Best Rabbi David Lapin Podcasts (2025)

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Makkot 20b Gender Differences_ Appearance and Behavior - לא ילבש 22:13

9h ago22:13

22:13

Gender confusion is initiated not only by cross-dressing and make-up, but also by cross-gender behavior Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 18b Prosperity and Sacrifice - ביכורים הנחה מעכבת 21:51

2d ago21:51

21:51

National prosperity is a blessing from Hashem that is conditional on the sacrifices that individuals make. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 17a Wholeness - בריה 18:57

3d ago18:57

18:57

When the Torah names something not as a description of a commodity but as the definition of a specific object’s wholeness, it becomes a “beriah”, something whose identity is complete and cannot be adulterated. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Makkot 16a Awareness - התראה 21:07

4d ago21:07

21:07

Doing something by mistake (שוגג) and doing it intentionally (מזיד) are two points on a single spectrum of awareness. Full awareness of what one is doing creates the conditions for a מזיד; anything less than full awareness already moves the dial in the direction of שוגג. The purpose of warning (התראה) is to raise awareness to the maximum level. Sou…

1
Makkot 15b Educating vs Intimidating - התראת ספק 18:20

5d ago18:20

18:20

Just as in the Torah, the purpose of Azhara is to educate us in values not to threaten us with punishment, so too hatra’ah (warning) is to educate the person about the consequences of his actions, not to intimidate him with fear. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 13-14b Growth and Discomfort - אזהרה מנין 19:05

6d ago19:05

19:05

How we respond to resistance determines our growth. Growth happens when we resist the forces of nature; and with resistance comes discomfort. Sometimes we choose our areas of resistance and embrace them. At other times resistance is imposed upon us. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 11a How Hashgacha (Destiny) Really Works - שהיה להם לבקש רחמים 17:24

10d ago17:24

17:24

Experts expound on why various things happen. In reality they are explaining how they happen but not why they happen. The why is far too complex for the human mind to grasp. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 10a Character Counts - תלמיד שאינו הגון 21:11

10d ago21:11

21:11

Teaching torah to an individual of poor character is high risk – both to Torah and to the teacher. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 9a Common Decency - שהיה לו ללמוד דרך ארץ 16:22

11d ago16:22

16:22

Why is common decency not so common at all? Is decency, derech erettz, innate or learned? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Makkot 8a Tradition – יש אם למסורת (ב) 20:16

13d ago20:16

20:16

Sometimes, the tradition handed down to us, requires a less literal interpretation of a text. Provided the text can be applied to the traditional interpretation, tradition trumps literalness. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 7a Judgement - אי אפשר דלא יכחיש אחד מהם את חבירו 16:01

14d ago16:01

16:01

Even reported facts and established stats can often be unreliable. Judgement is an intuitive balance of facts, statistics and reasonable assumptions. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Makkot 4b We Don’t do Leftovers - לאו הניתק לעשה 19:01

17d ago19:01

19:01

Mostly an active transgression of a Torah law entails punishment, but there are times when the transgression can be unwound thereby removing the need for punishment. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 3a Self-Incrimination - באומר עדות שקר העדתי 18:09

17d ago18:09

18:09

Once evidence is accepted in Beit Din it creates a new reality that cannot be undone except by Hazzama. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Makkot 2 a-b Skin in the Game - עדות שאתה יכול להזימה 18:35

18d ago18:35

18:35

To truly trust what an individual says, he or she need to have “skin in the game”; they must be at risk in the event that their statements are false. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 113a The Power of One - עיר שיש בה אפילו מזוזה אחת 18:46

19d ago18:46

18:46

Never underestimate the power of a single, ordinary individual doing a single “ordinary” action, to have extraordinary impact on masses of people. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 111b-112a Seeing the Invisible - מי גרם להם שידורו בתוכה 14:52

21d ago14:52

14:52

Our physical eye only sees beauty and ugliness on the surface. The eyes of our soul can see beneath the surface. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 109a Science and Faith- נבנה מגדל ונעלה לרקיע 17:54

