The Koren Podcast

We're back again standing on one leg!This week, Aryeh and Alex are joined by Yaakov Katz. Yaakov has served as the editor-in-chief of the JPost for seven years and recently announced his intention to step down as editor. He has worked as a journalist, focusing on security and defense for several years, and was previously an advisor to Naftali Bennett. This episode was recorded at the end of January 2023 but Yaakov's message that we should not shy away from ideas that challenge us is one that can only serve to help us grow as individuals, as zionists, as a country, and as a people. ____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Israel vs. Iran: The Shadow War The Weapon Wizards: How Israel Became a HIgh-Tech Military Superpower Shadow Strike: Inside Israel's Secret Mission to Eliminate Syrian Nuclear Power | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Atara Suna. Music by Music Unlimited via pixabay.com The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

The Koren Podcast Al Regel Ahat is back again and this time we're joined by one of Israel's leading journalists, news anchors, and Torah teachers, Sivan Rahav Meir!Sivan has appeared regularly on TV and radio since the age of 8 but as a teenager, a chance encounter would change the trajectory of her life forever as she found a path to orthodox Judaism. Today, Sivan is a globally sought-after speaker, merging the world of current affairs and the Torah to inspire countless people worldwide. Sivan's daily TV and radio broadcasts as well as her messages to tens of thousands via Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are an inspiration to all who read them Listen now as Sivan teaches us her vision of the whole Torah standing on one leg. ____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Days Are Coming: A Journey Through the Jewish Year by Sivan Rahav Meir #Parasha: Weekly Insights From a Leading Israeli Journalist by Sivan Rahav Meir The Daily Portion - Daily WhatsApp ideas direct from Sivan | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Atara Suna. Music by Music Unlimited via pixabay.com The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

With Purim just around the corner Aryeh and Alex sat down with the incredible, unstoppable, and incomparable Jordan B. Gorfinkel - better known as Gorf! Gorf is the mastermind behind the new Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel series launched this year with Esther! Gorf is also the architect of the world-famous Passover Haggada Graphic Novel which has been a bestseller every year since its publication in 2019. Outside the Jewish World, or perhaps in a different part of it, Gorf served as the manager of the Batman series at DC Comics for nearly a decade. He oversaw Birds of Prey which was later adapted into a 2022 TV series and a 2020 movie. He also directed the Batman: No Man's Land series which served as the inspiration for The Dark Night Rises and season 5 of the TV series Gotham. Gorf shares his vision for Jewish education, a word he tries to avoid in favor of 'illuminating' for the next generation. Join us to hear Gorf teach the whole Torah standing on one leg - al regel ahat! ____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: The Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel - Esther with English translation The Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel - Esther with modern Hebrew translation The Passover Haggada Graphic Novel | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Atara Suna. Music by Music Unlimited via pixabay.com The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

WE'RE BACK!!!We are so excited to kick off a brand-new season of The Koren Podcast with an all-new look and sound! This season, we'll only be asking our guests one question, can you teach us the Torah al regel aḥat - standing on one leg? Each of our guests this season will be sharing the one idea, principle, verse, maxim, story, or saying that has guided their lives or that they are contemplating at the moment as they face the future. We're so excited to start this season with the inspiring, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. Rabbi Berman is the President and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva University and the Rabbi Issac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and the author of The Final Exam: Letters to our Students, an all-new exploration of the values that guide our lives. Join Aryeh and Alex as they sit down with some of the leading voices of the Jewish world to find out what has led them to where they are today. All while standing on one leg! ____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: The Final Exam: Letters to our Students by Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman. Get 10% off with code PODCAST at checkout! https://www.yu.edu/president https://twitter.com/AriBermanYU https://www.yutorah.org/rabbi-dr-ari-berman/ | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Atara Suna. Music by Music Unlimited via pixabay.com The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

We were joined by our second MD of the season, Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman, the Isaac and Bella Tendler Chair of Jewish medical ethics at Yeshiva University, and Attending Physician of Emergency Medicine at the Montefiore Medical Center. Rabbi Dr. Reichman is also the author of The Anatomy of Jewish Law published by Maggid Books. He analyzes rabbinic literature on medical issues from previous centuries to enlighten modern understandings of medical halakha. From conjoined twins to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Anatomy of Jewish Law is a refreshing and illuminating look at the interplay between secular and Jewish wisdom, and how each can affect the other. _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: The Anatomy of Jewish Law by Rabbi Dr. Edward Reichman Kosher Fertility, the Koren Podcast with Dr. Bat-Sheva Maslow, MD. Mavericks, Mystics & False Messiahs by Rabbi Pini Dunner | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

After the 9 Days and a pretty brutal week for Israel, we thought it might be nice to sit back with a nice glass of wine and talk about something a little lighter. With agriculture, and the grape harvest starting on or around Tu B'Av (15th Av), what better topic for an episode than Israel's growing wine industry! Alex spent an afternoon strolling through the vineyards in the hills just outside Jerusalem with one of Israel's up-and-coming vintners, Sam Baum. Sam works at one of Israel's leading wine producers and has spent his adult life learning everything there is to know about growing and tending to the grapes in order to produce some truly fantastic wines. Sam and his wife Rivky also launched their own label this year, Family Baum Winery with a view to producing Israel's best red wine. The cultivation of grapes and the production of wine has always played an important role in the Holy Land and Sam is just the latest in a long line of world-class kosher vintners. Sam's passion for wine production, the land, the people, and the God of Israel come through and inspire everything he does. Listen now! _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Family Baum Winery | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

After the 9 Days and a pretty brutal week for Israel, we thought it might be nice to sit back with a nice glass of wine and talk about something a little lighter. With agriculture, and the grape harvest starting on or around Tu B'Av (15th Av), what better topic for an episode than Israel's growing wine industry! Alex spent an afternoon strolling through the vineyards in the hills just outside Jerusalem with one of Israel's up-and-coming vintners, Sam Baum. Sam works at one of Israel's leading wine producers and has spent his adult life learning everything there is to know about growing and tending to the grapes in order to produce some truly fantastic wines. Sam and his wife Rivky also launched their own label this year, Family Baum Winery with a view to producing Israel's best red wine. The cultivation of grapes and the production of wine has always played an important role in the Holy Land and Sam is just the latest in a long line of world-class kosher vintners. Sam's passion for wine production, the land, the people, and the God of Israel come through and inspire everything he does. Listen now! _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Family Baum Winery | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

