Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv podcast

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51:57

On the Season 2 debut of Lost Cultures: Living Legacies , we travel to Bermuda, an Atlantic island whose history spans centuries and continents. Once uninhabited, Bermuda became a vital stop in transatlantic trade, a maritime stronghold, and a cultural crossroads shaped by African, European, Caribbean, and Native American influences. Guests Dr. Kristy Warren and Dr. Edward Harris trace its transformation from an uninhabited island to a strategic outpost shaped by shipwrecks, colonization, the transatlantic slave trade, and the rise and fall of empires. Plus, former Director of Tourism Gary Phillips shares the story of the Gombey tradition, a vibrant performance art rooted in resistance, migration, and cultural fusion. Together, they reveal how Bermuda’s layered past continues to shape its people, culture, and identity today. You can also find us online at ⁠travelandleisure.com/lostcultures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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Experience Rabbi Joe Wolfson’s popular THINK class from wherever you are. This podcast brings you recordings of the weekly Monday night sessions in Tel Aviv, where Rabbi Wolfson explores the intersection of Jewish thought, contemporary issues, and timeless wisdom. Through careful textual analysis and lively discussion, Rabbi Wolfson guides participants in examining classical Jewish sources while grappling with modern ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions. Whether you’re a seasoned learner or new to Jewish studies, THINK offers an accessible yet intellectually rigorous space to deepen your understanding and challenge your perspectives. Now available as a podcast, you can join the hundreds of weekly attendees who gather to explore what Judaism has to say about the pressing issues of our time.

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Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

1
THINK: Beha'alotcha - Moshe's Crisis 1:06:16

3 дні тому1:06:16

1:06:16

In this week's class on Parshat Beha'alotcha we begin by looking at one of the turning points in the book of Bamidbar - the move from the dream and vision to the harsh reality of the journey to the Promised Land We then turn to Moshe's apparent breakdown as he says that leading the people after their complaints is a burden too great to carry. The class is based on Bamidbar (Numbers) chapter 12. Source sheet here These shiurim have been generously sponsored by Yaacov & Monique Ginsburg ilui nishmat Yaacov ben Bessi…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: The Omer & R' Akiva's Students Pt IV - Bringing The Parts Together 58:43

18 днів тому58:43

58:43

Our final instalment in the series examining the death of Rabbi Akiva's students during the omer for not honouring one another. In this class we look at Rabbi Eliezer's life after the oven of Akhnai and suggest that within the brilliantly creative approaches of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehoshua to Torah study are contained the seeds for potential conflict bein adam l'chaveiro Source sheet here Generously sponsored by Yaacov & Monique Ginsburg l'ilui nishmat Yaacov ben Bessi and in memory of our dear community member Avigayil bat Sarah on the occasion of her shloshim…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: The Omer & R'Akiva's Students Pt III. Triumph or Tragedy? The Two Sides Of The Oven Of Akhnai 56:21

25 днів тому56:21

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Is the story of the oven of Akhnai the greatest triumph or a terrible tragedy? Last week we read the first half of the story and it's trumphal line of lo bashamayim hi - t he Torah is not in heaven and its depiction of God laughing. This week we read the second half of the story which pushes in a very different direction. The text of the Akhnai story is here (reading the story, especially the second half, is recommended to understand the class) and the other sources discussed in the story are here --- A recap of the series thus far: Rabbi Akiva’s students died because they couldn’t honour one another. We use this text to ask two questions: How should Torah be learnt? How should we treat one another? Until now our learning has focused upon the first question - how should Torah be learnt? In our first class, with Judaism at a crossroads after the destruction of the Temple, we saw two approaches to this question: Rabbi Eliezer: retaining the traditions and the mesora Rabbi Yehoshua / Rabbi Akiva: chiddush and debate We asked, is this simply a question of educational methodology or is it even one of theology? Last week, in part II, we saw the clash of these approaches in that most famous of stories, the oven of akhnai. We saw Rabbi Eliezer - who a heavenly voice says is always correct - have his arguments rejected by Rabbi Yehoshua and his colleagues. The rallying cry is lo bashamayim he - the Torah is not in heaven, it is down here on earth for us to decide, with human intelligence - aharei rabim l’hatot - to attempt to convince one another, and the law follows the majority. If you finish reading the story where we did it appears as a great triumph. Hashem is laughing, the Torah is made eternal, nitzchuni banai - Talmud Torah is enthroned, Torah and the Jewish people can survive. All of this is true but it is not the end of the story. Because the story carries on and it pushes in what seems to be quite a different direction…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: The Omer & R' Akiva's Students Pt II - Akhnai & The Clash Of Two Different Understandings Of Torah 55:33

5 weeks тому55:33

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In our first class we contrasted the approach to Torah study of Rabbi Eliezer with that of Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Yehoshua - asking whether Torah story is an exercise of creative insight or a focus on tradition and that which has been said by our teachers before us. Today we see how these two different approaches collide in perhaps the most famous of all Talmudic stories, the oven of Akhnai - and the declaration of lo bashamayim he - that the Torah is not in heaven Source sheet here This class is generously sponsored by Yaacov & Monique Ginsburg ilui nishmat Yaacov ben Bessi - and celebrates too the release and return to his family of Edan Alexander…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: The Omer & The Death Of R' Akiva's Students Pt I - Methodologies of Learning 1:02:39

