Hey, Rabbi!

TORCH
  • 5.0 (2)
  • JUDAISM

Your front-row seat to the answers you’ve always been looking for in Judaism. You've got questions, We've got answers!

Episodes

  1. JAN 15

    Hey Rabbi! Do Jews Believe in Hell?!

    In Judaism, there is no eternal hell or everlasting damnation like in other religions. Instead, the afterlife includes a temporary process called Gehinnom (often translated as purgatory), where the soul is cleansed of its spiritual impurities—much like washing mud off a candy before eating it. This purification lasts up to 11 months for the righteous and a maximum of 12 months for the wicked, determined by the heavenly court. That’s why we recite Kaddish for only 11 months after someone passes—assuming they’ve already atoned and are being purified. Hell in Judaism is not punishment forever; it’s a merciful cleansing so the soul can ultimately draw close to God in the World to Come._____________Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.org Released as Podcast on January 15, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA_____________ About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:  NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org _____________Keywords:#heyrabbi, #afterlife, #Gehinnom, #Purgatory, #nohell , #Kaddish, #soulcleansing , #purification , #WorldToCome, #JewishBeliefs, #torah ★ Support this podcast ★

    1 min

  2. JAN 9

    Hey Rabbi! Can a Jew with a Tattoo Still Be Buried in a Jewish Cemetery?

    Yes, a person with a tattoo can be buried in a Jewish cemetery with full Jewish burial rites (including Kever Yisrael (Jewish Burial), Taharah (Ritual Purification) by the Chevra Kadisha, and recitation of Kaddish). This is the unanimous position of all major halachic authorities in both Ashkenazi and Sephardi communities today. The idea that a tattoo prevents Jewish burial is a widespread myth—often perpetuated as a "scare tactic" by well-meaning parents or educators—but it has no basis in halacha. Bottom line: Getting a tattoo is a serious prohibition in the Torah that requires Teshuva (repentance), but it does not affect eligibility for Jewish burial. The myth likely started as a strong deterrent (similar to "you'll never get married" or "you'll burn in hell" warnings), but halachically it is simply not true. If someone is dealing with this personally (either for themselves or a loved one), the correct approach is encouragement toward Teshuva, not fear of burial denial. _____________Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.orgReleased as Podcast on January 9, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA_____________ About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:  NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org _____________ Keywords:#heyrabbi, #Tattoo, #Burial, #Jewish, #Law, #Teshuva ★ Support this podcast ★

    1 min

  3. JAN 4

    Hey, Rabbi! How Can McDonald's be Kosher?

    In this quick Jewish Inspiration exchange, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explains why there's no kosher McDonald's in the U.S. (unlike Israel): kosher meat requires not just a kosher animal, but proper ritual slaughter (shechita), soaking, washing, and salting to remove blood—a labor-intensive process making it significantly more expensive than non-kosher meat. A fully kosher McDonald's would need all ingredients and equipment kosher-certified, with no cross-contamination. While technically possible, the rabbi doubts profitability (e.g., kosher McNuggets couldn't sell cheaply). Ultimately, it boils down to demand and economics—if profitable, it could happen._____________Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.orgReleased as Podcast on January 4, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA_____________ About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:  NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#heyrabbi, #Kosher, #McDonalds, #Meat, #Shechita, #JewishFood, #KosherLaws, #Halacha, #FastFood, #RabbiExplains, #JewishDiet ★ Support this podcast ★

    1 min

  4. JAN 2

    Hey Rabbi! Why are Jews called the Chosen People?

    In this concise yet profound Hey Rabbi! episode, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe demystifies the term "Chosen People": Jews are called chosen not because Hashem arbitrarily favored one nation, but because—at Mount Sinai—every other nation rejected the Torah when offered, citing commandments they couldn't accept (e.g., "Do not steal," "Do not commit adultery"), while the Jewish people enthusiastically declared "Na'aseh v'nishma" ("We will do and we will listen")—choosing Hashem unconditionally. This mutual choice forms the eternal bond: we chose God, and He chose us in return. The Midrash illustrates this with non-Jewish prophets (even Balaam, more powerful than Moses in prophecy) receiving the offer and declining. Daily blessings affirm "Who chose us from all nations"—a reciprocal relationship rooted in free will and commitment, not superiority. The episode inspires embracing Torah as the ultimate gift and privilege we actively accepted._____________Question asked by: Reena Freedman Watts (Houston, Texas)To be featured on an upcoming Hey Rabbi Episode, email your video question to: heyrabbi@torchweb.orgReleased as Podcast on January 1, 2026_____________Listen, Subscribe & Share:  Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hey-rabbi/id1865828877Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6S25uIqdQEALtKQQ6eeRzA_____________ About the Host:Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe, Director of TORCH in Houston, brings decades of Torah scholarship to guide listeners in applying Jewish wisdom to daily life.  To directly send your questions, comments, and feedback, please email: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Support Our Mission:Help us share Jewish wisdom globally by sponsoring an episode at torchweb.org. Your support makes a difference!_____________Listen MoreOther podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe:  NEW!! Hey Rabbi! Podcast: https://heyrabbi.transistor.fm/episodesPrayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at http://podcast.torchweb.org_____________Keywords:#heyrabbi #Chosen, #AmYisroel, #Torah, #Sinai, #Jewish, #Choice, #Identity ★ Support this podcast ★

    1 min
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Your front-row seat to the answers you’ve always been looking for in Judaism. You've got questions, We've got answers!

Information

  • Creator
    TORCH
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © TORCH
  • Show Website
    Hey, Rabbi!