Bad Jew

There's this fun holiday that a lot of us Jews grew up celebrating. It felt like camping, especially when we constructed our huts, throwing loose tree debris and branches on top. Then we'd shake fruit in every direction because of something to do with G-d. It didn't make a ton of sense but it was fun so we did it. Why is this holiday so important?  Sukkot is a special holiday that comes right afte...

Clasp your hands together and mumble intently your needs to a vacant space. That's called prayer. Does it work? What about when you read Hebrew from that little blue book in your shull? Did your prayers work then? Or how about when you wrapped that leather strap called Tefillin around your arm? Did Hashem hear you? The truth is, no one knows. Depending on who you talk to, they either swear by it a...

Most Jews have a real difficulty with this holiday. Jews love to eat. We love to shmooze over meals. Then there's Yom Kippur which is notoriously known for the 25-hour fast. Why must we starve ourselves? And why does this tradition go on for so long? How does neglecting my stomach purify me and why is everyone wearing white? In this episode of Bad Jew, Rabbi Jack Melul of AishLIT comes back to the...

Happy New Year!... But wait, it's September... Why would we say that? Us Jews have our own calendar that follows the lunar cycle. Based on that and the timing of when we created our calendar in the first place, the Jewish calendar doesn't come close to lining up with that of the secular world. You may also hear horns blow and notice a deficit of apples and honey in your local grocery store. Yes, t...

Can you point to Hashem? Is he up? Down? Left? Right? All of those directions are correct. We've heard that G-d is everywhere. So if he, or it, is everywhere and we can't see it, how can we believe it? Where's the proof? A majority of studies led by top scientists have pointed to G-d not existing. The religious leadership of our world attempts to disprove science's theory... but isn't doing partic...

When was the last time you spoke with a stranger? Maybe it was when you were on the subway or when you were at a restaurant. Maybe it was at the grocery store. Maybe it was at your favorite sports event. It might've been recently. But when was the last time you spoke about religion or politics with a stranger? That's a much more difficult task, isn't it? Benny Greenstein aka BennyJeee is a profess...

What is a relationship? And in which context are we defining it? These general questions are too vague to answer simply. A 'relationship' tends to be romantic. Expanding on that, it can be with your very own health (physical and/or mental). You can have a relationship with your family, your community, your neighborhood, and even G-d. When G-d enters the picture, one might even realize that the div...

Russia's invasion of Ukraine displaced thousands of civilians and endangered thousands more. The unprecedented violence and trauma caused by Vladimir Putin's war would've led to a depletion in morale if it wasn't for the inspiring resistance against Putin. The leadership of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian armed forces, and international aid has given the average person hope. Ana Sazonov is no s...

Do you ever wake up with a punim only a mother could love? Do you sometimes schlep through your day feeling like bupkes? Do you ever schmooze with people whose shtick is to prove who has more chutzpah over the others? Don't be so meshuggeneh! Get your tuches out of your head and nosh on this podcast so you can kvell about it to your friends! Ann Toback of the Workers Circle leads an organization w...

With lightning, there is thunder. With death, there is grieving. It's a natural part of life. We covered in the last episode the rituals that come with death. Traditional Judaism urges mourners to bury their loved ones so that their souls could be put to rest as soon as possible. There are other traditions and customs that stem from the Torah. But what does the Torah say about the recovery process...

Death is a touchy subject. When Jews lose a loved one, and their soul is no longer with us, we recite the mourner's Kaddish and focus on the missing individual's attributes. That's because Jews recognize that the soul is a reflection of their character. Jewish ritual focuses on who that person truly was. In other words, as long as our hearts are beating we must live every day to our true calling. ...

It seems silly to ask this question in the first place. However, this episode isn't for the Jewish audience. This episode is a PSA to non-Jews across the globe. Every day, Jews are the targets of antisemitism. From innocently ignorant comments to intentionally hurtful actions, a common default insult is the look of a Jew. We're often characterized as white European and rural like the caricatures f...

Smiling can sometimes feel more like an obligation than a genuine reaction. Life has a tendency to weigh on you. Reality kicks in and it's easy to lose your spiritual connection to that which is around you. When the consequence of existing kicks in with no warning, how does one embrace happiness? The Torah has an answer to this. Therapist and proud mother, Rachael Dadbin, is no stranger to pain. Y...

