Truths - Jewish Wisdom for Today
Hosted by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman, "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" is an insightful podcast exploring the confluence of religion, science, and philosophy.
The podcast serves as a platform for curious minds who value nuance and pursue wisdom. It is not designed for individuals seeking absolute truths or those inclined towards unquestioning religious adherence, but instead for those who traverse our rapidly evolving world as seekers and explorers.
With the mission to impart valuable insights rooted in Jewish perspective that resonate with contemporary times, "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today" learns from distinguished guests, shares insights with listeners, and adapts with time and context. This podcast stands as a guiding light for those questing for wisdom and a nuanced understanding of spirituality amid the complexities of the modern world.
Episodes
118 episodes
The Chaos of God's Commands, Appearances, and Promises to Abraham - Lech Lecha
In this episode, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Lech Lecha" from Genesis 12, which introduces Abraham. Unlike Noah, Abraham's background and reasons for God's favor are minimally detailed in the text, though expanded upon ...
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Season 6
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Episode 27
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23:42
Noah's Flood: Two Texts, One Truth
In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the Torah portion of Noah, focusing on scholarly interpretations and anomalies within the biblical narrative of the Flood. He begins by acknowledging that whil...
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Season 6
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Episode 26
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20:15
Are Women Also Created in God's Image? - Beraishit
In his podcast on the Torah portion of Bereshit (Genesis), Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores a lesser-known aspect of the creation narratives. He examines Genesis 1:26-27, where God says, "Let us make human in our image, according to our likenes...
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Season 6
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Episode 25
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16:15
Two Models of God: Invoking Divine Protection for Israel in Times of Crisis - Vayelech/Ha'azinu
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portions of Vayelech and Ha'azinu from the Book of Deuteronomy. He explores the contrasting depictions of God's reaction when the Israelites aba...
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Season 6
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Episode 24
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22:48
Understanding 'Allah' is the Key to Preventing Societal Collapse - Nitzavim
In this episode of "Truths Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi D Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Nitzavim, found in Deuteronomy chapters 29 and 30. He explores the profound themes of covenant, blessings, and curses that define t...
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Season 6
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Episode 23
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26:37
The Biblical Covenantal Relationship's Inbuilt 'Day One' Mindset - Ki Tavo
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26) to explore the mitzvah of Bikkurim—the offering of the first fruits—and its profound im...
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Season 6
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Episode 22
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27:58
Rabbinic Reinterpretation of the Torah: Ethical Adjustments in the Oral Law - Ki Teitzei
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the Torah portion of Ki Teitzei, focusing on its complex laws regarding marriage and divorce. He examines how these ancient texts can be interpreted to align...
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Season 6
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Episode 21
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31:17
Why Torah Needs Two Sections on False Prophets - Mishpatim
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Levi Brackman delves into the topic of false prophets as presented in two Torah portions, Re'eh and Shoftim, from Deuteronomy. He begins by exploring why the Torah addresses false prophets in ...
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Season 6
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Episode 20
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16:32
Candace Owens' Lies About Jews, Judaism, and Rabbi Schneerson, and Boteach's Failure to Respond
In this episode of Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman reflects on a recent debate between Candace Owens, a right-wing political commentator, and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. The core focus of Brackman's discussion is Candace Owe...
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32:05
Is Your Leader a False Prophet? - Re'eh
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabb Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Re'eh from Deuteronomy, focusing on the concept of prophets and how to distinguish between true and false prophets. He addresses the cha...
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Season 6
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Episode 19
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20:08
A Festival of Love - Jewish Engagements and Marriage Explained
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today", Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman dedicates the discussion to the Jewish holiday of Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av, and its connection to romantic relationships and engagements, in honor of his son Dovi's en...
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Season 6
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Episode 18
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21:06
The Competing Spies Narrative Shows You Won't Find the Truth in the Torah
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the first Torah portion in the book of Deuteronomy, known as "Devarim" or "Mishneh Torah." He begins by discussing the nature of Deuteronomy, which largely c...
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Season 6
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Episode 17
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24:20
Passing the Test: Fighting for the Land from the East Side of the Jordan - Matot
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Matot, focusing on chapter 32 of the Book of Numbers. The story centers around the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who request to stay on t...
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Season 6
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Episode 16
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17:34
The Politics of Succession: Biden's Choice vs. Moses' Wisdom - Pinhas
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Pinhas, particularly focusing on the succession of leadership from Moses to Joshua. He begins by drawing a parallel between recent even...
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Season 6
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Episode 15
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15:25
Moses's Biblical Fiction - Balak
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Balak, offering an ideological perspective on its authorship and historical authenticity. Brackman begins by summarizing the story of Balak, the ...
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Season 6
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Episode 14
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18:10
The Torah’s Rejection of Venerating Dead Leaders - Chukat
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion "Chukat," which heavily focuses on the concept of death. He explores the significance of death in the Torah, emphasizing that while life i...
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Season 6
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Episode 14
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17:08
Despair and Mediation: Moses Between Rebellion and Divine Wrath
In this episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Korach, focusing on the rebellion led by Korach against Moses and Aaron. Korach's challenge was based on the idea that all Israelites a...
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Season 6
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Episode 13
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10:08
Defying the Divine: The Stories of the Makoshesh and Makalel - Shlach with Yehuda Ber Zirkind
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman and guest Rabbi Yehudah Ber Zerkind discuss the Torah portion of Shlach, focusing on the story of the man gathering sticks on Shabbos (the Makoshesh). This story...
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Season 6
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Episode 12
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31:29
Hadren Baba Metzia - Business Advice from the Talmud and Why People Die
In this special episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman marks the completion of the Talmudic tractate Bava Metzia with a Hadran, a traditional concluding reflection. He explains the significance of the Hadran praye...
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21:42
Riffraff Among Us: How Losing Identity Leads to Moral Decay - Bahalotcha
In this episode of "Truth Jewish Wisdom for Today," Levi Brackman discusses the Torah portion of Beha'alotcha from Numbers 11, highlighting the people's complaints and God's response. He examines the Israelites' grievances, including their lack...
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Season 6
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Episode 11
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17:46
Reinterpreting Our Judaism - A Conversation on Faith and Identity w/ Yehuda Zirkind
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," host Rabbi Dr Levi Brackman engages in an in-depth and candid conversation with Rabbi Yehudah DovBer Zirkind, a learned scholar deeply rooted in both traditional and critical Jewish studies....
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2:16:38
The Divine and Mundane Necessity of Counting For Business and Life - Bamidbar
This episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman introduces the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) and delves into the commandment to count the Israelites, explaining that this is the third time they have been counted. Levi...
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Season 6
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Episode 10
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30:15
Jewish Hell vs Christian and Islamic Hell - Bechukotai
Welcome to another episode of "Truths: Jewish Wisdom for Today," presented by Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman. In our Torah Portion Uncensored series, Rabbi Brackman delves deep into the weekly Torah readings, offering profound insights and contemporar...
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Season 6
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Episode 9
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25:32
The Biblical Blueprint for Society Is Neither Left Nor Right - Behar
Welcome to another episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today." In this installment of the "Torah Portion Uncensored" series, Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman delves into the Torah portion of Behar, found in Leviticus chapter 25. This chapter addresses...
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Season 6
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Episode 8
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24:21
Many Religious People Are NOT Holy - Kedoshim
In this episode of "Truths, Jewish Wisdom for Today," Rabbi Dr. Levi Brackman explores the profound call to holiness found in Leviticus chapter 19, beginning with the directive, "You should be holy for I, the Lord your God, am holy." This invit...
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Season 6
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Episode 7
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13:52