Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism

Episode 117: The Bells of Yom Kippur

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a personal story- a memory from a Yom Kippur many years ago. 

Episode 116: Holding a Candle to our Memory

In this week's episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought for the Yizkor, Memorial service for Yom Kippur, relating the process of memory to a ritual from another part of the Jewish year. 

Episode 115: A Completed Journey and A Look Ahead

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a story of the completion of a personal goal he had set for himself when he was 11 years old. The completion of that journey inspired a list of wishes for the New Year. 

Episode 114: Where are you?

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought relating to Teshuva: repentance as we approach the High Holy Days. The thought relates to the eternal question that God asks Adam: "Where are you?" 

Episode 113: Lessons from the Far North

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a text which can help us as we think about teshuva: returning our lives to the proper path. As he explains, please note the companion piece to this podcast at the website robdobrusin.com 

Episode 112: Guarding and Judging

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares an interpretation of the first verse of Parashat Shoftim, this week's Torah portion. 

Episode 111: Limitations

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin considers three traditional rabbinic texts which reflect the obligation we have to protect ourselves and our property  and the limitations on how to act in such a situation. 

Episode 110: Seven Weeks of Comfort

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a commentary on the tradition of the 7 haftarah readings of consolation and comfort read between Tisha B'av and Rosh Hashana. What can this commentary teach us about faith and our relationship with our loved ones? 

Episode 109: Gold, Metal and Light

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a piece he wrote based on Naomi Shemer's words in Yerushalyim shel Zahav, Jerusalem of Gold. He uses the words gold, metal and light to reflect his personal thoughts about the meaning of Judaism and Jewish tradition.

Episode 108: Tisha B’av

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses the meaning of the synagogue rituals observed on Tisha B'av, the fast of the 9th of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. This day, observed this coming Saturday evening and Sunday is one of the most meaningful of the entire year.