Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism

In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin pays tribute to a singer and to a songwriter whose words can inspire thoughts about Jewish life and the study of Torah. 

Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on yesterday's horrible anti-Semitic attack in Colleyville, Texas.

A phrase in the Song of the Sea which we read in this week's Torah portion leads to the question: What does it mean to glorify God? In this week's episode of Wrestling and Dreaming, Rabbi Dobrusin shares two commentaries from the Talmud, one of which has implications for how we perform our Jewish rituals. 

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. 

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? 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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