The inimitable Dr. Yael Ziegler joined us to start preparing for Tisha B'Av. We talked about Dr. Ziegler's new book Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World, messages we can take into Tisha B'Av, and lessons of hope we can take out. We spoke about how we can learn lessons from recent tragedies to not only grapple with the sadness of the day but also give us a sense of the original hurbanot ____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Yesh Tikva - Free, professional psychological services and resources for those struggling with infertility. ATIME - Providing personal guidance and support to couples experiencing fertility. Bonei Olam - Providing means and resources to allow childless couples facing infertility the opportunity to pursue medical fertility treatment. Chana (UK) - THe leading UK fertility support organization for the Jewish community providing emotional, practical, halachic, and financial assistance to couples facing challenges of infertility, baby loss, miscarriage, and any reproductive issues. Puah (Israel) - Providing guidance, support, and resources to Jewish couples with their dreams of building a Jewish family. Small Wonders (Canada) - A not- for-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide emotional support, education, and financial assistance to Jewish couples experiencing infertility. The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women at Nishmat Nishmat's Golda Koschitzky Center for Yoatzot Halacha Find a Yoetzet and other resources from the Yoatzot Halacha Nishmat Ha-Bayit | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

The first mitzva in the Torah is to be fruitful and multiply but to some people, this is easier said than done. There are many couples for whom the dream of starting their family is a cause of anxiety and pain when things don't go as planned. This week's guest, Dr. Bat-Sheva Maslow, MD works closely with couples facing difficulties in their journey to starting their families, with women looking to prolong fertility and, as an orthodox Jew and the Director of Medical Curriculum at Nishmat's Miriam Glaubach Center for North American Yoatzot Halacha, she works with halachic advisors and decision makers to look after, not just her patient's physical welfare, but their spiritual wellbeing as well. If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues talked about in this episode, please find a (non-exhaustive) list of resources below. _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Yesh Tikva - Free, professional psychological services and resources for those struggling with infertility. ATIME - Providing personal guidance and support to couples experiencing fertility. Bonei Olam - Providing means and resources to allow childless couples facing infertility the opportunity to pursue medical fertility treatment. Chana (UK) - THe leading UK fertility support organization for the Jewish community providing emotional, practical, halachic, and financial assistance to couples facing challenges of infertility, baby loss, miscarriage, and any reproductive issues. Puah (Israel) - Providing guidance, support, and resources to Jewish couples with their dreams of building a Jewish family. Small Wonders (Canada) - A not- for-profit charitable organization whose mission is to provide emotional support, education, and financial assistance to Jewish couples experiencing infertility. The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women at Nishmat Nishmat's Golda Koschitzky Center for Yoatzot Halacha Find a Yoetzet and other resources from the Yoatzot Halacha Nishmat Ha-Bayit | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

We were joined LIVE at Shavua HaSefer, Israel's national book week, at Jerusalem's First Station by 8 of our amazing authors to talk about their books, inspirations, recomendations, and more! Listen in to our conversations with: Shayna Goldberg (00:00:38-00:09:35) Shira Lankin Sheps (00:09:39-00:15:42) David Arnovitz (0015:57-00:29:42) Dr. Nechemia Polen (00:29:42-00:36:48) Oriya Mevorach (00:36:46-00:45:09) Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair (00:45:10-00:49:42) Rabbi Yakov Nagen (00:49:44-00:55:18) Rabbi Dr. Sharon Zawede Shalom (00:55:19-01:08:40) Get 10% off all of these author's incredible books from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: What Do You Really Want? by Shayna Goldberg Layers by Shira Lankin Sheps The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Isread by David Arnovitz (ed.) Stop, Look, Listen by Dr. Nechemia Polen Mah At Mivakeshet by Oriya Mevorach The Sabbath of the Land by Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair (translator) The Soul of the Mishna by Rabbi Yakov Nagen Dialogues of Love and Fear by Rabbi Dr. Shalom Zawede Shalom | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

It's almost Shavuot! Alex and Aryeh sat down with our friend and colleague Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern to discuss some contemporary reflections on Megillat Rut, the book of Ruth. In a discussion that is bookended by Broadway references, Stu introduces ideas about the Jewish approach to immigrants, refugees, converts, antisemitism, biblical symmetry, and more. _____________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Gleanings: Reflections on Ruth Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land The Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought All books by Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

We decided to dedicate an episode of The Koren Podcast to friendship. We all know that the mourning observed during Sefirat HaOmer is due to the lack of respect shown by the students of Rabbi Akiva to each other. Just in time for Lag BaOmer, we had the chance to speak with two people who live and breathe friendship as a Torah value. Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz, director of Semicha at RIETS and Rabbi of Beis HaKnesses of North Woodmere, and Rabbi Shalom Rosner, Ram at Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh and Rabbi of Kehillat Nofei HaShemesh, have been friends and hevrutot for more than 20 years. Rabbis Rosner and Lebowitz, on top of their professional and pastoral duties, both deliver daf yomi shiurim online to thousands upon thousands of people every day, to say nothing of their respective halakha, parasha, tanakh, hashkafa, and many other shiurim besides. We spoke about their friendship and its importance on their journeys to becoming leaders of Modern Orthodoxy today, their inspirations, the value of friendship in general, and what it takes to build successful, modern orthodox communities in America and in Israel. It was such an honor to spend time in the presence of these two truly great friends as they shared words of inspiration, words of Torah, and teased each other just a little bit. ______________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Shalom Rav: Insights on the Weekly Parasha volumes 1 and 2 by Rabbi Shalom Rosner Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz's Daf Yomi Shiur Rabbi Shalom Rosner's Daf Yomi Shiur Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz on Twitter Rabbi Rosner's recorded Shiurim Rabbi Lebowitz's recorded Shiurim | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Hag HaAtzma'Ut Sameah! Happy 74th Israel Independence Day! It was a distinct privilege to be invited into the home of someone who played an active role in the creation of the State of Israel. Asher Cailingold was born in London, England in 1930 to one of the few Religious Zionist families living there at the time and, inspired by the examples set for them by their parents, he and his two sisters all played active roles in the building of the Jewish State. Tune in to hear the mind-blowing story of his life, and the lives of the now renowned Cailingold and Avner families. Asher's story is at times tragic and at others uplifting and inspiring. This episode is certainly not one to be missed. ______________________________________________________________ Useful Links: An Unlikely Heroine by Asher Cailingold The Prime Ministers: An Intimate Narrative of Israeli Leadership by Yehuda Avner https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esther_Cailingold | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, at podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Start preparing for Seder night! Alex and Aryeh are joined by Rabbi Haimer Jachter, author of Reason to Believe and Bridging Traditions, to share some of his insight as an Ashkenazi Rabbi leading a Sepharadi community. Talk ranges from the importance of tradition, what binds all Jews together, what Pesah will be like in the Third Beit HaMikdash (the Third Temple in Jerusalem), and of course some beautiful ideas for Pesah to share at your Seder table (with only the briefest discussion about kitniot!)Rabbi Jachter is a globally sought-after teacher, Rabbi, Dayan, Eiruv consultant, Get administrator, and author. He was raised in New York and educated in Yeshivat Har Etzion, Yeshiva University, and RIETS. He serves as the Rabbi of Sha'arei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck, NJ. Rabbi Jachter has two books published by Maggid Books which discuss respectively the fundamental reasons for belief in an Orthodox Jewish tradition and the key differences between the two major Jewish communities and how those differences strengthen the Jewish people as a whole. ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Books by Rabbi Haim Jachter Books for your Seder | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. Artwork by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Purim Sameah!Join guest host, Dr. Daniel Rose Ph.D., as he and his very special guests as they discuss the Torah values found amongst some other acronymous entities; the MCU, DC, EPL, NFL, and more! ****WARNING**** THIS EPISODE CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!Editors note Tom Brady is referred to as having recently retired during the course of this episode. That statement was true at the time of recording. The Koren Podcast is written and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and edited by Alex Drucker. Our grateful thanks go to Dr. Daniel Rose as guest host for this episode. Episode artwork was created by Tani Bayer. The Koren Podcast is a part of the Koren Podcast Network a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Far be it from us to offer explanations or analysis of the current conflict in Ukraine but the wave of refugees and displaced persons trying to escape the Russian invasion cannot but pull out our heartstrings. We are so incredibly fortunate that our friend, Zak Jeffay, was able to take a few minutes to sit with us shortly after returning to Israel after spending more than a week on the Polish-Ukrainian border giving whatever help possible to the now more than 2.5million people coming over the border. Zak is a Holocaust educator and tour guide for JRoots, who was leading a group in Poland when the invasion began. Inspired by one of his Polish colleagues, and the students he was with, Zak and JRoots director Tzvi Sperber mobilized their logistical network to find rooms, food, clothing, and other necessities for whoever they could. We hear about the situation on the ground, what is needed most now, the possibility of a long term solution to one of the largest ever human displacements in history, and how Zak's experiences as an educator informed his experiences on the border, and how his experiences have brought to reality some of the lessons he has been teaching for years. Zak will be heading back to the Ukrainian border in just a few days to distribute more aid to those who need it most - to donate to the JRoots campaign visit www.jroots.org/donate or follow the campaign on Facebook @jroots.journeys

