What Does Judaism Say About...?

As people live ever longer lives due to technology, the problem of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (what used to be called senility) is one that affects all society. What to do with the elderly who have memory, thinking, and behavior issues, which negatively impact their ability to function? How should we relate to them? Specifically, do their children have a responsibility to take care of them? How much of a child's time and finances should be given to help a parent suffering from Alzheimer's? This podcast will discuss the Jewish perspective on these issues, based on the ancient sources.

This podcast will discuss both a philosophical and a very practical dilemma, unfortunately all too common in the twenty first century: if a person is approaching you to attack or even kill you, what legal and moral right do you have to hurt this individual before he or she has actually hurts you? If you wait until after you are stabbed, you will have concrete evidence of the crime, but you might not be alive to report the crime or even defend yourself... but until the person physically attacks, he or she has committed no crime. How is the potential victim legally permitted to defend himself by attacking the other person before an attack has taken place? Judaism has much to say about this issue. This discussion and practical applications have many ramifications in Jewish law that apply today.

This podcast will discuss both a philosophical and a very practical dilemma, unfortunately all too common in the twenty first century: if a person is approaching you to attack or even kill you, what legal and moral right do you have to hurt this individual before he or she has actually hurts you? If you wait until after you are stabbed, you will have concrete evidence of the crime, but you might not be alive to report the crime or even defend yourself... but until the person physically attacks, he or she has committed no crime. How is the potential victim legally permitted to defend himself by attacking the other person before an attack has taken place? Judaism has much to say about this issue. This discussion and practical applications have many ramifications in Jewish law that apply today.

While the Catholic Church and science, for hundreds of years, seemed to be in conflict, the Torah's view of science is quite different. This podcast will demonstrate that to be a good Jew, one essentially should also be a good scientist. The podcast will also discuss the roles of science and Judaism is everyday life. Finally, it will discuss how a believing Jewish can also believe in science, when two crucial scientific facts seems to contradict traditional Judaism: the age of the earth and Darwin's Theory of Biological Evolution.

While the Catholic Church and science, for hundreds of years, seemed to be in conflict, the Torah's view of science is quite different. This podcast will demonstrate that to be a good Jew, one essentially should also be a good scientist. The podcast will also discuss the roles of science and Judaism is everyday life. Finally, it will discuss how a believing Jewish can also believe in science, when two crucial scientific facts seems to contradict traditional Judaism: the age of the earth and Darwin's Theory of Biological Evolution.

Most people believe that returning someone's lost object is so laudable, that they should expect and receive a reward. This podcast will examine why Judaism's attitude to lost objects is quite different, and explain how this one Mitzvah-commandment demonstrates a different way of thinking for traditional Jews. In addition, the podcast will also discuss when a Jew must return and when a Jew may keep a lost object, and why.

Most people believe that returning someone's lost object is so laudable, that they should expect and receive a reward. This podcast will examine why Judaism's attitude to lost objects is quite different, and explain how this one Mitzvah-commandment demonstrates a different way of thinking for traditional Jews. In addition, the podcast will also discuss when a Jew must return and when a Jew may keep a lost object, and why.

Racism and prejudice against Jews, called antisemitism, has been part of Jewish life since its inception, But this podcast will discuss racism and prejudice by Jews against others who are not part of their group. How much discrimination, if any at all, is tolerated in Jewish society, according to Jewish law? It is crucial, then, to define exactly what is and what is not racism and prejudice and their associated behaviors. Based on the definition, the podcast will outline when such feelings and actions are forbidden by traditional Jews, and when they may be permitted.

Racism and prejudice against Jews, called antisemitism, has been part of Jewish life since its inception, But this podcast will discuss racism and prejudice by Jews against others who are not part of their group. How much discrimination, if any at all, is tolerated in Jewish society, according to Jewish law? It is crucial, then, to define exactly what is and what is not racism and prejudice and their associated behaviors. Based on the definition, the podcast will outline when such feelings and actions are forbidden by traditional Jews, and when they may be permitted.

Long before studies in the 20th century proved the power of peer pressure, both the Torah and the Talmudic rabbis thousands of years ago had much to teach about this value, and its effect upon all people. This podcast will not only explain these ideas and this value, but also demonstrate how Jewish law and Jewish society dictate and demand how traditional Jews should react to peer pressure.

