Shammai Engelmayer (Rabbi)

Keep the Faith with Shammai Engelmayer

Religion EN ↓ 160 episodes

Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer—author, lecturer, Judaica-related adult-ed teacher, and bi-weekly columnist for The Jewish Standard—discusses contemporary issues through the prism of Jewish law and tradition. If you believe Judaism is out of touch with today's world, this podcast may give you reason to reconsider.

Author

Shammai Engelmayer (Rabbi)

Episodes

Episode No. 10: Shavuot, its confused beginnings and its purpose for being 28.05.2020 17:54

Shavuot is arguably the most important of the three pilgrimage festivals, and the one most Jews probably aren't even aware of much less celebrate it. Here's why they—we, everyone—should, and also why we have the Shavuot customs of decorating homes with flowers, eating cheesecake, blintzes, and other dairy foods—and pulling a Torah-study all-nighter. Support the show

Episode No. 9: Jerusalem, the demonizing of Israel, and what we need to do about it 22.05.2020 16:41

On Jerusalem Day, Yom Yerushalayim, a look at what the city means to all Jews, how it is being used as an excuse for not making peace with Israel, the truth about the PA's and Hamas' "desire for peace" being stymied by Israeli intransigence, and what we need to do to counter the lies. Support the show

Episode No. 8: Playing Russian Roulette with our lives—and our responsibilities to each other 15.05.2020 14:22

The cost-benefit analysis approach being taken by the politicians—and vehemently opposed by the scientists and medical professionals—will cost lives. The Torah also weighs the benefits to the risks. In its case, it weighs the benefits to life vs. the risks to life—and it always comes down on the side of life. Meanwhile, people are running out of money for the basic necessities, including food. The...

Episode No. 7: Mothers—and America's shame 08.05.2020 13:02

Considering the maternal mortality rate in this country—we rank 55th in protecting women from pregnancy to a year after birth—we also do a poor job honoring mothers or their needs. Support the show

Episode No. 6: A presidential decree, Jewish law, and the opening of meat-packing plants 01.05.2020 21:52

If ever there was a way to graphically demonstrate how the way Jewish law works differs from secular law, the order keeping meat-packing plants open is it. Sadly, though, some Jewish communities ignore what Jewish law has to say. Support the show

Episode No. 5: How 'Green' is My Judaism 26.04.2020 20:31

What do Earth Day, Passover and Shavuot (the two festivas that bracket it) have in common? The Torah! To find out how, listen to this episode. You may be surprised at what you hear. Support the show

Episode No. 4: About those stimulus checks 20.04.2020 9:24

What to do with those stimulus checks the federal government is doling out. Support the show

COVID-19: Lessons we must learn 17.04.2020 16:42

Although God did not send us the COVID-19 pandemic, there are lessons in it He taught us long ago that we need to learn now—sadly, the hard way. Among them, the equality and value of all people (we are all the same family, after all), the responsibility we all have to provide adequate health care for all people, and the honor due to and the authority of physicians. Support the show

Passover: The festival of our muted joy 14.04.2020 9:10

The Torah commands us to rejoice on Shavuot and on Sukkot, but no such commandment is given for Pesach, Passover. Ever wonder why? Support the show

KEEP THE FAITH, EPISODE 1—Coronavirus: God is not to blame, we are! 03.04.2020 17:54

This series of podcasts explores contemporary issues through the prism of Jewish law and tradition. It is hosted by Rabbi Shammai Engelmayer. In this episode, he discusses "the Blame God Game." As is the case virtually every time a natural disaster strikes, be it a hurricane or a pandemic, so many religious leaders and others, especially on the right, are claiming that the COVID-19 pande...