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Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Religion & Spirituality Podcas

Where our lives of Jewish learning collide with our love of Nerd Culture. Join us as we explore Jewish texts, history, and values and the apparent and invisible connections to your favorite movies, characters, and hobbies. www.torahsmash.com

Location:

United States

Description:

Where our lives of Jewish learning collide with our love of Nerd Culture. Join us as we explore Jewish texts, history, and values and the apparent and invisible connections to your favorite movies, characters, and hobbies. www.torahsmash.com

Language:

English


Episodes

Episode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud ...With Guest Host Rabbi Ben Sharff

11/22/2023
November 22, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud …With Guest Host Rabbi Benjamin Sharff This week, guest host Rabbi Benjamin Sharff crashes into our living room couch and teaches us about the Jewish connections from the longest running sitcom in television history, The Simpsons. The incredible discoveries made here will have you saying “ay, caramba!” 00:02:31 Torah Smash! Live! Reminder 00:03:22 The Simpsons (sing the theme song opening in your head now) 00:07:26 The Mishnah (sing this the same way in your head) 00:08:30 Longest running show 00:15:03 The Jewish side of The Simpsons 00:17:10 Favorite Simpsons episodes 00:20:39 Simpsons rabbinic spinoffs 00:22:27 What if the Temple was rebuilt? 00:31:10 More Simpsons characters and appearances Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-42-treehouse-of-talmud Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:40:31

Episode 41 - Ahsoka Tano, RJE

11/8/2023
November 8, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 41 - Ahsoka Tano, RJE In this episode, Ethan teaches us what makes Ahsoka and her Star Wars Rebels teammates different from those who came before them. Is it how they were taught? Or how they were teaching others? And which of the series’ characters are the most Jewish? Jump on a intergalactic traveling purrgil and let’s find out together! 00:00:41 Torah Smash! Live! 00:02:25 Ahsoka introduced in a Clone Wars 00:03:38 Star Wars Rebels is where it’s at 00:04:17 Who is the most Jewish character in Ahsoka? 00:05:00 The wise elder, Huyang 00:06:22 Ezra Bridger 00:08:46 Morgan Elsbeth and the Akeida 00:15:00 Kanan Jarrus, the best jedi? 00:16:58 Sabine Wren, Jew by choice 00:24:22 Ahsoka Tano is not just a Jewish Jedi 00:27:58 What am I doing wrong? 00:30:38 J.E.D.I. Training 00:31:15 Yoda’s Jewish roots 00:32:11 Ahsoka Season 2 Theories Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-41-Ahsoka-Tano-RJE Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:38:51

Episode 40 - Top 5 Jewish Characters ...With Special Guest Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik

10/25/2023
October 25, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 40 - Top 5 Jewish Characters ...With Special Guest Isaac Brynjegard Bialik We welcome back Isaac to the show in this exploratory look at Jews in pop culture. We count down each of our top five favorite Jewish characters in pop-culture. We may have had some overlap in our choices, but were there any that we forgot? 00:02:15 Coming this January: Torah Smash! Live! 00:03:57 How does this countdown work? 00:05:01 Starting with our #5 picks 00:12:45 First sign of trouble with our #4’s 00:30:27 These #3’s are bringing the heat! 00:40:20 Another contentious round with our #2 picks 00:58:23 Our top favorites 01:12:25 Honorable mentions Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-40-top-5-jewish-characters Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. Learn more about Isaac's career and artwork at https://www.nicejewishartist.com/ and learn about he and his wife's art workshops at https://www.papermidrash.com/

