Jewniversity

Blessings – what are they, what are they good for, and how do we do them? Also – are they actually blessings?! (Some of) the mysteries of Berakhot revealed.

We review the basic laws of kashrut, considering the concepts of hekhsher and hashgacha, and attempt to understand the contemporary excesses of the kashrut establishment, including the how and why of the fact that far more people keep kosher than claim to.

We cover the subjects of Milah (circumcision), Niddah (menstruation), and Taharah (cleansing of the corpse). CW: genitalia, blood, death.

In the run-up to Seder, we look at audience submitted questions around Pesach. Do I need new toothbrushes and lipstick? How can I do the halakhic minimum at Seder? What's the deal with Kitniyot anyway – and much more! Our SAMS Pesach Guide is online: tiny.cc/pesach5786

We look at the Korbanot, their details, history and significance and the context of the ancient Temple (Beit haMikdash)

A quick and colourful look at Purim – the story of Megillat Ester, the rituals and mitzvot of the holiday, and its minhagim and myths

In our 50th episode (!) we investigate the question of full and equal participation in Jewish life for women (egalitarianism) – its basis, its development, and its challenges today

So many labels exist for Jews - from ancient to modern, theological to geographical! We try (and fail) to categorise and organise all the many ways to be Jewish in this (rather poor, admittedly) attempt at a Jewish taxonomy

Two documents are referenced in this podcast: the diagram of a page of the Vilna Shas, which is here , and the text of Massekhet Berakhot 12b-13a (the last sugya of the first chapter of Berakhot) is here

All about Hanukkah – its history, myth, and modern practice

In honour of Mitzvah Day and Interfaith Week, a look at how Judaism sees other religions and how they see us.

An introductory look at supernatural beings in Jewish tradition - the good, the bad, and the toilet demons.

What makes a Jewish house a Jewish home? We explore the concept of Mikdash Ma'at and the practices, objects, and experiences inherent in building a Bayit Neeman beYisrael.

In honour of Pride and in our final session before the Summer break, we look at LGBT+ life and law in Judaism

In a follow up to last week's episode, we review laws of marriage (Kiddushin), explore some aspects of sexuality in Jewish practice (Onah, Niddah), and consider the laws of divorce (Gittin)

We look at Jewish laws, custom and practices around dating, engagement, sex and marriage

In our 40th episode (!) we deal with the thorny questions of the Messiah (who it is and why) and Messianism

A rapid-fire tour of the Jewish conceptions of death, dying, burial and mourning.

A brief and incomplete survey of modern Israel, from the first Zionist Congress (1897) until the 39th, coming up later this year.

A slightly out-of-the-box look at the magic of the number 7 – from the Menorah to the Omer to Shemittah, Shabbat and more, join us to explore this most sacred of numerals.

All things Pesach: what it is, how we observe it, its history, procedures, practices and frustrations. From Kitniyot to the Haggadah, from Ḥaroset to Ḥazeret

Following up on our last session, we look at the project of Jewish theology and the personalities of Jewish theologians from the Renaissance period until today

We consider the discipline of Jewish theology and philosophy and look at several of the main thinkers in this tradition, from Philo to Maimonides

In our last episode for this High Holy Day series (and our last of both 5784 and 2024), we explore Yom Kippur.