Long before studies in the 20th century proved the power of peer pressure, both the Torah and the Talmudic rabbis thousands of years ago had much to teach about this value, and its effect upon all people. This podcast will not only explain these ideas and this value, but also demonstrate how Jewish law and Jewish society dictate and demand how traditional Jews should react to peer pressure.

Everyone says that they believe in the value of peace - within families, within communities, and between nations. But when conflicts and disagreements take place, how much are people then willing to sacrifice and give up their possessions, values, and beliefs to achieve peace? This podcast will show very specific attitudes in traditional Judaism on this topic, with many examples, and help the listener understand the true value of peace in the hierarchy of Jewish values.

Everyone says that they believe in the value of peace - within families, within communities, and between nations. But when conflicts and disagreements take place, how much are people then willing to sacrifice and give up their possessions, values, and beliefs to achieve peace? This podcast will show very specific attitudes in traditional Judaism on this topic, with many examples, and help the listener understand the true value of peace in the hierarchy of Jewish values.

This podcast will help explain the centrality of the relationship between parents and children in traditional Judaism, and how this differs from other societies. What are the obligations of a child to a parent, and vice versa? Why? At what age do these obligations end? When, if at all, can a child refuse a request of a parent in Judaism, and how should he or she do it, and why?

This podcast will help explain the centrality of the relationship between parents and children in traditional Judaism, and how this differs from other societies. What are the obligations of a child to a parent, and vice versa? Why? At what age do these obligations end? When, if at all, can a child refuse a request of a parent in Judaism, and how should he or she do it, and why?

This podcast will show how and why traditional Judaism is the only society in the world where it is a crime not to help someone else in need, and demands that each Jew fulfill this responsibility as much as possible within Jewish law. It will also show how this fundamental concept changes the life and values system of a traditional Jewish society, and how this core value also affects Jewish thinking. The podcast will also discuss specifics where this obligation applies, with the minimum and maximum requirements of this mitzvah-commandment.

This podcast will show how and why traditional Judaism is the only society in the world where it is a crime not to help someone else in need, and demands that each Jew fulfill this responsibility as much as possible within Jewish law. It will also show how this fundamental concept changes the life and values system of a traditional Jewish society, and how this core value also affects Jewish thinking. The podcast will also discuss specifics where this obligation applies, with the minimum and maximum requirements of this mitzvah-commandment.

This podcast will first examine how Jews should ideally live among non-Jews when Jews are in the minority. Should their relationship be close or distant? If Jews are the Chosen People, how do God and the Jews view non-Jews in the world? These fundamental questions will be examined through traditional Jewish sources, and may well surprise you; it will not be based on the history of how some Jews mistreated non-Jews, and vice versa.

This podcast will first examine how Jews should ideally live among non-Jews when Jews are in the minority. Should their relationship be close or distant? If Jews are the Chosen People, how do God and the Jews view non-Jews in the world? These fundamental questions will be examined through traditional Jewish sources, and may well surprise you; it will not be based on the history of how some Jews mistreated non-Jews, and vice versa.

Are Mitzvot commands from God or good deeds? What is the difference? If a Jew has full belief in God, why is there any need to do any action to prove that belief? Can one be a good Jew without keeping the commandments, as long as he believes - and vice versa? What is the overall purpose of Mitzvot-commandments? Does every individual commandment have a rationale we can understand? This podcast will explore these and other issues.

Are Mitzvot commands from God or good deeds? What is the difference? If a Jew has full belief in God, why is there any need to do any action to prove that belief? Can one be a good Jew without keeping the commandments, as long as he believes - and vice versa? What is the overall purpose of Mitzvot-commandments? Does every individual commandment have a rationale we can understand? This podcast will explore these and other issues.

What exactly is a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah? What is being celebrated? Why are the ages of thirteen for a boy and twelve for a girl determinative of traditional Jewish adulthood? What is the reason for a big party which has been exaggerated and caricatured of late? When should the celebration take place and why? This podcast will help answer all these questions.

What exactly is a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah? What is being celebrated? Why are the ages of thirteen for a boy and twelve for a girl determinative of traditional Jewish adulthood? What is the reason for a big party which has been exaggerated and caricatured of late? When should the celebration take place and why? This podcast will help answer all these questions.

