Chatting Rabbis

A somber conversation about the current political climate in Israel which is causing a tremendous rift between ideologies and fellow Jews, and an important lesson from Tisha B'av for current events.

With Mendy on his way back from the AKO conference in Montreal, an informative conversation about the ins and outs of the kashrus industry, especially how it relates to everyday life, both of a Chabad shliach and the average consumer.

A recap of the Shabbos Eliezer and Mendy spent at the Ohel together with thousands of others marking the Rebbe's yahrtzeit.

Join Mendy and Eliezer for an emotional conversation and "farbrengen" marking the Rebbe's yahrtzeit.

A conversation about the upside and downside of being in a world of social media, and how to possibly make the best out of the various mediums of communication available today.

An important conversation about sending kids to camps, from the perspective of parents as well as Eliezer and Mendy's own camp experiences as campers and counselors.

Eliezer and Mendy recap their Shavuot activities and discuss the various traditions that have evolved over time and their implementation in Chabad communities.

Mendy recaps and shares inspiration from his travels of the last two weeks - to Tunisia to comfort the Jewish community of Djerba following a terrorist attack, and to Morocco to participate in the regional Kinus Hashluchim.

A special Lag Baomer episode, complete with the history of the Omer mourning customs and how our behavior during this period is meant to be a catalyst for Jewish unity throughout the year.

In the first half of this episode Mendy and Eliezer discuss the devotion of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins in the former Soviet Union, highlighted by a recent visit of 600 students to Istanbul. In the second half, Mendy recounts his recent trip back to the ground zero in Antakya and the fascinating conversations he had with his travel-mates.

A brief conversation (due to technical difficulties) about the value of collecting historical artifacts, such as stamps, coins, books, manuscripts, etc.

A conversation about the importance of focusing on our kids during Pesach and in general.

A conversation about the pros and cons of being territorial when it comes to Chabad institutions and shlichus in general.

Eliezer and Mendy discuss how they stay motivated to do what they do, and whether seeing tangible success in their work is a factor. 

A special Purim episode about turning darkness and sadness into light and happiness, in the past and present, and about making the best of every situation.

Mendy and Eliezer discuss the oft debated topic of whether or not communities like Crown Heights should have an eruv, allowing people to carry things outdoors on Shabbos. 

A firsthand account from Mendy of the devastation caused by the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The 10th ("Yud") of Shevat is the yahrtzeit of the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe and the day that the Rebbe officially took over leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement. In this episode, Eliezer and Mendy reflect on the day's significance and its relevance today.

After a brief introduction about Eliezer's side occupation as copy editor of the Derher magazine, the conversation moves on to the need for a more serious commitment to Torah study and Chabad's inclusion in the broader Jewish world, a topic weighing on Mendy's heart.

Mendy and Eliezer briefly discuss the backlash from the previous episode and then transition to a conversation about skills Mendy picked up outside of his typical yeshiva education: safrus (scribal art), shechita (ritual slaughter), and milah (circumcision).

Continuing the conversation about smartphones, especially as it relates to our children, Eliezer and Mendy discuss the methods schools and yeshivas use to enforce their rules and how sometimes using a little common sense and individualized attention can go a long way.

Mendy and Eliezer discuss the use of smartphones and its widespread ramifications, for themselves as adults and also for their children, especially those in yeshivah, where common-sense delicate enforcement is necessary.

Is it about a donut batter or a baseball batter? The only way to find out is by eavesdropping on this lively Chanukah conversation between Eliezer Zalmanov and Mendy Chitrik.

Eliezer and Mendy discuss the significance of the Chabad holiday "Yud-Tes Kislev" commemorating the Alter Rebbe's release from prison in 1798. Eliezer shares his recently re-lived memories of celebrating Yud-Tes Kislev with his late rosh yeshiva, Rabbi Yisroel Freidman. 

A Shabbaton for European Jewish teenagers in the Austrian capital leads to a discussion about Jewish pride in general, and especially in places where Jews have suffered so much in the past. Eliezer and Mendy also touch upon the development of "shlichus" over time and how Chabad Houses generally operate today.