Torah Cafe

Zalman Gordon
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A discussion on a topic from the week's Parsha covering many important parts of Judaism that are not regularly addressed.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    When the Angel Attacked Moses

    One of the most cryptic stories in the Torah is when he is attacked by an angel on the way to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. Moses' wife Tziporah circumcised her son and the angel let go. A fascinating dive into the story of the angel attacking Moses.

    35 min

  2. 28/12/2025

    The Cairo Geniza

    The most important Jewish find in recent history was the Cairo Geniza, a massive trove of hundreds of thousands of ancient documents and books that entirely rewrote medieval Jewish and Middle Eastern history.  A fascinating discussion about the exciting find and some of the amazing things we learned from it.

    1h 15m

  3. 21/12/2025

    The Mitzvah of Reciting Hallel

    On Jewish festivals, we have a Mitzvah to recite 6 chapters of Psalms expressing our thanks to G-d for the miracles He has performed for us. Reciting these Chapters is called Hallel - praise.  A Chanukah related discussion about the Mitzvah of reciting Hallel.

    48 min

  4. 14/12/2025

    Bet Shamai and Bet Hillel

    Bet Shamai and Bet Hillel were two major Jewish schools in Jerusalem that lasted about 100 years from about 10 BCE to 70 CE. The schools were founded by two great Jewish leaders Hillel and Shamai. There were hundreds of debates of Jewish law between the two prominent schools.  A fascinating discussion about Beit Shamai and Beit Hillel and their important contributions to Judaism and Jewish History.

    56 min

  5. 07/12/2025

    Why do Jews say Baruch Hashem?

    Jews have a tendency that whenever they speak, they regularly mention G-d or the common Hebrew word Hashem. Where does this come from? Why do we mention G-d so regularly and casually in our conversations? A fascinating conversation about the Jewish custom of regularly mentioning G-d.

    37 min

  6. 30/11/2025

    When Jacob Wrestled with an Angel

    In a cryptic story, the Torah tells us how Jacob found himself alone at night and found himself wrestling with a man who dislocated his thigh. Jacob refused to let the man go without a blessing and the man told him that his name will be changed from Jacob to Israel. Clearly this man was no ordinary man and the story has deeper meaning. Most commentaries assume this man was an angel. Who was this angel? Can a person really wrestle with an angel? What is the meaning of this fight and the dislocated thigh? A fascinating discussion about Jacob's wrestling with the angel and the lessons for us today.

    55 min

  7. 23/11/2025

    Jews in the Roman Empire

    The Roman Empire in its different forms lasted for 1,000 years and had a big impact on Jews in our long history. At times the Romans were tolerant and even supportive of Jews at other times they were ruthless including in destroying the second Temple and ending Jewish independence in the land of Israel. Jewish tradition traces Romans back to Jacob's brother Esau who attempted to kill him. A fascinating relationship between Rome and the Jews.

    46 min

  8. 16/11/2025

    How did Jacob trick his father?

    In one of the most perplexing stories in the Torah, Isaac wanted to bless his older son Esau before his death. However, his younger son Jacob tricked his father into believing that he was Esau and blessing him instead.  How was Jacob allowed to trick his father? Was it ethical for him to take the blessings meant for his brother? A fascinating class about how Jacob was able to trick his father.

    52 min
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About

A discussion on a topic from the week's Parsha covering many important parts of Judaism that are not regularly addressed.

Information

  • Creator
    Zalman Gordon
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    388
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Zalman Gordon
  • Show Website
    Torah Cafe

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