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Torah Cafe

Torah Cafe

By Zalman Gordon

A discussion on a topic from the week's Parsha covering many important parts of Judaism that are not regularly addressed.
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Ashkenazim & Sephardim - When did we split?

Torah CafeDec 20, 2020

00:00
01:07:42
The Jewish Response to Antisemitism

The Jewish Response to Antisemitism

We have recently seen a huge increase in expressions of the world's greatest hatred antisemitism. Why do people hate Jews? Why has it persisted over so much time, through so many places and cultures? What can we as Jews do about it?


A fascinating discussion about the Purim festival and the lessons we can learn from the Purim story to help us respond to antisemitism today.

Mar 24, 202448:18
Why does our world have so many problems?

Why does our world have so many problems?

When we look around us, we see so many things going wrong in our own lives, people around us and the world on a whole. There seems to be endless violence, wars, corruption, disease, crime, natural disasters. G-d's world appears to be unjust and full of problems.

Why did G-d create a world with so many problems? Why didn't he create a more perfect world where everyone got along and did the right thing, where nature was less destructive?

A fascinating Purim related discussion about why G-d made our world imperfect and what we can do about it.

Mar 17, 202448:29
What are Chareidim?

What are Chareidim?

Chareidim is a term often used for a segment of the Jewish community that live in their own communities and forgo some western cultural norms. They are often misunderstood, derided and called offensive names such Ultra-Orthodox.

Who are the Chareidim? What are their communities like? How do they live? And why they are widely misunderstood?

Mar 10, 202401:07:11
The Battle for Shabbat

The Battle for Shabbat


Shabbat, is one of the central parts of Judaism. From Judaism's earliest days, Jews stopped work on Friday before sundown and didn't resume working until after dark on Saturday. Observing Shabbat was not always easy for Jews. Often Jews found themselves in places that expected them to work on Shabbat.
A fascinating discussion about how Jews struggled to observe Shabbat in many times and places throughout our long history particularly here in the United States.

Mar 04, 202456:25
Mixing Milk & Meat

Mixing Milk & Meat

One of the basic Kosher laws is a prohibition of not mixing milk and meat. As a result, Kosher kitchen must have separate ovens, pots, pans and dishes for milk and meat.A fascinating discussion about the kosher rules of not mixing milk and meat and how they impact our kosher kitchens.

Feb 25, 202448:51
Who were the Ge'onim?

Who were the Ge'onim?

One of the most important periods in Jewish history was the period of the geonim (600-1000 C.E.). During this period, Jewish life was centered in Babylon where there were two great Yeshivot (schools). The heads of these schools were called Ge'onim, The Ge'onim were effectively the leaders of world Jewry during this period.

A fascinating discussion about the Ge'onim and  the Ge'onic period. 

Feb 18, 202451:31
How do you find your life mission?

How do you find your life mission?

In Judaism we believe that every person is entrusted with a life-mission by G-d. How can you find your life's mission? How do you know if you are on the right track?

Feb 11, 202453:07
Beth Din - The Jewish Court System

Beth Din - The Jewish Court System

Jewish communities throughout history have always had their own court systems called Beth Din (or Batei Din) for Jewish ritual, family and legal purposes. These courts often served in parallel to local Christian, Muslim or secular courts.

Today, there is a developed system of Batei Din in Israel, the US and other countries with Jewish community that serves the Jewish community in parallel to the secular court system.

A fascinating discussion about the Beth Din, the Jewish Court system, how it works and their relationship with our secular court system. 

Feb 04, 202444:56
Where is Mount Sinai?

Where is Mount Sinai?

Judaism began when Israel stood at Mount Sinai and heard the Ten Commandments. Moses climbed to the top of Mount Sinai where G-d taught him all the commandments and gave him the Torah. Mount Sinai is also the spot of an earlier revelation to Moses and a later revelation to Elijah the Prophet. Where is Mount Sinai? Why was it chosen as the place for Judaism to begin? Is it a holy spot in Judaism?