Duration:01:19:22

Episode 39 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Beshert

10/11/2023
October 11, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 39 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Beshert Jock! Start the podcast! This episode we explore the most recent installment to the Indiana Jones franchise and the titular character’s entanglement with destiny. We also ask why everything belongs in a museum? And why did it have to be snakes? We don’t know. We’re making this up as we go. Just be glad we didn’t also name the podcast Indiana. 00:00:38 Big Indy fans 00:03:29 The yiddish word beshert 00:03:53 Destiny vs. free will according to Judaism 00:05:52 Joseph's divine story 00:07:19 Process theology 00:11:33 Indiana without Indiana, Isaac without Isaac 00:16:45 Moments of beshert in our lives 00:22:51 Ranking the Indy movies 00:28:18 Warehouse 13 and The Librarian 00:29:55 Jewish Archeology 00:31:41 Struggles with faith and facts 00:35:10 Changing names Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-39-indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-beshert Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:42:27

Episode 38 - The Latest Last Of Us ...With Guest Host Rabbi Eric Linder

9/27/2023
September 27, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 38 - The Latest Last of Us …With Guest Host Rabbi Eric Linder This episode’s guest host, Rabbi Eric Linder, reintroduces us to the recent HBO drama The Last of Us and its artful history. We’re not playing games when we explore the connections between this retelling of the Playstation hit to a few poignant biblical texts. 00:04:38 The Last of Us video game 00:08:30 The retelling in Deuteronomy 00:12:46 A completely different reason for Shabbat 00:16:17 Not so faithful adaptations 00:22:20 Retelling for a different audience 00:27:54 Retelling in the same medium 00:29:54 We have Rashi 00:31:11 Biblical text in cinema 00:34:53 The return of the twelve spies 00:41:58 Favorite video games Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-38-the-latest-last-of-us Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:45:41

Episode 37 - Jews in Space? ...With Special Guest Dr. Miriam Mora

9/13/2023
September 13, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 37 - Jews in Space? …With Special Guest Dr. Miriam Mora The Co-Creator of JewCE (the Jewish Comics Experience), Dr. Miriam Mora, joins us as we explore strange Jew worlds, seek out Jew life and Jew civilizations, and boldly discuss which of the numerous Star Trek species are Jewish. You may find some of our conclusions highly illogical, but just know that we’ve given it all we’ve got! 00:03:47 Exploring the alien races and species of Star Trek 00:04:55 Have you watched any Star Trek? 00:11:54 The Vulcan salute, their origins, and their struggles 00:22:43 The Ferengi and historical antisemitism 00:38:28 The Klingons. The Klingons? 00:43:26 Worf 00:43:47 The Bajorans 00:45:23 Cardassians 00:45:48 Why the answer is yes Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-37-jews-in-space Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:53:06

Episode 36 - Cobra Chai ...With Special Guest Dr. Betsy Stone

8/30/2023
August 30, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 36 - Cobra Chai …With Special Guest Dr. Betsy Stone Torah Smash has special guest Dr. Betsy Stone to help us as we prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. We always tend to take a look inward and think of all the people to which we may have done wrong, because every year even though sometimes our heart knows, our head forgets. So we look at the process of teshuva with some of our favorite pop-culture senseis. And these lessons are not just for karate only. These lessons are for whole life! 00:03:13 The Jewish practice of teshuva 00:05:38 The Karate Kid returns decades later 00:07:12 Stories from the “villain’s” perspective 00:08:10 The teshuva process 00:11:59 A state of mind or an action? 00:15:00 Telling ourselves that we’re wrong 00:19:27 Regretting I hurt you, but not my behavior 00:25:42 Hypothetical ladder of teshuva 00:28:03 Cobra Kai needs better practice saying sorry 00:36:41 Advice on changing your ways Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-33-cancel-lashon-hara Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. YouTube: Daniel is the Real Bully - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Gz_iTuRMM&t=6s

