Podcasts about synagogues

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Monday, August 17, 2026. (Zoom)

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 15, 2026. (Youtube/Zoom)

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Stephen Seized 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews[a] among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith. Stephen Seized 8 Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

This is the Morning All Local Update for Saturday, August 15th 2026.

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 15, 2026. (Youtube)

The Haftarot and Torah Readings to which they are appended for the High Holy Days present us with real life challenges... and then help us find resolution and a hopeful future. This class, the first of four by Rabbi Joel Rembaum, focuses on the readings for the first day of Rosh Hashanah. The class was conducted via Zoom on August 13, 2026.Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Table of Contents: STRATEGIC WARFARE PRAYER Another Blatant DEW's Attack! Houses Burned into Their Footprint in Spokane but the Trees Around Them Are Still Green & Standing! Jewish Hatred of Christians Grows as the US Government Gives Israel More Than Ever Before! The Wall Street Journal reported that some Israelis believe it is the “religious duty” of the Jew to spit on the Christians! Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir clarified that spitting on Christians is an ancient Jewish custom and should not be considered a crime! In addition to the spitting; head injuries, graffiti, trespassing, vandalism, stone-throwing, garbage dumping, and arson are being increasingly utilized by Jews against Christians! Jesus Said in John 15:18-21: “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.” Israel-Jews Killed Jesus–Bible Verses Israeli military demands removal of dead soldier's Christian headstone–Officials have said displaying a cross in the cemetery is offensive to the relatives of Jewish troops laid to rest nearby  Netanyahu Now Presents Himself as Defender of ‘Judeo-Christian’ Evangelism!The Goal of the Synagogue of Satan: Gal 1:13: For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it… Trump is Totally Surrounded and Owned by Kabbala Loving / Synagogue of Satan Zionist Jews! Mossad Blackmail- Israel Has Trump right where they want him–Donald Trump Controlled By The Mossad — Parts 1-3 The Zionist Israeli Pledge Almost Every Member of Congress Has Taken! The Zionist intention to kill off all of humanity other than Jews [his words, not mine, including “Hey, we ARE god's chosen people. Its just most Jews do not like to admit it, but our god is Lucifer.” What is the Main Goal and True Definition of Zionism?: “The goal for which we have striven so concertedly for three thousand years is at last within our reach, and because its fulfilment is so apparent, it behooves us to increase our efforts and our caution tenfold. I can safely promise you that before ten years have passed, our race will take its rightful place in the world, with every Jew a king and every Gentile a slave. I can state with assurance that the last generation of white children is now being born.” Israeli Spy: Anyone Who Gets in Our way – even Politicians in the west . . . Will FALL” Mosab Yousef, a documented Israeli Spy, said on Peirce Morgan’s TV Show “Anyone who gets in the way, even if they are politicians in the West, they are going to FALL. We have the right to bring them up, and to bring them DOWN.” The AIPAC PAC is a bipartisan, pro-Israel political action committee. It is the largest pro-Israel PAC in America and contributed more resources directly to candidates than any other PAC. 98% of AIPAC-backed candidates won their general election races in 2022. Every member of US Congress has an “AIPAC person” — a liaison between AIPAC and the politician. This “AIPAC baby sitter” tells the Congressman how to vote, what to tweet/say etc. This is just one way on how Israel controls America. DEARBORN MICHIGAN EXPOSED: IT'S STARTING IN America now! Non-Muslims openly being targeted for assault!: Anti-Islam Protestors Nearly Beaten to Death by Muslim Mob – Police Overpowered, Islamic Security Joined the Attack, Media Calls It “Peaceful” Americans are planning on going to Dearborn, Michigan on August 18th to support Anti-Islam speakers at the Dearborn City Council meeting about the discrimination against Christians in the city–“So the Christians who were attacked in Dearborn are going back August 18th to the city hall to speak in regards to the growing discrimination towards American Christians Ex-Muslim Christians Go to Dearborn Michigan Islamic Parade with the Gospel Christian Tracts Exposing Islam PDF: Emergency Freedom Alerts 8-10-26 Click Here To Play The Part 1 Audio Source

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. (Zoom)