24d ago17:54

17:54

Science is simply the discovery of Hashem’s ways, it is part of knowing Hashem. The challenge to faith is not from science but from the secular world view that naturally accompanies it. This secular world view of science and technology originates in the story of the Tower of Babel. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 108a The Preservation of Nature - אם אדם חטא בהמה מה חטאה 18:06

24d ago18:06

18:06

Our stewardship of nature goes beyond protecting the environment from physical destruction. We are also stewards of the environment’s moral and spiritual quality. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 107a-b Beauty in Appropriateness - בעא אברהם רחמי דליהווי ביה זקנה 20:15

25d ago20:15

20:15

When contemporary society’s view of aesthetics is different from the Torah’s we need to notice the gap and realign our own sensitivities to the Torah’s. When it comes to beauty, the Torah appreciates context and appropriateness Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 106a Why Protest - איוב ששתק נידון ביסורין 13:49

27d ago13:49

13:49

The reason to protest in defense of others or of moral principle is not for the impact of the protests, but because of their humanity. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 105b The Pleasure of Learning - שמתוך שלא לשמה 19:03

27d ago19:03

19:03

Although when mitzvot are done for impure motivations, their power is less, this does not apply to one who studies Torah and finds immense pleasure in his learning. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 101a Song - עושה אותו כמין זמר 20:40

1M ago20:40

20:40

Should the words of Tanach, which are Kodesh, be used as lyrics for Jewish rock music? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 100b Don't Worry - דאגה בלב איש 19:58

1M ago19:58

19:58

Managing anxiety requires that we distinguish between the words awe (יראה), fear (פחד) and worry (דאגה). Awe is a mitzva, fear is an instinct and worry is a choice. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 99b It's All or Nothing - לא איבעי להו לרחקה 19:45

1M ago19:45

19:45

We often assume that something good cannot cause evil, but in the case of the Torah this is not always true. When torah is studied not in accordance with its rules, its results can be disastrous Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 88b Fundamentalism Is The Root of Dissension - רבו מחלוקת בישראל 16:42

1M ago16:42

16:42

Fundamentalism develops when people focus on the details of the Law without understanding its deeper intention, meaning and spirit. The greater people’s understanding of underlying principles the more they can find common ground and respect one another’s opinions. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 84b Physician Liability - מכה אדם לרפואה פטור 21:43

2M ago21:43

21:43

When physician treats a patient, s/he is doing a Mitzva and any mistake he makes, even if fatal does not obligate him legally or morally (provided he wasn’t careless). Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 83b Fashion & Uniform - אין בגדיהם עליהם הוו להו זרים 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

When our inner beings, our unique individuality, is on display, we contaminate by making it the public image we want others to recognize; we are selling our inner essence to the public. However, when we are fully secure in our uniqueness, when our identities are secure, we hide from the public this inner being that distinguishes us as individuals. …

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Sanhedrin 81a Vitality - צדיק הוא חיה יחיה 22:35

2M ago22:35

22:35

Humility and self-sufficiency, while challenging at first, leads to a vitality not previously experienced. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 79a Kavanah - נתכוון להרוג את זה והרג את זה 16:48

2M ago16:48

16:48

Kavanah means much more than mindfulness and attention. Kavanah means directionality. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 78b Shabbat and Secularism - חילול שבת בפרהסיא 17:11

2M ago17:11

17:11

The desecration of Shabbat is the embracing of secularism – a worldview vacuous of Kedusha. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 77a Cruelty and Brutality - כפתו ומת ברעב 20:44

2M ago20:44

20:44

Brutality is a more intense version of cruelty and manifests deep hatred. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 76b Love Languages - ומכבדה יותר מגופו 21:41

2M ago21:41

21:41

People experience honor (and disrespect) in different ways. The difference is especially pronounced between genders. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 74a-75a Reputational Damage - פגם משפחה 19:20