Duration:00:47:51

Episode 35 - Genesis of the Spider-Verse ...With Special Guest Danny Fingeroth

8/16/2023
August 16, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 35 - Genesis of the Spider-Verse …With Special Guest Danny Fingeroth In this episode, we explore the converging and diverging realities of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse with one of the writers and editors of the Spider-Man comics, Danny Fingeroth. We explore the origins of The Spot, canon events in Marvel and the Torah, and a startling discovery about the film that will make you question if you even saw the same movie that we did! 00:00:57 Introducing Danny Fingeroth 00:02:24 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 00:05:20 Talking Al Milgrom and his creation: The Spot 00:09:18 Two versions of the same movie? 00:12:32 Two different Genesis stories 00:17:14 More examples of multiple stories 00:22:10 Diverging realties 00:24:30 When has Marvel told two stories? 00:27:20 The Marvel Universe’s canon event 00:29:42 The essentials of a canon event 00:34:38 Making a hero or a villain 00:35:30 Universe 42’s Prowler Theory 00:39:56 Across the Spider-Verse’s Afikomen Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-35-genesis-of-the-spider-verse Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. This episode was supported in part by JewCE! (Jewish Comics Experience) which is a full day convention and preview night that brings together fans, creators, and industry professionals to explore the rich history and contributions of diverse Jewish creators and content in the comics medium. JewCE! is created and hosted by the Center for Jewish History in New York City. If you are interested in attending or to learn more, visit jewce.org. Also visit the Center for Jewish History at cjh.org for new information on the institution and their partners, who are all involved in the upcoming exhibit: the museum and laboratory of the Jewish comics experience, opening in October 2023 at the center for Jewish history.

Duration:00:47:30

Episode 34 - Mishpacha of the Galaxy

8/2/2023
August 2, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 34 - Mishpacha of the Galaxy Think back to the families that came before us: Abraham and Sarah; Rebecca and Isaac; Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah; and of course Rocket, Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. Join as we review the many different family structures within the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and some surprising connections to a few families from the Torah. 00:01:06 The Guardians Trilogy 00:02:26 Mishpacha means family 00:03:19 The three sets of Amidah families 00:06:10 The families in the guardians trilogy 00:09:10 Related to Kevin Bacon 00:14:15 The High Evolutionary’s obsession 00:18:52 Drax, Quasar, and Warlock 00:20:57 Rocket’s Perspective and Groot’s love language 00:25:20 Swinging back to the Jewish stuff 00:26:09 Joseph, Moses, King David, and Joseph again 00:31:40 Reliving time with your family 00:35:06 Growing from the family around you 00:37:18 Some of our favorite afikomen 00:46:32 Two types of family Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-34-mishpacha-of-the-galaxy Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:50:13

Episode 33 - Cancel Lashon Hara ...With Special Guest Rachel Frish

7/19/2023
July 19, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 33 - Cancel Lashon Hara …With Special Guest Rachel Frish In this episode, we are joined by Rachel Frish as we look at the complexities of the Hebrew phrase “lashon hara.” What happens when cultural icons speak poorly of others and how does it impact us as their nerdy fans? 00:03:28 Defining Lashon Hara 00:06:17 When is it not lashon hara? 00:12:12 How to separate an artist from their work 00:18:01 Changing and shifting culture 00:27:09 Teshuva Process 00:34:01 The point of no return 00:39:28 Frish’s Harry Potter soapbox 00:47:07 May all wickedness cease Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-33-cancel-lashon-hara Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. Thank you for listening to this week’s episode, we touched on a few difficult topics. We want to make sure to say that if YOU or someone you know is a victim of abuse or in need of support, we urge you to contact your local clergy or the appropriate local or national hotline. If you are not connected to a clergy person, please call RDY. He can be reached any time at 833-722-2701. Everyone should always be able to find support when they need it.

