Jewish Matters

Sons of Abraham # 3 Lost Jews? The Origins of the Ancient Samaritans

Sons of Abraham # 3 Lost Jews? The Origins of the Ancient Samaritans with Guy Yehoshua, Samartian Spokesperson and Scribe.  The Sunset Series on Jewish Matters Podcast 

The Samaritans live in Samaria, North of Jerusalem. They have been a distinct people practicing Samaritanism for thousands of years.  Their center of worship is on Mount Gerizim in Samaria, not Jerusalem.  They have a Torah scroll written in biblical Hebrew script, and their prayer is done in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic. Are they descendants of an ancient Jewish community, or did they come from somewhere else? What is their origin and why have they remained a separate community? Are they Jews or a distinct people and religion?

Great Jews # 14 Rav Shlomo Goren “The First Chief Rabbi of the IDF”

Great Jews # 14 Rav Shlomo Goren “ The Rabbi of the IDF on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Rav Shlomo Goren was the first Chief Rabbi of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).  From his family’s Aliyah to a farm in the Galilee to his clandestine work with the Hagana and Lehi to Talmudic genius, Rabbi Goren’s life embodied the birth of the State of Israel.  In 1967 during the 6 day war he was one of the first to liberate of the Kottel (Western Wall) where he blew the Shofar, as well as the Tomb of Rachel and Hebron.

Genesis Unveiled # 8 Part II. Why Was Our Country Named Israel If We Are Jews? In-depth Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach

Genesis Unveiled # 8 Part II.  Why Was Our Country Named Israel If We Are Jews?  In-depth Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach wiht Rabbi Jonathan Feldmah on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yaakov has a mysterious night-time struggle before confronting his brother Esav which will re-define who he is and give him his new name, Israel.  By understanding the story we get to the essence of what the Jewish people are about, our mission as Jews, and our country Israel.

Genesis Unveiled # 8. Yaakov’s Life: Showdown With His Estranged Brother, Wrestling with An Angel and Dealing With His Daughter’s Rapist. Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach

Yaakov’s Life: Showdown With His Estranged Brother, Wrestling with An Angel and Dealing With His Daughter’s Rapist. Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayishlach with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yaakov has numerous tests he must confront with the people around him, and this Parsha has three particularly trying ones.  He must re-engage his brother who wanted to kill him, wrestle with a nighttime nemesis and handle the fallout from his daughter’s rape by the neighboring king’s son. 

Sons of Abraham # 2 Who are the Druze? An Inside Look with Mendi Safadi at The Sunset Series

Who are the Druze?  An Inside Look with Mendi Safadi at The Sunset Series on Jewish Matters Podcast.

The Druze are a secretive people whose origins and beliefs are surrounded by mystery. They trace their origins back to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, and self-identify as the People of Monotheism.  The tenets of their religious are kept secret to non-believers.  They live mostly in the Golan Heights in Israel, as well as in Lebanon and Syria, with a population one million total, 150,000 in Israel.  They are loyal to the State of Israel and serve in the IDF and also maintain ties with the neighboring Druze

 

Genesis Unveiled # 7 A Deeper Look -What’s In A Name: The Inner Meaning of Hebrew Names

What’s In A Name: A Deeper Look at Hebrew Names, A Deeper Look at Parshat Vayetze with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Hebrew names are more than just a title.  According to the mystical tradition the qualities embedded in the name, through its meaning or the person we are named after are an expression of our true inner nature.  We will explore this dynamic, talk about the meaning Hebrew names, their significance, and how they are given and used.

Genesis Unveiled # 7 Love, Family Business and Subterfuge: Jacob Builds a Life. Overview and Insights on Parshat Vayeitzei

Love, Family Business and Subterfuge: Jacob Builds a Life.  Overview and Insights on the Parshat Vayeitzei with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

Yakov sets out on his own to find a wife, and falls in love with Rachel only to have his father-in-law Lavan switch her for Leah her older sister.  He still marries Rachel as well and proceeds to have 13 children with four women.  We follow his constant struggle with Lavan who he works for, but Yaakov eventually outsmarts even the tricky Lavan. Finally after 20 years he secretly flees with his family, which looks like it may not end well.

Sons of Abraham # 1 An Inside Look at Israel's Bedouin Community with Dr. Yasmin Abu Fraiha

Sons of Abraham # 1 An Inside Look at Israel's Bedouin Community with Dr. Yasmin Abu Fraiha.  A special program of The Sunset Series.

The Bedouin are a subgroup within the Arab minority in the State of Israel, with cultural, historical, social and political uniqueness.  Some serve in the IDF and are know to be skilled trackers.  Before the State of Israel most of them lead a semi-nomadic life, mostly in the Negev desert, with some of the Galilee.  In more recent times the State of Israel has settled them in specific towns, however many are resistant this change.  We will explore who the Bedouin are, what are some of their unique customs and what is their future.   

Dr. Yasmeen Abu-Fraiha is a young doctor, specializing in internal medicine.  She  serves on the Board of Directors of Project Wadi Attir, Yanabia, Tamar Center and AJEEC-NISPED, all are social projects and NGOs aiming to improve Bedouin lives in Israel.  She is currently acting as the Executive Director of Rodaina, an NGO she founded that aims to prevent genetic diseases in the Middle East, especially in the Bedouin community, by spearheading premarital genetic testing and matching.  She has won awards for her work in the field of health and was also chosen to be part of Forbes' "30 Under 30" list. Yasmeen holds a BSc in Medical Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Genesis Unveiled # 6 A Deeper Look -Jacob Takes the Blessing: Can You Lie to a Swindler? In-Depth and Insights on the Parshat Todot

Genesis Unveiled # 6 Part II Jacob Takes the Blessing: Can You Lie to a Swindler?  In-Depth Insights on the Parshat Todot on Jewish Matters Podcast with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman

Toldot Part II, the parsha in-depth.  The 9^th commandment tells us not to lie, so how could Jacob impersonate his brother to take the blessing?  Does the Torah ever allow us to lie?  Can you use illegal or dishonest means to take back what is yours from a cheat or a swindler?  Should we also try to fight against someone who has wronged us to get back what is ours?

Genesis Unveiled # 6 Jacob Gets The Blessing: When Do the Ends Justify The Means? Parshat Toldot

Genesis Unveiled # 6  Jacob Gets The Blessing: When Do the Ends Justify The Means? Overview and Insights on the Parshat Todot in 20 minutes with Rabbi Jonathan Feldman on Jewish Matters Podcast

 

From the moment Yaakov is holding onto Esav’s heel he struggles to supplant his older brother, sometimes using questionable means by setting him up and impersonating him to get the blessing from their father.  Were his actions justified, and how could his mother push him to do it?  Why did Yitzhak favor Esav and want him to carry on the family mission?  Can a blessing be given to the wrong person?  These questions and more…