Orthodox Conundrum

As American high school graduates start arriving in Israel for a year or two in yeshiva, many people - including students and parents considering a year in Israel in the future, as well as the parents of students who are currently starting yeshiva - have questions and concerns. For that reason, the Orthodox Conundrum convened a panel discussion to address them honestly and forthrightly. Scott discussed many important issues with Rabbis Jonathan Cohen, Boaz Mori, Binny Freedman, and Reuven Taragin, including the purpose of the year in yeshiva, why it's necessary after 12 years of Jewish day school, whether success in learning is equated with spiritual and moral success, how mental health issues are addressed, preventing sexual abuse, alcohol policies, and more. Please note that this panel discussion is not addressing any particular yeshiva; the panel was designed to talk about how these issues are addressed in general by all the different programs. (Please also note that this particular panel was referencing the boys' yeshivot rather than the girls' midrashot; if listeners would be interested in another panel discussion about the seminaries for young women, please let us know by writing to scott@jewishcoffeehouse.com.) Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

There is, thankfully, much greater awareness of mental illness today than there was in the past. This naturally leads to the question of how much mental health should affect halacha, or Jewish law. Is someone with an eating disorder permitted to eat on Yom Kippur - or perhaps the question should be, is that person is allowed to fast? If a person suffering from PTSD needs to smoke on Shabbat, is there room to be lenient? If the key question is how mental illness is related to sakanat nefashot - a danger to life - how can a determination like that be made that is both medically reasonable and halachically proper? Many rabbis, though well meaning, are simply not aware of how mental health concerns intersect with halacha. And when it comes to pastoral counseling and giving non-halachic advice, rabbis might be even more in the dark, and can unwittingly cause serious damage. Rav Yoni Rosensweig is at the forefront of bringing awareness of mental illness into the rabbinic community. He has written a book on the subject, and is starting an institute so that rabbis acquire the knowledge necessary in order to more appropriately confront these issues. In this episode of the Orthodox Conundrum, Scott speaks with Rav Yoni about these very pressing issues. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Many people believe that there are essentially no mamzerim anymore. Many people believe that if someone is suspected of being a mamzer, the problem is quickly resolved. Many people believe that if a person is determined to be a mamzer, there is nothing left to do. Rivkah Lubitch, of the Center for Women's Justice and an advocate for agunot and mamzerim in Israel, asserts that all three of these assumptions are incorrect. Join Scott for a fascinating and sometimes disturbing conversation with Rivkah about mamzerim in Israel. The Hebrew position paper link can be found at https://bit.ly/MamzerForumHebrew. (An English version will be ready shortly and will soon be posted.) Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

What is the most effective way to generate faith in G-d? What are proper and improper outreach techniques, and how can we avoid condescension when doing kiruv? When should leaders work within the system and when is it time to create new institutions? Are the Jewish People on the right or wrong path? These questions are important and pressing, and Scott spoke with musician, author, teacher, and spiritual leader Rabbi Shlomo Katz to hear his opinion about how best to address them. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Climate change and protecting the environment is one of the most pressing issues in the world today - and, at least anecdotally, it seems that many Orthodox Jews are behind the curve when it comes to taking it seriously. They likely have good reasons for this, including doubts about its reality, prioritizing other issues that appear more pressing or important, questions about the politics and political background of those who are at the forefront of calling for action, the assumption that nothing substantive can be done at all, and an ingrained tendency to work primarily on internal Jewish issues rather than on universal human concerns. Rabbi Barry Kornblau, however, is sounding the alarm and asserts that ignoring this oncoming freight train is both foolish and a violation of Torah norms. In this episode, Scott speaks with Rabbi Kornblau about what has happened, what should be done, and why Torah Jews must finally take climate change seriously. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

The Netflix reality show, My Unorthodox Life, has been the talk of much of the Orthodox world since it was released less than two weeks ago. It tells the story of Julia Haart, who first developed a shoe line, and quickly rose in the world of fashion. She now is the the CEO and co-owner of Elite World Group, the world's largest modeling network. As most of you probably know, the reason that her story is different from others is that Julia was an Orthodox Jew named Talia Hendler living in Monsey. She had once been a passionate teacher of Torah in an Orthodox high school in Atlanta. About eight years ago, she left her husband and Orthodoxy itself, just days after her daughter's wedding. Her astounding rise took place entirely in the past eight years. Orthodox Jews have had varied reactions to the series, from complete rejection of Julia's honesty and experience, to countering her story of oppression with stories of loving being Orthodox under the hashtag #Myorthodoxlife, to accepting and celebrating Julia's journey. In the latest Orthodox Conundrum Podcast, Scott speaks to Talli Rosenbaum, Anne Gordon, and Shoshanna Keast-Jaskoll to get their reactions to the series - including the question about whether men have a right to discuss Julia's story, the positives and negatives of Julia's interactions with her family, the implications for Orthodoxy, and more. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