Duration:00:53:16

Episode 32 - The Mikvahlorian ...With Special Guest Ellery Weil

7/5/2023
July 5, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 32 - The Mikvahlorian …With Special Guest Ellery Weil Join us and special guest, Ellery Weil, as we learn the way of the Mandalorian and the uncanny connection to one of Judaism’s ritual practices. While they don’t make their tallit out of beskar the history, culture, and customs we learn about in Season 3 of the Mandalorian help us reflect on our own practices as Jews. Much like Grogu, this podcast means more to us than you will ever know. 00:02:54 Optimal viewing experience 00:05:13 Let’s all go to the mikvah 00:07:44 An 18th Century Pirate Mikvah 00:09:17 Bo Katan’s accidental plunge 00:15:00 The dark saber’s transitive property 00:15:56 Grogu’s independence! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! 00:16:45 Pellaeon-tology 00:18:22 Two theories 00:22:09 Moff Gideon tried 00:23:12 Building Nevarro’s Temple 00:27:35 The written and spoken words at the mikvah 00:30:35 Some more low-key Judaism 00:32:06 The Jewish way 00:32:53 The spies 00:33:22 Lightsabers into plowshares 00:34:21 Night of a thousand tears 00:35:21 This last one is way out in left field Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-32-the-mikvahlorian You can read Ellery’s article on Hey Alma here: https://www.heyalma.com/is-the-mandalorian-lowkey-jewish/ Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:41:11

Episode 31 - Movie Midrash: D&D Honor Among Family

6/21/2023
June 21, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 31 - Movie Midrash: D&D - Honor Among Family Get ready to roll initiative again because we’re heading into a new medium for D&D! This episode we explore some of the Jewish “connections” that we found in the recent hit film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. We also talk about what parts plucked at our heart strings and what we hope they include in a hopeful sequel. 00:00:46 RDY’s D&D memory flashbacks 00:04:58 Dungeon & Dragon movies 00:12:35 Roll to guess the smash 00:13:46 Kehillah kedosha, a holy community 00:14:38 Why is community a Jewish value? 00:19:46 Hillel said, “Never split the party!” 00:23:28 All of Israel is responsible for one another 00:27:37 Community amongst the skeleton army 00:28:59 Is your party cautious or not cautious? 00:30:32 When does a horde become a community? 00:35:11 Final thoughts on the film 00:37:20 The biblical word for community Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-31-movie-midrash-honor-among-family Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:39:36

Episode 30 - Movie Midrash: QWundermania ...With Special Guest Terry Wunder

6/7/2023
June 7, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 30 - Movie Midrash: QWundermania …With Special Guest Terry Wunder In this episode, we are joined by Terry Wunder as we explore the recent dive into Marvel’s quantum realm and discover what bothers us about the newest Ant-Man movie as well as Terry’s hopes and dreams for the future of the MCU. 00:03:41 Overall thoughts on Paul Rudd’s newest MCU film 00:11:33 It’s great that Scott wrote a book, so what? 00:12:55 It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither can you desist from it. 00:13:52 Jedi Temple Rabbi Tarfon’s full quote. 00:15:12 You just need to do something. Anything. 00:21:41 Getting a reward in return. 00:26:38 The grant of the reward is in the age to come. 00:34:20 LOOK OUT!! For the little guy! 00:25:59 Other LITTLE details 00:38:42 Jumping into Terry’s Wunderverse 00:41:24 Final Thoughts on Quantumania Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-30-movie-midrash-qwundermania Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:46:01

Episode 29 - Anniversary Special: A One-Shot of Biblical Proportions!

