Best Rabbi David Fohrman Podcasts (2025)

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S6. Ep.4:The Moment We Finally Understood the Shofar 1:02:41

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2M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

This series finale literally has everything: a sweeping historical narrative, a textual thread that binds the Exodus to Sinai and beyond, and a gobsmacking conclusion to the question: what am I meant to feel when I hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah? You can find the textual chart referenced in this episode by clicking here. Click here to start your …

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S6. Ep.3: The Shofar's Meaning: We Missed the Message of the Exodus 1:02:23

2M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

In our quest to discover the meaning behind the shofar blast, we continue to mine the Exodus story for a deeper meaning behind God's empathy, and why it was so important to communicate that message to Moses, to the enslaved Israelites, and to Pharoah himself. To watch the course on the Three Lies of the Exodus mentioned in the episode, you can watc…

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S6. Ep.2: The Shofar's Cry Decoded: A Clue in God's Name 37:41

2M ago37:41

37:41

To get to the bottom of the shofar's secret, we need to travel back to the Exodus story. Looking closely, we can see that Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush was more than just a long job negotiation. God was trying to convey something extremely important. So important, in fact, that He encoded it into His own name. Click here to start yo…

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S6 Ep. 1: The Secret Message in the Sound of the Shofar 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

You sit in shul. The shofar blows. What do you feel? You may not want to admit it, but for many of us the answer is: nothing. For a long time, that’s how Imu felt also. Until a chance observation, one historic Erev Rosh Hashana, sparked a conversation with Rabbi David Fohrman that would change everything. Come along on this deep dive through the To…

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Show Update and Tisha B'Av Announcement 4:58

3M ago4:58

4:58

Come spend Tisha B'Av with us! We’re going to be having a live online event in the afternoon. It’s a chance to join hundreds of Jews from around the world to learn together, connect and make this day about community instead of being alone. Click here to learn more. Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our enti…

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S5 Ep. 4: Shir HaMaalot: When Pharoah Reminded Us About God 35:11

4M ago35:11

35:11

After thoroughly dissecting every verse of Shir HaMaalot, the season finale attempts to put all the pieces back together. The first three verses were about moving from dreams to true joy; the second three were about Joseph and Jacob's saga. Could both of these themes somehow be related? Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and g…

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S5 ep. 3: Shir HaMaalot: You Choose How Dreams Become Reality 58:38

4M ago58:38

58:38

Do you really know what Joseph's dream of the wheat sheaves was about? We'll bet you missed something big. And perhaps, so did Joseph. See how the ambiguity of the dream presents Joseph with a choice: am I destined for power, or for benevolence? Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well …

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S5 Ep. 2: Shir HaMaalot: Where Do a Father's Tears Go? 31:45

5M ago31:45

31:45

The beginning and end of Shir HaMaalot discuss dreams and sheaves of wheat. Where have we heard this before? Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore the clear parallels between this chapter or tehillim and Joseph - a dreamer and a captive. They discuss Joseph's outpouring of tears, compared to Jacob's persistent weeping, and offer a consoling message that th…

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S5 Ep.1 Shir HaMaalot: Waking Up from the Dream 45:09

5M ago45:09

45:09

This season's focus is on Tehilim (Psalm) 126, otherwise known as Shir HaMaalot. You know, the one that Jews sing before bensching on Shabbat and festivals. This short but powerful poem tells us that when the redemption comes we will be "like dreamers." But is this a good thing? What if our dream state prevents us from coming to terms with the actu…

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S4 Ep. 8 Can Envy Ever Be Healed? What Jacob and Esav Teach Us About the 10th Commandment 1:00:06

5M ago1:00:06

1:00:06

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey In the season finale, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore the final commandment—“Thou shalt not covet”—through the emotional reunion of Jacob and Esau. As they unpack the psychological wounds left by their father’s perceived favoritism, a deeper truth emerges: healing comes not from acquiring …

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S4 Ep. 7 Theft, Testimony, and Broken Trust: Unpacking the 8th and 9th Commandments 44:35