5 weeks тому1:02:39

1:02:39

For the next few weeks we will do a deep dive into the world of Rabbi Akiva and his students. Many are familiar with the teaching that it is the death of thousands of Rabbi Akiva’s students during this period that initially lent the omer an element of mourning (in addition to one of joy). The reason for their death? Because they didn’t treat one another with the respect and care that they each deserved We will try to recreate the world that they inhabited, and in so doing discover a uniquely important period that shaped the direction of Judaism in general and Jewish learning in particular Tonight we look at the unique historical with the Jewish future at a crossroads and the starkly contrasting approaches to Torah learning of Rabbi Akiva and his teacher Rabbi Eliezer Source sheet here…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: Yom HaShoah The Lives & Torah of Two Giants Of Vilna: Rav Haim Ozer and Rav Gustman 1:16:55

7 weeks тому1:16:55

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In this Yom HaShoah class we enter the world and learn the stories of two of the great rabbinic giants of Vilna - Rav Haim Ozer Grodzinski and Rav Yisrael Zev Gustman. The first was the last great leader of Vilna Jewry and we read the piece describing his funeral ' The Day Vilna Died '. The latter was the youngest Dayan of Vilna whose story is one of survival and the world that he built in Israel after the war and who articulated a powerful and unique take on God and the Shoah. The rest of the sources are available here Learning about and honouring their lives and Torah is a fitting way to mark Yom HaShoah…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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A Guide To When Erev Pesach Falls On Shabbat 27:56

10 weeks тому27:56

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This year the eve of Pesach falls on Shabbat which presents us with some unique challenges. This shiur discusses how and when the search, annulment and destruction of chametz works in a year such as this, as well as the fast of the firstborn and how best to do the shabbat meals. Source sheet and summary guide here…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: Rabbi Sacks, Isaiah Berlin, & Two Concepts of Freedom at Seder Night 59:01

10 weeks тому59:01

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In this shiur we examine how at famous distinction between two concepts of liberty made by Sir Isaiah Berlin, one of Rabbi Sacks' teachers, finds expression in some of the fundamental texts and ideas of seder night, as well as how Rabbi Sacks himself understood this distinction Source sheet here

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: Looking back on COVID through the lens of Purim, Pahad Yitzchak, Hanan Ben Ari & Yishai Ribo 1:06:50

13 weeks тому1:06:50

1:06:50

There's a lot going on here. Using a mash up of two great Israeli songs and a powerful piece of Rav Yitzchak Hutner's Pahad Yitzchak to look back the start of the pandemic five years ago, what we learnt from it and what it can mean for us today in the midst of a very different crisis. It might be advisable to listen to the songs (linked below) and then to skip to the discussion of Pahad Yitzchak which starts at the 20 minute mark The text of Pahad Yitzchak here and of the two songs here Hanan Ben Ari's Ga'aguim Livnei Adam on Youtube Yishai Ribo's Keter Melucha on Youtube Discussion of Pahad Yitzchak starts at the 20 minute mark…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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The Purpose Of Mishloach Manot 24:07

13 weeks тому24:07

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Today we look at two beautiful teshuvot - from the Seridei Eish (19th C.) and the Hatam Sofer (18th C) - that can transorm our understadning ofthe mitzva of mishloach manot - giving gifts to our friends on Purim. Source sheet here. Given at Vine Venture's Sarona Unity Center, March 12th, 2025

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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Matanot L'Evyonim: Between Tzedaka & Mishloach Manot 27:13

15 weeks тому27:13

27:13

In advance of Purim we explore some of the fundamental texts and ideas behind the beautiful mitzvah of matanot l'evyonim (gifts to those in need). Spoiler: it's all about simcha! Source sheet available here

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: Achashverosh As Hero Of The Megilla 1:05:11

15 weeks тому1:05:11

1:05:11

The wonderful thing about teaching Megillat Esther is that everyone knows the story. The terrible thing about teaching Megillat Esther is that everyone knows the story. In this week's THINK we try to question an assumption that almost all have - is Achashverosh a gross unthinking buffoon throughout, or is there some progress and development that he displays throughout the story. Source sheet available here…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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Hostage Deals In Halacha & Jewish History V: Rav Goren & Iskat jibril (1985) 30:10

16 weeks тому30:10

30:10

L'ilui nishmat Oded Lifshitz who is laid to rest on the afternoon on which the shiur was given. In 1985 the Israel government under Shimon Peres released 1,150 security prisoners in return for three captive soldiers Yosef Grof, Nissim Salem, and Hezi Shai in the deal known as Isskat Jibril. In this shiur we learn the contribution of Rav Shlomo Goren, former Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Of Israel and the first chief rabbi of Tzahal to the debate surrounding the deal. Rav Goren's approach differed markedly from the approach of Rav Ovadia Yosef discussed in the previous class. In Rav Goren's reading there is no halachic justification for such a hostage deal and yet... Source sheet available here…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK: Terumah & Adar: The Hope Hardwired Into Our Tradition 1:05:12

16 weeks тому1:05:12

1:05:12

Given on February 24th 2025, in loving memory of Shiri, Ariel and Kfir Bibas and Oded Lifschitz. The shiur focuses on Parshat Teruma and the month of Adar as prompts to one of Judaism's deepest themes, the consistent push to help us overcome the darkness and approach the future with hope - no matter how hard that is Source sheet available at this link…

Rabbi Joe’s Torat Tel Aviv

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THINK Yitro: When Moshe Went Up On High 1:10:19

18 weeks тому1:10:19