Balaam's Talking Donkey

More from Torah Cafe All episodes →

1. 

   26 Jul 2026 · 45 min

   When Chopping Wood is a Mitzvah

   An important part of the Temple service was the chopping and donating wood to the Temple for the fire on the Altar. This Mitzvah came with great celebrations and many families had designated days for wood donations. This Mitzvah is still celebrated today on the 15th of Av each year. A fascinating discussion about the Wood Chopping Mitzvah, its celebrations, and the life changing impact it has on us today.

2. 

   19 Jul 2026 · 50 min

   Josephus: Historian, Traitor or Propagandist?

   Josephus is our single most important source for the final decades of the Second Temple period. He was a former Jewish commander who surrendered to the Romans and later became a writer in the court of the Flavian emperors. Josephus wrote important books about the Jewish revolt, Jewish history, and Judaism that we still have today. But can his account be trusted? Was Josephus a careful historian preserving the past, a political propagandist serving Rome, or something far more complicated?

3. 

   12 Jul 2026 · 45 min

   Good vs. Evil: Who Wins?

   In our personal lives and our world in general, there is an epic battle between good and evil. Each side is constantly battling to gain the upper hand. Who wins this battle? Our own life experience and observations often suggest that evil is winning, but counterintuitively, the Rebbe explains why logically, in the long run good will always win A fascinating discussion based on the teachings of the Rebbe about the epic battle between good and evil and how we can definitively show that good always wins. Links to related episodes Why do bad things happen…

4. 

   5 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

   The Great American Jewish Experiment

   While historically, Jewish communities were organized and structured, the freedoms in the United States have made Jewish communities fractured and fragile. This created an open market for Judaism in the United States that never existed anywhere else. How did Judaism in America adapt to this unusual community structure? What can guarantee Judaism's survival in this free open society?

5. 

   28 Jun 2026 · 1 hr

   Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Scheerson, Sacrificing for Judaism

   Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson, the sixth Chabad Rebbe, was one of the most fascinating and impactful Jewish leaders of the early 20th century. The Rebbe began his leadership role as a teenager, spanning the final decades of the Russian Empire, World War I, the Russian Revolution, the Stalinist Soviet Union, World War II and finally in the United States during and immediately after the war. A discussion about Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneerson and his fascinating life story.

6. 

   14 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 14 min

   The Split in Hungarian Jewry

   One of the most important Jewish events in modern Jewish history, was the split in Hungarian Jewry in 1870. It marked the first time Jewish communities officially split over theological differences, changing how Jews have since thought about their identity. A fascinating class about an unknown but important event in history whose impact continues to this day.

7. 

   7 Jun 2026 · 39 min

   The Danger of Words

   One of the central values in Judaism is not speaking bad about others, Lashon Hara in Hebrew. While gossip has become a staple in our society today, our Jewish traditions are strongly opposed to it. A discussion about the rules and precautions we must take not to speak evil of others, the dangers such speech can bring and the benefits of living a gossip free life.

8. 

   31 May 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

   Playing Music During Prayer

   Music played a central role in the service at the Temple in Jerusalem. While sacrifices were offered, the Levites played a variety of music and sang songs of praise to G-d. Yet, while traditional synagogues sing songs of praise and prayer, they generally do not accompany the songs with music. What is the role of instrumental music in Judaism? Why was it used in the Temple in Jerusalem, but generally not used today? Can a community add music to its prayers if it wishes? A fascinating discussion about the role of music in Jewish prayer.

9. 

   24 May 2026 · 46 min

   What does "Amen" mean?

   The word "Amen" is used by Jews throughout our prayers and in daily life to respond to blessings. What does the word Amen mean? Where does it come from? When is it appropriate to respond Amen and when is it not? Are there other appropriate responses to a blessing? A fascinating discussion about the origins and meaning of "Amen".

10. 

    17 May 2026 · 40 min

    Staying Awake on Shavuot Night

    There is an old custom to stay awake and study Torah all night on the eve of Shavuot. Many recite the Tikkun, a collection of readings from the written and oral Torahs. Where did this custom originate, and what is the reason for it? A fascinating discussion about the custom of staying awake on Shavuot Night