Fire Away with Rabbi Shoff

Is seminary really necessary, or just the latest educational "scam"? In this episode, we dig deep into the role of seminary in modern Jewish life.  Discover why some parents are skeptical, what ancient wisdom says about the right time for growth, and how a year in Israel can transform a young woman’s future.  We discuss personal stories, challenges in raising children with self-esteem and independ...

Rabbi Shoff unpacks the Torah perspective on secular music, what’s technically permitted, what quietly shapes us, and why what we listen to matters more than we think. A nuanced, honest conversation about influence, culture, and Jewish identity.

This episode responds to a listener’s question about why Bar Mitzvahs are often celebrated so publicly while Bat Mitzvahs look very different. We explore how Judaism understands maturity, responsibility, and distinct communal roles for boys and girls, and why those differences shaped how each milestone developed

What happens when strangers stop in the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem and ask the questions everyone is thinking—but few are willing to say out loud? From fear in the diaspora to pride in Jewish identity, from the pain of October 7 to the hope for Moshiach, these raw, unscripted conversations cut straight to the heart of what it means to be a Jew right now. Passersby from Paris, Brooklyn, L...

In this episode, Rabbi Shoff delves into the question of Orthodox Jewish women and their beautifully styled wigs, exploring what true modesty means in Jewish tradition. Through personal stories, Torah insights, and honest reflection, he unpacks the purpose behind religious dress, the distinction between external and internal beauty, and how modesty is ultimately about dignity, self-worth, and auth...

In this powerful street-side conversation series, Rabbi Shoff engages with people from all walks of life—soldiers, seekers, skeptics, spiritual strugglers, and even a Catholic seminarian—offering warmth, wisdom, and deep emotional insight.  Through raw, unfiltered questions about faith, pain, Jewish identity, trauma, teshuva, and the search for meaning, he meets each person with empathy and clarit...

Are we pushing people into marriage too early—or waiting too long? In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Shoff dives deep into the world of shidduchim and dating, tackling tough questions about readiness, maturity, and the balance between spiritual ideals and emotional development. Drawing from Torah sources, real-life stories, and community dynamics, he explores when marriage truly makes sense...

In this episode of Fire Away , Rabbi Shoff delves into one of the hardest questions in Jewish thought: If God is good, why is there so much suffering, including tragedies like the Holocaust? He explores the difference between intellectual and emotional pain, the limits of human understanding, and the Torah’s view on why hardship can lead to growth. Watch the video version of this podcast on Meanin...

What’s really behind the divide between the Israeli army and the yeshiva world?  In this powerful first episode, Rabbi Shoff dives deep into one of the most emotional and complex questions facing the Jewish people today: Why do some fight in the army while others stay in yeshiva? He explores both perspectives — the soldiers’ sacrifice and the Torah learners’ devotion — with honesty, empathy, and d...

No question is too small. No topic is too big. Every week, Rabbi Elchanan Shoff steps into the fire—answering the questions people are really asking. Torah and halacha. Life and relationships. Meaning, morality, and the struggles of being Jewish in today’s world. And much more. Your questions on anything Judaism. Plus, the myths and lies about our faith—debunked with clarity and truth. This is not...