Jewish Matters

Exodus Unveiled # 6 Part II The Oral Law: What is the Talmud? In-Depth Insights on the Parshat Mishpatim

Exodus Unveiled # 6 Part II The Oral Law: What is the Talmud?  In-Depth Insights on the Parshat Mishpatim with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

The written Torah is arguably the most influential document in the history of mankind.  However in order to understand and apply the Torah there was an additional body of teachings called the Oral Law.  Why was the Torah structured this way, and how does the system work?  What is the Talmud and how is it related to the written law?   

Exodus Unveiled # 6 How Do You Create a Society Built on Jewish Values? Overview & Insights on Parshat Mishpatim

Exodus Unveiled # 6 How Do You Create a Society Built on Jewish Values?  Overview & Insights on Parshat Mishpatim with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

After the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai this week’s parsha presents a sampling of the laws, the mitzvoth of the Torah.  Most of them deal with societal laws, for since this is the moment of the formation of the Jewish people, they now need to know how to build a just society based on higher values. 

Exodus Unveiled # 5 Part II. The Ten Commandments: Foundation of Morality: In-depth Insights on Parshat Yitro

Exodus Unveiled # 5 Part II. Foundation of Morality: The Ten Commandments. In-depth Insights on Parshat Yitro with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

What is special about the Ten Commandments, why were these ten chosen to be highlighted?  What is the significance of their order, and are they all commandments?  Can one command belief in G-d?  Insights into one of the greatest documents in human history.

Exodus Unveiled # 5 Becoming A People. Overview & Insights on Parshat B’shalach

Exodus Unveiled # 5 Becoming A People. Overview & Insights on Parshat B’shalach with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

This is a seminal parsha which presents the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the event that concretized the covenant between G-d and the Jewish people.  We will try to understand the significance of the ten commandments, the concept of a chosen people, and the experience of Divine revelation. 

Exodus Unveiled # 4 Trust in G-d & The Splitting of the Red Sea. Overview & Insights on the Parshat B’shalach

Trust in G-d & The Splitting of the Red Sea. Overview & Insights on the Parshat B’shalach with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast 

This parsha will chronicle the final chapter of the defeat of Pharoh and the Egyptians at the Red Sea.  The Jews’ trust in Moshe and G-d is internalized by the miracles they experience, and the reliance on G-d in the desert who will sweeten that water and provide them with manna, wonder bread.  It is a message that even if we do not experience miracles, the Almighty is providing for us and protecting us every day. 

Sunset Series # 15 Jewish Tree Huggers: Tu B’Shvat, & Environmentalism with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Jewish Tree Huggers: Tu B’Shvat, & Environmentalism at the Sunset Series with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast.

What is the significance of Tu B’Shvat, the New Year for Trees in Jewish tradition?  In modern times it has been identified as a ‘Jewish Arbor Day’, but has been expanded beyond that as a ‘Jewish Earth Day.  Was that its original intent?  Is there a Jewish ethics of ecology that emerges from the Torah, and does it align with our modern ecological sensitivities? 

Exodus Unveiled # 3 Part II. How Do We Know the Exodus Happened? In-depth Insights on the Parshat Bo

Exodus Unveiled # 3 Part II.  How Do We Know the Exodus Happened?   In-depth Insights on the Parshat Bo with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

The Exodus story is one of the most recognized stories of human history.  How do we know the Exodus happened?  Is there historical evidence beyond the Biblical account?  What does the Egyptian historical record tell us of that event?

Exodus Unveiled # 3. The Breaking of Egypt. Overview & Insights on the Parshat Bo

Exodus Unveiled # 3.  The Breaking of Egypt.  Overview & Insights on the Parshat Bo with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast. 

The last three plagues finally break Pharoh and Egypt and the Jewish people are sent free.  Before they go they are told to have a feast of lamb and matza, and to put the blood on the door lintel.  Three times they are told that in the future they are to re-enact this night and have a seder, and tell their children the story.   

Exodus Unveiled # 2. Taking on Pharoh. Overview & Insights on the Parshat Va’era

Exodus Unveiled # 2.  Taking on Pharoh.  Overview & Insights on the Parshat Va’era with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Moshe’s first attempt to free the Jewish people in Egypt just made things worse.  In this week’s Parsha G-d begins by promising Moshe and the Jewish people that He will free them.  This will not happen immediately, because Pharoh’s heart will be hardened.  The first seven plagues are brought on Pharoh and we see him and his court beginning to falter. 

Sunset Series # 14 Beyond the Conflict: Getting to Know Palestinians with Noor A'wad in Sons of Abraham

Beyond the Conflict: Getting to Know Palestinians with Noor A'wad in Sons of Abraham on Jewish Matters Podcast 

There is much discussion and debate on the Israel-Palestinian conflict, but very little about who the Palestinians are, and how they live.  What is the nature of Palestinian society beyond the conflict with Israel? How do they live, what is the nature of their family life, their customs, their religious beliefs and their society?  What is the evolution of Palestinian society, and how much is it formed and influenced by the political conflict?

Noor A'wad is involved with Roots, (Sharashim), a unique grassroots network of local Palestinians and Israelis who have come to see each other as partners.  Its work is aimed at challenging the assumptions the two communities hold about each other, building trust and creating a new discourse around the conflict in their respective societies. He organizes joint Palestinian-Israeli activities and speaks to visiting groups about his personal experiences living through the conflict as a Palestinian.  Noor’s family moved from Amman, Jordan to Beit Sahour following the signing of the Oslo Accords.  In 2014, Noor was licensed by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism. He resides in Bethlehem today, where he guides English-speakers on geopolitical tours of the region.