5/24/2023
May 24, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 29 - Anniversary Special: A One-Shot of Biblical Proportions! To celebrate one year of being Jewish and Nerdy, we invited our previous guests back to the show for a Torah Smashed version of Dungeons & Dragons. Each player chose a biblical character to portray (character descriptions below) and joined together for an adventure 5,783 years in the making. 00:02:27 Interrogating the slave master 00:06:26 MacGuffin’s compass 00:11:08 Noah: the seafarer and his mysterious ship 00:20:33 “Kuo toa! Defend Yourselves!” 00:52:02 This calls for a celebratory meal 00:54:17 Our hands are tied 01:07:13 What’s in the chest? 01:13:59 Maybe now it’s magical 01:18:13 The Temple atop Mount Sinai 01:30:00 Rabbi Fixler’s dreams come to life! 01:33:06 Who wakes Lilith? 01:51:39 It is not that easy 02:09:49 The helping friendly book Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-29-anniversary-special-a-one-shot-of-biblical-proportions Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. Character Backgrounds: JONAH - played by Barak Malkin Level 15 Halfling Druid - Jonah comes from his eponymous book of the Tanakh, which we read on Yom Kippur. Jonah is asked by God to travel to Nineveh, tries to get away, gets swallowed by a whale (“big fish”), and eventually does as God asks. JOSEPH - played by Ethan Lane-Miller Level 15 Half-Elf Monk/Fighter/Warlock - Joseph comes from the book of Genesis (also featured in the musical written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber), where his adventures take him on a roller-coaster ride from favorite child to slave to head of house to prisoner to Egyptian vizier. His placement in Egypt leads to the salvation of his family, which in turn leads to his people being enslaved in Egypt. TAMAR - played by Rabbi Leah Berkowitz Level 15 Changeling Paladin - Tamar’s story is from Genesis 38, where she starts married to Judah’s eldest (making her Joseph’s niece-in-law). He dies while they are childless, so she marries Judah’s second. He dies while they are childless, so Judah keeps his third son away from her (which is against the custom of the time), and Tamar, in turn, tricks Judah into sleeping with her to provide a child. She uses Judah’s staff, cord, and signet to prove that the child is his. ISAAC - played by Rabbi Josh Fixler Level 15 Elf Warlock - Isaac’s story comes early in Genesis. He is the only son of Abraham and Sarah, the half-brother of Ishmael, and the father of Jacob and Esau. He spends his biblical story being guided by his family rather than making his own decisions, and eventually gets tricked by his wife and son Jacob because of his dimming eyesight. RAHAV - played by Rabbi Elisa Koppel Level 15 Half-Elf Rogue Assassin - Rahav comes from the book of Joshua, which tells the story of the conquest of Canaan. When Joshua sends spies into Jericho to scout the city, Rahav (the town prostitute) gives them a place to hide and a route of escape out of the city. Her sign of loyalty to the Israelites was a red cord tied to her window.

Duration:02:15:02

Episode 28 - STRANGERAMA

5/10/2023
May 10 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 28 - STRANGERAMA Good news, everyone! Exodus is full of travelers, but never did we expect to travel so far into the future! We love fish out of water stories, but when Moses decided to name his son Gershom, meaning “stranger in a foreign land,” we wonder if that stranger also became a delivery boy. 00:01:32 Exodus 2:22 “A Stranger in a foreign land” 00:04:08 We’re going into the future….again! 00:06:00 Philip J. Fry, the Planet Express delivery boy of 2999 00:07:48 Favorite fish out of water stories 00:09:25 Favorite Jewish fish out of water stories 00:14:29 Futurama’s Jewish themes 00:16:24 But is it a Jewish show? 00:23:31 Dr. Zoidberg’s heritage 00:30:31 Futurama’s genius writers Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-28-strangerama Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:34:52

Episode 27 - Forgotten Torah Stories: The Director's Cut

4/26/2023
April 26, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 27 - Forgotten Torah Stories: The Director’s Cut Not all Jewish stories are told. There are some that get left behind on the cutting room floor. Who decides which stories get told and how does that impact our teachings? Ethan leads us on an exploration of the forgotten, the rewritten, and the unknown. 00:04:19 How we decide which stories are canon 00:09:36 Apocryphal books 00:12:42 Items removed from nerd culture canon 00:16:14 Do we lose something when we forget stories? 00:19:39 Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor 00:23:19 Visual impact on stories we keep 00:27:55 What Jewish or nerdy stories do we wish were considered canon? 00:29:56 MCU playing with canon 00:34:52 Who decides what is canon? Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-27-forgotten-torah-stories-the-directors-cut Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:41:47