Jan 28, 202445:60
The Jews of Yemen

The Jews of Yemen

Jews have lived in Yemen for well over 2,000 years until they were almost all forced to flee to Israel in 1949-1950. The Yemenite Jews who were somewhat isolated from other Jewish communities developed their own unique Jewish customs and traditions. 

A fascinating discussion about the Jews of Yemen. 

Jan 21, 202445:31
Think Good and It Will be Good

Think Good and It Will be Good

A central Chassidic teaching is that our thoughts control our destiny. When we think positively, it makes good things happen to us. But how do we get ourselves to think positively? Are we expected to be naive and ignore the challenges that we face?

A fascinating discussion about thinking positively, how to get ourselves to think good and how that will impact what happens to us.

Jan 14, 202443:39
Do Jews Believe in Demons?

Do Jews Believe in Demons?

Jewish sources speak extensively about evil angels and spirits that exist in our universe and sometimes impact humans. Do Jews believe in demons? What are demons? How can they impact us? Should we be afraid of them?

A fascinating class about the Jewish belief in demons

Jan 07, 202443:17
Why is life so hard?

Why is life so hard?

Overcoming challenges and hardships is central to the Jewish ethos. Before Judaism began, our ancestors worked hard as slaves in Egypt preparing our people for a history filled with challenges and hardship. Why did G-d make life so hard? Why do we have to face so many challenges and hardships?

Jan 02, 202433:25
The Tefillin Campaign with Rabbi Mendel Mintz

The Tefillin Campaign with Rabbi Mendel Mintz

Special episode with guest speaker Rabbi Mendel Mintz

In 1967, just before the outbreak of the Six Day War, the Rebbe started a Tefillin campaign, to encourage all Jewish men to wrap tefillin every day. In the years since, millions of Jewish men have been stopped on the streets by Chabad students and were asked to put on Tefillin. Many put on Tefillin while visiting the Western Wall.

Dec 31, 202339:28
Understanding Jewish History

Understanding Jewish History

Jewish history is over 3,000 years old and therefore often confusing. For much of our history, Jewish scholars divided our history into broad historical periods. Understanding these historical periods is the key to understanding Jewish history.

Listen to fascinating overview of the primary periods of Jewish History

Dec 17, 202301:08:08
The Big Chanukah Riddle

The Big Chanukah Riddle

The Big Chanukah Riddle, best known as "The Question of the Bet Yosef" is probably the most famous and most discussed question in all of Jewish literature. It has been discussed by countless scholars since it was first raised for the wider public by Rav Yosef Kairo in the 16th Century. More than 1,000 known answers have been given for this riddle.

Dec 10, 202343:50
The Mitzvah of Honoring Parents

The Mitzvah of Honoring Parents

Honoring and respecting parents is one of the most important commandments in the Torah. It is included as one of the Ten Commandments. Why is honoring parents so important in Judaism? How do we honor our parents? What is the difference between honor and respect? Do we need to honor parents who have harmed us?

A fascinating discussion about the Mitzvot of honoring and respecting parents.

Dec 04, 202346:33
Are Animal Hindquarters Kosher?

Are Animal Hindquarters Kosher?

Kosher butchers don't usually sell the animal hindquarters but are they kosher? It's complicated. Here's why

Nov 26, 202343:16
Who was the Chasam Sofer? - The Man Who Shaped Modern Judaism

Who was the Chasam Sofer? - The Man Who Shaped Modern Judaism

Rabbi Moshe Schreiber, better known by the name of his book, Chasm Sofer, was a Hungarian Rabbi in the late 18th and early 19th century whose brilliance and leadership helped shape religious Judaism in modern times.

Confronted with the early attempts at religious reformation, modernity and secularism in central Europe, Rabbi Moshe Schreiber, became the leading Jewish religious figure of his day navigating the complexities of preserving Judaism in the face of its many challenges.