5M ago44:35

44:35

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey What drives someone to steal? And why does the Bible warn so strongly against false testimony? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev examine how the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Lavan provides surprising insight into the psychology behind the 8th and 9th commandments. From Rachel'…

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S4 Ep. 6 Esav’s Rage & Lavan’s Deceit: The Surprising Link Between Murder, Adultery and Fatherhood 50:30

6M ago50:30

50:30

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Continuing their journey through the Ten Commandments, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu examine murder and adultery through the lens of the Genesis Deception story. They unpack why Esau—usually painted as the bad guy—holds back from killing Jacob even when he knows exactly where to find him, giving…

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S4 Ep. 5 Rest & Honor: The Hidden Backstory of the Ten Commandments Continues 1:17:26

6M ago1:17:26

1:17:26

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Continuing their analysis of the Ten Commandments through Genesis 27, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu focus on two pivotal commands: Shabbat and honoring one's parents. They begin by uncovering surprising connections between Rebecca's plea for Jacob's safety and the concept of divine rest. How doe…

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S4 Ep. 4: Divine Love and the Ten Commandments 59:39

6M ago59:39

59:39

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey Picking up from last week's cliffhanger, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu tackle an uncomfortable and paradoxical question: How can a perfect being—God—choose vulnerability? This unsettling concept seems to be at the heart of the parallels they uncover between Genesis 27 and the Revelation narrativ…

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A Message from Imu 4:51

6M ago4:51

4:51

PLEASE FILL OUT OUR SURVEY: https://bit.ly/BLNOlistenersurvey We’re so grateful you’ve been listening to A Book Like No Other. Now, we’d love to hear from you! Podcasts can feel one-sided — we talk, you listen. But your voice matters. Please take 3–5 minutes to fill out this quick listener survey and help shape the future of the show. 👉 Take the su…

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S4 Ep. 3 Can We Really Know God? What Jacob’s Deception Reveals About Revelation 1:26:16

6M ago1:26:16

1:26:16

What if the Torah provides its own commentary on its most pivotal moments? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue uncovering a striking web of connections between Jacob’s deception in Genesis 27 and the Revelation at Sinai in Exodus 19. As they explore these interwoven parallels, they reveal a profound shift in roles—Father becoming Son, S…

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S4 Ep. 2 Rethinking Chosenness: From Favoritism to Universal Blessing 38:08

6M ago38:08

38:08

What if one of the Torah's most troubling stories - Jacob deceiving his father to get a blessing - is actually the key to understanding why God chose the Jewish people? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu make a surprising discovery: the story of Mount Sinai mirrors Jacob's deception in unexpected ways. But rather than just repeating a tale of f…

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S4 Ep. 1 Reexamining Revelation: The Challenge of Chosenness 28:15

6M ago28:15

28:15

At the heart of Judaism's chosenness lies an unexpected twist that few have noticed. Rabbi Fohrman stumbles upon a shocking connection between two of the Bible's most pivotal moments - one that completely transforms our understanding of what it means to be chosen. This discovery not only challenges centuries of religious interpretation but might ju…

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S3 Ep. 5 Esther as the Redeemer of the Garden of Eden 59:29

8M ago59:29

59:29

In this final episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore how Esther's narrative offers a redeemed perspective on Adam and Eve's story. Delving into Esther's courageous moments before King Achashverosh, Rabbi Fohrman highlights her heroism while challenging the simplistic view of Esther as merely a master manipulator. Instead, Rabbi Fohrma…

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S3 Ep. 4 A Competing Cast of Characters in the Megillah 49:55

8M ago49:55

49:55

Rabbi Fohrman shares a dizzying discovery: a competing Tree of Knowledge story in the Megillah. But instead of replacing the first cast of characters, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu analyze how this discovery adds another layer of meaning embedded in the Megillah. Esther, in particular, moves into the forefront, and Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discuss how her act…

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S3 Ep. 3 Haman’s Godly Ambitions 34:54

8M ago34:54

34:54

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu discover that it’s not only Haman who has a counterpart in Eden. There’s a whole list of characters from Megillat Esther who are playing out a version of the Tree of Knowledge story. But what is the Megillah trying to tell us by taking this story from the beginning of Genesis and replaying it here at the end of Tanach? It’s no…

