While all the Sages cried at the sight of destruction, Rabbi Akiva laughed. In this episode, we analyze this classic Talmudic tale and draw lessons for processing our own pain. Featuring special guest, Rabbi Hirshel Gourarie of Chabad at Penn State. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/loodaism/message

Parsha Podcast

S2 E27: Laughing: The secret light of Tisha b'Av.

Life is a journey, yet sometimes we find ourselves stuck in the status quo. In this episode, we analyze the journey through the desert and discover the life lesson it teaches us all. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/loodaism/message

S2 E26: Journeys -- what goes down must come up

Korach's dispute with Moshe teaches us that the path to truth is paved with appreciating that truth is paradoxical, and never one dimensional. This episode will teach you how to argue like a Jew. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/loodaism/message

S2 E25: Disputed: How to Argue Like a Jew.

To remain in the bubble or to go out into the world, that is the question. What can the saga of the spies teach us about challenges, antisemitism, and the tension of spirit vs. matter? This episode takes a dive into these ideas and more.

S2 E24: Challenged: The light of dark times

The antisemites of the world have a point...what is it? Listen to this lesson on the tension between individualism vs. collectivism and find out.

S2 E23: Me or Us? An insight into what Jewish community means.

In honour of Lag BaOmer, this episode delves into a number of reasons for the necessity of studying Chabad teachings, aka Chassidus, the soul of the Torah. Here's a link to an excerpt of the text mentioned in the episode: https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2716769/jewish/Chapter-33.htm. Please email info@jewishwaterloo.com for more recommendations of texts and teachers of Chassidus.

S2 E22: Give Me Some Soul!

Finally back in the saddle with two nuggets to inspire you to a deeper appreciation of the great holiday of Passover. With apologies for the substandard sound quality, we hope you enjoy this episode.

S2 E21: What Is Passover's Message To Us?

You may feel more spiritual staying internal - studying, praying and meditating, but is that where you're needed? Discover the ultimate spirituality that is found in the outside.

S2 E20 Terumah: Global Influencers

Wholeness is hot; but should it be? Is there a path that avoids mediocrity but isn't overwhelming? In this episode, we explore the eternal message of the half shekel as a paradigm for humble ambition. In the new Ask the Rabbi segment, I address the ideal method of sharing constructive criticism.

S2 E19: Your Best Half

Dare a person strive to achieve more than their current reality allows for? Or should we live realistically within the limits of what is feasible? In this episode we explore the very definition of being human, according to the Torah.

S2 E18: Born To Stretch + NEW ask the rabbi feature

Parshat Bo tells of the Jewish people selecting a sheep/goat for the Passover sacrifice. Why was this done 4 days in advance? How does this inform our position of integrating vs. challenging society? Listen to learn what lessons this unusual Mitzvah has to teach us.

S2 E17: Status Quo? No!

Ancient Egypt kept knowledge locked away from the people; Judaism takes the opposite approach. In this episode, we unpack a bit of that revolution.

S2 E16: Knowledge For All: Judaism's radical vision of education

Having high expectations and great idealism can be a mixed blessing at best; a dastardly curse at worst. In this episode, we unpack Moshe's attempted rejection of the call to leadership and apply its lessons to our complicated lives today.

S2 E15: Does Perfectionism Have A Place?

Special guest and original Parsha podcast co-host Bobby Plax joins me in this week's episode for a brief conversation about the inspiration we sorely need and how Chanukah can provide it

S2 E14: Chanukah's hope in dark times

We work hard, we pull ourselves up, and we achieve our goals. Then...we congratulate ourselves on a job well done, and soon enough we find ourselves back where we began. In this episode, we discover the simple but vital insight to help us avoid the repetitive hamster wheel of life.

S2 E13: Positively Unsatisfied

The parsha podcast is a recorded version of the weekly lunch and learns on the laurier campus