2M ago19:20

19:20

Causing someone shame is a form of damage for which compensation can be demanded. This is בושת. However, פגם is different. פגם diminishes the value of the individual in the eyes of others. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 73a Disrupting Hashem’s Plans - מצילין אותן בנפשן 17:15

2M ago17:15

17:15

Since everything is predetermined, what gives us the right to intervene in the unfolding of Hashem’s plans for justice? If we see someone about to murder another, what gives us the right to intervene by killing the perpetrator? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 52b Aloof or Exalted- בתחילה דומה לקיתון של זהב 15:22

3M ago15:22

15:22

Aloofness, a characteristic that smacks of arrogance is different from exaltedness which, as a characteristic of Hashem, is Divine in its essence. How does one avoid their exalted character to become contaminated with aloofness? We will learn how from Hashem Himself. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 46b Dignity in Mourning - ולא היו מתאבלין 19:50

3M ago19:50

19:50

Tragically, we often appreciate value only after we have experienced loss. Simulate loss in order to appreciate value – value of things, of people, and even of oneself. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 45a We are not Required to Love our Neighbors as Ourselves – ואהבת לרעך כמוך 20:59

3M ago20:59

20:59

“Love your neighbor as yourself,” is perhaps the most famous statement in the Torah. But we will learn how misunderstood it is, and what it’s true meaning is. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 44b When the Going is Good - לעולם יקדים אדם תפילה לצרה 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

Understanding the cycles of life enables faith in the future. It also encourages prayer even when life is good – the most powerful form of prayer for it builds relationship with Hashem. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Rosh Chodesh Shevat - Life is Organic 55:07

3M ago55:07

55:07

Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 43b The Ultimate Sacrifice - הזובח את יצרו 19:54

3M ago19:54

19:54

The most valuable sacrifices are not the dramatic ones made in public as much as the private struggles of individuals to master their natures. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 42a Overcoming Despair - אלמלי לא זכו ישראל 22:38

3M ago22:38

22:38

As day follows night, so renewal follows despair. By tuning in to the monthly lunar cycles we reaffirm our optimism in the caring ever-presence of Hashem even in our darkest times. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 40b-41a Educate Before Punishing - מניין להתראה מן התורה 18:27

3M ago18:27

18:27

The requirement to have warned the accused moments before his actions, might not be to determine his intentionality, but rather for the witnesses to have done everything possible, to educate, inspire and restrain the accused before effecting his punishment. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 27b Unconscious Bias - אוהב ושונא 17:49

3M ago17:49

17:49

Bias may not distort the facts for someone who is very self-aware. However, even such a person will be unable to escape the influence of bias when forming opinions and judgements. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 25a Repairing Broken Trust - ההוא טבחא 18:13

4M ago18:13

18:13

Words are cheap – but so are actions for a conman who has already broken our trust before. How then can the conman ever regain the trust of his community? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

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Sanhedrin 24b Retirement – Is it Permitted - משחק בקוביא 19:04

4M ago19:04

19:04

Earning a living without contributing to society is certainly problematic. But how about simply enjoying a leisurely life without working or making a contribution? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 23a Judges and Advocates - יצא הדין אמת לאמיתו 17:17

4M ago17:17

17:17

Truth exists in two dimensions: There is a Truth in an absolute sense – meaning it is aligned with Hashem’s will and with the Torah. There is also a need for Truth to be experienced as such by the people it affects. How can this occur in a legal decision that results from a dispute? Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 22a Behind Closed Doors - דוד ואבישג השונמית 18:28

4M ago18:28

18:28

What really happened behind closed doors between King David and Avishag Hashunamit? From which we learn the power of self-mastery and its capacity to generate Kedusha. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin

1
Sanhedrin 21a-b Proximity and Intimacy – יחוד 17:24

4M ago17:24

17:24

The exclusion of others from a private space creates greater intimacy among those who are included. This very intimacy, when experienced between men and women who may not be married to one another, is at the core of the prohibition of Yichud. Source SheetBy Rabbi David Lapin