Hodesh tov! As we move into the month of Adar Bet and approach Purim, what better topic of this week's episode of The Koren Podcast than happiness? We were joined by the inimitable Meir Kay who describes himself as 'professionally happy' to get a sense of what it means to live your life b'simha - in happiness. Through his production of some of the greatest Jewish music videos of all time, to his viral projects and charity campaigns, Meir has dedicated himself to just trying to make the world a better place. Meir's bright smile has inspired millions but he has also spoken openly about his struggles to keep smiling. Make sure to check out Koren on Instagram to see how to enter our special Purim giveaway to win a complete set of the Noe Edition Koren Talmud Bavli. Thank you to Meir for taking the time to speak with us and here's to a Purim sameah! ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: Follow Meir Kay on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to see what he's up to! Subscribe to Meir's amazing YouTube channel here. www.meirkay.com www.supersoulparty.org | | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Following the success of our Koren in the Wild episode with Nachliel Selevan, we took the streets once again! Rabbi Jeffrey Saks, editor-in-chief of the Toby Press' S.Y. Agnon Library, was kind enough to give us a private tour of Beit Agnon - The Agnon House in Jerusalem where he also serves as director. S.Y. Agnon, born Shmuel Yosef Czaczkes, was recognized as a prodigy at a young age in his hometown of Buczacz in Galicia (modern-day Western Ukraine). He left home as a young man to resettle in Jaffa in 1908 where he lived a secular life as a writer in pre-state Israel. In search of some "real-life experience," he relocated to Germany in 1912 where, in 1924 he lost his home and library to fire and he took this as a sign that it was time to return to the Holy land with his family, this time settling in Jerusalem where he became a central figure in Israel's blossoming literary scene. Agnon's stories and poems explore themes of a people at a crossroads between the old world and the new. His writing earned him Israel's first Nobel Prize (and only prize for literature) in 1966. We concluded our tour with Rabbi Saks by sitting down for a conversation in Agnon's study, surrounded by his collection of more than 9,000, to talk about Agnon's legacy as a writing, Zionist figure, and religious Jew. Rabbi Saks extolls the religious value of studying Agnon's works, and we made a fascinating discovery in amongst the many, many volumes on the shelves. ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: https://korenpub.com/collections/the-agnon-library https://agnonhouse.org.il/english/ www.korenpub.com | | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | This episode of the Koren Podcast is sponsored by WebYeshiva.org Sign-up for their free, live, and fully interactive online courses and classes, or apply to the advanced Halacha Mastery Program for men and women. Choose from over 20 hours of interactive weekly shiurim in Tanakh, Gemara, Halacha, Jewish thought, and more, taught by their amazing teachers – or access thousands of hours of archived courses. WebYeshiva.org continues the decades-long work by Rabbi Brovender as a pioneer of Torah learning for everyone, everywhere. Visit WebYeshiva.org today. Log in and learn. | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. We are grateful to Rabbi Jeffrey Saks and Agnon House for graciously hosting us for this week's episode.

Our first live episode! Recorded back in November 2021, we sat down with Shira Lankin Sheps of The Layers Project and author of Layers: Personal Narratives of Struggle, Resilience, and Growth from Jewish Women and Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) in Jerusalem. Shira was inspired, after sharing the story of her own struggle with poor health, to provide a platform for Jewish women of all backgrounds to share their stories and provide support for others. The Layers Project provides an outlet for women to share their stories and start conversations relating to mental and physical illness, abuse, infertility, pregnancy loss, relationships, and more, opening the conversation about what were once taboo topics for the better of the Jewish community at large. The Layers Project Magazine is an online media source for in-depth insights into the lives of Jewish women. First came the successful photojournalism blog, The Layers Project, which features the stories of Jewish women in their own words. Now, as a response to reader interest, we are launching a magazine to cater to the cultural, emotional, and spiritual needs of Jewish women. We seek to combat the removal of images of women from Jewish media and hope to share in the challenges and triumphs of being a Jewish woman. With grateful thanks to the staff and students at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim for hosting us for our first live recording. ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: https://korenpub.com/products/the-layers-project https://thelayersprojectmagazine.com/ https://mevaseret.org/ www.korenpub.com Follow The Layers Project on Facebook and Instagram | | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