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S3 Ep. 2 Finding Haman’s Character in the Garden of Eden 51:27

9M ago51:27

51:27

Note for Premium Members: This episode is part of our free release of "A Book Like No Other." If you're a premium subscriber, you already have access to this content in your premium feed. Rabbi Fohrman and Imu explore parallels between Megillat Esther and the Garden of Eden, beginning from the hint in the Midrash that links Haman to the Tree of Kno…

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S3 Ep. 1 The Hidden Angels in the Megillah 34:12

9M ago34:12

34:12

Note for Premium Members: This episode is part of our free release of "A Book Like No Other." If you're a premium subscriber, you already have access to this content in your premium feed. The Book of Esther has no Divine instructions, no prophecies, no outright miracles. God doesn't even get mentioned. We all love hearing how Mordechai and Esther s…

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S2 Ep. 5 What About Moses? 45:41

1+ y ago45:41

45:41

In the concluding episode of the season, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu delve deep into the perplexing issue of Moshe's legacy. In a thought-provoking discussion, they explore the paradox of Moshe – how could a leader uniquely equipped to empathize with those of mixed heritage, have no compassion for the Mekallel, a man who shared his challenging beginnings…

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S2 Ep. 4 The Mekallel’s Return to Eden 38:50

1+ y ago38:50

38:50

Is there any redemption for the mekallel? In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu head back to Leviticus to explore a fascinating connection between the mekallel, the utopian laws of the Jubilee year, and the Torah’s original utopia, Eden. This new thread of evidence shines a more uplifting light on our dark text – while unlocking unexpected insight…

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S2 Ep. 3 The Philosophy of Blasphemy and Micah’s Idol in the Book of Judges 58:44

1+ y ago58:44

58:44

In this episode, Rabbi Forhman and Imu finally discuss two long-awaited topics. Firstly, what really is so wrong about blasphemy? After all, blasphemy is just words. How can words hurt God? And secondly, the much-promised epilogue to the story of the Mekallel, buried in the book of Shoftim (Judges). And as it turns out, the epilogue deals with the …

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S2 Ep. 2 Moshe and the Mekallel: A Tale of Two Outcasts 31:51

1+ y ago31:51

31:51

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu continue to search for justice in the Mekallel’s harsh punishment. Does the answer lie in the strange connection they found last episode between the Mekallel and Moses? To find out, they dive into Moses' coming-of-age story in Exodus, and discover an even deeper bond between these two men who on the surface couldn’t be more di…

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S2 Ep. 1 The Blasphemer: Why Would Someone Curse God? [Full Season Now Available] 48:34

1+ y ago48:34

48:34

Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev study the tale of the blasphemer, a dark and puzzling episode buried deep in Leviticus. The details of this story are scarce: an anonymous man provokes a fight in the Israelite camp, curses God, and ultimately is stoned to death as punishment. But a close read of these few short verses sends Rabbi Fohrman and Imu …

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A Book Like No Other: Trailer 4:09

3y ago4:09

4:09

Join Rabbi Fohrman for an epic journey into reading the Torah on its own terms. Sign up to receive more Aleph Beta content. Click here to start your 7 day FREE trial at Aleph Beta, and gain access to our entire library, as well as exclusive A Book Like No Other bonus content. We love to hear from you! Click here to share your thoughts, insights, qu…

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3. The New Normal 25:05

5+ y ago25:05

25:05

We’re now several days into the new normal... except that the new normal changes every day.In this episode, Rabbi Fohrman shares his thoughts on finding spiritual strength in the face of chaos. He begins by looking at a model in the Talmud of someone who attempted to hold onto normalcy: Marta bat Baitos, Martha daughter of Boethus, a noblewoman who…

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2. Going Into Lockdown: A Conversation With Rabbi Rothwachs 29:19

5+ y ago29:19

29:19

On Thursday, the Rabbinical Council of Bergen County took the frightening step of closing all centers of community -- not only schools, but synagogues, and restaurants, too. Plus, people were asked to refrain from hosting shabbat meals, making playdates for kids, even going to the park. In this episode, Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, synagogue rabbi of Con…