Jews have always given tzedaka, charity, in far greater proportions than every other culture. Why is this so? Why should any person, or any Jew, give hard earned money to others who have less? This podcast will examine these questions and show how Jewish tzedaka is different from Christian charity. It will also examine one feature Jewish giving that makes it unique among all 613 commandments.

Jews have always given tzedaka, charity, in far greater proportions than every other culture. Why is this so? Why should any person, or any Jew, give hard earned money to others who have less? This podcast will examine these questions and show how Jewish tzedaka is different from Christian charity. It will also examine one feature Jewish giving that makes it unique among all 613 commandments.

Jews are known as "The People of the Book". They have always been literate. Learning is one reason Jews have preserved their culture and succeeded in every diaspora country they lived in for two thousand years. Today, Talmud is part of the public-school curriculum in Korea. But how important is study in Judaism? How is Jewish learning different from learning in other cultures? Where does the centrality of study come from? This podcast will examine these questions and show how Jewish learning keeps Judaism alive until today.

Jews are known as "The People of the Book". They have always been literate. Learning is one reason Jews have preserved their culture and succeeded in every diaspora country they lived in for two thousand years. Today, Talmud is part of the public-school curriculum in Korea. But how important is study in Judaism? How is Jewish learning different from learning in other cultures? Where does the centrality of study come from? This podcast will examine these questions and show how Jewish learning keeps Judaism alive until today.

All people who believe in a God pray. What is unique about Jewish prayer? Why does Jewish law teach that the words of prayer must be mouthed and not merely thought? How can a human request possibly affect and change God's mind? This podcase will address these and other questions.

All people who believe in a God pray. What is unique about Jewish prayer? Why does Jewish law teach that the words of prayer must be mouthed and not merely thought? How can a human request possibly affect and change God's mind? This podcase will address these and other questions.

The idea that God promised the Land of Israel to the Jewish people forever is repeated many times in the Torah, but is, unfortunately, not a politically correct concept in the world of the 21st century. This podcast will show that not only is Israel central to being Jewish, but even after the Jews were forcibly thrown out to their homeland twice, the return to the their Land was part of the daily routine of all traditional Jews, both in action and in prayer, for two thousand years, and continues until today. The Torah, Talmud and all Rabbis since have emphasized that without living in the Land of Israel, a Jew cannot be a complete Jew.

The idea that God promised the Land of Israel to the Jewish people forever is repeated many times in the Torah, but is, unfortunately, not a politically correct concept in the world of the 21st century. This podcast will show that not only is Israel central to being Jewish, but even after the Jews were forcibly thrown out to their homeland twice, the return to the their Land was part of the daily routine of all traditional Jews, both in action and in prayer, for two thousand years, and continues until today. The Torah, Talmud and all Rabbis since have emphasized that without living in the Land of Israel, a Jew cannot be a complete Jew.

All people have a need to think and behave as individuals, and in most countries today, this right is protected by law. But people also want to be part of a group and conform to others. How should people balance these two basic needs, and how does Judaism resolve how a Jew can think or behave both as an individual and, at the same time, as part of a large group called Jews?

All people have a need to think and behave as individuals, and in most countries today, this right is protected by law. But people also want to be part of a group and conform to others. How should people balance these two basic needs, and how does Judaism resolve how a Jew can think or behave both as an individual and, at the same time, as part of a large group called Jews?

While it is nice and ever proper to show everyone, even strangers, some basic respect, the basis of that respect differs greatly between Jews and others - especially those who do not believe in a God. Judaism goes to great lengths not to disrespect a person, and legislates against disrespecting anyone, including sinners. For the same reason, it is forbidden in Judaism for people to disrespect or harm themselves. Listen to the podcast to find out why and how.

While it is nice and ever proper to show everyone, even strangers, some basic respect, the basis of that respect differs greatly between Jews and others - especially those who do not believe in a God. Judaism goes to great lengths not to disrespect a person, and legislates against disrespecting anyone, including sinners. For the same reason, it is forbidden in Judaism for people to disrespect or harm themselves. Listen to the podcast to find out why and how.

This podcast will first define the Jewish concept of holiness, and explain how it differs from the Chirstian and Greek concept of holiness. Then it will demonstrate that the Jewish idea of holiness can be achieved by each person, on a daily basis. It will also show that some people can keep every aspect of the Torah and think they are holy, but, in reality, are the opposite.

