JOI to the World

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨ 📖 Parshat Nitzavim This Week: A stranger at an Israeli bank overheard Jack's mortgage struggle and offered to co-sign without hesitation. When asked why he'd risk it for someone he'd never met, he said: 'Anu k'var arevim we're already guarantors for each other. I'm just making it official.' This week, as the Jewish people ren...

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨ In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explain why Jewish coworkers wish each other "Happy New Year" in September rather than January. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, falls at the beginning of the Jewish calendar year, which differs from the secular calendar we use in America. I clarify a common misconception: while many people...

📖 Parshat Ki Tavo This Week: A.J. Jacobs spent a year thanking over 1,000 people involved in his morning coffee from the barista to the African farmers to the road pavers. When Jews brought their first fruits (bikurim) to the Temple, you'd expect them to thank God for the harvest. Instead, they recited their entire history: Abraham, Egypt, the journey to freedom. Why? Because true gratitude isn't...

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨ In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address whether Jews believe in the devil, and the short answer is no. The Christian concept of the devil is antithetical to Jewish thought. While Judaism does believe in Satan (which is where the English word "Satan" comes from), this is fundamentally different from the Christian devil. Satan...

📖 Parshat Ki Teitzei This Week: When you see someone struggling with their fallen donkey, you must help them lift it, but the Torah uses a key word: 'imo' (עמו) WITH him. You can't just sit back and say, 'This is your mitzvah, you handle it.' But here's the deeper lesson: if YOU'RE the one struggling, you can't just complain that 'someone should fix this for me.' Whether it's your synagogue, comm...

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨ In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism traditionally encourages Jews to marry within the faith when choosing a life partner. I explain that when selecting someone to spend your entire life with, it's crucial to find someone who shares your fundamental values and worldview. Even if religion isn't important to some...

📖 Parshat Shoftim This Week: 'Tzedek tzedek tirdof' Justice, justice you shall pursue. This famous verse hung in Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Supreme Court office, but why repeat the word 'justice'? The Torah teaches us that it's not enough to pursue justice; it must be pursued justly. The goal AND the method must both be just. We can't rationalize cutting corners just because our intentions are good. Y...

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨ Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people and stories of Jewish conversion! Join us as Rachel Rose shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a non-religious family that explored different faiths to discovering Orthodox Judaism and realizing that her soul had always be...

📖 Parshat Re'eh This Week: People often ask me if Judaism believes in 'signs' from God. When Moses speaks about blessings and consequences, he begins with one powerful word: 'Re'eh' SEE. God is always communicating through the events in our lives and world, but the real question isn't whether the message exists; it's whether we'll see it. You can experience something and just move on, or you can...

Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people! 🌟 Join us for a special episode honoring Rabbi Berel Wein, who passed away this past Shabbos, a giant of our generation and one of the most influential Jewish educators and historians of our time. In this intimate interview, recorded just months before his passing in his Jerusalem apartment, Rabbi Wein sh...

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore the apparent contradiction between Judaism's emphasis on peace and the argumentative nature of Jewish texts and culture. I explain that it's not just our texts that are argumentative, our people are too, as reflected in the saying "two Jews, three opinions" and the fact that Jews make excellent attorneys. I clarify that peace is not passivity but rather har...

📖 Parshat Eikev This Week: The Torah says God watches over Israel 'me-reishit hashana ad acharit shana' from the beginning of THE year to the end of... year. Notice the missing 'the'? We start January thinking 'this is going to be THE year!' Hashanah with the definitive article. But by December, it's just become 'another year' shana, no 'the.' Why do our grand resolutions fail? Because we aim for...

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a question that highlights the difference between Jewish and Christian concepts of human nature and forgiveness. I explain that while Christianity teaches original sin - the idea that humanity is inherently flawed due to Adam's sin and needs salvation - Judaism teaches the opposite: every human being is a spark of the divine and is essentially good. I clari...

📖 Parshat Va'etchanan This Week: After the Holocaust, Rabbi Leizer Silver had a brilliant way to identify hidden Jewish children in monasteries. He'd call out 'Shema Yisrael!' and watch for kids who instinctively whispered back 'Baruch Shem k'vod malchuto l'olam va'ed', the words that follow. These children, separated from everything Jewish, still carried the Shema deep in their souls. In times w...

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism doesn't require a blessing before giving charity, despite the general rule that we make blessings before performing mitzvot to thank God for the opportunity to partner with Him in making the world a more spiritual place. I explain that there's an important exception to this blessing rule: we don't make blessings before performing mitzvot that in...

Rabbi Moshe Heyman shares powerful insights on the Holocaust Kinna, examining how modern tragedy is woven into ancient Tisha B'av traditions. Explore this profound kinah that connects the Shoah to Jewish mourning practices. A deeply moving episode on memory, loss, and Jewish continuity. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us for mo...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares meaningful insights on the October 7th Kinna, exploring themes of destruction and remembrance. Discover the deeper meaning behind this powerful Tisha B'av kinah and its connection to Jewish history and mourning. Essential listening for understanding Kinnot and spiritual growth through tragedy. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www....

Rabbi Levi Lebovitz shares insights on Kinna #31, exploring the stark contrast between leaving Egypt and leaving Jerusalem. Discover the deeper meaning behind these powerful Tisha B'av kinnot and their place in Jewish liturgical tradition. Essential listening for a comprehensive Kinnot study. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us...

Rabbi Levi Lebovitz shares insights on Kinna #22, exploring unique themes and historical context. Discover the deeper meaning behind these powerful Tisha B'av kinnot and their place in Jewish liturgical tradition. Essential listening for a comprehensive Kinnot study. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us for more: Website - https:...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares insights on Kinna #21, focusing on Rabbi Akiva and the 10 Martyrs. Explore how ancient Tisha B'av kinah traditions connect to modern Jewish tragedy and resilience. A powerful episode bridging historical and contemporary Jewish mourning. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us for more: Website - https...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares insights on Kinna #19, exploring the complex emotions of mourning and faith. Discover how this powerful Tisha B'av kinah speaks to generations of Jewish suffering and spiritual strength. A compelling listen for those seeking deeper Kinnot meaning. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us for more: Webs...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares insights on Kinna #16, examining the destruction of the Temple, the evil Titus, and the precious young children who chose to die rather than live under Roman depravity. Uncover the spiritual depth of this Tisha B'av kinah and its relevance to contemporary Jewish experience. Deepen your Kinnot understanding with expert Torah commentary.  Watch the full video version...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares insights on Kinna #11, diving deep into the tragic murder of King Josiah (Yoshiyahu). Explore this moving Tisha B'av kinah and its timeless messages of Jewish resilience. Perfect for Tisha B'Av preparation and understanding the depth of Kinnot liturgy.  Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Joidenver Follow us for more...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield shares meaningful insights on Kinna #6, exploring themes of destruction and remembrance. Discover the deeper meaning behind this powerful Tisha B'av kinah and its connection to Jewish history and mourning. Essential listening for understanding Kinnot and spiritual growth through tragedy. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@...

Rabbi Menachem Lehrfield introduces the ancient tradition of Kinnot on Tisha B'av, explaining their history and significance for Tisha B'av observance. Perfect for beginners and those seeking to deepen their understanding of Jewish mourning liturgy and the 9th of Av. Essential preparation for the Tisha Bav fast and Kinnot recitation. Watch the full video version on JOIdenver's YouTube Channel: htt...