What an honor it was to have two of Israel's most inspiring leaders sit together to talk about their journies to Israel. Natan Sharansky needs no introduction, political dissent, and refusnik who became the symbol of the plight of so many trapped by a brutal, totalitarian, antisemitic regime. He spent years in Soviet prisons, most of it in solitary confinement, and never did he feel apart from the people and the land of Israel. He was released in 1986 and since then, has served the Jewish people and the Jewish state tirelessly. Rabbi Dr. Sharon Shalom was born in a small Jewish village in Northern Ethiopia and came to Israel as a refugee without his family, at around 8 years old. After serving as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces, he received semiha from Yeshivat Har Etzion and completed his doctorate in Jewish Philosophy at Bar-Ilan University. He now serves as the Rabbi of an Ashkenazi community, of mostly Holocaust survivors in Kiryat Gat where he lives with his Swiss-born wife Avital and their five children. Rav Sharon is an advocate for Jews of all backgrounds, colors, and ideologies. He is the author of the new book Dialogues of Love and Fear, available now from www.korenpub.com. As well as talking about their respective journies to Israel, we discussed the miracles that allowed for this recording to take place, our visions for the future of Israel, and, of course, the pandemic. We laughed, we learned, and we were moved. ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: https://korenpub.com/products/dialogues-of-love-and-fear https://korenpub.com/collections/rabbi-dr-sharon-shalom www.korenpub.com | | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | This episode of the Koren Podcast is sponsored by WebYeshiva.org Sign-up for their free, live, and fully interactive online courses and classes, or apply to the advanced Halacha Mastery Program for men and women. Choose from over 20 hours of interactive weekly shiurim in Tanakh, Gemara, Halacha, Jewish thought, and more, taught by their amazing teachers – or access thousands of hours of archived courses. WebYeshiva.org continues the decades-long work by Rabbi Brovender as a pioneer of Torah learning for everyone, everywhere. Visit WebYeshiva.org today. Log in and learn. | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

WE'RE BACK! Welcome back for another season of the Koren Podcast for what promises to be our best season yet! We were incredibly lucky to be invited into the home of our first guest this season, Sherri Mandell. Sherri is a writer and author of two books from the Toby Press, The Blessing of a Broken Heart and The Road to Resilience. We met with her at home in Tekoa to talk about all the amazing things she has done to help grieving people, and grieving families all over the world, all as a response to the unspeakable murder of her son Koby 20 years ago. Sherri was so open in talking about such a difficult subject and we are so grateful that she was willing and able to speak with us. Make sure to checkout the amazing work being done by the Koby Mandell Foundation on their website www.kobymandell.org where you’ll also find information about Comedy for Koby. The stage production of The Blessing of a Broken Heart is about to start touring Israel, you can find information at www.theaterandtheology.com for shows in Jerusalem, Modiin, Raanana, Beit Shemesh, and the Gush. ________________________________________________________________ Useful Links: www.korenpub.com/collections/sherri-mandell www.kobymandell.org/ The Blessing of a Broken Heart Stage Show: A Review www.theaterandtheology.com/ www.korenpub.com | | | Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. If you would like to contact us you can reach us on social media @KorenPublishers or via email, podcast@korenpub.com | | | This episode of the Koren Podcast is sponsored by WebYeshiva.org Sign-up for their free, live, and fully interactive online courses and classes, or apply to the advanced Halacha Mastery Program for men and women. Choose from over 20 hours of interactive weekly shiurim in Tanakh, Gemara, Halacha, Jewish thought, and more, taught by their amazing teachers – or access thousands of hours of archived courses. WebYeshiva.org continues the decades-long work by Rabbi Brovender as a pioneer of Torah learning for everyone, everywhere. Visit WebYeshiva.org today. Log in and learn. | | | The Koren Podcast was written and hosted by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited and produced by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

For the final episode of season 2, we were joined by the inimitable Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein to share some words of wisdom for Yom Kippur. Rabbi Adlerstein has been teaching, writing, and inspiring for many years and is the author of Netivot Shalom: Insights on the Holidays and Avoda Based on the Writings of the Slonimer Rebbe. Rabbi Adlerstein is a senior staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and is the founder of the popular Cross-Currents blog. Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with discount code PODCAST at checkout. Don't forget to leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you're listening. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and edited by Alex Drucker. You can contact us at podcast@korenpub.com or on social media @korenpublishers

For our pre-Rosh HaShana 5782 episode, we were joined once again by Shayna Goldberg, Mashgicha Ruchanit of the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz. Shayna's first book What Do You Really Want: Trust and Fear in Decision Making at Life's Crossroads and in Everyday Living uses real-life scenarios to teach how to make decisions in which we can be confident. After such a difficult period globally, and with so much uncertainty for the future, we turned to Shayna to help us reflect on the last year, plan for the year ahead, and share some inspiration for Rosh HaShana. Shana shared her thoughts on the tefilla of Rosh HaShana, insights from Rav Soloveitchik, and a lot of personal reflections. From everyone at The Koren Podcast and Koren Publishers Jerusalem we'd like to wish all of our listeners a Shana Tova U'Metuka, Ketiva v'Hatima Tova. The Koren Podcast is written and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. Don't forget to subscribe, rate 5 stars and leave a positive review.

We're out and about this week with Nachliel Selavan, The Museum Guy, talking about how visiting the sites mentioned in Tanakh adds deeper layers to our understanding of the biblical narrative. Nachliel is a tour guide, historian, and archeologist who spent the COVID-19 pandemic pioneering virtual tours of the Tanakh, taking groups all over Israel and to museums all over the world from the comfort of their own homes. Nachliel took Alex and Aryeh out into the field to learn about biblical Israel's second city, Lakhish, and then onto Ashdod to visit one of the lesser-known sites to shed light onto one of the Tanakh's biggest villains. Thank you to Israel's Nature and Parks Authority and to the Museum of Philistine Culture and of course to The Museum Guy, Nachliel Selavan. Useful links:The Museum Guy - Nachliel Selavan https://www.instagram.com/themuseumguy_israel/ https://www.facebook.com/TheMuseumGuyIsrael https://korenpub.com/collections/koren-tanakh-of-the-land-of-israel https://korenpub.com/products/places-in-the-parasha-1 https://www.parks.org.il/en/ https://museums.gov.il/en/museums/pages/ashdod-philistine-culture.aspx Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with discount code PODCAST at checkout. Don't forget to leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you're listening. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and edited by Alex Drucker. You can contact us at podcast@korenpub.com or on social media @korenpublishers

Earlier this week we marked the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz zt"l. Rav Steinsaltz was not just one of the greatest minds of our generation, but of any generation. Having completed commentaries on Tanakh, Mishna, Gemara, Rambam, and Tanya as well as authoring books of original thought on Hassidut, philosophy, ethics, and more. Koren Publishers have put out more than 300 books by Rav Steinsaltz. The outpouring of messages of condolence after Rav Steinsaltz passed was incredible to see and the sheer variety of people sharing their wishes was a testament to the Rav's ability to capture the hearts and minds of so many different people. Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz is still sorely missed by his many thousands of friends and students but his legacy lives on through his books and commentaries that we are so proud to publish. This episode is a re-release of the one recorded for Rav Steinsaltz's shloshim just under a year ago. We were joined by Matthew Miller, publisher of Koren and long-time friend of Rav Steinsaltz, as well as Rabbi Meni Even Israel, Rav Steinsaltz's son and director of the Steinsaltz Center. Matthew and Meni shared the raw and personal reflections of Rav Steinsaltz's life, his impact on theirs, and the legacy he left. Don't forget to rate and review The Koren Podcast wherever you listen. The Koren Podcast is a production of The Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker.