Adam Malev has performed at over 1,000 stand-up shows, built an app that maps every open mic in New York City, and once did a full minute of 9/11 jokes on Kill Tony. He's a proud Zionist, the self-proclaimed last Jew in his family's lineage, and — brace yourself — a genuine, non-satirical Zohran Mamdani voter.Margarita was sure the "Zionist for Zohran" bit was a joke. It is not. This episode is a real-time reckoning, a lot of laughing, and zero eye-to-eye. They stay friends anyway.Follow Adam on Instagram @adammalev & @malevcomedySupport our work: buymeacoffee.com/peoplejewwannaknowWhat We Discuss:00:00 Intro & Episode Agenda05:04 From EY consultant to full-time comedian07:30 Building Comediq, the open mic app09:00 Last Jew in the family 13:00 Zionist for Zohran, explained (and not satire)17:00 Affordability, potholes, and the case for Mamdani20:00 Synagogue buffer zones and Jewish safety24:00 The @Antisemitism account and manufactured outrage27:00 Kill Tony regrets and the Jewish Kanye West31:30 Closing Remarks & Guest Nomination

I recently walked through two beautiful European cities with deep Jewish history. The synagogues still stand. The stories are remembered. But the Jewish communities themselves have largely disappeared. Hardly any Jews remain.In one of those cities, a local Jew was upset to see me wearing my kippah in public. “Why stand out?” he asked. He wasn't afraid for me — he was afraid for himself and the consequences he would face. Christians walk freely with their symbols. Muslims do the same. For Jews, hiding identity is treated as normal. That should never be accepted as normal.A Jewish restaurant in Montreal was just burned down. The arsonist was caught on camera. Authorities are investigating it as a hate crime. Across North America, Europe, and Australia, antisemitic attacks keep rising. Jewish schools need heavy security. Synagogues look like fortresses. Many Jews now hide Jewish symbols in public. Just a few years ago this was unnecessary. Today the warning signs are unmistakable. Jewish history is repeating itself.Yet at this exact moment, so much of the Jewish conversation is consumed by the latest blood libel: so-called “settler violence.” Analysis of the UN's own OCHA database shows that the vast majority of listed incidents do not involve Jewish settlers attacking anyone. The data includes jihadi attacks on Israelis, security-force incidents, property disputes, and more. After filtering, only a small fraction remains — and even that is heavily manipulated. The narrative redirects attention away from the real threat: a 1,400-year-old jihadi ideology that massacred Jews on October 7 and continues to target Jews worldwide.While Jews are attacked in Montreal, New York, London, Paris, and Sydney simply for being Jews, the focus stays on blaming Jews in Judea and Samaria. The greatest response to rising antisemitism is not more security systems. It is aliyah. It is returning home to Israel — the only place where Jewish identity is the air we breathe and the national calendar we live by.For 2,000 years Jews ended the Seder with “Next year in Jerusalem.” That prayer is no longer a dream. It is an airline ticket. History is speaking again. The question is whether we are ready to listen.Am Yisrael Chai.Join Our Whatsapp Channel: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GkavRznXy731nxxRyptCMvFollow us on Twitter: https://x.com/AviAbelowJoin our Telegram Channel: https://t.me/aviabelowpulseFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pulse_of_israel/?hl=enPulse of Israel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelVideoNetworkVisit Our Website - https://pulseofisrael.com/Donate to Pulse of Israel: https://pulseofisrael.com/boost-this-video/

We are to arise and shine as lights of this world, and while it continues to get darker, we are to endure to the end! We must wait, upon Him! Listen as Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky shares from Isaiah 60!

Shabbat Teaching with Rabbi-Cantor Malachi Kanfer at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 8, 2026. Introduced by Rabbi-Cantor Hillary Chorny. (Youtube/Zoom)Special Guest: Rabbi-Cantor Malachi Kanfer.

God is calling us to seek Him, what will you choose? Are we afraid of what men may say? Listen as Rabbi Jeff Zaremsky opens the Word of God to see what the prophet Isaiah declared!

