22
Aug
Introduction
Tefillin, also referred to as phylacteries in Greek, are among the most important ritual objects in Judaism, deeply connected to Jewish prayer and identity. Comprising two black leather boxes containing carefully written Torah passages on parchment, Tefillin are worn by observant Jewish men during weekday morning prayers as a fulfillment of biblical commandments. These passages emphasize the importance of remembering and practicing the commandments of God in daily life. The practice of wearing Tefillin is seen as a physical manifestation of spiritual dedication, symbolizing the bond between God and the Jewish people.
3
Feb
The Oxford dictionary defines religion as the following:
- The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
‘ideas about the relationship between science and religion’
- 1.1count noun A particular system of faith and worship.
‘the world’s great religions’
- 1.2count noun A pursuit or interest followed with great devotion.
‘consumerism is the new religion’
After giving the modern English definition of the word, we ask ourselves “Is the Torah a religion?”
7
Jan
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Where does the practice of baptism come from? Yoel walks us through its history explaining the linguistic, biblical, and cultural factors of ritual washing and purity from Genesis to the time of Yeshua and into today.
18
Sep
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In this final episode, Yoel and Jeff wrap up the Oral Torah series with a discussion of modern Judaism and the Judaisms that make up Judaism; from the Neologs to the Ultra Orthodox; from the emancipation of the mind in the 1700’s to our current world.
9
Sep
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In Part 21, Yoel and Jeff bring the discussion into the modern era; still several hundred years back in time from today, and the series is nearly complete.
4
Sep
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In Part 20, Yoel and Jeff begin the discussion on the pre-modern age of our current day Judaism.
28
Aug
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How involved is God in our personal, everyday lives? Yoel and Jeff discuss this issue intertwined with an education on Maimonides (Rambam) and his writings, in episode 19 of 22 in our Oral Torah series.
21
Aug
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Yoel and Jeff discuss the Sanhedrin: Its nature, its origin, its authority and its recent ruling about the New Moon sighting by two witnesses. Also, the extremely significant contributions of Rabbeinu Chananel, Rif, Rashi and the Ba’alei HaTosafot.
14
Aug
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Yoel and Jeff discuss the Gaonite period of writings; the 600-1200ce period where, aside from the mishna and talmud, we have the “explosion of pure Jewish literature that is the continuation of completely Pharisaic thought.”
7
Aug
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In episode 16 of the Oral Torah series, Yoel and Jeff talk about authority. Where is this described and to whom is it given?
