Tzarich Iyun — A Podcast from Yeshivat Orayta: Recent Episodes
Yeshivat Orayta
Listen in as two rebbeim reflect with one another on current events and unpack central hashkafic questions that affect how they view the world. A forum for divergent perspectives informed by both study and lived experience, these conversations will illuminate a handful of the "shivim panim laTorah" (70 facets of Torah) and scratch the surface of ideas which may, in fact, require further exploration.
The study of Gemara dominates the daily schedule of most yeshivot. Beyond yeshiva, Daf Yomi has become an international phenomenon with people taking time out of their daily schedules to study a page of Talmud. What is Gemara learning all about? Why is it prioritized over the study of Jewish thought or Tanakh? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky of Yeshivat Sha'alvim to discuss these questions as well as address the different learning methodologies used to convey the profundity of Gemara learning.
Rabbi Yehuda Turetsky serves as a Ram at Yeshivat Sha’alvim, where he teaches Talmud and contemporary Jewish thought. He studied at Yeshiva University and received a B.A. in Psychology, M.S. in Jewish Education, and Semicha as a member of the Wexner Semicha Honors Program. He is also an alumnus of YU’s prestigious Kollel Elyon and currently serves as the associate director of NCSY Kollel. He has given shiurim and presentations throughout North America and has published articles on a wide range of topics, including Talmud, Jewish Education, and the Sociology of the Modern Orthodox community. He resides in Sha’alvim with his wife, Dr. Ilana Turetsky, and their four children.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram
After a survey of different approaches to divine providence in the last episode, Rav Binny Freedman joins Rav David Silverstein to discuss what role theology should play in our lives. Why doesn't theology occupy a larger space in contemporary Orthodox discourse? How do we choose an approach amidst conflicting perspectives on God’s involvement in the world?
Rabbi Binny Freedman is founding Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta. His proficiency in applying Jewish concepts to contemporary life in a personal and meaningful manner has made him a sought-after speaker and educator around the world. Coming to Israel as a lone soldier in 1982, Rav Binny served as a Company Commander in the Israeli Defense Forces. Rav Binny received his Rabbinic Ordination from the Chief Rabbinate of the State of Israel while studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion under the tutelage of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein, and pursued his BA and MA studies in Education at the Herzog Teacher's College in Israel. He lives with his wife and their four children in Efrat.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram
The question of divine providence is one of the most complex questions in Jewish thought, affecting our day-to-day experience of the world. In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank to explore both medieval and modern approaches to understating hashgacha, God’s involvement in the world.
Rabbi Netanel Wiederblank is a Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva University where he teaches college students and semikhah students Tanakh, Talmud, Halakha, and Jewish Philosophy at RIETS and MYP. He studied at the Yeshiva of Greater Washington, Kerem B’Yavne, Chevron Yeshiva (Givat Mordechai), Yeshiva University, and RIETS. He is the author of the "Illuminating Jewish Thought” series published by Koren.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram
Why is the "Gadol" (great rabbinic figure) so central to many Orthodox communities? Do centrist or liberal Orthodox communities relate differently to Gedolim than their Charedi counterparts? In this episode, Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rav Yitzchak Blau to discuss these questions against the larger background of rabbinic authority in the 21st century.
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau is the author of Fresh Fruit and Vintage Wine: The Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada and Tradition's associate editor. He has taught at Yeshivat Hamivtar, Yeshivat Shvilei Hatorah, and the Yeshivah of Flatbush and currently also teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rabbi Blau has a BA in English Literature from YU, an MA in Medieval Jewish History from Revel, and smicha from RIETS. Rabbi Blau lives in Alon Shevut with his wife and four children.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram
How have new technologies changed people’s relationship to rabbinic authority? How have rabbis responded to these challenges? In this episode Rav David Silverstein is joined by Rav Elli Fischer to discuss these questions through the prism of various 21st century rabbinic leaders.
Rav Elli Fischer is an independent writer, translator, and rabbi. Previously, he was the OU-JLIC rabbi and campus educator at the University of Maryland. He holds BA and MS degrees from Yeshiva University, rabbinical ordination from Israel’s Chief Rabbinate, and is working toward a doctorate in Jewish History at Tel Aviv University. He is a founding editor of The Lehrhaus, a web magazine of contemporary Jewish thought. His original writing on religion and politics in Israel, the interplay between legal and nonlegal elements of the Talmud, Jewish religious culture, and Central European Jewish History have been widely published. He is the translator of By Faith Alone: The Story of R. Yehuda Amital and the editor of R. Eliezer Melamed’s Peninei Halakha series in English.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org) | Facebook | Instagram
Israel's Declaration of Independence describes a nation founded on values "as envisaged by the prophets of Israel" while stopping short of any mention of democracy. What does this mean for issues of religion and state in 2022 and beyond? Rav Noam Himelstein and Rav Adi Krohn consider the history, politics, and modern day realities and discuss their visions for the future of halakha in the public sphere.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Background music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar.
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org).
This month, we're excited to introduce an alternative format our podcast will take — another kind of 'Tzarich Iyun' discussion. We're calling it: Talking in Learning. Every other month, Rav Dovid Silverstein will host a guest in conversation about a text of their choosing. We hope you enjoy the first installment of this series.
Rav Dovid'l Weinberg and Rav Dovid Silverstein consider the idiosyncrasies of Rav Kook's writing style and the reasons why his Torah isn't studied widely outside of Israel. Then, they open Orot HaTorah, Chapter 2 to understand Rav Kook's unique approach to "Torah l'shma" and embrace of every individual's personal encounter with Torah.
Follow along inside at: https://www.sefaria.org/Orot_HaTorah.2/
Get notified about the release of Rav Dovid'l new book and receive a discount code: http://tiny.cc/OrosHaTorah/
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Background music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar.
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org).
Rav Dovid Silverstein and Rav Gavriel Singer discuss their personal preparations for the Yamim Noraim, selichot nusach preferences, teshuva reading lists, innovative simanim minhagim, and more.
Questions? Feedback? Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed?
Email us at oraytapodcast@gmail.com and we look forward to "continuing the conversation."
Background music from "Ashreinu" by Omek HaDavar.
Recorded in the Old City of Jerusalem at Yeshivat Orayta (orayta.org).
Introducing Tzarich Iyun. Stay tuned for the first episode, premiering in the coming weeks.