Subscribe and Follow. Thanks! - NOTES AVAILABLE AT: https://www.gracereach.org/luke - In this teaching, Brad explains the meaning of the year of the Lord's favor and the day of God's vengeance. This teaching and other teachings are available on the Gracereach website: https://www.gracereach.org/luke - For more of Brad's resources, see below.Brad's books are all available on Amazon in Paperback.Revelation Volume 1: Judgment On First-Century Israelhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7GBG42CRevelation Volume 2: War On The Saintshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FN3XR59L490 Years Determined: The Seventy Years of Daniel Explainedhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPX7VZY5Nebuchadnezzar's Dream and the Kingdom of Grace -https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9YFCXC8/Toxic Discipleship: Restoring the Gospel - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNN8PB7LAddicted To Grace: A New Life Awaits - https://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Grace-New-Life-Awaits/dp/0578407760Forgiven and Cleansed: 1 John 1:9 In Context - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N3NBPPRReturn to Grace: A Commentary on Galatians - https://www.amazon.com/Return-Grace-Commentary-Brad-Robertson/dp/B08HV8HRTCStrategic Church: Reaching The World With Grace - https://www.amazon.com/Strategic-Church-Strategy-Reach-World/dp/B08733MRWWThe Story of Grace: Your Life Will Never Be The Same - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0692084940Website: https://www.gracereach.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bradr1966YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClip-czxRgZbxtWg-w2YL7APodcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gracereach-podcast-with-brad-robertson/id1503583444 (You may listen to Brad's podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcasts, and most all podcast platforms.)If you would like to donate to Brad's ministry, Gracereach, to help reach more and more people with the good news of God's grace. click here:https://www.gracereach.org/donatetogracereachThank you!

Rabbi Matt Shapiro's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 8, 2026. (Youtube)Special Guest: Rabbi Matt Shapiro.

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (Zoom)

More than 135 descendants of Moncton, N.B.'s founding Jewish families returned over the August long weekend for a sold-out centennial reunion at Tiferes Israel Synagogue, sharing memories, meals and hopes for the future of one of Canada's oldest Jewish communities. The reunion, dubbed “Kum A Heim“, filled the historic Orthodox synagogue on Steadman St., which served as a central hub for the events—including two plaque dedications, a tree planting, a walk through the community's cemetery, Shabbat services, and greetings received from King Charles and other government officials. “We wanted everybody to feel like they were coming home,” organizer Sandra Rose told The CJN. “They're really here in the synagogue and it is their home, whether they came from, you know, New York or whether they came from down the street.” The weekend also demonstrated a bittersweet reality: many younger attendees have long since moved away, the current synagogue congregation is aging, and the building itself needs crucial repairs. Yet the organizers say they are determined to keep going and begin a second century, albeit with a very different Jewish community than the one that built it back in the 1920s. On today's episode of The CJN's North Star podcast, host Ellin Bessner hears from organizer Sandra Rose, who now lives in Fredericton; her cousin Anne Jochelman, who ran the shul's kitchen for the entire weekend; and Audrey Lampert, who spoke about her city's Jewish history during the Friday night welcome dinner in the shul banquet hall. Related links Learn more about the Moncton synagogue's Kum A Heim Centennial weekend, see photos, on the event website. Read about when Moncton's city council tried to ban the annual Hanukkah menorah-lighting ceremony in 2023, in The CJN. Listen to The CJN's Y ehupetzville podcast from 2021 about what Jewish life was like in Moncton. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner ) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Izzie Helenchilde (producer and video editor), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director) Music: Bret Higgins Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter https://thecjn.ca/donate/ https://thecjn.ca/north Watch our podcasts on YouTube. Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) https://thecjn.ca/north

What did Jesus mean when he said, "There are those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan"?  This has become one of the most debated passages in Scripture today, because it sits at the center of the modern discussion surrounding Israel. Was he teaching that anyone who rejects him is no longer truly Jewish? Was he referring to ethnic Jews, religious leaders, or a specific group of opponents? Can Christians today identify a false Jew simply by whether they believe in Jesus or not? Or are these verses being taken far beyond what Jesus truly intended? Follow Good Fight Ministries on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodfightministries Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodfightministries Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/goodfightmin TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@goodfightministries We're on Rumble! https://rumble.com/GoodFightMinistries Support Us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/goodfight

