Tzarich Iyun — A Podcast from Yeshivat Orayta Yeshivat Orayta

Many observant Jews have a seder night custom to spill out some wine from their cups during the recitation of the ten plagues. What is the source of this custom? Does it reflect a Jewish instinct to mitigate happiness when one's enemies are killed? Or, is it part of a larger story about Jewish uniqueness and particularism? In this episode Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rav Yitzchak Blau to discuss the origin of this custom as well the larger question of rejoicing over the downfall of one's enemies.
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau is Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta, the author of Fresh Fruit and Vintage Wine: The Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada, and Tradition's associate editor. He has taught at Yeshivat Hamivtar, Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and the Yeshivah of Flatbush and currently also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rabbi Blau has a BA in English Literature from YU, an MA in Medieval Jewish History from Revel, and smicha from RIETS. Rabbi Blau lives in Alon Shevut with his wife and four children.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram

This Shabbat, Jews across this world will read the Torah portion describing the requirement to eradicate Amalek. Does this mitzvah have any practical relevance nowadays? What about the moral challenges associated with this divine command? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody to discuss these issues through the lens of Israel's current war against Hamas.
Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody is the executive director of Ematai. He previously served as the founding director of the Tikvah Overseas Student Institute and co-dean of the Tikvah Online Academy, a senior instructor at Yeshivat Hakotel, and as a junior research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute. A summa c*m laude graduate of Harvard College, he received rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, an MA in Jewish philosophy at the Hebrew University, and his PhD from Bar Ilan University Law School, where he continues to serve as a post-doctoral fellow. His first book, A Guide to the Complex: Contemporary Halakhic Debates (Maggid), received a National Jewish Book Award. His new book, Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality, is available now in the US and Israel.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram

After serving for many years as a Company Commander in the IDF, Rav Binny Freedman has experienced himself in a new role since October 7th—‘drafted,’ as a grandparent. Like hundreds of thousands of other families, the Freedmans have been navigating the complexities of the draft on the home-front, stepping in as their children have been called up to serve. In this episode, Rav Binny joins Rav David Silverstein to discuss how the war has affected the lives of kids, spouses, and parents of reservists and understand its toll on Israeli society at large.
Rabbi Binny Freedman is founding Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta. Coming to Israel as a lone soldier in 1982, Rav Binny served as a Company Commander in the Israeli Defense Forces. Rav Binny received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel while studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion under the tutelage of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, and pursued his BA and MA studies in Education at the Herzog Teacher's College in Israel. He lives with his wife and their four children in Efrat.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram

Prior to October 7th, the Israeli political and military establishment mistakenly thought that Hamas was deterred from attacking Israel. What other misconceptions lay behind Israeli thinking? How can the Israeli government rectify these errors moving forward? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by military strategist Akiva Bigman to discuss these questions and reflect on possible new paradigms for Israeli leaders to think about the war in Gaza.

Akiva Bigman is the Chief Editor at Mida (Hebrew/English), an Israeli news and commentary website. He previously served as the Chief Investigative Journalist for Chanel 14 as well as a columnist for Yisrael Hayom. He holds a Master’s in Jewish history from Bar Ilan University and is currently pursuing his PhD in military strategy.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram

Traditional Jewish theology understands that a national crisis can serve as a catalyst for collective reflection and teshuva. What can we learn from the horrors of October 7th? What national sins must be rectified moving forward? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein discusses these questions with Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman through the prism of his provocative and important article, "Is this war a divine punishment?"
Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman is a professor of Bible at BarIlan University and an Associate Fellow at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem. A graduate of Princeton University, Rabbi Berman received his rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel after learning for eight years at Yeshivat Har Etzion. He is the author of several books, most recently Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth and the Thirteen Principles of Faith (Maggid). He, his wife and their four children reside in Bet Shemesh.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram

2023 was one of the most divisive years in Israel's history. Polarization and the debate surrounding the judicial reform lead Israel to the brink of civil war culminating in altercations on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.  After the horrors of October 7th, however, we have seen the country unified around a shared sense of mission and purpose. How do we maintain this feeling of unity for the duration of the war and after the war's completion? How can Israelis learn to live together despite their religious and political differences? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by JJ Sussman, the International Director of Gesher, to discuss these questions through the lens of his recent Jerusalem Post article.

JJ Sussman is the International Director at Gesher where his role includes leading delegations of Israeli influentials to experience Jewish communities in the US. In addition, he is responsible for resource development. Prior to Gesher, JJ worked in Israel’s high-tech sector at leading firms such as SanDisk, Jerusalem Global, and Israel Seed Partners. Having made Aliyah from New York 25 years ago, JJ now lives in Modi’in. He holds a BA from Yeshiva University and an MBA from Kellogg/Tel Aviv University.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavarRecorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram