The Chavrusa

Exploration of deep Torah and ideas that have guided some of history's greatest men and women for over 3,000 years, & contemporary takes on moral and social issues.

Last refreshed: August 17th, 2025 at 5:32 AM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Air All Interviews on Yelp (Mailbag- 8)

Ethical conditions of leaving reviews online, former royals exposing details to Oprah, the cautionary tale of Richard Jewell, and why teeth don't decompose

Mar 09, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 8

The Agunah Disaster

Addressing the plight of the Agunah: the convoluted roots of the issue, contemporary Rabbinic response, social media pressure, and the solutions moving forward

Mar 07, 2021•30 min

Jewish Brisket (4.Finale)

In the season finale, we discuss the Kosher BBQ scene, the only way to respond to antisemitism, and answer the question: Why be Jewish? (Letter in the Scroll- 16)

Mar 04, 2021•36 min•Season 4Ep. 16

Discussing the fallacy of a child with 3 fathers listed on birth certificate, Preventing Toxic Positivity, The differences between anti-Judaism & antisemitism, & The Vanishing American Jew: why are so many young Jews walking away? (Letter in the Scroll- 15)

Mar 03, 2021•47 min•Season 4Ep. 15

Software > Hardware (4.14)

The Gemara's etiquette for dealing with akward hosts, waiters, and introductions, The essential difference between Philosophy and Torah, and why Judaism is needed more than ever in today's advanced, affluent, and anxious world (Letter in the Scroll- 14)

Mar 02, 2021•45 min•Season 4Ep. 14

Don't Stab the Corpse (4.13)

The story of the momentous showdown between the Roman Emperor Vespasian & Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, exploring King David's death, & how Torah achieved equality, liberty, & fraternity centuries before the French (Letter in the Scroll- 13)

Mar 02, 2021•41 min•Season 4Ep. 13

Anti Depressant (Purim- 4)

A zenithal spotlight into the human mind and the nature of happiness, and how celebrating Purim can cultivate transformational change

Feb 26, 2021•13 min

Suit Sweaters (Purim- 3)

Fashion advice on an emerging trend & an illuminating understanding of the concept of secrets, and its connections to Purim

Feb 25, 2021•22 min

Drink, Dress, & Sniff (Purim- 2)

Delineating how the essence of Purim is a call for Authenticity, the 2 conflicting sentiments of 'Be True to Yourself', Gladwell debunks common understanding of the effects of alcohol, & why Jews drink, dress & sniff on Purim

Feb 23, 2021•36 min

Scattered & Separate (Purim- 1)

Defining the essence of what a community is (and is not), Esther's profound and enthralling response to the gravest of dangers, and the deep messaging behind sending gifts on Purim

Feb 22, 2021•35 min

Shul (4.12)

Thinking Fast & Slow through a Kabbalistic lens, analyzing the history of the Synagogue, and how Jewish identity has been sustained amidst centuries of dispersion

Feb 19, 2021•27 min•Season 4Ep. 12

The Neutral Life (4.11)

A penetrating critique into today's culture of career liberation, Becoming a 'Tomorrow Person's, and how an incredible vision of hope emerged from Judaism's darkest hour (in contrast to Christianity, The divide between Rabbi Akiva and Paul)

Feb 17, 2021•32 min•Season 4Ep. 11

Forest Bathing (4.10)

In today's episode of The Chavrusa, we discuss Forest Bathing, New York City Parks, Education Evidence, & Judaism's most daring institution.

Feb 17, 2021•38 min•Season 4Ep. 10

Political Theories (4.9)

Exploring the 2 Political theories in Judaism, the unique Torah theory of state, and its theory of society, A deeper look at the 3 core concepts in Jewish communal life, & an inner glimpse on Purim

Feb 16, 2021•31 min•Season 4Ep. 9

Rabbi, You, & Autonomy (Mailbag- 7)

In this episode of The Mailbag, we address questions about Rabbis- "Does having a Rabbi reduce my own autonomy in decision making? "Are some Rabbis better than other rabbis?" "Can Women be Rabbis"? "Should I be asking my Rabbi Business decisions? Medical advice?" "Are Rabbis looking for control?" "What is 'Daas Torah'?" In response we analyze the 3 necessary qualities of a Rabbi and how a healthy approach to having a Rabbi will lead to invaluable counsel, guidance, friendship, and autonomy....

Feb 14, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 7

Exit the Community (4.8)

The 2 types of communities, The 2 forms of Freedom, and how the most influential political story ever told shaped an enduring revolution - transitioning a nation to a people, Exodus to Sinai, passive to active, fate to faith, and subjects to authors on the long walk to freedom (Letter in the Scroll- 8)

Feb 11, 2021•33 min•Season 4Ep. 8

Watered-down Kippah (4.7)

An attorney's improvisation for a kippa is indicative of a serious gap between technical actions and the moral imperative of Halacha, And delving into the roots of the Chosen People, Terrorism, & Democratic Socialism (A Letter in the Scroll- 7)

Feb 10, 2021•40 min•Season 4Ep. 7

Banned Songs & Relationships (4.6)

California bans singing in synagogues- but they're not the first. Exploring the 2 ways to sing in Judaism, and how the Torah's moralizing of relationships turned out to be the most transformative idea in all of social history (Letter in the Scroll- 6)

Feb 09, 2021•31 min•Season 4Ep. 6

Vanilla Judaism (4.5)

Raging legal battles over the definition of Vanilla leads to a Torah perspective on the fluidity of miscommunations, & Tracking the Revolutionary History of Jewish Ideas, heralding the greatest Paradigm Shift in the Story of Mankind (Letter in the Scroll, 5)

Feb 08, 2021•46 min•Season 4Ep. 5

Palace in Flames (4.4)

The perfume of Civet Cats, and A Radical & Haunting Account that has Challenged Conventional Morality & Thought since the dawn of Humanity (Letter in a Scroll, 4)

Feb 04, 2021•25 min•Season 4Ep. 4

Identities & Libraries (4.3)

A scintillating metaphor dramatizing the contrast between Western thought and Judaism in fundamental definitions of Identity

Feb 03, 2021•35 min•Season 4Ep. 3

Hit the Ground (4.2)

Life Hacks from Jérôme Jarre, Giving to people who need it; not to charities, & Re-channeling the story of our past as a duty to the future. (Letter in the Scroll, 2)

Feb 02, 2021•34 min•Season 4Ep. 2

Scroll Down (4.1)

Debuting a new season! Answering & exploring the questions: Why be a Jew? Why should you continue the Jewish story? What happened that so many Jews are opting out?(A Letter in the Scroll, 1)

Feb 01, 2021•38 min•Season 4Ep. 1

Fried Matzah Balls & Unethical Distributing (Mailbag- 6)

The Lean Life of a Jew, Fried Matzah Balls, and the ethical conundrums of the current distribution of the covid vaccine- a real life manifestation of the paradoxical prisoners dilemna

Jan 31, 2021•40 min•Season 3Ep. 5

Shorting Tu-Bshvat

As ethical uncertainties surround Robinhood, GameStop & Wall Street, we critique contemporary Tu Bshvat celebrations to reveal depths of wisdom behind trees, fruits, & finding your unique purpose in life

Jan 28, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 24

Introverted Instability

Revealing the shallowness of athletic fame, The power of introversion and vulnerable yearning, & digging deep into the connections between mindfulness, happiness, & growth

Jan 27, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 23

Fame of the Gallnut Mountains

The moral barometer of Baseball's Hall of Fame, The Torah's eternal messaging on Mountains, Gallnut Trees, Wind and their relation to the power of words, & Continuing with the crucial Dialouge of Ideas for Vitalizing Tefillah, highlighting a new suggested addition to minyans worldwide

Jan 26, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 22

← Prev Next →

Hosted on Spotify for Creators (Anchor)

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android