Once the largest Jewish denomination in America, the Conservative movement is now experiencing a dramatic decline while Reform Judaism, Orthodoxy, Chabad, and independent Jewish communities reshape American Jewish life.Rabbi Daniel Levine sits down with Jay Sanderson, President and CEO of American Jewish University and former President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, to discuss the future of Conservative Judaism—and whether Jewish denominations themselves are becoming obsolete.They explore why younger Jews are increasingly reluctant to identify with a denomination, whether Reform and Modern Orthodoxy have absorbed Conservative Judaism's most successful ideas, and why Chabad has become so appealing to Jews who once might have joined traditional suburban synagogues.The conversation also examines interfaith marriage, Zionism and anti-Zionism in rabbinical schools, the rising cost of Jewish participation, and whether Jewish institutions have become too focused on fighting antisemitism at the expense of building meaningful Jewish life.Topics include:• Why Conservative Judaism is shrinking• Whether Jewish denominations still serve a purpose• Reform Judaism, Orthodoxy, and the disappearing Jewish center• Why Chabad continues to grow• Intermarriage and welcoming interfaith families• Zionism and anti-Zionism in rabbinical schools• The changing role of American synagogues• Whether America's Jewish “golden age” is ending• The Jewish community's focus on antisemitism• Why Jewish education, synagogues, and summer camps cost so much• How Jewish institutions can remain accessible and relevant⏱️ Timestamps00:00 Is Conservative Judaism collapsing?01:39 The history and purpose of Jewish denominations03:47 Why denominational Judaism is declining06:46 The changing meaning of American Jewish identity09:04 Intermarriage and Jewish belonging10:08 How Reform Judaism and Orthodoxy have changed11:04 Did Conservative Judaism succeed by influencing the other movements?13:23 Synagogues, independent minyanim, and the future of Jewish community15:25 Do Jewish denominations still serve a purpose?18:54 Israel, Zionism, and rabbinical schools22:48 What should the role of a rabbi be?23:39 Conservative Judaism and interfaith marriage25:53 Is Chabad replacing traditional synagogues?27:18 Why Chabad's financial model is so appealing29:19 Chabad as a “family bakery” rather than a franchise31:27 Is the American Jewish golden age ending?32:30 Is fighting antisemitism consuming Jewish institutional life?34:34 Building Jewish life instead of focusing only on antisemitism36:20 Antisemitism and Jewish life on college campuses38:50 Why is participating in Jewish life so expensive?40:00 Is cost really the main reason Jews disengage?41:06 Why Jewish institutions refuse to reduce expenses42:23 How much should the Jewish community spend fighting antisemitism?42:58 The most important challenge facing Jewish lifeIf you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone interested in Judaism, Jewish identity, American Jewish life, Zionism, religion, or the future of the Jewish community.#ConservativeJudaism #AmericanJudaism #JewishIdentity #Judaism #JewishCommunity #Chabad #ReformJudaism #OrthodoxJudaism #Antisemitism #Zionism #InterfaithMarriage #JewishHistory #RabbiDanielLevine #JaySanderson

At risk of being called an Islamophobe, I say, "Mamdani is a Terrorist!" You know what's worse than being called an Islamophobe? Allowing Zohran Mamdani to spearhead jihad across America. As The Terrorist Therapist®, I, Carole Lieberman, M.D., need to say the quiet part out loud and today's show will explain why none of us can wait another day to do so-especially with the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 looming and Mamdani threatening to be at Ground Zero, despite families of the victims drawing up a petition to ban him!This episode begins with the definition of a terrorist and, notably, a Radical Islamist Terrorist, to prove Mamdani meets the criteria. Next, you will hear some biographical highlights of Mamdani and his wife, Rama Duwaji. (Fun fact: they met on Hinge!?) We look back at the ISIS-inspired terror attack outside Gracie Mansion aimed at demonstrators with placards saying “Stop the Islamic Takeover of New York City."We explore one of Mamdani's latest gambits, reminding us of his campaign threat to arrest Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Two days later, a man yelling, “Allahu Akbar,” stabbed a Jew exiting a synagogue in Manhattan. You will hear about Mamdani's continuing destruction of NYC, including his doxxing property owners, opening municipal discount supermarkets that will put other stores out of business, and the jihad goes on….

Rabbi Chaim Singer Franke's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 1, 2026. (Youtube/Zoom)Special Guest: Rabbi Chaim Singer-Frankes.

Library Minyan member Henry Morgen's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, August 1, 2026. (Youtube)Special Guest: Henry Morgen.

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (Zoom)

Shabbat Teaching with Dr. Sarah Benor, Ph.D., Jewish Language Project Director, at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 25, 2026, introduced by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz. (We hope to have a copy of the study text posted soon.) (Youtube/Zoom)Special Guest: Sarah Benor Ph.D..

1) Could you explain why you left the Presbyterian church?2) What is the difference between the Temple and the Synagogue?3) Why did the Israelites cry out for meat to eat when they had all their sheep and cattle?4) What Old Testament scriptures were fulfilled through Jesus' resurrection?5) Was Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8 saved?