You might've noticed that traditional Jews don't hold hands when they're on a date and prospecting for marriage. As a matter of fact, it's common for there to be a physically awkward space between both potential partners when considering such an important life decision. This is also apparent after marriage. When meeting a married person of the opposite sex, and they come from an orthodox backgroun...

If you're a YJP (Young Jewish Professional), chances are your life is awesome. You may be hit up to go bowling with some friends. Guess what? It's a Moishe House event and it's free of charge! You may later sign up for a young adult retreat through NuRoots to tap into Torah Study while exploring the great outdoors. You will likely run into that old friend from BBYO whom you enjoyed Hebrew school w...

One of the most progressive facts about Judaism is that the Torah and the religious texts around our holy scripture encourage sex. That makes Judaism one of the few sex-positive religions in the world! In some religions, sex is purely for procreation. In Judaism, you're commanded to have sex for pleasure on certain occasions AND are required to feel attraction. We're required to have sex and pleas...

Have you ever tried to pray and been discouraged? Have you ever clasped your hands together in hopes of a miracle, only to be met by crickets? Have you ever felt isolated in your journey because you feel like a beginner in a sea full of veteran Jews? We have too. Reena Friedman Watts, host of Better Call Daddy, founder of Mega Watts Productions, and Jewish mother, has taken it upon herself to jour...

The intersection between business and Judaism raises intriguing questions about the compatibility of religious values with profit-driven endeavors. Explore how Judaism's emphasis on social justice, ethical conduct, and communal responsibility can guide entrepreneurs and business leaders in navigating ethical challenges and cultivating integrity in the competitive world of capitalism. Discover the...

How does it feel when someone who is not from your background partakes in your customs? In some instances, it can feel like a compliment. For others, you may wonder what the alternative motives are. Jews are faced with this dilemma on a regular basis. While our culture seems to face criticism in the public eye that flirts with antisemitism, there is also a portion of people who take an interest in...

How difficult is it to be somewhere on the LGBTQ spectrum? Now ask yourself if it's difficult to be Jewish. Put those two challenges together and you have yourself one of the most difficult identities to embrace. The intersection of sexual identity, gender identity, and Jewish identity can sometimes harmoniously fall into place. For the most part, it's a challenging and often scrutinized route to...

Is there such a thing as love at first site? Are the butterflies in your stomach real or are they just chemical reactions from your nervous system? Is there truly someone out there to complete you? Aleeza Ben Shalom draws from the Torah to prove that soulmates are 100% real and not just a concept on reality TV. In this relevant interview with Aleeza Ben Shalom, a globally recognized dating coach a...

According to the Torah, there's a lot more to being a mother than just giving birth. It turns out you also have to be a role model, support your family's efforts, and tell your story.  Dr. Logan Levkoff tells her story and fights her fight every day in the virtual space and in real life. Specializing in uncomfortable conversations, she reveals what her day-to-day is like from fighting trolls on Ti...

There are archaic rituals that stump us when attempting to embrace the full picture of Judaism. When it comes to women's rights forward-thinking beliefs of the modern-day world can get in the way of our relationship with G-d. Is it contradicting to be Jewish and feminist? Is Judaism actually a sexist religion? Kayla Haber-Goldstein, author of Questioning the Answers, has pursued clarity on this tr...

Traditionally, the Shema is that prayer you do when you rise up in the morning and when you lie down at night. There are many prayers that fluctuate throughout the day, but this one remains a constant no matter what time of day it is. Surely it must be important.  Jason Ciment of Get Visible joins Chaz Volk on Bad Jew to discuss the nuances of this pillar of Judaism. Jason reveals that the Shema i...

Beyond watching Hassidim dance in synchronized steps, do Jews dance? Turns out, we embrace a relatively new and lively tradition of choreography through Israeli folk dancing. Dancing happens to also be mentioned in the Torah. One could say it's our duty to dance. Tune in with Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, as he interviews Orly Star, teacher and choreographer, on the rich topic of the Jewish heritage...