The Yishai Fleisher Israel Podcast

Rosh Hashanah is upon us - so let's get ready together! First, Malkah Fleisher on sending Israeli children for a new school year. Rav Mike Feuer on gentiles celebrating the New Year and the Torah portion of Nitzavim. And Ambassador Michael Oren on his book Ally: My Journey Across the American-Israeli Divide and the Jewish Roots of Hebron. Support the show

Malkah and Yishai return from America to Judea and prepare for a new school year with the challenge of Corona in the background. Then, Rav Mike Feuer joins Rabbi Yishai to discuss the Torah portion of Ki Tavo and the declarations of gratitude for Hashem's blessings in the land. Support the show

Rabbi Yishai returns home to the Holy Land and is joined by Rav Mike Feuer to hash out Israel's relationships with empires - especially today's Western-American tilt. Is Israel meant to compete with Rome, or is meant to buttress the current paradigm? Support the show

Talking Israel in the heart of the Diaspora: Somewhere on the Upper East Side, Rabbi Yishai connects with Rabbi Yehuda Hakohen of the Vision Movement to discuss the purpose of Jewish power in our generation, teaching Hebrew universality to young Progressives, and the commemoration of Rabbi Kook's legacy as seen from Babylon/Rome/New York City. Support the show

From the road, Yishai talks about meeting Chickasaw Indians and thinking about the importance of maintaining nationalism and tribal culture. Then, in the Torah portion of Re'eh, the big Mitzvah of finding and fighting for God's place - and making sure others don't desecrate it. Support the show

Yishai is on the road with the family and having BIG Texas thoughts about the Israeli government's wrong-headed bid to reenter UNESCO and about the authencity of Palestine - Palestine Texas, that is! Also the Torah portion of Ekev, where God cuts the Jews down to the right size! Support the show

On the road, Yishai monologues about the power of the Biblical narrative in the lives of average people - and Israel's lackluster promotion of that narrative - which results in the Ben and Jerry’s edict against Judea. Also, some key verses in the Torah portion of Va'etchanan including an explanation of what Jewish wisdom really is. Support the show

9 Days and almost 9th of Av, Yishai and Malkah go positive on Israel and mark the progress of the Jewish State even in the current bumpy period. Then, Rav Mike Feuer joins Rabbi Yishai to inaugurate the Book of Devarim and discuss the simplicity of entering the Land with God. Support the show

Yishai and Malkah get into the nitty-gritty and philosophy of an Israeli law to block Arab family reunification and the coalition's efforts to block state subsidies to Ultra-Orthodox families - both of which are core issues that affect where Israel is going. Then, Gabe Groisman, Mayor of Bal Harbour, on the pain and strength behind the Surfside disaster. Support the show

Yishai & Malkah talk about the fear of defending a tribal Israel in liberal circles, about getting detained for singing Hatikva on the Temple Mount, and about the rise of next gen Biblical leaders in the Torah portion of Pinchas - including the courageous Daughters of Tzlafchad. Then, Alex Traiman, Jerusalem Bureau Chief of JNS.org, on the challenge of the new Israeli government's interna...

Yishai and Malkah discuss the recent posting of a Gay Pride flag over the Jewish State's Foreign Ministry and the challenge it brings to those Israelis who believe Israel should represent ancestral Jewish values. Then, Rabbi Yishai on the Torah portion of Balak, the evil wizard who came to curse Israel, and whose problematic outlook can teach us something positive. Support the show

Hamas doesn't want Jews marching with flags in Jerusalem - but what's going to be the policy of the new Bennett government? Malkah Fleisher on the end of Corona and the sacrifice of the prophetess Miriam in the Torah portion of Chukat. And then Rav Mike Feuer on beating back the energy of death with the Red Heifer. Support the show

First, Yishai and Malkah discuss what Israel feels like as Covid restrictions are lifting and as a new and questionable government, replacing "old faithful" Netanyahu, is about to be sworn in. Then, Rav Mike Feuer joins Rabbi Yishai to wonder what God is telling the Jews as a sinkhole opens in Jerusalem on the Torah portion of Korach and the Biblical story of the iconic sinkhole in the d...

Yishai stands on a street corner in Brooklyn and holds the tension between Diaspora and Israel and between Jewish universalism and Hebrew nationalism. Then, Yishai's talk with the liberal-leaning Jewish students of the Hartman Institute. Support the show

With crazy sleep deprivation, Yishai posts his first on-the-road show in 16 months! Hear about Kumah, the Quail, and saying 'Lechaim' to the King! Support the show

A multi-front war has opened against Israel - in Gaza, in mixed cities, in the world opinion, and within Jewish society itself. Rabbi Yishai is joined by Rav Mike Feuer in a search of advancements that will come as a result of this conflict, and to ask if the ancient Biblical hero Samson can teach us something. Then, Yishai speaks with General Amir Avivi to dig up the roots of Hamas' rocket p...

 Join Rabbi Yishai for a FULL - beginning to end - study of the Book of Ruth with commentary on the beauty and drama that leads to the birth of King David.  Support the show

Israel is in a three-front war: Gaza rocket fire, Jihadist gangs in the streets of mixed cities, and the Narrative War against the Jewish State. Malkah Fleisher joins Yishai to talk about the Jewish right to be aggressive in the face of the Jihad - and what it's like to raise kids in this reality. Then, Rav Mike Feuer on the biblical command to get ready for war and being proud of Jewish stre...

Yishai and family were in Meron one hour before tragedy hit. Malkah Fleisher joins to talk about the loss and the lessons, and why some people, like Israel's Supreme Court are "Woker Than Thou". Then, Rav Mike Feuer joins Rabbi Yishai in preparing for the seventh Sabbatical Shemittah year in the Torah portion of Behar/Bechukotai and for Jerusalem Day in Jerusalem. Support the show

First, Malkah Fleisher joins Yishai to reveal her secret recipe for Shavuot Cheesecake and tell the story of her grandfather's refusal to convert away from his faith during the Shoah. Then, Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Arieh King on how to curb the Ramadan riots at the Shechem Gate of the Old City. And finally, Rav Mike Feuer on the secret Torah of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and why blasphemers are lo...

Yishai and Malkah go to a Ramadan Iftar dinner in Hebron to break bread with pro-normalization Palestinians. Then, Rav Mike Feuer joins Rabbi Yishai to deal with Israel's political crisis and to see how the Torah law of Parshat Kedoshim can help heal society. Support the show

Join Yishai and Malkah Fleisher to celebrate Israeli Independence Day - by giving gratitude to Hashem and honoring the sacrifice of those who fought - for the rebirth of the Jewish Commonwealth in the land of Israel through the advent of the State of Israel. Support the show

First, Malkah Fleisher on entering the post-Pesach and post-Corona period, and realizing that the Holocaust means living out our ancestors dreams. Then, Yishai lets off Yom HaShoah steam on the problem with Euro-journalists. And finally, Rav Mike Feuer on holy food and why God cares that pig ain't kosher. Support the show

Did Netanyahu and the nationalists win? Or is Israel doomed to governmental deadlock? Yishai speaks with Alex Traiman, Jerusalem bureau chief of JNS, to make sense of Israel's elections. Then, get ready for the after-Shabbat - complex yet fun - Seder Night. Rabbi Shimshon Nadel is on hand to steer us to kosher safety and help us have a meaningful Passover experience. Support the show

Yishai reveals how to make a powerful Passover Seder, talks staying positive in the face of negative conspiracy theories, and on the victory of nationalist thinking in the upcoming election. Also: Czech Republic and Kosovo moving their embassy to Jerusalem, and the majesty of getting muddy in Judea. Support the show