Sunset Boulevard reopened to traffic overnight after LADWP crews finished repairs on a ruptured water pipe in West Hollywood. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating anti-semitic graffiti that defaced a mural at a Pasadena Synagogue. A trip to a Sylmar graveyard screening a cult classic Ed Wood film tonight. Plus, more. Support The L.A. Report by donating at LAist.com/join and by visiting https://laist.comSupport the show: https://laist.com

Guest Speaker Jeremy Ornstein's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 25, 2026, introduced by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz. Jeremy is a close friend of the bride and groom-to-be, Noa Kligfeld and Ethan Less. (Youtube)

Before moving into Acts 8, we need to discuss the figure mentioned in both Acts 7:58 and 8:1, Saul of Tarsus. Who was this man, and why was he so bent on binding and even killing followers of Yeshua?

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. (Zoom)

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles via Zoom - July 21, 2026.Special Guest: Rabbi Avi Havivi.

Rabbi-Cantor Hillary Chorny's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 18, 2026. (Youtube/Zoom)

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 18, 2026. (Youtube)

Rabbi-Cantor Hilary Chorney offers up short bursts of meditation infused with imagery, wisdom, and the rhythms of our Jewish calendar, including selected verses from the Torah. Many of these meditations are performed in sitting positions; some standing. Simply find yourself a comfortable space and let Rabbi-Cantor Chorney's voice and direction guide you into a world of serenity and tranquility.

A number of books draw an intriguing – though puzzling – parallel between two periods on the Jewish calendar: the period of Ben He'mesarim (the Three Weeks from Shiba Asar Be'Tammuz through Tisha B'Ab) and the period of the holidays in the month of Tishri. The month of Tishri begins with Rosh Hashanah, and the holiday season concludes with the celebration of Shemini Aseret on the 22nd of Tishri. (In the Diaspora, we observe Shemini Aseret as a two-day celebration, referring to the second day as Simhat Torah, but fundamentally, this is just one day, on the 22nd of Tishri, and this is how it is celebrated in Israel.) According to a number of Rabbis, these two 22-day periods parallel one another, and are linked to one another. This parallelism leads us to an astonishing conclusion – that the final days of these two periods, Tisha B'Ab and Simhat Torah, are connected. This conclusion is astonishing because, quite simply, it would have been hard to come up with any two days on the Jewish calendar that are more different from one another. In fact, these days are polar opposites – and not only because one day is spent fasting, sitting on the floor and mourning, while the other is spent dancing, singing and feasting. Simhat Torah marks the day when the first Bet Ha'mikdash was inaugurated. King Shlomo conducted a two-week celebration in honor of the Temple's inauguration, which culminated on the 22nd day of Tishri. And, for this reason, the Zohar teaches that Shlomo is considered the "Ushpizin" for Shemini Aseret, which is, in a sense, the eighth day of Sukkot. It thus emerges that the day when the Bet Ha'mikdash's inauguration was completed is, remarkably, linked to Tisha B'Ab, the day when the Bet Ha'mikdash was destroyed. If Shemini Aseret is associated with Shlomo Ha'melech, then Tisha B'Ab is associated with Yirmiyahu – the prophet who warned of the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash. Shlomo Ha'melech enjoyed a life of wealth, prestige, peace, comfort and serenity, and he composed Shir Ha'shirim – a joyful, heartwarming book about the intense love between Hashem and the Jewish People. Yirmiyahu suffered misery throughout his life, being constantly taunted and at one point even imprisoned, and then personally witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and was driven into exile. The book he wrote – Echa, which we read while sitting on the floor on Tisha B'Ab – laments the rupture of the bond between G-d and His people, and the unspeakable calamities that befell our nation at the time of Jerusalem's destruction – the polar opposite of Shir Ha'shirim. Interestingly enough, the Arizal – based on a number of earlier sources – teaches that King Shlomo's soul returned in Yirmiyahu, further underscoring the connection between Simhat Torah – the day associated with King Shlomo – and Tisha B'Ab – the day associated with Yirmiyahu. These two figures shared the same soul, and thus the days that embody their lives' respective missions are closely linked. These two days are linked because Simhat Torah is the day when we celebrate the precious gift of the Torah – and it is through Torah that we become worthy of redemption. The Or Ha'haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) writes that Mashiah does not wish to redeem a nation of ignoramuses. It is only when we recommit ourselves to Torah learning and put in the time and effort to learn that we earn our long-awaited final redemption. Tisha B'Ab is associated with Simhat Torah because it is through the joy of Torah learning, embodied by the festive celebration of Simhat Torah, that we end the exile which we mourn on Tisha B'Ab. In our community – and in many others, as well – we are witnessing a truly extraordinary phenomenon, one which clearly shows that we are well on our way to making the transition from Tisha B'Ab to Simhat Torah, from mourning the destruction of the Bet Ha'mikdash to celebrating the restoration of the Bet Ha'mikdash. My father recalled to me how in his time, people spent Tisha B'Ab afternoon at the beach. Now, as everyone knows, Tisha B'Ab is likely the greatest day of Torah learning in the entire year. Synagogues are packed with men and women of all ages hearing Torah classes for many hours throughout the day, and some even the entire day. Ironically, in our time, Tisha B'Ab has turned into a "Simhat Torah." Of course, it is still a day of mourning and grieving. But nevertheless, we cannot overlook the drastic change that has occurred, with the entire community – and many other communities – joining together for hours upon hours to learn Torah on this day. This phenomenon is representative of the broader transition that has been taking place in recent years. People are devoted to Torah learning like never before. With all the unique spiritual challenges of our generation which I and many other Rabbis speak about regularly, the amount of Torah being learned on a daily basis in our time is breathtaking. This is a clear sign that we are, gradually, transitioning from Tisha B'Ab to Simhat Torah, from a state of Hurban (destruction) to a state of redemption. May Hashem help us continue this transition, to continue devoting ourselves to Torah learning and inspiring others to do the same, so we may be worthy of Mashiah's arrival and the rebuilding of the Bet Ha'mikdash, when we will experience an everlasting Simhat Torah, amen.

