What Does Judaism Say About...?

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.

Are there any ancient Jewish sources regarding our modern societal phenomenon and problem of people who ingest drugs to produce a chemical high? Indeed there are. When and why is Judaism against or for certain drugs? Does Judaism treat legal marijuana as any other drug such as opioids and heroin, or not? What about the legal drug alcohol, which Jewish law seems to encourage? What about drugs that help ease pain for sick patients? This podcast will examine all of these questions.

Are there any ancient Jewish sources regarding our modern societal phenomenon and problem of people who ingest drugs to produce a chemical high? Indeed there are. When and why is Judaism against or for certain drugs? Does Judaism treat legal marijuana as any other drug such as opioids and heroin, or not? What about the legal drug alcohol, which Jewish law seems to encourage? What about drugs that help ease pain for sick patients? This podcast will examine all of these questions.

Long before the terms "Climate Change" and "Ecology" were even known, Judaism was protective of the environment, not only with rich aphorisms but also in Jewish law. Yet Judaism certainly allows man to use natural resources to benefit himself. How can this be? This podcast will examine when, when not, and why Judaism permits and forbids use of natural goods, and how this attitude also prevents climate change.

Long before the terms "Climate Change" and "Ecology" were even known, Judaism was protective of the environment, not only with rich aphorisms but also in Jewish law. Yet Judaism certainly allows man to use natural resources to benefit himself. How can this be? This podcast will examine when, when not, and why Judaism permits and forbids use of natural goods, and how this attitude also prevents climate change.

Most everyone feels they are tolerant of the different opinions or different lifestyles of others, until they experience them firsthand - and then people are typically uncomfortable with anything different from what they believe. In Judaism, differences of opinion are encouraged and studied in the Talmud, alongside discussions about how to be a proper Jew; as long as they remain opinions, Judaism is tolerant of all alternatives. But action is different, as a religion cannot survive if everyone does whatever he or she pleases. A lifestyle that invalidates the core value of Judaism, such as idol worship, is not tolerated. This podcast will discuss the fine lines of how differences of opinion are tolerated, and under which conditions.

Most everyone feels they are tolerant of the different opinions or different lifestyles of others, until they experience them firsthand - and then people are typically uncomfortable with anything different from what they believe. In Judaism, differences of opinion are encouraged and studied in the Talmud, alongside discussions about how to be a proper Jew; as long as they remain opinions, Judaism is tolerant of all alternatives. But action is different, as a religion cannot survive if everyone does whatever he or she pleases. A lifestyle that invalidates the core value of Judaism, such as idol worship, is not tolerated. This podcast will discuss the fine lines of how differences of opinion are tolerated, and under which conditions.

By any standard, Judaism does not fit into the classic definition of a "religion," nor the definition of a "culture" or "nation." From the very beginning, Jews themselves debated what is the essence of Judaism – a culture, i.e., a group of people who share the trappings of nationhood, or a religion, bound by faith and religious ideas. This podcast will examine this topic through the sources and discover some innovative approaches to this crucial question.

By any standard, Judaism does not fit into the classic definition of a "religion," nor the definition of a "culture" or "nation." From the very beginning, Jews themselves debated what is the essence of Judaism – a culture, i.e., a group of people who share the trappings of nationhood, or a religion, bound by faith and religious ideas. This podcast will examine this topic through the sources and discover some innovative approaches to this crucial question.

This podcast will examine how Judaism relates to animals by examining traditional Jewish sources. Is a human being part of the animal kingdom, or fundamentally different? Should a Jew have compassion towards animals, and why? If a Jew must be sensitive to animals, then why can man use animals for food for other purposes? When may a Jew NOT use animals? How serious is the sin of not hurting an animal needlessly?

This podcast will examine how Judaism relates to animals by examining traditional Jewish sources. Is a human being part of the animal kingdom, or fundamentally different? Should a Jew have compassion towards animals, and why? If a Jew must be sensitive to animals, then why can man use animals for food for other purposes? When may a Jew NOT use animals? How serious is the sin of not hurting an animal needlessly?

Catholic doctrine abhors money and wealth as a positive life value. What is the Jewish view? Which is the more honorable state - being poor or being wealthy? What is the definition of wealth? These and other issues will be discussed in this podcast.

Catholic doctrine abhors money and wealth as a positive life value. What is the Jewish view? Which is the more honorable state - being poor or being wealthy? What is the definition of wealth? These and other issues will be discussed in this podcast.