Nov 20, 202341:56
Jewish Time Management

Jewish Time Management

With so many things today demanding our attention and so many things to do, how can we stay on top of our time without getting overwhelmed or frustrated?

Jews have always been high achievers. We have an old Jewish technique to allow us to maximize our time without stressing. 

Nov 05, 202335:46
Sodom and Gomorrah

Sodom and Gomorrah

he Torah tells us about ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that stood where what is now the Dead Sea. The people of these cities were evil so G-d destroyed the cities in the days of Abraham almost 4,000 years ago. 

A fascinating discussion about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, their destruction and the implications for us today.

Oct 29, 202342:43
Who Created G-d?

Who Created G-d?

As a young man our ancestors Abraham discovered G-d through his own philosophical investigation. This week we will follow Abraham's analisis to answer the most fundamental questions of Judaism; how do we know there is a G-d and that he created us? We will also take a look at the big question of who created G-d.

A fascinating discussion addressing the big questions about G-d and creation.

Oct 22, 202340:18
The Story of Cain & Abel

The Story of Cain & Abel

Adam & Eve, the first humans initially had two children Cain and Abel. When Cain was jealous of his brother, he killed him. This first story of sibling rivalry, of jealousy, of murder and of repentance is one of the first and most dramatic stories in the Torah with countless important lessons for our lives.

Listen to the fascinating story of Cain and Abel. 

Oct 15, 202336:25
Chazzonus - Cantors and Cantorial Singing

Chazzonus - Cantors and Cantorial Singing

One of the central roles of the High Holidays Service is the Chazzan, the cantor who leads the prayers singing melodies and tunes to the words of the prayers. Chazzanim (cantors) have been part of Jewish liturgy from the earliest times and many of the tunes have been used for hundreds of years or longer.

A fascinating discussion about Chazanim and Chazzanut - Cantors and the history of Cantorial music.

Sep 24, 202329:54
Why did G-d create us?

Why did G-d create us?

It is a fundamental Jewish belief that G-d created us. But why? Why did he create the universe? What did he expect to get out of creating us?

Sep 10, 202338:24
Reading the Torah

Reading the Torah

One of the central parts of Jewish services in the synagogue is when the Torah scroll is taken out of the ark, placed on the Bima. Various men are called up to say blessings and then the Torah is read.

Learn all about the Torah reading in the synagogue. 

Sep 03, 202349:02
Is G-d Angry and Vengeful?

Is G-d Angry and Vengeful?

People often think of G-d in the Torah as being angry, vengeful and punishing. The Torah tells us of the plagues brought against the Egyptians and others who disobeyed him. The Torah warns a number of times of punishments that we will get for not listening to G-d's instructions. 

Is G-d vengeful and angry? How does that fit with the description of a loving and caring G-d?

Aug 27, 202343:47
The Agunah Problem

The Agunah Problem

What happens when a spouse disappears and cannot be traced. Could they have died without anyone knowing? Could they be alive but have taken on a new identity? What should the remaining spouse do? Are they still married? Are they widowed?

The question of a missing spouse, called Agunah, has been one of the most troubling scenarios that Jewish scholars grappled with throughout Jewish history, becoming the most extensive and complex field of Jewish law. 

A fascinating discussion about the Agunah problem and its evolution to a new Agunah problem that we face today.

Aug 20, 202301:02:07
Egla Arufa: The Mitzvah of the Decapitated Calf

Egla Arufa: The Mitzvah of the Decapitated Calf

One of the more intriguing mitzvahs in the Torah is the ceremony of the eglah arufah (decapitated calf), performed in ancient Israel when a murdered stranger was found out in the field and the killer was unknown.

A fascinating discussion about the Eglah Arufa ceremony, why and how it was performed and how it impacts us today!

Aug 13, 202342:19
What Makes Fish Kosher?

What Makes Fish Kosher?

