Rabbi Trump

Why did the angel announcing the birth of Shimshon (Samson) appear to his mother and not his father, and why did the strongest man in Tanach need to be a nazir before he was even born? This shiur on Shoftim (Judges) chapter 13 traces who the Philistines really were, why Israel's savior came from the tribe of Dan, and what the mysterious angel's hidden name reveals about the miracle of a barren wom...

Whys of Judaism - The Shabbos Experience by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Whys of Judaism - Fast Days and Three Weeks by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Shoftim 12 is about the end of Yiftach's life, his conflict with the tribe of Ephraim and 3 minor Shoftim. We will examine the history of Ephraim and Menashe and the enigmatic character Ivtzan who is also Boaz and the connection to the book of Iyov and the character of Naomi.

Shoftim 11: Finding an Opening Yiftach is back from exile. The elders who expelled him now need him, and he knows it. Before the battle, he attempts diplomacy, dismantling the Ammonite king's historical revisionism with a careful, point-by-point legal argument rooted in the Exodus narrative. The king ignores him, not because the argument fails, but because he refuses to recognize Yiftach's authori...

This shiur traces the theme of rejection and reversal across Shoftim chapters 10 and 11. We examine the enigmatic minor judges Tola and Yair, unpack the Rambam's radical interpretation of "vattiktzar nafsho" (Moreh Nevuchim I:41), and explore what genuine teshuva actually looks like when Hashem says no the first time. We also connect the miraculous retreat of the Ammonites to the pattern of Divine...

In this episode of The Why of Judaism, Rabbi Ya’akov Trump explores the meaning behind the practices of Jewish mourning, from shiva, the beis avel, and the seudas havra’ah to kaddish, yizkor, yahrzeit, and the matzeiva. Through sources in Shas, Yerushalmi, Rishonim, poskim, and minhag literature, this shiur explains how aveilus gives structure to grief, honors the neshama, supports the mourners, a...

In this episode of Journey Through Nach, Rabbi Ya’akov Trump explores Shoftim chapter 9 and the rise of Avimelech, focusing on the danger of failed followership, selfish leadership, and communal collapse. Through the story of Shechem, Yotam’s mashal of the trees, the betrayal of Avimelech, and the destruction that follows, this shiur examines how corrupt leadership often begins when responsible pe...

Journey through Nach - Shoftim 8: The Proto-King by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Whys of Judaism - End of Life by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

The Why Series on Judaism explores the meaning, purpose, and depth behind Jewish practice, belief, and tradition. Each shiur takes a familiar idea, mitzvah, or minhag and asks not only what we do, but why it matters, uncovering the Torah values and deeper messages that bring Judaism to life.

Journey through Nach - Shoftim 7: Battle of the 300 by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Journey through Nach - Shoftim 6: Finding Gideon by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

The Why of Judaism - Israel by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Journey through Nach - Shoftim 5: Song of Devora by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Can you build a kosher Sukkah on a high-rise balcony or platform sandwiched between two towers that cast constant shade? This shiur explores the “Sukkah between skyscrapers” through Sukkah 2a (why above 20 amot/amos is pasul), weighing the sevarot of lema’an yeidu/shaltah einayim, R’ Zeira’s shade-of-walls vs. shade-of-schach, and Rabba’s diras arai vs. diras keva, and applies Shulchan Aruch Orach...

Journey through Nach - Shoftim 4: The Battle of Kishon Brook by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

The Whys of Judaism - The Omer by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

The Why of Judaism - Pesach by Timeless Torah in the 21st Century

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide

Learn the Amidah and Kaddish with simple and straightforward recordings of Ashkenazi tradition. how to say kaddish how to daven learn amidah amidah prayer guide kaddish tutorial jewish prayer for beginners tefillah guide daily prayer jewish how to pray jewish learn jewish prayers kaddish pronunciation amidah step by step guided tefillah orthodox prayer guide