Everyone enjoys celebrating his or her birthday. But what exactly is being celebrated, as no one remembers their own birth? How does Judaism view this day and why? And how should it be celebrated as a Jewish event, if at all? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

Everyone enjoys celebrating his or her birthday. But what exactly is being celebrated, as no one remembers their own birth? How does Judaism view this day and why? And how should it be celebrated as a Jewish event, if at all? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

Many religions, including Judaism, have a basic belief in Messiah at the end of days. In fact, Christianity was founded based on this concept. How does Judaism differ from Christianity and its view of this topic? How will the world look in Messianic days? And how we know who Messiah is?

Many religions, including Judaism, have a basic belief in Messiah at the end of days. In fact, Christianity was founded based on this concept. How does Judaism differ from Christianity and its view of this topic? How will the world look in Messianic days? And how we know who Messiah is?

With all their wealth and free time, people should be happier than ever before. But they aren't, and one main reason is low self-esteem. But why is this so? How does Judaism view this issue? How do Jewish values help any person develop a much better self-image so that they feel better about themselves?

With all their wealth and free time, people should be happier than ever before. But they aren't, and one main reason is low self-esteem. But why is this so? How does Judaism view this issue? How do Jewish values help any person develop a much better self-image so that they feel better about themselves?

Just the word "sex" conjures up a unique emotional response in all of us. How does Judaism honestly deal with the "tawdry" subject of sex, and how is sex different and the same as all other basic human drives? This podcast will deal with sex in dating, before marriage, during marriage, and even after marriage.

Just the word "sex" conjures up a unique emotional response in all of us. How does Judaism honestly deal with the "tawdry" subject of sex, and how is sex different and the same as all other basic human drives? This podcast will deal with sex in dating, before marriage, during marriage, and even after marriage.

What qualifies as a miracle today from a Jewish perspective? Is surviving Covid a miracle? How about life itself? Is the birth of a baby miraculous? Are there different types of miracles in Judaism? These and other issues will be discussed in this podcast.

What qualifies as a miracle today from a Jewish perspective? Is surviving Covid a miracle? How about life itself? Is the birth of a baby miraculous? Are there different types of miracles in Judaism? These and other issues will be discussed in this podcast.

Even though the gun is a relatively new invention, the idea of protecting oneself with weapons is very old indeed, as is the concept of keeping dangerous objects one's home. What does Judaism say about the legality and morality or protecting oneself from criminals by having a weapon? What are the responsibilities of the weapon owner vis a vis that weapon in Judaism?

Even though the gun is a relatively new invention, the idea of protecting oneself with weapons is very old indeed, as is the concept of keeping dangerous objects one's home. What does Judaism say about the legality and morality or protecting oneself from criminals by having a weapon? What are the responsibilities of the weapon owner vis a vis that weapon in Judaism?

The death sentence for murderers has been debated for many decades, and every country and every state in the United States has a different approach. What is the Jewish attitude towards death for a murderer? How did Judaism itself change within Jewish law over the centuries on this issue and why, and what is the Jewish view of Capital Punishment today? ? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

The death sentence for murderers has been debated for many decades, and every country and every state in the United States has a different approach. What is the Jewish attitude towards death for a murderer? How did Judaism itself change within Jewish law over the centuries on this issue and why, and what is the Jewish view of Capital Punishment today? ? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

If life has infinite value and killing a human being should be avoided at all costs, would it be permitted to kill one human being to save another human being? How about killing one human being to save 100 human beings? Judaism dealt with this topic thousands of years ago and you will be amazed at the conclusions.

If life has infinite value and killing a human being should be avoided at all costs, would it be permitted to kill one human being to save another human being? How about killing one human being to save 100 human beings? Judaism dealt with this topic thousands of years ago and you will be amazed at the conclusions.

If taking a human life is the greatest sin, then all war should be prohibited; but if Israel's enemies knew that Jews would never fight back, we know all too well the inevitable tragic result. Given this paradox, which wars are considered legitimate in Judaism and which are not? How does that relate to the war Israel is currently fighting against Hamas?

If taking a human life is the greatest sin, then all war should be prohibited; but if Israel's enemies knew that Jews would never fight back, we know all too well the inevitable tragic result. Given this paradox, which wars are considered legitimate in Judaism and which are not? How does that relate to the war Israel is currently fighting against Hamas?

