Women Talking Mitzvot

מגדל עז בית מדרש
  • 5.0 (8)
  • RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY

Women Talking Mitzvot is a podcast produced by Deracheha: womenandmitzvot.org and the Stella K. Abraham Migdal Oz Women’s Bet Midrash as part of their joint commitment to bringing women's spiritual worlds into halachic discourse. This podcast explores both the texts and the lived experiences of women keeping mitzvot. Each episode features a conversation co-hosted by Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. This podcast series has been graciously sponsored by Sigal & Zach in honor of Women’s Talmud Torah, Women’s Halacha study and in the merit of Am Yisrael.

  1. FEB 4

    #15: Birkat Hamazon and Zimmun

    This episode begins with an exploration of the obligation to recite birkat ha-mazon after eating bread and what that means for us. Next, we discuss the halachic parameters of starting benching off with a ‘zimmun’--for men and women. This episode has been sponsored in gratitude to the Women Talking Mitzvot podcast and its hosts by the Buchman Community in Modiin. Women’s Zimmun Card: Women's Zimmun Card • Deracheha  Deracheha articles: https://www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-mazon/ https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-part-1/ https://www.deracheha.org/zimmun-part-2/ Link to article on the origins of the bentching tune: https://www.jta.org/2018/01/17/ny/legends-of-jewish-music-remembered

    1h 9m

  2. JAN 14

    #14: Makeup on Shabbat

    This episode discusses the halachik issues related to applying makeup and other cosmetic products on Shabbat. This topic has a direct impact on the lives of so many people and touches on sensitive issues such as self image, communal beauty norms, and the role halacha plays in our personal lives. Deracheha articles: https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-3-makeup/#makeup_on_shabbat https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-4-makeup-removal-and-mikveh/ https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-1-types-of-product/ https://www.deracheha.org/cosmetics-on-shabbat-2-scent-and-healing/

    1h 3m

  3. 12/31/2025

    #13: Kiddush

    This episode delves into the ways in which we imbue Shabbat with holiness and how these acts are refracted through the act of making kiddush over wine.  We also talk about women’s obligation in both nighttime and daytime kiddush and some practical halachik scenarios that frequently come up. Related Deracheha Articles: https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-1-obligation/ https://www.deracheha.org/kiddush-2-practical-issues/ https://www.deracheha.org/discharging-anothers-obligations/ https://www.deracheha.org/discharging-obligations-in-practice/

    59 min

  4. 12/14/2025

    #12: Chanuka Candles

    The mitzvah of Chanuka candle lighting has classically been fulfilled in diverse ways, with differences between Sephardi and Ashkenazi households, and between women of different communities. This conversation explores several halachic aspects of the mitzva, as well as ways to imbue our celebration of Chanuka with more meaning. Links to Deracheha Articles: https://www.deracheha.org/af-hen/ https://www.deracheha.org/chanuka/

    1h 5m

  5. 12/03/2025

    #11: Lighting Shabbat Candles

    This conversation explores the mitzva of lighting Shabbat candles, which is primarily fulfilled by women. We discuss the meaning and special place of this mitzva, alongside important halachic points about lighting in different circumstances. Deracheha articles: https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-1/ https://www.deracheha.org/candle-lighting-2/ Song mentioned by Shayna, "My Dear Imma" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nld0iWR0LJc&list=RDNld0iWR0LJc&start_radio=1

    56 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    #10: Communal Prayer: Gifts and Challenges

    This episode explores the unique power of communal prayer, along with some of its challenges. We also discuss limitations that can impact women’s sense of participation and practical steps communities can take to make shul more comfortable for everyone. Relevant Deracheha articles: https://www.deracheha.org/minyan/ https://www.deracheha.org/tefilla-be-tzibbur/ 'Kotvot Halacha' with the article by R. Michal Tikochinsky:  https://kotar.cet.ac.il/kotarapp/index/Book.aspx?nBookID=113818082

    1h 14m

  7. 11/05/2025

    #9: Morning Prayers & Shema: On Spiritual Warm-Ups and Embracing Commitment

    This episode concludes this season's Tefilla series, weaving between ideas about Pesukei de-zimra and Shema, a candid discussion of prayer priorities when short on time, and a look at what it means to accept the "yoke of heaven" in a culture centered on autonomy. Links to Related Deracheha Articles and other sources mentioned in the episode: https://did.li/LfVIw https://did.li/ANhDN https://did.li/RYJgT Wordsworth sonnet: https://did.li/90bUY Rav Amital article on commitment vs. connection: https://did.li/XHyOf Podcasts with Shayna on the religious culture in Israel vs the diaspora: Orthodox Conundrum: Diaspora Modern Orthodoxy and Israeli Religious Zionism: https://did.li/v5s6q 18Forty: Inside Israel’s Religious Zionist Community: https://did.li/4qnmC

    1h 14m

  8. 10/22/2025

    #8: Shelo Asani Isha/She-Asani Kirtzono (Morning Blessings Part 2)

    Today’s conversation continues our tefilla series with a zoom in on the morning blessings that are gender specific: a man blessing God for not making him a woman, and a woman blessing God for making her according to His will. This episode also connects to a broader thread of Women Talking Mitzvot, how to navigate Jewish texts and liturgy that can be uncomfortable when viewed in a modern light.Deracheha article: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-5-she-lo-asani-isha-she-asani-kirtzono/Links to content referenced:Ilana Kurshan, “If All the Seas Were Ink”: https://www.amazon.com/If-All-Seas-Were-Ink/dp/1250121264 Article on Yeshivat Har Etzion learning Ketubot: https://forward.com/opinion/208361/its-time-for-yeshivas-to-fight-rape-culture/ Esti Rosenberg, The World of Women’s Torah Learning: Developments, Directions, and Objectives: https://www.yutorah.org/lectures/777845/The-World-of-Women%E2%80%99s-Torah-Learning:-Developments,-Directions,-and-ObjectivesSara Wolkenfeld on imagining ourselves into the Beit Midrash at the Women's Shas completion: https://thelehrhaus.com/commentary/imagining-ourselves-into-the-beit-midrash/

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Women Talking Mitzvot is a podcast produced by Deracheha: womenandmitzvot.org and the Stella K. Abraham Migdal Oz Women’s Bet Midrash as part of their joint commitment to bringing women's spiritual worlds into halachic discourse. This podcast explores both the texts and the lived experiences of women keeping mitzvot. Each episode features a conversation co-hosted by Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg and Rabbanit Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. This podcast series has been graciously sponsored by Sigal & Zach in honor of Women’s Talmud Torah, Women’s Halacha study and in the merit of Am Yisrael.

Information

  • Creator
    מגדל עז בית מדרש
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © מגדל עז בית מדרש
  • Show Website
    Women Talking Mitzvot

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