This podcast will first define the Jewish concept of holiness, and explain how it differs from the Chirstian and Greek concept of holiness. Then it will demonstrate that the Jewish idea of holiness can be achieved by each person, on a daily basis. It will also show that some people can keep every aspect of the Torah and think they are holy, but, in reality, are the opposite.

Despite living in the wealthiest and most comfortable societies in history, most people today are less happy than those who lived in less affluent societies in the past. This podcast will discuss why this is so, and define the Jewish concept of happiness - which is far different from the way that most people define it. We will also show a path to happiness, based on traditional sources and many recent studies.

Despite living in the wealthiest and most comfortable societies in history, most people today are less happy than those who lived in less affluent societies in the past. This podcast will discuss why this is so, and define the Jewish concept of happiness - which is far different from the way that most people define it. We will also show a path to happiness, based on traditional sources and many recent studies.

Old age is something that we all pray for, considering the alternative. But each person ages differently, and the aging process affects not only the body, but also the mind. This podcast will discuss the Jewish perspective on aging, including whether old age is something positive or negative. It will also address how to remain young in mind, even in old age, through living a Jewish life, as well as how old people should be treated by society, and why.

Old age is something that we all pray for, considering the alternative. But each person ages differently, and the aging process affects not only the body, but also the mind. This podcast will discuss the Jewish perspective on aging, including whether old age is something positive or negative. It will also address how to remain young in mind, even in old age, through living a Jewish life, as well as how old people should be treated by society, and why.

Our parents taught us to do the right thing, and not to care what other people think - but were they correct? This podcast will show how and why caring what other people think is indeed important and an integral part of Judaism, and has even saved the Jewish people from extinction. What, then, is the rght thing to do when others are watching and may infer an improper conclusion?

Our parents taught us to do the right thing, and not to care what other people think - but were they correct? This podcast will show how and why caring what other people think is indeed important and an integral part of Judaism, and has even saved the Jewish people from extinction. What, then, is the rght thing to do when others are watching and may infer an improper conclusion?

All beings on this planet, including the smallest microbes, need to nourish themselves in order to survive. But unlike animals and plants who generally eat the very same food daily, human beings have turned eating into a social experience, even an art from, whose nourishment differs from day to day. Judaism has taken this even further. This podcast will analyze the unique relationship of human beings to food, and the very special values apparent in the ways that Jews relate to and consume their daily nourishment.

All beings on this planet, including the smallest microbes, need to nourish themselves in order to survive. But unlike animals and plants who generally eat the very same food daily, human beings have turned eating into a social experience, even an art from, whose nourishment differs from day to day. Judaism has taken this even further. This podcast will analyze the unique relationship of human beings to food, and the very special values apparent in the ways that Jews relate to and consume their daily nourishment.

Given that the traditional nuclear family is disappearing from general society more and more every year, this podcast will explain this crucial concept, and the centrality the family in Judaism through the sources - not only in sociological and religious terms, but also as a practical system of living which benefits everyone.

Given that the traditional nuclear family is disappearing from general society more and more every year, this podcast will explain this crucial concept, and the centrality the family in Judaism through the sources - not only in sociological and religious terms, but also as a practical system of living which benefits everyone.

Every normal person both thinks about and fears death. By learning about the Jewish perspective on the death of others, this podcast will help prepare the listener to this traumatic experience when it happens, and explain the proper way to react to death of a relative or a close friend, and why.

Every normal person both thinks about and fears death. By learning about the Jewish perspective on the death of others, this podcast will help prepare the listener to this traumatic experience when it happens, and explain the proper way to react to death of a relative or a close friend, and why.

Most people think about the end of life, and in these days, when the length can be extended due to technological advances, many people often wish to end their lives before their pain and suffering become too great. In this podcast, the attitude to and value of life itself will be analyzed from a Jewish perspective, as well as the definition of the end of life, which will have implications of the permissibility of euthanasia, ending life early. Similarly, at the other end of the spectrum, the issue when life begins has divided society in the 21 st century. Whether life begins at conception or at birth has serious implications about the issue of abortion. This podcast will also examine the attitudes and sources on this topic from a Jewish perspective.