In the last 50 years, wars are no longer fought on a field with two armies in uniform, but rather in civilian areas, where innocents are almost always in danger. Is it legitimate to kill some civilians if that is the only way to defeat an enemy and kill the terrorists or soldiers who want to kill you? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

In the last 50 years, wars are no longer fought on a field with two armies in uniform, but rather in civilian areas, where innocents are almost always in danger. Is it legitimate to kill some civilians if that is the only way to defeat an enemy and kill the terrorists or soldiers who want to kill you? This podcast will deal with these and other issues.

Paying any amount of money is certainly worth it to save a life. But what if paying causes many other people to be kidnapped? Should an individual or society pay the money and risk further kidnapping? This podcast will deal with these and other pressing current issues.

Everyone is fascinated by their dreams and wish to know if they have any real-life meaning. While scientists still debate this issue, Judaism has much to say about whether we should take our dreams seriously or not. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Everyone is fascinated by their dreams and wish to know if they have any real-life meaning. While scientists still debate this issue, Judaism has much to say about whether we should take our dreams seriously or not. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Is taking something small from a hotel room considered stealing? Taking something from your parents' house? How large must the theft be in order to be considered stealing in Judaism? What if the owner doesn't know, and will never know - does that make a difference? These and other issues will help define stealing from a Jewish perspective in this podcast, and when is it permitted. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Is taking something small from a hotel room considered stealing? Taking something from your parents' house? How large must the theft be in order to be considered stealing in Judaism? What if the owner doesn't know, and will never know - does that make a difference? These and other issues will help define stealing from a Jewish perspective in this podcast, and when is it permitted. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Many people believe that the stars, planets, etc. guide their lives. Does Judaism give credence to this idea or is astrology a negation of belief in God? Yet every Jew uses the phrase "Mazel Tov" many times, indicating a firm belief in astrology. This podcast will delve into these and other issues. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Many people believe that the stars, planets, etc. guide their lives. Does Judaism give credence to this idea or is astrology a negation of belief in God? Yet every Jew uses the phrase "Mazel Tov" many times, indicating a firm belief in astrology. This podcast will delve into these and other issues. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

The oldest "ism" in history, antisemitism has affected Jews in every century and in every country, whether rich or poor, right wing or left wing.... but why always the Jews? This podcast will examine why, as well as how to deal with this issue in the 21st century. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

The oldest "ism" in history, antisemitism has affected Jews in every century and in every country, whether rich or poor, right wing or left wing.... but why always the Jews? This podcast will examine why, as well as how to deal with this issue in the 21st century. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

In our society, where looking attractive is one of the highest if not the highest ideal, how does traditional Judaism feel about physical beauty? Is it to be admired, deprecated, or it makes no difference? What about beautiful places, beautiful animals? Would you believe that the greatest Rabbi in the Talmud went to the Holy Temple and saw a gorgeous woman who worshipped idols, and made a blessing over her beauty? Is physical beauty some subjective or objective in Jewish thought? Is cosmetic surgery, in order to enhance the beauty that God gave a person at birth, permitted or not in Judaism, and why? This podcast will address these and other provocative questions. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

In our society, where looking attractive is one of the highest if not the highest ideal, how does traditional Judaism feel about physical beauty? Is it to be admired, deprecated, or it makes no difference? What about beautiful places, beautiful animals? Would you believe that the greatest Rabbi in the Talmud went to the Holy Temple and saw a gorgeous woman who worshipped idols, and made a blessing over her beauty? Is physical beauty some subjective or objective in Jewish thought? Is cosmetic surgery, in order to enhance the beauty that God gave a person at birth, permitted or not in Judaism, and why? This podcast will address these and other provocative questions. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.

Welcome to What Does Judaism Say About...?, where each podcast explores a different ethical issues, value, or dilemmas in society of the 21st century, and examines the traditional normative Jewish viewpoint on that issue. Each week, a different interesting value and topic will be analyzed from the traditional Jewish perspective. Rabbi Dr. Nachum Amsel, who lived half his life in the USA, steeped in American culture and half his life in Israel, has had the good fortune to teach and interact with thousands of students around the world with no Jewish background or knowledge on six continents, as well as with many students with extensive Jewish familiarity. This podcast is intended for anyone who wants to know what Judaism says on any particular issue of the day. Join our Facebook Group and continue the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/groups/747034530467544.