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles via Zoom - July 14, 2026.Special Guest: Rabbi Avi Havivi.

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Teaching at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 11, 2026. (Youtube)

This episode is part of the Faith By Reason teaching library — over 100 episodes of in-depth Bible study, Christian apologetics, and systematic theology.

To Find Josh Monday's Podcast---> https://open.spotify.com/show/07cJzde2nVA3lOA3W028dl?si=3899d3fb885544e7To find Josh Monday's Youtube---> https://www.youtube.com/@joshmondaymusicandpodcastTo find C.O.C. Clips on YouTube---> https://youtube.com/@cultofconspiracyclips?si=Lb5mdAkjoeTnhYagTo Follow The Cajun Knight on Youtube---> https://www.youtube.com/@CajunknightTo find the Meta Mysteries Podcast---> https://open.spotify.com/show/6IshwF6qc2iuqz3WTPz9Wv?si=3a32c8f730b34e79https://flavorsforest.com/cult/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cult-of-conspiracy--5700337/support.

Rashi Class, a weekly exploration of Torah featuring a deep dive on the text and lively conversation focused on an 11th-century French commentary, conducted by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Zoom)

This episode is part of the Faith By Reason teaching library — over 100 episodes of in-depth Bible study, Christian apologetics, and systematic theology.

Sharon Kleinbaum, founder and director of Beacon for Democracy at Union Theological Seminary in NYC, former senior rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah and the author of With All My Heart: Torah for Our Times (CBST Press, 2026), talks about her work and the change from leading the world's largest LGBTQ+ synagogue to her new organization and the "Shine the Light" weekly protests for democratic values. Photo: NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 22: Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum attends a protest to advocate for Israeli democracy and to protest against Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu as he addresses the UN General Assembly at United Nations on September 22, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for New York Protest Movement) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different? In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New Testament, Ryan explains why synagogues in the first century looked and functioned very differently from both modern churches and modern synagogues. The conversation explores the origins of synagogues, their possible connection to city gates in the Hebrew Bible, and their role as “town halls with Torah” in Judea and Galilee. Ryan discusses ritual purity, mikva'ot (ritual baths), Torah and prophetic readings, public debate, and the surprising evidence that synagogue gatherings were highly interactive communal events rather than passive worship services. Listeners will also hear fresh insights into the ministry of Jesus, including what happened when he taught in synagogues, whether men and women sat separately, why rabbis were not yet a formal office, and why Jesus seems to have avoided major cities like Tiberias and Sepphoris. This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish life, worship, and community in the world of Jesus and the early church. We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 Understanding Synagogues: Misconceptions and Functions 05:00 Origins of Synagogues: Historical Perspectives 07:48 The Role of Synagogues in Ancient Jewish Society 11:39 Worship Practices in Ancient Synagogues 14:21 Ritual Purity and Preparation for Synagogue 20:37 The Experience of Attending Synagogue on Shabbat 25:21 Scriptural Readings and Teachings in Synagogues 28:12 The Role of Discussion in Torah Readings 33:44 Understanding the Origins of Rabbis 39:08 The Structure and Function of Ancient Synagogues 44:15 Jesus in the Synagogue: A Cultural Perspective

