Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism

This edition features a re-posting of a previously recorded episode which asks important questions inspired by the Torah reading for this Shabbat: the conclusion of the book of Bemidbar, Numbers. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares words about growing up in the USA that he wrote 14 years ago after a potentially life-changing experience. Do they still apply today? 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin expresses a critical point regarding mitzvot bein adam l'havero, interpersonal commandments, using bikkur holim, visiting the sick as an example. 

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a teaching from the Talmud connecting this week's Torah portion to a critical interpersonal mitzvah. What can we learn from this connection? 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a previously recorded edition of the podcast from 2021 and urges us to consider whether these words resonate with us 5 years later.  

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a d'var Torah on last week's Torah portion of Naso. It ends with a rather provocative statement made by a well known rabbinic figure.

Rabbi Dobrusin shares a perspective on the upcoming holiday of Shavuot.

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin explains a critical concept relating to Jewish law. The discussion begins with an example from a rather unexpected place. 

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on some phrases from a familiar source. The thoughts can teach us some lessons about Teshuvah, repentance, appropriate not only at the High Holy Day season but at all seasons. 

Rabbi Dobrusin shares a question raised in the section of Talmud he has been studying with his Talmud study group this year. How do you "undo" a wrongful act?

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares the introduction to Judaism that he gave recently to a very interested group of students. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought on one of the blessings said during the Pesach seder. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin looks back on the events of the past week and discusses an issue of importance regarding a section of the Seder. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin suggests a way to make this year's Seder personally meaningful.

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon on this week's parasha and a memorial tribute to his father. 

In this edition of the podcast, Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on the meaning of the name of the holiday of Purim and its meaning for today. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the power of music to lift us and honors two musical performers, one from the recent past and one from the present day. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a story about a d'var Torah he wrote more than 40 years ago and how his feelings about the words he wrote have changed over the years. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses the holiday of Tu B'shvat, the "New Year of the Trees", sand two different blessings said on the occasion of seeing beautiful trees. 

How do we respond to what we see? Rabbi Dobrusin considers this question in this week's podcast. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin asks us to consider the full meaning of two words that appear in the Torah. What does it mean when the Torah says: blichtecha baderech, when you go along the way, in the paragraph which is  related to the saying of the Shema? What do we take along the way with us?

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the varied implications of a brief passage in the Talmud relating to this week's Torah portion. 

In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin gives his midrash, his interpretation, of one of his favorite movies in tribute to the late Rob Reiner. 

This week, Rabbi Dobrusin posts a repeat edition of the podcast, originally posted on December 31, 2020, marking this important date on the calendar. This episode features a discussion of the importance of the Jewish calendar in our lives. 

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a personal story and relates it to a brief story told in this week's Torah portion.