Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism

Episode 80: Being Wise

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin tells an intriguing story from Jewish tradition with implications for how we make decisions. The story emphasizes how important it is to seriously consider our course of action in critical situations. 

Episode 79: Midrash: The Other Meaning

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin explores the use of the word Midrash, textual interpretation. Many are familiar with the use of Midrash to interpret Biblical Narrative. But there is another way that Midrash operates which is critical to understand. What is the other way that Midrash is used in Jewish tradition? 

Episode 78: A Question to Consider

The book of Exodus is known in Hebrew as Sh'mot, which means "names". As we begin the reading of the book of Sh'mot,  Rabbi Dobrusin poses an unusual question that deserves some serious consideration. 

Episode 77: Searching and Finding

How can Jewish ritual help us in our search for a connection with the Divine? Rabbi Dobrusin considers this question through a recent experience, an essay from a travel writer and quotations from Maimonides and a contemporary Rabbi. 

Episode 76: The Words that Connect Us

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a rather unusual Midrash on this week's Torah portion. The interpretation leads to some thoughts about a common experience among family members and close friends and some thoughts about what connects Jews as a people. 

Episode 75: Public and Private

How does one of the rituals of the Jewish wedding ceremony reflect the importance of two different aspects of a Jewish home? And, how can this relate specifically to this Shabbat on our calendar? Rabbi Dobrusin answers these questions in this episode of the podcast. 

Episode 74: Thanksgiving

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on the meaning of a familiar and beautiful blessing: the Shehecheeyanu. 

Episode 73: Miracles. Then and Now?

In this episode of the podcast, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses the 2nd of the 3 Hanukkah blessings. How has the meaning of the blessing been changed by the addition of one simple Hebrew letter? 

Episode 72: A Significant Question

In this, the first of 3 episodes leading up to Hanukkah, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a question from the Talmud about one of the rituals of Hanukkah. This simply phrased question leads to a discussion of the role of the commandments in Jewish tradition. 

Episode 71:A Lesson from theTalmud

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a critical life lesson from the text of the Talmud, discussing both the lesson itself and the fascinating way that the Talmudic rabbis deduced the lesson from the text of the Torah.