The Accidental Talmudist Podcast

Author and speaker Daniel Friedman shares transformative wisdom from our Sages, as well as surprising research from his doctoral thesis on American Christian attitudes toward Israel.    Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Comedian Danny Lobell joins Sal for a laugh-out-loud conversation covering a wide range of topics, including what they'd do with a billion dollars, Sal's accidental Canada commercial, and the value of doing your worst. Danny shares his perspective on coming back to Judaism, and what conservatives and liberals have in common. Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Rabbi Cooper, director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, talks about rescuing Jews from the Soviet Union, promoting peace around the world, and why Jewish pride is vital in tough times.    Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

Studying the law of capital cases in the Talmud and American jurisprudence with trial attorney, best-selling author and Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz.   Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center, takes us deep into Jewish mysticism as Sal and his rabbi explore some tough questions: Why does God hide? What does Messiah mean within Judaism? What do all Jews have in common? What is the role of non-Jews in the World to Come?   Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Nas Yassin is an Arab Israeli who scored a full scholarship to Harvard and started Nas Daily, a wildly successful Facebook page with 26 million followers, that documents his travels and experiences around the world. Sal and Nas explore the intersection of faith, social media, storytelling, government, Hollywood and interesting characters they’ve known. Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Shloime Zionce, the colorful travel correspondent for Ami Magazine, shares stories about finding kosher food in Afghanistan, explaining tefillin to airport security in Saudi Arabia, and being mistaken for an Israeli spy. Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Cultural commentator Douglas Rushkoff has a unique take on the human condition in the modern world. Technology and culture alienates people from each other, and the central question today is how do we bring the human race together despite the unique challenges of our era.  Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Rabbi Taub is a prominent Chabad rabbi and an expert in Jewish spirituality and recovery from addiction. With a down-to-earth manner and talent for storytelling, he makes Jewish mysticism accessible and relevant to everybody.  Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Author Dani Kollin and Sal explore their mutual love of science fiction, the good and bad of capitalism, what happens if people are financial commodities, and the importance of saying “I love you” to God.   Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

Rabbi Freeman, a self-described “un-Orthodox rabbi,” shares unexpectedChassidic teachings that help us come closer to God, each other and our own true selves. Rabbi Freeman, senior editor of Chabad.org, brings down deep teachings from the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, and the great Lubavitcher Rebbe. What does it mean that we all carry a spark of the Divine? Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Chabad rabbi, author, and public speaker Manis Friedman explains why “I love you” is the worst thing you can say to your spouse. Rabbi Friedman’s advice for an emotionally and sexually satisfying marriage is counter-intuitive, even shocking:  “I love you” is the worst thing you can say. Love and sex are the two things that destroy marriages. Marrying for love is as bad as marrying for money. Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.   

Legendary character actor Stephen Tobolowsky talks about finding meaning, keeping bees, and what to do when your mom shows up and you’re hosting a Hollywood orgy. Actor Stephen Tobolowsky shares fascinating stories from his eventful life, covering a wide range of topics including his successful acting career and his Jewish journey. We learn about life in Hollywood, interesting characters he has known, and his ongoing adventures with God, the subject of his new book. Follow the Accidental Talmudist on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.