The Torah says that for fish to be Kosher they have to have fins and scales but what exactly are the scales that make a fish Kosher? Do fish that drop their scales or have a handful of scales count as kosher? What about fillet where the skin has been removed? How can we know if the fillet is kosher? 

A fascinating discussion about what makes fish kosher and how we can identify kosher fish.

Aug 06, 202346:47
Are we the figments of someone's imagination?

Are we the figments of someone's imagination?

Ever wonder if we really exist or perhaps we are just figments of someone else's imagination?

Chassidus (Jewish mysticism) teaches that indeed we are simply figments of G-d's imagination.

Discover how we know we are figments of G-d's imagination and what that means for us.  

Jul 30, 202333:41
The Future Temple

The Future Temple

One of the central parts of Judaism is the Holy Temple in Jerusalem where our ancestors brought sacrifices and served G-d fulfilling many of the commandments. Our second Temple was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago. Since the destruction of the Second Temple, we have prayed, hoped and waited for the building of a Third Temple. We firmly believe the Third Temple will be built in the same spot in Jerusalem in the future and we will once again serve G-d there.

A fascinating discussion about the Third Temple, what it will look like, when and how it will be built and why we are certain that it will happen. 

Jul 23, 202338:51
The Prophet Isaiah

The Prophet Isaiah

One of the most important prophets of the Jewish people was Yeshayahu ben Amotz - Isaiah who served as the spiritual leader of our people during the Assyrian invasions of Israel and some of the most traumatic times our people experienced. His prophecies were immortalized in the book that bears his name.

Jul 16, 202343:19
The Jewish View on Gun Control

The Jewish View on Gun Control

Should there be limits on people's ability to purchase and safely use weapons? Should we have the freedom to arm ourselves as we feel necessary to protect our family and property?

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish view on the gun control / gun rights debate.

Jul 09, 202345:14
Why is life so unfair?

Why is life so unfair?

At a young age we discover that life just isn't fair. If we believe that our universe and our lives are controlled by G-d then why does G-d make life so unfair? Some people do really well, some struggle. Often our challenges are due to circumstances beyond our control. Can't G-d level the playing field?

Jul 02, 202349:36
The Great Escape from the Soviet Union

The Great Escape from the Soviet Union

In 1946-1947, a group of a few thousand Chassidic Jews escaped from the Soviet Union to the West in one of the most daring escapes of the 20th century. This is an attempt to retell this story that has never been fully told before, with only bits and pieces shared in various historical personal accounts.  

Jun 25, 202356:38
What are Tzaddikim?

What are Tzaddikim?

Tzaddikim means righteous people. What exactly are Tzaddikim? How does one become a Tzaddik? What is the role of a Tzaddik? Is it possible for people to rise above the ordinary and achieve a unique relationship with G-d?

A fascinating discussion about the Jewish belief in Tzaddikim. 

Jun 18, 202350:08
Where did Yiddish come from?

Where did Yiddish come from?

Yiddish was the spoken language of most European Jews (Ashkenazim) and their descendants for almost 1,000 years. Why did European Jews start speaking Yiddish? How did the Yiddish language evolve? Where is Yiddish still spoken today?

A discussion about the origins and evolution of Yiddish.

Jun 11, 202301:06:15
The Manna

The Manna

The daily manna was among the most mysterious events that our ancestors experienced while travelling through the desert after having left Egypt. This strange food fell daily and became their primary source of food throughout their 40 years in the desert.

What exactly was the Manna? How was it prepared and eaten? What did it taste like? Why did G-d choose to send Manna?

Jun 04, 202346:32
Why do Jewish women wear wigs?

Why do Jewish women wear wigs?

Many Jewish women always keep their hair covered by wearing a wig or sheitel. Why do Jewish women cover their hair? When did this rule begin? When did they start wearing wigs? What is the point of wearing a wig that can often look better than their real hair? 

A fascinating discussion about why Jewish women wear wigs.

May 28, 202338:07
How do we know the Torah is true?

