Jewniversity

Blessed Be - Berakhot

Blessings – what are they, what are they good for, and how do we do them? Also – are they actually blessings?! (Some of) the mysteries of Berakhot revealed.

How to Keep Kosher in a non-Kosher World

We review the basic laws of kashrut, considering the concepts of hekhsher and hashgacha, and attempt to understand the contemporary excesses of the kashrut establishment,

Body (of) Law - Milah, Niddah, and Taharah

We cover the subjects of Milah (circumcision), Niddah (menstruation), and Taharah (cleansing of the corpse). CW: genitalia, blood, death.

R&R - Oneg Shabbat

Mah Nishtanah - Pesach Q&A

In the run-up to Seder, we look at audience submitted questions around Pesach. Do I need new toothbrushes and lipstick? How can I do the halakhic minimum at Seder? What's

The Temple and Its Sacrifices

We look at the Korbanot, their details, history and significance and the context of the ancient Temple (Beit haMikdash)

Purim

A quick and colourful look at Purim – the story of Megillat Ester, the rituals and mitzvot of the holiday, and its minhagim and myths

Egalitarianism

In our 50th episode (!) we investigate the question of full and equal participation in Jewish life for women (egalitarianism) – its basis, its development, and its challe

Jews: A Taxonomy (Sort Of)

So many labels exist for Jews - from ancient to modern, theological to geographical! We try (and fail) to categorise and organise all the many ways to be Jewish in this (

The Talmud

Two documents are referenced in this podcast: the diagram of a page of the Vilna Shas, which is here, and the text of Massekhet Berakhot 12b-13a (the last sugya of the fi

Hanukkah - Maccabees and Miracles

All about Hanukkah – its history, myth, and modern practice

Is Judaism A World Religion? - Jews and Other Faiths

In honour of Mitzvah Day and Interfaith Week, a look at how Judaism sees other religions and how they see us.

Angels, Demons and Dybbuks - Oh My!

An introductory look at supernatural beings in Jewish tradition - the good, the bad, and the toilet demons.

The Jewish Home

What makes a Jewish house a Jewish home? We explore the concept of Mikdash Ma'at and the practices, objects, and experiences inherent in building a Bayit Neeman beYisrael

LGBT+ Halakhah

In honour of Pride and in our final session before the Summer break, we look at LGBT+ life and law in Judaism

Love, Sex & Marriage - Part II

In a follow up to last week's episode, we review laws of marriage (Kiddushin), explore some aspects of sexuality in Jewish practice (Onah, Niddah), and consider the laws

Love, Sex & Marriage - Part I

We look at Jewish laws, custom and practices around dating, engagement, sex and marriage

Hope & Havoc – Messianism

In our 40th episode (!) we deal with the thorny questions of the Messiah (who it is and why) and Messianism

Death & Dying

A rapid-fire tour of the Jewish conceptions of death, dying, burial and mourning.

History of Modern Israel

A brief and incomplete survey of modern Israel, from the first Zionist Congress (1897) until the 39th, coming up later this year.