Eliezer caught some flack for tweeting that people should stop visiting Auschwitz, and Mendy vehemently disagreed with him from an emotional and also an existential perspective. Listen to both sides of this somber subject, and come away with a better appreciation for how the Holocaust shaped the Jewish world today and into the future.
Politics, personal opinions, social media, cancel culture, and everything in between. Should rabbis who represent something far greater than themselves be involved in political commentary? Eliezer and Mendy tackle this pet peeve in hopes of bringing clarity to the subject.
Mendy shares memories and lessons from the life of his grandfather, Rabbi Dovid Moshe Lieberman, whose shiva concludes this week. From Holocaust survivor to world renowned rabbi and halachic authority, and above all a proud Chossid and family man.
The Mishnah (Avot 2:5) says, "A bashful person cannot learn, a short-tempered person cannot teach." Mendy and Eliezer discuss their efforts (and challenges) with both sides of this important teaching, how asking questions is the key to learning, and how being available to respond is the key to being good-natured. Bonus: Weather report for Turkey in January.
Commemorating the yahrtzeit of their great-grandfather Rabbi Yehuda Chitrik, Eliezer and Mendy share memories and lessons they learned from him and his 106 years of a very full life. From Russia to Belgium, Montreal, New York, and Miami, learn about this fascinating yet humble character, who studied under three generations of Chabad Rebbes, starting at the original yeshiva in the city of Lubavitch.
An emotionally charged conversation about the horrors of sexual abuse, how the religious Jewish community is not immune to it, and what might be the correct way to deal with it as parents and as community leaders.
Mendy and Eliezer get personal about their life-long struggles with weight and how they continue to overcome their individual challenges by living healthy and active lifestyles. Learn how the same tools recommended to push yourself to exercise can be applied to Jewish observance and Torah learning. And how you can actually learn Torah while working out.
A first-hand account of last week's summit of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States in Istanbul, including the surprise visit to the presidential palace in Ankara and meeting with Turkish President Erdogan. Learn about the mutual respect that exists between the Jewish communities and their host countries and some of the issues being dealt with by this diverse group of Jewish leaders.
An honest conversation about how we raise and educate our children, including the lessons we learn from the mistakes we make along the way. Education is a work in progress, and sometimes the focus needs to be on educating ourselves on how to be better parents.
After last week's episode about the challenges of dealing with Jewish travelers, Eliezer and Mendy discuss the positive side of hosting and interacting with the many people that pass through our doors. There are inspiring stories of personal growth, as well as the friendships developed over years with repeat visitors, balancing out the challenges and ultimately making it all worthwhile.
While some Chabad Houses function to serve tourists and travelers, the focus of the majority of Chabad rabbis and rebbetzins is primarily to serve their local communities. Once in a while a visitor needs help and Chabad is always there to lend a hand. But travelers often expect Chabad to be there to provide for all of their needs, from kosher meals to lodging to minyanim. Mendy and Eliezer attempt to clarify how this affects them and their ability to focus on serving their communities first.
An exploration of some fascinating Chanukah traditions: Where were the Syrian-Greeks actually from? The connection between Tisha B'av and Chanukah. Why do some Jews have an extra candle on their menorahs? Where should the menorah be lit and what shape should it be? All this and much more in this special Chanukah episode, from Turkey to Indiana. And don't forget the Chanukah-gelt.
Is a shliach more committed to the ideals of Chabad and the Rebbe than a fellow Lubavitcher who is not a shliach? Does our sacrifice today compare to the sacrifice of those that came before us? Commemorating the 19th of Kislev, the "festival of liberation" of the Alter Rebbe, founder of Chabad, Mendy and Eliezer tackle this heavy and often sensitive subject. Also, the Turkish connection to Yud-Tes Kislev and whether introvert vs. extrovert is real or imagined.
A conversation about the recent visit to the United States by Rabbi Yehuda Gerami of Iran. Eliezer and Mendy discuss the pushback his trip faced, and the importance of communities having capable leaders who understand the need for development, as well as the need for interaction with other communities and their leaders in order to grow and evolve. Along the way, learn about some of the differences between Chabad yeshivas and others, and how there can be more than one "correct" spiritual path....
In discussing the phenomenon of antisemitism, Mendy and Eliezer cover a wide range of topics, such as historic Jew hatred, Jewish pride, Hollywood's depiction of religious Jews, how to combat racism and bigotry in general, Judaism not seeking converts, and how the world can be a better place for everyone—if we would only want it to be.
From Sweden to Manhattan to Indiana, breakaways in the Jewish community are sometimes unavoidable, especially given the different styles, personalities, and ages of the prominent players. Eliezer and Mendy discuss how this painful subject can be utilized as a springboard to communal growth and maturity.
Eliezer and Mendy discuss the relationship, and sometimes the divergence, Chabad rabbis have with the "establishment" and the various elements of their communities, including rabbis of other congregations, communal lay leaders, and Jewish Federations. A special episode in honor of the Kinus Hashluchim, the International Conference of Chabad Emissaries, being held this weekend in New York.
Discover the backstory of the rescue of Afghanistan's last Jew, and along the way learn about the process of long distance halachic divorces and how a rabbi should deal complex halachic issues in general, as well as the evolution of Jewish tradition and culture, including the popularization of kosher sushi and what the Rebbe said about one family's responsibility to their neighbors. You are invited to eavesdrop on this fascinating conversation from Turkey to Indiana, and everything in between....
Mendy and Eliezer discuss how the back roads of Turkey, this week's Torah portion, kosher certification, tires, dogs, and leaving your mark (or not) on the world, all connect. Join us as we search for meaning, and attempt to make the search itself meaningful.
Meet Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov and Rabbi Mendy Chitrik in the first episode of an honest and frank podcast.