Earlier this week we marked the first yahrzeit of Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz zt"l. Rav Steinsaltz was not just one of the greatest minds of our generation, but of any generation. Having completed commentaries on Tanakh, Mishna, Gemara, Rambam, and Tanya as well as authoring books of original thought on Hassidut, philosophy, ethics, and more. Koren Publishers have put out more than 300 books by Rav Steinsaltz. The outpouring of messages of condolence after Rav Steinsaltz passed was incredible to see and the sheer variety of people sharing their wishes was a testament to the Rav's ability to capture the hearts and minds of so many different people. Rabbi Adin Even Israel Steinsaltz is still sorely missed by his many thousands of friends and students but his legacy lives on through his books and commentaries that we are so proud to publish. This episode is a re-release of the one recorded for Rav Steinsaltz's shloshim just under a year ago. We were joined by Matthew Miller, publisher of Koren and long-time friend of Rav Steinsaltz, as well as Rabbi Meni Even Israel, Rav Steinsaltz's son and director of the Steinsaltz Center. Matthew and Meni shared the raw and personal reflections of Rav Steinsaltz's life, his impact on theirs, and the legacy he left. Don't forget to rate and review The Koren Podcast wherever you listen. The Koren Podcast is a production of The Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker.

We were joined by the inimitable Dr. Yael Ziegler to start preparing for Tisha B'Av. We talked about Dr. Ziegler's new book Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World, messages we can take into Tisha B'Av, and lessons of hope we can take out. We spoke about how we can learn lessons from recent tragedies to not only grapple with the sadness of the day, but also give us a sense of the original hurbanot. You can get 10% off Dr. Yael Ziegler's new book, and all other titles at www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.

This week we continue our conversation about Jew-hatred, anti-Jewish racism, and antisemitism. We were honored to be joined by Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and president of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance. Rabbi Hier has dedicated his life to fighting all forms of hatred and has been on the front lines of the fight against antisemitism for over 50 years. We spoke about the early days of the Simin Wiesenthal Center and the help that came from the most unlikely of places. We discussed how anti-Jewish hatred has shape-shifted over the years, what causes some people to hate Jews and what we can do to defend ourselves. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this or any previous episode, please do not hesitate to reach out via email, podcast@korenpup.com, or on social media @korenpublishers. Rabbi Hier's book, Meant to Be, is available from www.korenpub.com, save 10% with code PODCAST at checkout.

Alex and Aryeh spent the evening at the book fair at the First Station in Jerusalem as part of Shavua HaSefer HaIvri - Israel's national book week. Our hosts were joined by: Shira Lankin Sheps (Layers) Judy Klitsner (Subversive Sequels in the Bible) Dr Yael (Ruth and Lamentations) and Rabbi Reuven Ziegler (Oz VeAnava and Chairman of Koren Publishers Editroial Board) Prof. Tova Ganzel (Ezekiel) If you are in Israel, head on down to The First Station in Jerusalem for a wonderful atmosphere and some incredible deals. Friends in the diaspora can get all of these books and more for 10% off with code PODCAST at checkout from www.korenpub.com and, for a limited time only, can get a free gift with all orders of $30 or more.

This week we continue our conversation about Jew-hatred, anti-Jewish racism, and antisemitism. We were honored to be joined by Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder and president of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Museum of Tolerance. Rabbi Hier has dedicated his life to fighting all forms of hatred and has been on the front lines of the fight against antisemitism for over 50 years. We spoke about the early days of the Simin Wiesenthal Center and the help that came from the most unlikely of places. We discussed how anti-Jewish hatred has shape-shifted over the years, what causes some people to hate Jews and what we can do to defend ourselves. If you have been affected by anything discussed in this or any previous episode, please do not hesitate to reach out via email, podcast@korenpup.com, or on social media @korenpublishers. Rabbi Hier's book, Meant to Be, is available from www.korenpub.com, save 10% with code PODCAST at checkout.

Join us for a special LIVE EPISODE recording! Hosts of The Koren Podcast, Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker, will be at Jerusalem's First Station at the Koren Publishers stand at the Shavua HaSefer book fair! We'll be joined by some of your favorite authors, offering books at some AMAZING discounts, and maybe even giving away a FREE GIFT or two! Come through and say hi!

The last few weeks have, as rockets fired by Hamas rained down on Israel, we saw a sharp rise in anti-Jewish racism and antisemitic attacks across the world. We were shocked to see intimidation tactics and physical attacks against Jewish people, perpetrated by violent thugs claiming to stand up for the oppressed and protecting human rights. We sat down with educator, campaigner, and author Ben M. Freeman to talk about some of the causes of antisemitism, what Jews around the world can do to build the confidence to stand up to anti-Jewish hatred. Most importantly, we spoke about building Jewish pride. No matter your denomination, practice, or belief, being proud to be Jewish is the greatest sign that we will no longer cower in the face of those who hate us. After 1000s of years of persecution, we are currently engaged in the greatest act of decolonization, ensuring the safety of Jewish people around the world. Israel is not only the realization of millennia of yearning but is the manifestation of our assertion of our basic Human Rights. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Koren Podcast wherever you are listening and follow @benmfreeman for more of his expert insight on antisemitism and the conflict in Israel and make sure to buy his debut book Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People, available now. Useful Links: Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People by Ben M. Freeman - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913532135/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_api_i_V6yPFbEBT6AM7 Ben Freeman on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BenMFreeman Ben Freeman on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/benmfreeman/ Jew in the City on "The Talk" - https://jewinthecity.com/2020/07/you-know-the-talk-blacks-have-with-their-sons-you-never-heard-of-the-one-jews-have/ Tom Aharon responds to John Oliver - https://youtu.be/D81jhypLzUc

The events of the past few weeks have compelled us to record an episode to try to make sense of it all. We sat down with Rav Aviad Tabory of Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi to talk about some of the issues in halakha and hashkafa that arise in times of heightened conflict. It would be impossible to address all of the issues facing Israel and world Jewry as a result of the current conflict but we hope we are able to provide some food for thought, perhaps some comfort, or at least sow a seed of discussion to help you the listener make sense of things. This episode was recorded between Yom Yerushalayim and Shavuot, many of the issues that are currently at the forefront of discussions had not yet taken place, while others may already seem like ancient history. If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this episode you can contact us at podcast@korenpub.com or on social media @korenpublishers and @korenpubjerusalem.

