Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Pinhas, particularly focusing on the succession of leadership from Moses to Joshua. He begins by drawing a parallel between recent events in American politics, where President Joe Biden stepped aside in favor of his Vice President Kamala Harris, and the biblical story where Moses...

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Balak, offering an ideological perspective on its authorship and historical authenticity. Brackman begins by summarizing the story of Balak, the Moabite king, who hires the Gentile prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites. Despite his efforts, Balaam ends up blessing them, influenced by divin...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Chukat," which heavily focuses on the concept of death. He explores the significance of death in the Torah, emphasizing that while life is sacred and filled with purpose, death represents the cessation of this purpose and the ultimate impurity. Brackman explains that a dea...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Korach, focusing on the rebellion led by Korach against Moses and Aaron. Korach's challenge was based on the idea that all Israelites are holy and should be allowed to serve as priests, not just Aaron and his descendants. Levi highlights three instances when God wanted to des...

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman and guest Rabbi Yehudah Ber Zerkind discuss the Torah portion of Shlach, focusing on the story of the man gathering sticks on Shabbos (the Makoshesh). This story is juxtaposed with another incident from the portion of Emor in Leviticus, where a man curses God and is similarly punished by stoning. They expl...

In this special episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman marks the completion of the Talmudic tractate Bava Metzia with a Hadran, a traditional concluding reflection. He explains the significance of the Hadran prayer, which expresses the commitment to continually return to and study the Torah. Brackman delves into key themes of Bava Metzia, primarily focusing...

In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Beha'alotcha from Numbers 11, highlighting the people's complaints and God's response. He examines the Israelites' grievances, including their lack of gratitude for manna and desire for meat, and contrasts this with their earlier complaints in Exodus 16, where they lacked...

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman engages in an in-depth and candid conversation with Rabbi Yehudah DovBer Zirkind, a learned scholar deeply rooted in both traditional and critical Jewish studies. The episode, lasting over two hours, explores Zirkind's unique perspective, influenced by his lineage as a direct descendant of the founder...

This episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman introduces the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) and delves into the commandment to count the Israelites, explaining that this is the third time they have been counted. Levi explores why the numbers remained the same despite events like the sin of the Golden Calf. He mentions commentators like Or HaChaim, who suggest...

Welcome to another episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," presented by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. In our Torah Portion Uncensored series, Rabbi Brackman delves deep into the weekly Torah readings, offering profound insights and contemporary relevance. In this episode, Rabbi Brackman explores Parashat Bechukotai, the final portion in the book of Leviticus, or Vayikra. This parashah i...

Welcome to another episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today." In this installment of the "Torah Portion Uncensored" series, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Behar, found in Leviticus chapter 25. This chapter addresses the significant themes of Shmita (the sabbatical year) and Yovel (the Jubilee year). The land rests every seventh year, culminating eve...

In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the profound call to holiness found in Leviticus chapter 19, beginning with the directive, "You should be holy for I, the Lord your God, am holy." This invitation to holiness is addressed to the entire congregation of Israel, emphasizing that holiness is an expectation for all, not just a sel...

In this episode of Truths Jewish Wisdom host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into an often-cited yet deeply contested portion of the Torah: Leviticus chapter 18, the chapter that lays down the foundations of forbidden marriages, famously known for its controversial stance on incestuous relationships and homosexuality. This particular chapter has profoundly influenced Western society, serving as the...

This episode of "Truths Jewish Wisdom for Today," hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, focuses on a lesser-discussed aspect of the Torah concerning bodily impurities, particularly genital discharges, as detailed in Leviticus Chapter 15. This segment, usually overlooked due to its sensitive nature, delves into the implications and types of impurities categorized under the term "Zov,&qu...

Welcome to today's episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," with your host, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. This season, we're diving deep into the uncensored aspects of our Torah portions, and today's focus lands on Parashat Tazria.  In this episode, we're honing in on the first two verses of Parashat Tazria, exploring the intriguing and less frequently discussed subje...

Welcome to this week's "Torah Portion, Uncensored" episode with your host, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. Levi broadcasts from the scenic beauty of Evergreen, Colorado, a place that holds a special significance for him, having served as a rabbi there for over a decade. Despite the challenges of recording on the road, his commitment remains unwavering—to bring insightful episodes each week...

In this insightful episode of "Torah Portion Uncensored," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the second Torah portion, Tsav, from Leviticus. This episode delves into the intricate ceremonies of consecration and anointment of the Tabernacle, the sacred vessels, and the inauguration of Aaron and his sons as the priesthood under the guidance of Moses. With a deep dive into the last chapt...

Welcome to the exciting new season of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," where your host, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, explores the Torah. This episode, the first in the "Torah Portion Uncensored" season, explores Leviticus and the Quest for Evidence-Based Faith and invites listeners to delve deep into the Book of Leviticus, challenging conventional interpretations and uncovering l...

In the final episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today" on Postmodernism, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman takes his listeners on a review of the intricacies of postmodernism, its impact on society, and its intersection with Jewish thought and history. This final episode of the season not only serves as a recap of the series' exploration into the postmodern mindset—sparked by the tragic even...

Welcome to another episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, exploring postmodernism hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. This episode examines what scholars such as Naftali Loewenthal and Elliott Wolfson claim are the postmodern aspects of Chabad's teachings, particularly as expounded by the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe, the late Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.  The episode navigates the cont...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," we have the privilege of hosting Professor Daniel Rynhold, a luminary in Jewish philosophy and the Dean at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University. Host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman engages Professor Rynhold in a deep and nuanced dialogue that explores the fascinating interplay between Judaism and postmode...

In this episode of "Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today," marking the completion of the tractate Baba Kama, host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the relationship between Judaism and postmodernism through the lens of this significant Talmudic Tractate. Join us as we engage in a Hadran, reflecting our commitment to continual learning and revisiting the depths of Talmud study. This episode...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," we engage in a profound conversation with Rabbi Levi Morrow, exploring the intersections of Jewish wisdom, identity, and the nature of knowledge itself. Hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, this discussion not only traverses Rabbi Morrow's journey from Southern California to Jerusalem but also delves into the philosophical underpin...

In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into what he contends is the incompatibility between postmodernism and Judaism. Levi critically examines the postmodern assertion that reality and truth are subjective, contrasting this with a Jewish perspective that values empirical evidence, albeit recognizing its inherent limitations. He argues that J...

In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman continues his exploration of postmodernism, focusing on its impact on culture and Judaism. Brackman highlights how postmodernism, as the zeitgeist of the time, has influenced various aspects of Judaism, from liberal to conservative practices, often without people realizing the origin of these ideas. He argues tha...