Rabbi Effie's Podcasts

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. It’s the ultimate Pesach nightmare: you pay thousands of dollars for a luxury, all-inclusive Passover program, only to arrive and find empty kitchens, broken promises, and chaotic organization—a scenario the kosher travel world dubbed "M...

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Uncovering the miraculous nature of Yom Yerushalayim and the profound spiritual weight of its Hallel. How does the liberation of our holiest city add a vital layer to the sovereignty of Yom Haatzmaut, and what steps ca...

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring two foundational questions of national purpose: What is next for Israel to accomplish for itself? If you were tasked with creating an itinerary fo...

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. We analyze the Halakhic status of the Western Wall through the lens of traditional authority. We examine the legal definition of the Wall as a Beit Knesset and the theological implications of state-sanctioned mixed prayer. This...

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the spiritual depths of Pesach Sheini and Lag BaOmer. What does the "Second Passover" teach us about the power of second chances and the profound yearning for a "real" Pesach experience? W...

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring two foundational questions of national purpose: What does Hashem care most about regarding the modern State? Furthermore, if you were tasked with...

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the ethical frontiers and Halakhic applications of CRISPR and gene-editing technology. We examine the tension between the mandate to heal and the preservation of the natural order, specifically addressing whether &quo...

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. If you were tasked with building the itinerary for a state visit of a foreign leader to Israel, what sites are "must-visits" and why?

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the question and halachic application of a driver who had his license suspended after being caught speeding. The driver claimed he was trying to get to safety due to the rocket sirens in the area during the weeks of the "Roarin...

Prepare for Pesach with new activities to engage your guests, conversation-starters, and themes to discuss Pesach's eternal message in the modern world

Shiur to MTC students pre-Pesach - connecting Eli Sharabi's testimony of his experiences in captivity with themes of Pesach

The beauty behind Parashat HaChodesh, the month of Nisan, and Pesach's eternal message. Shiur delivered to FJL alumni.

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Preparing for Pesach! How do we explain the contrasts at the Seder which is meant to be a night of celebration and joy? Why introduce the tension of Jewish enslavement, suffering, and persecution? How does the complexi...

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. This class focuses on Rav Kook's "Orot" (Lights) Milchama essay and the main points of the spiritual depth behind wars, in light of the war Is...

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the Jewish legal discussion on the topic of allowing weddings to occur during the first part of Sefirat HaOmer during a period of war and instability, as well as the issue of the urgency of celebrating weddings over o...

Shiur in preparation for Purim delivered in London to the FJL-JAcademy group.

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Preparing for Purim! Does one fulfill Matanot L'Evyonim if the money being donated is given to the needy before Purim day? What about a bank transfer or check? The Sefat Emet's idea about the name of the month...

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. This class focuses on Rav Soloveitchik's lecture "Kol Dodi Dofek" delivered on Yom HaAtzmaut in 1956 and analyzes the section of the presentat...

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the Jewish legal discussion on the topic of conversion to Judaism when a convert is prepared to accept the mitzvot but ideologically maintains antisemitic views about the Jewish people.

"Ripped From The Headlines": Presenting topics in current events considered through the lens of Jewish law and thought. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring the Jewish legal discussion on the topic of MAID as it becomes legalized and discussed in health systems across the globe

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed What role does each of us play in bringing the redemption closer? What does it mean to be a Zionist? What does it mean to be a Religious Zionist?

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Preparing for Purim! Does one fulfill Mishloach Manot if the food being delivered does not meet the kashrut standards of the recipient? Why did Hashem enable Amalek and Haman to attack and persecute the Jewish people?

"Medinat Yisrael and My Jewish Identity": Significant issues and moments in the history of the modern State of Israel and how they have shaped and impacted the identity of the Jewish people. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed

Aliyah L'Regel: An inspirational journey through the Jewish Calendar through the lens presented by teachings of great Jewish thinkers. Class delivered at Midreshet Torat Chesed. Exploring a fascinating custom some have to feed birds specifically on the Shabbat of Beshalach and the special nature of Tu Bishvat

Class with FJL Alumni Deep dive into the role of 6 women in the book of Shemot who played a pivotal role in bringing about the salvation and redemption of the Jewish people in Egypt.