Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the power of music to lift us and honors two musical performers, one from the recent past and one from the present day. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a story about a d'var Torah he wrote more than 40 years ago and how his feelings about the words he wrote have changed over the years. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses the holiday of Tu B'shvat, the "New Year of the Trees", sand two different blessings said on the occasion of seeing beautiful trees. 

How do we respond to what we see? Rabbi Dobrusin considers this question in this week's podcast. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin asks us to consider the full meaning of two words that appear in the Torah. What does it mean when the Torah says: blichtecha baderech, when you go along the way, in the paragraph which is  related to the saying of the Shema? What do we take along the way with us?

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the varied implications of a brief passage in the Talmud relating to this week's Torah portion. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin gives his midrash, his interpretation, of one of his favorite movies in tribute to the late Rob Reiner. 

This week, Rabbi Dobrusin posts a repeat edition of the podcast, originally posted on December 31, 2020, marking this important date on the calendar. This episode features a discussion of the importance of the Jewish calendar in our lives. 

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a personal story and relates it to a brief story told in this week's Torah portion. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin looks back on the events of this past week, notably the horrific anti-Semitic terror attack in Sydney Australia. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin focuses on a short phrase recited during the rituals of Hanukkah which are particularly meaningful. 

 In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin onsiders what some might consider an issue facing our society today but which he feels reflects a serious crisis in our nation. He then offers a way to affect a small amount of change in this one particular area which might in some way have a greater ripple effect.  

What impact should a statement of intention make? Rabbi Dobrusin shares a scenario presented in the Talmud and discusses the answer that the traditional texts give us. 

Rabbi Dobrusin shares a d'var Torah which he delivered last week for Parashat Vayera. What can we learn from Abraham's "bargaining" with God regarding the city of Sodom? 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin teaches commentaries on this week's Torah portion which can lead us to a conclusion as to the relative importance of different aspects of Jewish tradition. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin connects the story of Abraham in his father's Idol Shop with a situation taking place today in our nation. 

Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought on animals- appropriate for this week in which Parashat Noach, the story of Noah. This edition includes a tribute to a remarkable teacher. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a traditional Jewish text connected to the Biblical Creation story. This text alway has great relevance but is particularly meaningful at this time. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers one tradition regarding the lulav and etrog, symbols of the holiday of Sukkot, and relates that tradition to the reality within Jewish communities today. 

In this very brief introduction, Rabbi Dobrusin clarifies a point about the timing of the recording of Episode 250.

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the meaning behind the tradition of reading the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur. What can we learn from Jonah?

In this edition, the final edition before the High Holy Days, Rabbi Dobrusin shares an additional thought relating to Teshuvah, returning to the proper path in life. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin focuses on one of the critical traditions regarding teshuvah, repentance in Jewish tradition and relates it to an issue in our nation today. 

Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought based upon a verse in this week's Torah reading and a line from the daily prayers. These texts and a rabbinic interpretation reflect a critical thought for this time of year. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses an important issue facing clergy and all of us as we wrestle with issues or aspects our lives.