Midrashim play a central role in the way in which we learn ḥumash and tanakh. Unfortunately, many modern Jews have never learned midrash in a serious fashion and this has given rise to people either dismissing midrashim or confusing, even conflating, midrashim with the actual text of the tanakh. We sat down with two experts on the world of midrash, Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot (Mikra and Meaning: Studies in Bible and its Interpretation) and Simi Peters (Learning to Read Midrash) to talk about what midrash is, why it is so important, the modern/centrist orthodox approaches to midrash, and how we can teach it better. This week's podcast is dedicated to the memory of the 45 men tragically killed in Meron on Lag B'Omer and to the speedy recovery of all of those injured in the disaster. The Koren Podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is a part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem. Get 10% off your next order at www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. Useful links: Full text and translation of Simi Peters' favorite Midrashim Mikra and Meaning by Rabbi Nathaniel Helfgot Learning to Read Midrash www.korenpub.com

We had the distinct privilege to sit down with two preeminent Tanakh scholars to discuss different approaches in the orthodox world to biblical criticism, Tanakh scholarship, and how our community tackles the questions that challenge our faith. Rabbi Jeremy Wieder is the Joseph and Gwendolyn Straus Professor of Talmud in the University's Mazer Yeshiva Program and is an Adjunct Professor of Bible in Yeshiva College. He was ordained by RIETS and holds a Ph.D. in Judaic Studies from New York University. Rabbi Dr. Joshua Berman is a Professor of Bible at Bar-Ilan University and is well known for his views on the history of Jewish belief, and on biblical criticism. He is the author of Ani Maamin: Biblical Criticism, Historical Truth, and the Thirteen Principles of Faith published in 2020 by Maggid Books. Rabbis Berman and Wieder were kind enough to let us sit in on their conversation which scratches the surface of this fascinating topic, we hope you enjoy. Useful links: https://korenpub.com/products/ani-maamin-biblical-criticism-historical-truth-and-the-thirteen-principles-of-faith https://www.yutorah.org/rabbi-jeremy-wieder/ Rabbi Berman's reflections on his Shabbat in Williamsburg among the Satmar hassidim who found his book: https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-satmar-rebbe-for-a-shabbos/

Continuing our exploration of Tanakh and different approaches to understanding the Bible, we spoke with The Zoo Rabbi, Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin who is a prolific author and the founder and director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Israel. We discussed Rabbi Slifkin's research and conclusions about the natural history of the world of the Tanakh and Talmud, what these conclusions can teach us, and how they can alter our understanding of the world of our forefathers. Rabbi Slifkin also spoke about some of the practical ramifications of a full and accurate understanding of the world around us. Particularly relevant for the week of parashat Shemini and the Torah's description of animals that can and cannot be consumed, Rabbi Slifkin explains some differences in modern and biblical definitions of animal life. Useful links: www.biblicalnaturalhistory.org www.rationalistjudaism.com www.korenpub.com/collections/rabbi-natan-slifkin Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout The Koren Podcast is hosted and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of The Koren Podcast Network a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Join Aryeh, Alex, and the inimitable Dr. Daniel Rose as they share tips, tricks, ideas, and memories to enhance your seder this Pesah. Dr. Daniel Rose is the mastermind behind the Magerman Edition Koren Educational Siddur Series and the Magerman Edition Koren Youth Haggada. Aryeh and Alex, as well as being co-hosts of your favorite podcast and part of the Koren machine, are both experienced educators. The three sit down to swap ideas, pedagogy, dos and don'ts for the seder and swap memories and minhagim from sedarim past. Useful links: The Magerman Edition Koren Youth Hagadda - https://korenpub.com/collections/pesah/products/koren-magerman-youth-haggada The Passover Haggada Graphic Novel - https://korenpub.com/collections/pesah/products/passover-haggadah-graphic-novelhardcover https://infed.org/mobi/the-passover-seder-service-as-a-paradigm-for-informal-jewish-education/ Rabbi Menachem Leibtag on the Haggada - https://tanach.org/pesach.htm#shiur22 Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout. Listen to the brand-new podcast from the Koren Podcast Network, I've Got a Question! hosted by Shira Greenspan on your favorite podcast app today! The Koren podcast is hosted and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is the flagship show of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

Introducing I've Got a Question! Alex sits down with Shira Greenspan who is the host of a brand-new podcast from the Koren Podcast Network. I've Got a Question! is a place for kids to ask the questions they've always wondered about! Why is there so much blood in the story of Pesah? What was it like at the splitting of the Red Sea? What's it like to move to Israel? How do we know Hashem is listening? Join host Shira Greenspan as she talks to experts from all over the world to try and find answers, and even ask some of her own questions along the way! I've Got a Question is a part of the Koren Podcast Network In the first episode of I've Got a Question! Shira answers a question sent in by Orit from Pennsylvania: Why is Pesah so bloody? Why is there so much blood in the Pesah story? Shira calls on Dr. Larry Stiefel and Dr. Daniel Rose to try and find the answers. Dr. Larry, also known as the Maggid of Bergenfield, is an expert on blood and how our bodies work. Daniel Rose created the Magerman Edition Koren Youth Haggada and the Magerman Edition Koren Educational Siddur Series. He is an expert on all things Jewish and spends his time making Judaism fun and interesting for kids all over the world! You can find Daniel's Haggada and siddurim here

We're just months away from the release of the brand new Magerman Edition Koren Tanakh with an all-new English translation by Rabbi Lord Sacks zt"l, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb shlit"a, and others.We sat down with the literary editor of the Prophets and Writings (Nakh) sections, Prof. Will Lee (Associate Professor Emeritus) of Yeshiva University's English Faculty, and with Senior Translator, Jessica Sacks to talk about the challenges, surprises, and features of the new translation. Prof. Lee talks about approaching the translation of the Hebrew Bible as an Ethical Humanist while retaining the Orthodox Jewish ideology of the translation. Why a translation of the core text of our faith needs a literary editor, and how working on the translation affected his own work as an English Literature professor and poetry lover.Jessica Sacks, who featured on our memorial episode for her uncle, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l, talks about her life-long dream to create a translation for the Tanakh that reflects the true poetry, drama, and music of the original Hebrew and, in so doing, how we can gain an even deeper understanding and forge a stronger connection to the text.Make sure to subscribe to the Koren Publishers e-mail newsletter here to get all the latest information about the Tanakh.Save 10% on your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.Make sure to rate and subscribe wherever you are listening and follow us @korenpubjerusalem on Facebook and @korenpublishers on Instagram.

