In this episode, join Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich and I as we dig into the world of The Office and explore the ethics of pranking. Jim’s elaborate schemes on Dwight are some of the most iconic moments in the show — but are they actually okay? What’s the Torah’s view on pranking people in general? Is it just a wholesome way of getting a laugh? Or is this just bullying, albeit orchestrated by a charming bully on an adult dork - and if so, can pranking ever be a positive form of behavior? Can pranking build camaraderie and strengthen a team?

The Office is set in the small city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and centers around characters working for Dunder Mifflin, a company that sells paper. The company has multiple branches, but we’re mostly focused on the Scranton branch. There are probably about a dozen characters in Scranton, which includes the manager, secretary, salesmen, accountants.

Two of these characters are Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute, both members of the sales staff. Jim is funny, charming, and easygoing; Dwight is intense, literal, and entirely devoted to rules, procedures, and duty. Their dynamic — and especially Jim’s pranks at Dwight’s expense — becomes a defining element of the show. Pam Beesly, the receptionist (who Jim later marries), often joins the fun.

Over the course of the series, we see a wide range of pranks:

- Jim gift-wraps Dwight’s desk, chair, and office supplies.
- Jim sends “Future Dwight” faxes warning Dwight of poisoned coffee, causing Dwight to slap a coworker’s mug out of his hands.
- Dwight files formal complaints about everyone calling him “Dwayne,” a bloody glove appearing in his drawer, and hitting himself with his phone after Jim gradually weighted it with nickels, and then removed all of the nickels in one shot.

Jim becomes the victim of a long con when Dwight teams up with a coworker who loves meatballs, turning the tables on Jim for an entire week.

This leads us into the following questions:

1. 1. What’s the Torah’s general view of pranks? Positives, negatives, and why?

   2. Go through each prank – what are the issues in each?

   3. Dwight getting revenge – can a person start pranking back? Or should he take the high road?

   4. When does a prank go from being a friendly joke, to just being mean?

   5. What’s the difference between pranking and playing a computer game for teambuilding purposes?

   6. When is a prank just a cute way of leading in to a delightful surprise? (the wedding)

I am excited to welcome Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich to this episode to answer our questions. Rabbi Freundlich serves as the Senior Rabbi of Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence, New York. Rabbi Freundlich received his Semicha in 2005 from Baltimore’s Ner Israel Rabbinical College, where he also earned a Masters of Talmudic Law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Maryland (1998), and a Master of Science Degree in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University (2006). With his warm smile and engaging personality, Rabbi Freundlich has established himself as a master builder of relationships, accessible and available both for personal or halachik counseling. Utilizing his counseling background, he has been involved in sensitive community issues.

Another passion of his is teaching. Beyond the traditional high school classroom where Rabbi Freundlich has taught for many years, Rabbi Freundlich utilizes various models to connect with a wide range of people of varied backgrounds, ages and education, such as formal sermons or a lecture series, a marriage and parenting workshop, or even through on-line videos and podcasts.

Together with his wife Rifki, the Freundlichs are parents to seven children. Rabbi Freundlich can be contacted by emailing [email protected]. You can also listen to Rabbi Freundlich on his synagogue's podcast, The Congregation Beth Sholom Podcast, links below.

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/congregation-beth-sholom-rabbi-yechezkel-freundlich/id1642970440

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wb3l2ezvlWnLfgsukZFij?si=82431809dec04ad4&nd=1&dlsi=fa603ed493b6469a