What were synagogues actually like in the time of Jesus? Were they places of worship, centers of local government, or something entirely different?In this episode, archaeologist and New Testament scholar Dr. Jordan Ryan joins Dru Johnson to challenge common assumptions about ancient synagogues. Drawing on archaeological discoveries, ancient texts, and the writings of Josephus, Philo, and the New Testament, Ryan explains why synagogues in the first century looked and functioned very differently from both modern churches and modern synagogues.The conversation explores the origins of synagogues, their possible connection to city gates in the Hebrew Bible, and their role as “town halls with Torah” in Judea and Galilee. Ryan discusses ritual purity, mikva'ot (ritual baths), Torah and prophetic readings, public debate, and the surprising evidence that synagogue gatherings were highly interactive communal events rather than passive worship services.Listeners will also hear fresh insights into the ministry of Jesus, including what happened when he taught in synagogues, whether men and women sat separately, why rabbis were not yet a formal office, and why Jesus seems to have avoided major cities like Tiberias and Sepphoris.This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Jewish life, worship, and community in the world of Jesus and the early church.We are listener supported. Give to the cause here:https://hebraicthought.org/giveFor more articles:https://thebiblicalmind.org/Social Links:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThoughtInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthoughtThreads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthoughtX: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThoughtBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.orgChapters:00:00 Understanding Synagogues: Misconceptions and Functions05:00 Origins of Synagogues: Historical Perspectives07:48 The Role of Synagogues in Ancient Jewish Society11:39 Worship Practices in Ancient Synagogues14:21 Ritual Purity and Preparation for Synagogue20:37 The Experience of Attending Synagogue on Shabbat25:21 Scriptural Readings and Teachings in Synagogues28:12 The Role of Discussion in Torah Readings33:44 Understanding the Origins of Rabbis39:08 The Structure and Function of Ancient Synagogues44:15 Jesus in the Synagogue: A Cultural PerspectiveSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Patrick opens with a story about art critics mistaking Monet for AI slop, sparking questions about authenticity in a tech-soaked world. He follows twisted threads connecting digital surveillance in China to new digital IDs in the UK, then tosses in stories of hysterical climate predictions, AI anxieties, and the social decay linked to endless scrolling. Children and families become the focus as Patrick unpacks warnings from experts, connecting smartphones, plummeting fertility, and a relentless tide of content that threatens innocence. What happens when you post a real Monet and say it’s AI? The comments are amazing. - https://x.com/SHL0MS/status/2054280631807316329 (00:42) Audio: 2016. Guy McPherson (a climate change expert, scientist, and professor from the University of Arizona) says that there will not be any humans on the planet by 2026 due to the effects of climate change - https://x.com/mazemoore/status/2055376238345076837?s=46 (06:01) Audio: King Charles announces new UK digital ID - My ministers will also proceed with the introduction of digital ID that will modernize how citizens interact with public services. - https://x.com/OliLondonTV/status/2054542004219232295?s=20 (09:59) Audio: Zach Galifianakis on AI – It’s a biblical biting the apple - https://x.com/Zigmanfreud/status/2051691184477913346?s=20 (23:31) Audio: TikTok is the fentanyl of social media. With Jonathan Haidt –https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2054654456701100040?s=20 (27:30) Audio: 4 norms to pull kids out of the anxiety spiral we’ve created - Jonathan Haidt on the Daily Show - https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2055349160514081005?s=46 (31:22) The rise of smart phones, and the decline infertility - https://x.com/lugaricano/status/2055778470878449892 Audio: Giving your kid a smart phone - This is exactly what you are doing when you give your child unsupervised access to the internet (A phone not only gives your child access to the world, it gives the world access to your child) – https://x.com/Miss_Snuffy/status/2045051230838558930?s=46 (39:56) Mike - In the book of Revelation, Jesus talks about Nicolaitans. Who is the Synagogue of Satan? (44:21) (Originally Aired on 05/18/2026)