We're back for season 2 of The Koren Podcast and what an episode we have in store!Although the First Amendment prohibits the state adoption of a single religion, the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible, has been a core influence on the American people, Republic, and society ever since Christopher Columbus set sail across the ocean. This week we are joined by a special guest host, Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern, Senior Advisor to the Provost and Senior Program Officer of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University. Stu took on the task of educating our British native hosts, Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker, about how the ways in which the Tanakh has played such a key role in shaping America and Americans, both Jew and gentile.We hear contributions from former US Deputy Secretary of HHS, Dr. Tevi Troy, acclaimed novelist and historian Dr. Dara Horn, educator Dr. Shaina Trapedo, and grandson of the late Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Dr. Ari Lamm, about how Megillat Esther served as a touchstone for his grandfather and reflects the American Jewish experience.Useful Links:Rabbi Halpern's latest book Esther in AmericaIn conversation with Dr. Erica Brown about Esther in America and Esther: Power, Fate, and Fragility in ExileGod at the Inauguration published in the Wall Street Journal by Rabbi Dr. Stu Halpern and Dr. Tevi Troy.The Zahava and Moshael Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought have partnered with Maggid Books and Koren Publishers on several titles and other projects including exciting video series which can be found here. Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout.The Koren Podcast is written and produced by Aryeh Grossman and Alex Drucker and is edited by Alex Drucker. The Koren Podcast is part of the Koren Podcast Network, a division of Koren Publishers Jerusalem.

The audio recording from the second part of the MST|Live, A Deeper Look at the Maggid Studies in Tanakh Series.Guest host, Sarah Rindner was joined by Dr. Tova Ganzel (Ezekiel), Rabbi Michael Hattin (Joshua and Judges), and Rabbi Yaakov Beasley (Nahum, Habakkuk & Zephaniah) to talk about the methodologies and motivations behind their wonderful books and why we should invest time to learn more of their chosen sefer.We are grateful to our partners 929, Herzog College, The Midrasha at Bar Ilan University, and Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.The Maggid Studies in Tanakh series is a groundbreaking collection of works by some of the world's leading Tanakh teachers from Israel and abroad. The series utilizes a synthesis of classical and modern biblical and literary scholarship methodologies to uncover the beauty and masterful authorship of the Jewish bible.Available here: https://korenpub.com/collections/maggid-studies-in-tanakh

The audio recording from the first part of the MST|Live, A Deeper Look at the Maggid Studies in Tanakh Series.Guest host, Sarah Rindner was joined by Prof. Nechama Price (Tribal Blueprints), Prof. Yoel Elitzur (Places in the Parasha), and Rabbi Benny Lau (Isaiah and Jeremiah) to talk about the methodologies and motivations behind their wonderful books.Join us again on Sunday, January 31st for another installment of MST|Live with Dr. Tova Ganzel (Ezekiel), Rabbi Michael Hattin (Joshua and Judges), and Rabbi Yaakov Beasley (Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephania).We are grateful to our partners 929, Herzog College, The Midrasha at Bar Ilan University, and Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies.

It's our season finale!Thank you to everyone who has made the first season of the Koren Podcast possible.To close out season one we decided to take some time to answer your questions, how do we decide which books to publish, what makes us unique, what does the future of Koren look like, and more!Featuring answers from a number of different people who make Koren tick, this special episode is a great way to close out what has been an amazing first season. Don't hesitate to be in touch with more questions on social media @korenpublishers or via email podcast@korenpub.comUseful links:https://korenpub.com/collections/koren-mikraot-hadorothttps://korenpub.com/products/the-koren-lev-ladaat-humashhttps://korenpub.com/products/the-koren-tanakh-of-the-land-of-israel-exodus

There has long been debate about the role and representation of women in Jewish education and in leadership roles. This discussion came to the fore again in recent months after a piece published The Lehrhaus titles Why Are There So Man "Manels" in Modern Orthodoxy? We sat down with one of the authors of that piece, Dr. Shana Strauch Schick (Center for Israel Studies at Yeshiva University, Drisha Institute, and Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim in Jerusalem) to try and uncover why women might be underrepresented in the public element of Jewish education and leadership. We spoke about ways in which this imbalance can be rectified, what can be done on an institutional level, and what women can do to make sure their voices are being heard. We were also privileged to speak with Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel (Nishmat, The Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women, and Matan's Hilkhata Institute (Advanced Halakha Program) at Matan Women's Institute for Torah Studies.) We discussed differences in approach to women's education and women's leadership in Israel vs. the diaspora as well as her own experiences as a world-renowned Torah teacher in a career spanning two decades. Make sure to subscribe to the Koren Podcast and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram - @KorenPublishersUseful links:https://thelehrhaus.com/commentary/why-are-there-so-many-manels-in-modern-orthodoxy/https://thelehrhaus.com/commentary/response-to-manels-in-modern-orthodoxy/https://www.nishmat.net/https://www.matan.org.il/en/beit-midrash/hilkhata/https://korenpub.com/products/parashahardcoverhttps://korenpub.com/collections/yemima-mizrachihttps://korenpub.com/collections/rabbi-shimon-gershon-rosenberg-shagar

The sudden passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks earlier this month represents a huge loss, not only to modern and centrist orthodoxy but to Judaism and humanity at large. Rabbi Sacks was sought out by people of all religions, and of none, as a source of guidance, ethical clarity, and inspiration throughout his tenure as the Cheif Rabbi of the United Kingdom and for the too few years following his retirement.Koren Publishers are honored to have published his translation and commentary on the siddur and mahzorim as well as his thoughts on the weekly parasha and the holidays under the Maggid imprint. Although he did not live to see it published, Rabbi Sacks' groundbreaking translation of the five books of Moses was sent to press only days after his passing, and work continues on his commentary on the Humash.We sat down with some of Rabbi Sacks' colleagues and friends from Koren ahead of the shloshim (30 days since his passing) to share memories, thoughts, and feelings about what it was like to work with Rabbi Sacks during his lifetime and our hopes for his legacy in the future. Our guests were publisher Matthew Miller, editor-in-chief of various projects and vice-president emeritus of the Orthodox Union Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, educator and author Dr. Daniel Rose, and editor, translator, and long time collaborator Jessica Sacks.We were privileged to have been joined by Rabbi Sacks zt"l on the Koren Podcast before Rosh Hashana for what would turn out to be one of his final interviews, we had hoped to have hosted him again as a guest on the podcast but hope that his episode will go some way to provide comfort for his family, friends, colleagues, and all who benefited from his inimitable teachings throughout his life.

