Category Archives: Podcasts

Are the Miracles, Revelations and Prophecies of the Torah Myths or Realities?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:08:09 — 31.2MB)

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The Torah weaves law and instruction with dialogue and narrative; often miraculous and supernatural events and stories like the Exodus narrative of the Ten Plagues, the splitting of the sea into 12 walkable dry paths and the momentous national prophecy at the foot of Mount Sinai. Supernatural narratives are not unique to our religion; rather a claim of revelation of some kind is always at the formation of every religion. In this class we attempt to construct a logical analysis of the veracity and historicity of the Jewish miraculous narratives. Did we actually consume heaven sent manna on a daily basis for 40 years in the wilderness? What evidence do we have to prove this and the many other miraculous claims of the Torah?

Man of the Millennium: A Biographical Sketch of Maimonides

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:28:16 — 40.4MB)

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“From Moshe till Moshe no one arose like Moshe”

This epithet which is engraved on the tombstone of Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, the Rambam, sheds light on the enormity of his impact and influence upon the Jewish people. The mere claim that the Rambam’s contributions and leadership was surpassed only by Moshe Rabbeinu is a testament to his remarkable accomplishments. In this talk we attempt to capture a flavor of who Maimonides was and what he represented, but more importantly we analyze his mind-boggling literary accomplishments and examine their pivotal role in continuing the process of uninterrupted and accurate transmission of the Torah throughout the generations.

A History of the Torah

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:17:06 — 35.3MB)

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No mission is as critical to the success of humanity as the mission that began at the Mount Sinai and continues to this very day of transmitting the Torah from generation to generation accurately. After all, the Torah is what differentiates the Jewish people from the nations of the world; it is what we mean when we say chosen people – the nation entrusted by God to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy nation”; to be a beacon to the nations; to be a the world’s moral guardian and spiritual guide – as per the instructions of the Torah. Our national success or failure, and in turn the success and failure of humanity is contingent on our maintaining the Torah and teaching it and observing it with absolutely zero deviation from the way Moses received it from God Almighty. Over the course of the 3,000+ years since that most monumental event, there have been times where the continued transmission in total accuracy was in jeopardy and the great leaders of the time had the vision and the foresight to prevent that catastrophe from happening. How was the Torah transmitted so accurately? What were the innovations and adaptations that were instituted? What is the deal with all the disagreements? Who were these people and why does all this matter?

This is part 2 of a series. For Part 1 click HERE

Breakdown of Aggada and Halacha in Talmud and an insight into Talmudic disagreements

Podcast: Download (Duration: 20:05 — 9.2MB)

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There is an important difference between the Aggadic portions of the Talmud – the ethical and philosophical sections, and the Halacha/law portions. Also, learn why the study of the Babylonian Talmud supersedes the study of the Jerusalem Talmud, despite that fact the the latter was written 180 years earlier.

Orthodox, Conservative and Reform: What are they and what are the differences.

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:54 — 6.4MB)

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Historically, the Jewish people remained almost completely free of sectarianism, and that is one of the reasons for our continued survival as a people and as a religion against all odds throughout the millennia. Yet in the 19th Century several modern splinter sects sprang up, namely the Reform, the Conservative, and to a lesser extent, the Orthodox, movements. What caused their formations and what today are their – increasing narrowing – differences

Breakneck through the Bible (Genesis Chapter 31)

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:02:10 — 28.5MB)

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Learn about Jacob informing his wives’ about his proposed clandestine flight away from his father in law’s home. What lessons can we deduce from the peculiar methods Jacob employs when trying to convince Leah and Rachel of the merits of leaving?

Was Pinchus a psychopath?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 13:47 — 6.3MB)

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In the book of Numbers we read about the heroic actions of Pinchus who avenged God’s fury and murdered a Jewish leader who was publicly fornicating with Midyanite woman. The Torah accords him with much honor for his courageous acts. What is the deal with this? Are we allowed to take the law into our own hands and mow down sinners?

Why are Jews so obsessed with Torah study?

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:12:25 — 33.1MB)

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For more than three millennia now the Jews have remained steadfastly dedicated to Torah study. Even during times when 99% of their non-Jewish neighbors were illiterate, every man, woman and child in the Jewish community was able to read and write – and well versed in Torah. Jewish societies have historically valued Torah knowledge and study above all. The Torah scholar was revered, and the Torah ignoramus reviled; in Talmudic times the sharpest barb possible was calling someone a “reik” – an empty person devoid of Torah. What about the Torah is so critical, crucial, pivotal and essential that has fostered such an unyielding love and devotion? In this presentation, Rabbi Wolbe assembles some of the famous – and some of the more obscure reasons – why even in contemporary times the study of Torah is invaluable if a better life is what you seek.