Join Scott Kahn in this bonus episode for commentaries on 25 of the 40 kinot (lamentations) that Jews recite on the morning of Tisha B'Av. (The time signatures for each commentary are listed below.) Along with all of the Jewish people, we pray that this be the final Tisha B'Av on which we mourn. May the upcoming year be one of gladness, joy, and redemption for us, for all of Israel, and for the whole world. Kinah 6 (שבת סורו) begins at 0:42 Kinah 7 (איכה אצת) begins at 6:17 Kinah 8 (אאדה) begins at 9:04 Kinah 9 (איכה תפארתי) beings at 13:42 Kinah 10 (איכה ישבה) begins at 17:01 Kinah 11 (ויקונן ירמיהו) begins at 19:59 Kinah 12 (אהלי) begins at 25:16 Kinah 13 (אי כה) begins at 29:40 Kinah 14 (איכה את אשר כבר עשוהו) begins at 34:55 Kinah 15 (איכה אשפתו) begins at 40:19 Kinah 16 (זכר את אשר עשה) begins at 41:56 Kinah 17 (אם תאכלנה) begins at 47:35 KInah 18 (ואתה אמרת) begins at 51:11 Kinah 19 (לך ה' הצדקה) begins at 54:59 Kinah 20 (הטה אלקי אזנך) begins at 1:00:30 Kinah 21 (ארזי הלבנון) begins at 1:03:16 Kinah 22 (החרישו) begins at 1:09:51 Kinah 23 (ואת נוי) begins at 1:16:37 Kinah 24 (על אלה אני בוכיה) begins at 1:18:12 Kinah 25 (מי יתן ראשי מים) begins at 1:20:45 Kinah 27 (אז במלאת ספק) begins at 1:24:34 Kinah 31 (אש תוקד בקרבי) begins at 1:30:26 Kinah 36 (ציון הלא תשאלי) begin at 1:34:24 Kinah 41 (שאלי שרופה באש) begins at 1:37:55 Kinah 45 (אלי ציון) begins at 1:41:43 Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast.

Twenty years ago, 15-year-old Malki Roth and fourteen other people were murdered when a suicide bomber went into the Sbarro restaurant in central Jerusalem and detonated a bomb in his guitar case. Yet Ahlam Tamimi, the mastermind behind the murder, remains proud of what she did, and lives a free and charmed life as a celebrity in Jordan. Arnold and Frimet Roth, Malki's parents, are working tirelessly to bring Tamimi to justice. Their story is obviously painful; the indifference shown to them by so many people in power will probably make you angry. But they continue to do whatever they can to get Tamimi out of Jordan and back into jail. Scott spoke with Arnold in this moving, difficult, but very important interview. You can visit the Malki Foundation at https://kerenmalki.org/. A recent article by Arnold Roth can be found at https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/will-joe-biden-grant-my-daughter. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

When we look at the State of Israel, we can sometimes be overwhelmed with how incredible, miraculous, and wonderful it is, while simultaneously being completely flustered with how difficult the bureaucracy and other aspects of life are experienced. Very few people have experienced this as acutely as David Ben Moshe. David's story is fascinating. He was in federal prison in the United States for drug distribution and unlicensed dealing of firearms. After he was released early for good behavior and then sent to a halfway house, he became deeply involved in Baltimore's Orthodox community, and eventually converted to Judaism and moved to Israel. But despite the fact that it recognized his conversion as valid - he married in Israel under the auspices of the Rabbanut - the Israeli Ministry of the Interior has not yet allowed him to make aliya because, they say, of his criminal past. His story is equal parts fascinating, disturbing, and inspiring. Scott talked to David about how he first became interested in Judaism, his ongoing attempts at making aliya, his love for the Land and People of Israel, his life before converting, the problems of cancel culture, and more. To read David's recent article in Newsweek, go to https://www.newsweek.com/im-black-ex-felon-i-have-message-about-cancel-culture-opinion-1604846. Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com

This episode deals with a topic that a lot of people actively avoid thinking about, but which frankly must be addressed forthrightly to avoid arguments in our families after we're gone: the allocation of property after we die. And while many of us don't want to think about this question, caring about our families requires us to do so. We can freely admit that the Torah laws of inheritance are quite different from what most parents would want for their children. In fact, a firstborn son receives a double portion, a wife does not inherit her husband, and daughters do not inherit property when there are also sons. While there are provisions in halacha to take care of the surviving wife and daughters, the simple reality is that the vast majority of people would rather not follow the laws of inheritance as set down in the Torah - and for good reason. Jewish law has provided a solution, which is a halachic supplement to the regular legal will. But how does it work? How is this not a violation of Torah law? What is the legal and philosophical justification for ignoring the Torah's directive that wives and daughters, in most cases, do not inherit property? To answer these and other questions, Scott spoke with Rabbi Menachem Copperman, the founder and manager of Kadat V'Kadin (RavCopperman@kadatvkadin.com; http://kadatvkadin.com/). Please listen to and share the podcast, and let us know what you think on the Orthodox Conundrum Discussion Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/432020081498108). Thanks to all of our Patreon subscribers, who have access to bonus JCH podcasts, merch, and more - we appreciate your help, and hope you really enjoy the extras! Visit the JCH Patreon site at https://www.patreon.com/jewishcoffeehouse. Check out https://jewishcoffeehouse.com/ for the Orthodox Conundrum and other great podcasts, and remember to subscribe to them on your favorite podcast provider. The site will also help you learn about creating your own podcast. Click on the "Productions" link, scroll down, and sign up for a free half hour consultation. Music: "Happy Rock" by bensound.com