For a long time, people with disabilities have been excluded from communal life, either due to an inability to physically access communal buildings and activities or due to other challenges that present themselves in communal and ritual life.We sat down with Rabbi Dr. Benjy Leibowitz of Yachad, an international organization dedicated to enhancing the life opportunities of Jewish individuals with developmental disabilities or other learning challenges. As well as Rabbi Kalman Samuels, founder, and president of Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.Rabbi Leibowitz is also the editor of the Koren Yachad Siddur, a siddur designed specifically for people with developmental and learning disabilities while Rabbi Samuels is the author of Dreams Never Dreamed which tells the story of his son Yossi and how he came to inspire the organization that has changed the lives of thousands of families in Israel.Useful links:https://www.yachad.org/https://www.shalva.org/Watch The Shalva Band perform at Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhRewe-uEIwhttps://korenpub.com/products/the-koren-yachad-siddurhttps://korenpub.com/products/dreams-never-dreamed

As we do every year during this period Jews all over the world take time to introspect, reflect on the year that was, and think about our hopes and plans for the year ahead. It was our pleasure to sit down with Dr. Erica Brown (Return: Daily Inspiration for the Days of Awe and Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet) ahead of Yom Kippur for some words of wisdom on how to get the most out of the Day of Atonement this year.Dr. Erica Brown is the director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership and an associate professor of curriculum and pedagogy at The George Washington University. She teaches and lectures all over the world and is a prolific and acclaimed author of several titles published by Maggid books and other publishers.Get free shipping on all orders from www.korenpub.com until October 2nd 2020 with code Shana TovaUseful Links:Erica Brown: http://www.ericabrown.com/Books by Erica Brown: https://korenpub.com/collections/dr-erica-brownGeorge Washing University: https://gsehd.gwu.edu/directory/erica-brownTake Your Soul To Work Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-your-soul-to-work/id1521654394

We were honored to speak with Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks for some inspiration ahead of Rosh Hashana. We discussed what he will be focusing on this High Holiday period and into the year ahead, how his new books Judaism's Life-Changing Ideas, and Morality serve as sources of strength and solace during the tumultuous times in which we find ourselves, and what Judaism can teach us to help cope with life's challenges and can help us create a better future for ourselves.All of us at the Koren Podcast would like to wish all of our listeners a shana tova u'metukka, and a year full of health and happiness.Useful links:Judaism's Life-Changing IdeasMorality - Purchases in Israel only (visit your local bookstore for purchases in the rest of the world)Get 10% off your next order at www.korenpub.com with promo code PODCAST at checkout.

Just over a month ago, we lost our dear friend and teacher Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz. I impact that Rav Steinsaltz had on the world cannot be overstated and his achievements in the world of Jewish publishing, teaching, and beyond made him stand out as one of the greatest sages of the modern age.Rav Steinsaltz published over 300 books across the entire gamut of Jewish thought and was the single most prolific commentator on classic Jewish works having written and published commentaries on Tanakh, Mishna, Gemara, Rambam, and Tanya as well as dozens of books of his own original ideas. The relationship Koren Publishers had with Rav Steinsaltz, and with the Steinsaltz Center is one we treasure and has produced some of the finest works of Jewish thought and scholarship. What set Rav Steinsaltz apart, aside from his incredible mind, was his impeccable character even in the face of some of life's most difficult challenges. His insight, wit, humility, and grace opened the world fo Torah and Jewish learning to countless people. May his memory be a blessing.We were honored to sit with Rabbi Menachem (Meni) Even-Israel, director for the Steinsaltz Center, and Rav Steinsaltz's son to hear first-hand about who his father was and the influence he had. We also spoke with Matthew Miller, Publisher of Koren Publishers, to hear about how the relationship between Koren and Rav Steinsaltz began.Useful Links:www.korenpub.com/collections/rabbi-adin-even-israel-steinsaltzwww.steinsaltz-center.org/www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJVEgfDNM3swww.youtube.com/watch?v=B-iIqNyN7ps

The month and Elul and the approach of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur bring with them the overwhelming desire for introspection and self-reflection. Although we are all familiar with some of the classic works of mussar and ethics building, the Modern Orthodox community tends to shy away from the formal study of mussar. We sat down with Rabbi David Silverstein, assistant Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Orayta, and Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg, Mashgiha Ruhani of Migdal Oz to discuss why mussar tends to take a back seat in the Modern Orthodox world, a different approach to the study of ethics and our understanding of mitzvot and halakha, and to get some inspiration ahead of the High Holidays.Rabbi David Silverstein - Rabbi Silverstein is the Sgan (Assistant) Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Orayta, located in the Old City of Jerusalem, and previously served as the Director of the Overseas Program at Yeshivat Hesder, Petach Tikva. Rabbi Silverstein lectures widely on the philosophy and meaning of Jewish law and is the author of Jewish Law as a Journey: Finding Meaning in Daily Jewish Practice from Menorah. Originally from New Jersey, Rabbi Silverstein lives with his wife and four children in Modiin, Israel.Rabbanit Shayna Goldberg - Rabbanit Goldberg teaches in the Stella K. Abraham Beit Midrash for Women at Migdal Oz and is a contributing editor at Deracheha.org. She previously taught halakha at the Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School in Teaneck, NJ, and served as a yoetzet halacha for Congregations Rinat Yisrael and Ahavat Torah, as well as for Kehilat Kesher, all in New Jersey. She lives in Alon Shevut, Israel, with her husband and five children.Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout

The impact technology has had on Torah is huge. We sat down with two people at the forefront of using tech and the internet to teach Torah to millions of people around the world. Whether creating an opensource platform to give access to the full range of Jewish texts in Hebrew and English to allow people to share their own learning, or creating an outlet for ideas that, previously, had no means of reaching people on the scale they deserved.Rabbanit Sara Tillinger Wolkenfeld is the Chief Learning Officer at Sefaria.org, an online database, and interface for Jewish texts. She is passionate about Talmud education and about expanding Jewish textual knowledge for all.Her previous experience includes serving as Director of Education at the Center for Jewish Life – Hillel at Princeton University as part of the OU’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, as well as serving as faculty at the Drisha Institute and at the Ida Crown Jewish Academy. Sara studied Talmud and Jewish Law at various institutions of Jewish learning in Israel and America including Midreshet Lindenbaum, Drisha, Nishmat, and Beit Morasha, and speaks on various Jewish topics at synagogues, schools, and in university communities.Rabbi David Fohrman is the founder and CEO of Aleph Beta, a non-profit media company that produces high-quality Torah videos, highlighting a unique methodology in studying Torah text in a way that is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally engaging. Rabbi Fohrman also lectures internationally on Biblical themes. He served as a senior writer and editor for ArtScroll’s Schottenstein Edition of the Talmud and taught Biblical themes at Johns Hopkins University. His published works include The Beast That Crouches at the Door, The Queen You Thought You Knew, The Exodus You Almost Passed Over and the new Genesis: A Parsha Companion soon to be published by Maggid Books.Get 10% off your next order from www.korenpub.com with code PODCAST at checkout and get 1 month free on a Premium Membership from alephbeta.org with code PARSHACOMPANIONFollow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or join our email newsletter at www.korenpub.com.You can email us at podcast@korenpub.comUseful links:Sefaria: www.sefaria.orgAleph Beta: www.alephbeta.orgTedTalks: www.ted.comKoren Publishers: www.korenpub.com