13 episodes

"Rappers & Rabbis" is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as "Why did God create the snake?" Or "Can Rabbah Yaffa Epstein rap?"

Rappers and Rabbis Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

    • Judaism

"Rappers & Rabbis" is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as "Why did God create the snake?" Or "Can Rabbah Yaffa Epstein rap?"

    Rappers and Rabbis: What’s up with that Sukkah, MC? (From Limmud Chicago + Midwest Ft. Eprhyme)

    Rappers and Rabbis: What’s up with that Sukkah, MC? (From Limmud Chicago + Midwest Ft. Eprhyme)

    Rapper Eprhyme of Darshan, unpacks his incredibly rich, Rolling Stone sampled, Sukkot Rap "Give Me Shelter." Expertly produced by Erez 'Diwon' Safar. The Limmud Midwest audience helps Eprhyme unwind the endless Torah in his bars about what sitting in a sukkah on Sukkoth is all about. 

    • 18 min
    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 12: Why Jonah for Yom Kippur?

    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 12: Why Jonah for Yom Kippur?

    What are the different models of tshuva Jonah encounters? Rabbi AdAm's Torah gets deep like a Leviathan. Rapper Matt spits bars like a whale spits prophets! Get dizzy following Jonah on his roller-coaster of an adventure (geographically and spiritually).



    “Rappers & Rabbis” is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as “Why did God create the snake?” Or “Can Rabba Yaffa Epstein rap?” See https://elmad.pardes.org/topic/rappers-and-rabbis/ to listen to more episodes in the series.

    • 12 min
    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 11: Rabba Yaffa Teaches Jewish Rappers

    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 11: Rabba Yaffa Teaches Jewish Rappers

    Rappers and Rabbis did a great session at the recent Bible Raps "Hip Hop and Judaism" retreat in Philadelphia. It was amazing to hear Rabba Yaffa break down the Oral Tradition with Pirkei Avot texts and a stable of emcess. The connections made between Rap and Rabbinics were fascinating.







    “Rappers & Rabbis” is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as “Why did God create the snake?” Or “Can Rabba Yaffa Epstein rap?” See https://elmad.pardes.org/topic/rappers-and-rabbis/ to listen to more episodes in the series.

    • 23 min
    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 10: Kabbalat Shabbat Rapper Eden Pearlstein in the Bet Midrash!!!

    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 10: Kabbalat Shabbat Rapper Eden Pearlstein in the Bet Midrash!!!

    A conversation between Rabba Yaffa and Tefillah Rapper Eden Pearlstein!? We must be doing something right. The Rabbis and Rappers were truly geeked to chop it up with Eden Pearlstein who just released his new project "Raza" with Pharaoh's Daughter. "Raza" is a radical rap reimagining of traditional prayer.







    “Rappers & Rabbis” is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as “Why did God create the snake?” Or “Can Rabba Yaffa Epstein rap?” See https://elmad.pardes.org/topic/rappers-and-rabbis/ to listen to more episodes in the series.

    • 23 min
    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 9: Why is Idol Worship Bad?

    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 9: Why is Idol Worship Bad?

    The whole gang +1 are here. And that +1 says "1+1=1" because his name is Ephryme and he rappeth divine mathematics. In this episode, we all make different arguments as to the moral inferiority of Idol Worship. And in doing so we all explain what we mean when we say 'idol,' and why it is problematic. Ephryme, after laying in the cut, comes out swinging with a louisville slugger showing us so-called Monotheists have Idols of God too! Matt promises to try to see the Shekina and Hashem as 1.







    “Rappers & Rabbis” is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as “Why did God create the snake?” Or “Can Rabba Yaffa Epstein rap?” See https://elmad.pardes.org/topic/rappers-and-rabbis/ to listen to more episodes in the series.

    • 15 min
    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 8: Why Build… That… Wall!?

    Rappers and Rabbis Episode 8: Why Build… That… Wall!?

    What drove the people of Babel to build the Tower? Perhaps it was a preemptive strike on God before the next flood? Perhaps it was simply to have something with which to unify the people? The Bible Raps boys are honored to discuss the story of Babel and get into Abraham's life too with the great Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield of Pardes on Rappers and Rabbis. Make some Torah lovin' noise!







    “Rappers & Rabbis” is hosted by Rapper Matt Bar, Rabba Yaffa Epstein, Rabbi AdAm Mayer and Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky. Join us every two weeks for a lively hip hop havruta-style Torah conversation with a rotating cast of Pardes alumni and holy MCs. Each episode is framed by a question with metaphysical ramifications, such as “Why did God create the snake?” Or “Can Rabba Yaffa Epstein rap?” See https://elmad.pardes.org/topic/rappers-and-rabbis/ to listen to more episodes in the series.

    • 20 min