another? And what does menstruation have to do with it? And those are just the easy questi…

1
What’s Meaningful About Not Mixing Milk and Meat? (Kashrut Part 2) 53:38

1+ y ago53:38

53:38

What’s meaningful about not mixing milk and meat? Observant Jews who follow the Torah know that cheeseburgers are forbidden… but do you ever stop to ask why? What’s the problem with adding a slice of cheese to your hamburger? Why is it so important to God that we abstain? Is it some kind of test, that God wants us to not eating certain yummy things…

1
What is “Meaningful Judaism”? (Introducing Aleph Beta’s brand-new podcast) 7:26

1+ y ago7:26

7:26

Meaningful Judaism is Aleph Beta's latest podcast, dedicated to exploring why we do what we do in Jewish life, by diving deep into the Torah text. So many of our practices can feel like they’re just there; we go through the motions, but they don’t feel especially meaningful. In Meaningful Judaism, we search for that meaning. Each episode will take …

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