How do we know the Torah is true?

The Torah is the basic book and teachings of Judaism. Without it, there would be no Judaism. We believe that the Torah was given to us by G-d and contains G-d's instructions for us. How do we know that the Torah is true and its instructions are G-d's instructions?

May 21, 202301:01:16
Why are some words in the Torah misspelled?

Why are some words in the Torah misspelled?

In Jewish belief, every word in the Torah is exact but be spelled perfectly in the Torah scroll. If one letter is missing or wrong, the whole Torah is not Kosher. Yet the Torah itself has multiple misspelled words that are read differently than they are spelled. 

If every word of the Torah is exact, why does the Torah have words that are misspelled?

A fascinating discussion about the phenomena of misspelled words in the Torah and the Tanach (Jewish Scriptures).

May 14, 202354:17
The Jews of Morocco

The Jews of Morocco

Jews have lived in Morocco since the time of the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. At one point the Moroccan Jewish community numbers more than 250,000 people and today more than 1 million Jews have Moroccan ancestry making it one of the largest Jewish communities with its own distinct customs and culture.

A fascinating discussion about the Jews of Morocco. 

May 07, 202347:32
Does the Torah say to stone people?

Does the Torah say to stone people?

The Torah lists many harsh punishments for transgressing various commandments. Among the punishments are capital punishment carried out in various different methods including stoning and burning. The Torah also mandates lashes for other transgressions. 

Though all of the Torah's capital punishments or corporal punishments have been discontinued over 2,000 years ago and are therefore not carried out by Jews today, the question still remains; why are the Torah's punishments so harsh? Isn't G-d loving, caring and forgiving even to sinners?

Apr 30, 202346:09
Mishneh Torah - The Key to Mastering the Entire Torah

Mishneh Torah - The Key to Mastering the Entire Torah

The Mishneh Torah, the largest and most important work of the Rambam - Maimonides, is the most comprehensive encyclopedia of Jewish law.


A fascinating discussion about the Mishneh Torah, its centrality to Jewish knowledge, how it was written and how one can read through the entire work following a three year Rambam study cycle. 

Apr 23, 202348:39
How are humans in the image of G-d?

How are humans in the image of G-d?

The Torah tells us that humans were created in the image of G-d. Yet, one of the fundamental beliefs in Judaism is that G-d has no image. How then can we be in the image of G-d?


A discussion about the age old question as we discover some of the many answers our sages have given over thousands of years. 

Apr 16, 202343:06
Are we really free?

Are we really free?

On Passover we celebrate our ancestor's freedom from Egyptian slavery. Today we live in a free country. Yet are we truly free? We may be free from slavery and political oppression but are really free to be ourselves? Could we be enslaved by other internal or external forces?

A fascinating discussion about freedom and how we can become truly free.

Apr 02, 202329:16
How did Matzah get flat?

How did Matzah get flat?

We all recognize the flat cracker like Matzah but surprisingly, for almost 3,000 years of Jewish history until about 300 years ago, Matzahs looked very different from the flat Matzah cracker that we know so well.
What was the original Matzah like? Why did it change after 3,000 years? How did Matzah become a flat cracker?

Mar 27, 202345:13
Aliya - Going to the Land of Israel

Aliya - Going to the Land of Israel

Over 3,000 years ago our ancestors led by Joshua entered the Land of Israel and settled it. Years later, they were expelled from the land and forced to live in the diaspora. Yet Jews continuously returned to the Land of Israel from the four corners of the earth visiting the Holy Places and attempting to settle the land.

A fascinating discussion about the 2,500 year Jewish Aliya - travel to and settling the Land of Israel

Mar 12, 202346:13
The Jews of Persia

The Jews of Persia

Jews have lived in Persia (Iran) for more than 2500 years and played a central role in its long history including the story of Purim that took place there. While most Jews have left Iran in recent decades, thousands of Jews continue to live there today.

Mar 05, 202348:34