Episode 26 - It's Not Easy Being Keen ...With Guest Host Rabbi Elisa Koppel

4/12/2023
April 12, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 26 - It’s Not Easy Being Keen …With Guest Host Rabbi Elisa Koppel Join us as Rabbi Elisa Koppel (REK) makes a most colorful connection between her biggest fandom, the Muppets, and the part of herself that she most identifies with, Jewish education. Explore our favorite muppet characters and the lessons they teach us. This one is seriously funny. Wakka wakka! 00:03:42 REK’s Biggest Fandom? The Muppets 00:14:47 Who is wise? One who learns from every other person. 00:16:38 Learning can be fun and funny 00:18:47 Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms 00:23:31 You can teach to two audiences at once 00:35:51 Anyone can be a muppet 00:42:37 Don’t take yourself too seriously 00:46:35 Favorite Muppet Guest 00:52:43 Everyone gets included Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-26-its-not-easy-being-keen Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:58:18

Episode 25 - Passover's Four Children, Mmkay?

3/29/2023
March 29, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 25 - Passover’s Four Children, Mmkay? Read the passover haggadah like never before and explore a wild theory that Barak once heard about four famous never aging 10-year-old tv characters and their connection to the four children of the passover seder. 00:01:44 The Four Children of the Passover Haggadah 00:05:10 The children of South Park, Colorado 00:09:52 The Wise One - Kyle 00:12:45 The Wicked One - Cartman 00:23:16 The Simple One - Stan 00:28:53 The One Unable To Ask - Kenny 00:39:11 Paralleling Four Generations 00:43:47 Proven to be true? Or just a fun theory? 00:45:42 Finding the Four Children in Pop Culture 00:53:09 Mr. Hanky’s Hanukkah Message Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-25-passovers-four-children-mmkay Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:55:48

Episode 24 - Is It Golem? ...With Guest Host Rabbi Josh Fixler

3/15/2023
March 15, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 24 - Is It Golem? …With Guest Host Rabbi Josh Fixler This episode, we take a tour of the virtual Golem Museum with its curator, Rabbi Josh Fixler! What should we talk about? Oh, I know: Superman! And Star Trek! And supercomputers! Actually, the conversation is about the Golem…or is it? 00:03:21 The History of the golem, for Susan 00:07:43 Our experiences with golem 00:12:23 What pop-culture Golem will we talk about? 00:15:13 Rabbi Josh Fixler invented a game show for us! 00:15:51 Round 1 - Superman 00:21:49 Round 2 - A ‘different’ golem story 00:29:54 The first supercomputer in Israel 00:32:37 Round 3 - Star Trek android golems 00:39:31 Lightning Round: Frankenstein, Cybermen, Mickey’s broomsticks, the great mouse of Minsk, Pinnoccio, Ultron, and Gollum 00:47:46 Thank you touring the Golem Museum with us Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-24-is-it-golem Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. Learn more about Rabbi Josh Fixler's Golem Museum on Instagram @golem_museum

Duration:00:52:30

Episode 23 - Loving Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

3/1/2023
March 1, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 23: Loving Everything, Everywhere, All At Once This movie has won award after award across every multiverse. In this life, RDY takes his time to guide us through the 2022 film: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. We explore the clutter, the googly eyes, the IRS receipts, and of course bagels. Find Joy for yourself in this episode and discover the Jewish text that’s guiding the lives of these characters. Or, if you need to, just be a rock. 00:01:02 The Award Winning Film: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once 00:08:40 Fighting with kindness 00:10:20 It’s all about bagels… maybe 00:14:57 V'ahavta l'reacha kamocha - Love your neighbor as yourself 00:18:46 Loving everything the Torah way 00:21:41 Finding clutter and meaning everywhere 00:26:34 Being dedicated and obligated all at once 00:29:55 Relationships aren’t won by being the nicest 00:34:01 The highest form of wisdom is kindness 00:37:30 Love means love means love 00:43:12 Take a moment to think about what you love 00:44:01 A little more love for the movie Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-23-loving-everything-everywhere-all-at-once Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

Duration:00:48:29