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1. Aleph Beta Quarantined: An Introduction 19:10

5+ y ago19:10

19:10

No, this isn't Parsha Lab...it's a new podcast from Aleph Beta. Presenting: Aleph Beta Quarantined.Every day, every hour, almost every minute, it feels like there is some breaking news about what is happening with COVID 19. Schools are canceled. Synagogues are shutting their doors. Restaurants are closing. We are scared, we are looking into an unkn…

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Parsha Lab Says - See You Soon! 2:21

7y ago2:21

2:21

You might have noticed that you haven’t heard a new episode in the last two weeks. Well, in this “mini” episode, we explain next steps for Parsha Lab. If you want to revisit past episodes of Parsha Lab, the episodes will continue to live on Aleph Beta’s site and app. For new Aleph Beta content, check out alephbeta.org or download the Aleph Beta app…

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Ep. 36 Parshat V'Zot Habracha: Moshe’s Final Farewell 35:44

7y ago35:44

35:44

In the Torah’s final parsha, Moshe is preparing to take leave of the nation he has been so devoted all of these years. He gives them blessings before taking his final departure. He then ascends a mountain and is laid to rest in an unknown burial place. Or is it? A careful reading of Moshe’s blessings may give us clues as to where he was buried. The…

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Ep.35 Parshat Ha’azinu: Is This The Song of Doom? 30:42

7y ago30:42

30:42

In Parshat Ha’azinu, the Israelites receive a frightening prophetic “song” about their future failure to follow God’s will, and the punishment they receive as a result. When Moshe introduces this prophecy, he states that he hopes his speech will fall “ke-se’irim alei desheh” -- like some sort of ‘rain upon grass.’ What does that mean? And why is it…

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Ep.34 Parshat Vayeilech: What's Wrong With Moses’ Leadership? 26:11

7y ago26:11

26:11

Parshat Vayeilech records Moses’ farewell speech on the last day of his life. In the opening of this speech, Moses reminds the people that he won’t be leading them into Israel and that Joshua will take over his position. But when you look closely at what Moses says about Joshua, you can’t help but ask, was Moses trying to sabotage Joshua's leadersh…

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Ep.33 Parshat Nitzavim: What Is the 'Hidden Sin' In This Week's Parsha? 40:24

7y ago40:24

40:24

Parshat Nitzavim states, “The hidden things are for God but the revealed things are for us,” which suggests perhaps that only God can punish for sins done in private. Could the parsha be alluding to a specific hidden sin in our history? Join Beth Lesch and Ami Silver as they re-examine the text of Nitzavim and its references to the story of the Sal…

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Ep.32 Parshat Ki Tavo: What Are Blessings And Curses, Really? 22:22

7y ago22:22

22:22

In Parshat Ki Tavo, the Israelites are told that when they enter the land they must publicly bless those who keep the commandments, and curse those who violate them. And they have to proclaim these blessings and curses on two mountains -- Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval. But why? What's so special about these mountains? And why must the blessings and …

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Ep.31 Parshat Ki Teitzei: Remember Amalek; Don't Forget 23:43

7y ago23:43

23:43

This week’s parsha includes the commandment to wipe out the memory of Amalek, the nation who attacked the Israelites just weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. It’s the kind of mitzvah that makes our skin crawl in the 21st century. Why would God command wiping out an entire people? What did they do that was so evil that they deserve to be completely e…

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Ep.30 Parshat Shoftim: What Does It Mean To Be A Fair Judge? 28:02

7y ago28:02

28:02

In Parshat Shoftim, we're given a detailed list of instructions as to how to establish a justice system. Yet there are seemingly random topics woven into these instructions, like idolatry, and how to properly offer an animal to God. Is there a reason for these odd interludes? Are they telling us something important about the justice system? Join Da…

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Ep.29 Parshat Re’eh: How Does God Really Feel About Child Sacrifice? 33:07

7y ago33:07

33:07

In the beginning of Parshat Re’eh, the Torah warns not to follow other gods that "we don’t know." Idolatry is prohibited, so why does it matter whether we "know” these other gods or not? Join Beth Lesch and Ami Silver as they re-examine the text and its parallels to Akeidat Yitzchak (Sacrifice of Isaac) and understand what it means to “know” God, a…

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Ep.28 Parshat Eikev: Is this Another Akeidah? 31:00

7+ y ago31:00

31:00

In Parshat Eikev, Moshe is gearing up the people to enter the land of Israel. He’s laying out conditions of what God will expect, and what they can expect in return. But strangely, peppered throughout Moshe's talk are echoes and references to Akeidat Yitzchak (Sacrifice of Isaac). Why is this story being referenced here? What is Moshe communicating…

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Ep.27 Parshat Va’etchanan: How Do We Manage The Influences Around Us? 31:41

7+ y ago31:41

31:41

In Parshat Va’etchanan, the Israelites are forbidden from intermarrying with the Canaanite nations when they enter the land of Israel. While the rationale for this commandment may seem straightforward, its language echoes another story of a foreign nation, namely the story of the brutal mistreatment of Dina in Genesis. What do the Canaanites and Sh…

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Ep.26 Parshat Devarim: What Did The Spies Do Wrong? 31:45

7+ y ago31:45

31:45

We know God wasn't pleased with the spies. Due to their actions, an entire generation would die in the desert, never entering the Promised Land. But what exactly did the spies do wrong? They reported that the land of Israel 'flows with milk and honey' and was inhabited by strong peoples -- weren't they just telling the truth? Why was God blaming th…

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Ep.25 Parshat Matot-Masei: The Hidden Story Of Brothers, Borders, And Moses’ Burial 28:58

7+ y ago28:58

28:58

In Parshat Matot-Masei, the Israelites are on the cusp of entering Israel, right on the Eastern side of the Jordan. But before they do, the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask Moshe to stay by the border, as the land is advantageous to raise their herd. At first furious, Moshe agrees to let them have the land provided they battle alongside their brethren …

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Ep.24 Parshat Pinchas: How Is Land Ownership Connected To The Pesach Sheni Offering? 31:35

7+ y ago31:35

31:35

In Parshat Pinchas, we read about the daughters of Tzelaphchad, who sought to inherit their father’s land. God granted their request, and even codified it into law. But there’s something unique about this story — it’s strikingly similar to the story of the Pesach Sheini offering. When a group of ritually impure people approached Moses and requested…

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Ep.23 Parshat Balak: Why Weren't The Plagues Enough? 33:49

7+ y ago33:49

33:49

As the Israelites made their way towards the Promised Land, they encountered many nations -- Edomites, Canaanites, Amorites, Moabites -- who greeted them with less than open arms. But after seeing what God did to the Egyptians, wouldn't it have been better to take them in and avoid God's wrath? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Beth Lesch as they re-examine t…

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Ep.22 Parshat Chukat: Why Do We Need A Red Heifer? 25:52

7+ y ago25:52

25:52

In Parshat Chukat, we read the laws surrounding the Red Heifer — the rare cow whose ash is used to purify those who stood too close to a corpse. But what is the reason for this unique ritual? Why do we need the ash of a red cow to be purified? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Daniel Loewenstein as they re-examine the text of the Red Heifer and discover a str…

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Ep 21. Parshat Korach: Where did The Rebellion Start? 32:18

7+ y ago32:18

32:18

In Parshat Korach, there’s a sudden rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach, the leader of the rebellion, argues that all Israelites are holy, not just Moses and Aaron. But where did his distrust of Israel’s leaders come from? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Ami Silver as they re-examine Korach’s family origin, which is recorded in the text, and see how h…

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Ep 20. Parshat Shelach: Spies. Conspiracies. And the Two Men Caught In The Middle — Sound Familiar? 34:06

7+ y ago34:06

34:06

In Parshat Shelach, we read the story of the spies who ventured to the land of Israel and brought back a false report to the Israelites. But there’s something very strange about their report. Aside from being inaccurate, it’s strikingly similar to another story we’ve heard. A group of twelve men, ten of whom committed a terrible sin and two of whom…