Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

May 8, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 54 - Very Special Episodes …with Guest Host Rabbi Alan Cook This week’s episode will talk about something very special. Since we want it to be extra memorable, we’ll bring in a special guest. That should help ensure that the purpose and topic stick out in your mind. Did that work for you growing up with the very special episodes of your favorite tv shows growing up? Does that still work for you now? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this very special episode of Torah Smash! 00:03:00 In Good Company 00:03:44 The arrival of the “Very Special Episode” 00:10:47 A very special smash 00:15:59 Special Guest Characters of the Torah 00:16:50 Guest Starring Zelophahad’s Daughters 00:20:43 Guest Starring Moses’ Father in Law 00:25:21 Guest Starring A Celebrity! 00:30:47 More Torah Special Guests 00:34:04 Written Once More With Feeling 00:37:14 Do Special Episodes Resonate More? 00:41:04 Why bad things happen to unknown people. Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-54-very-special-episodes Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

April 24, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 53 - Destiny Report You’re going to listen to this episode. How do I know? Because it’s destined to happen. The fact that you’re reading this now already tells me that this episode is in your feed. Just because you're reading this doesn’t change the fact that it’s going to happen. You see the dilemma right? If you listen, then our Torah Smash precogs were right and the system works. If you don’t listen, then our precogs were wrong and the whole system is broken. What’s this episode worth to you? What choice will you make… or has it already been decided for you? 00:02:16 The legality of future crime in the Minority Report movie 00:05:11 Heroes not embracing their path 00:07:30 Moses’ humility 00:08:37 Destiny cannot be manipulated 00:09:47 A flaw in the logic 00:12:44 C.R.U.S.H. 00:16:02 It is your destiny! 00:22:24 All paths lay before you 00:31:34 Keeping the marbles 00:33:36 Ethan promises this isn’t a Star Wars episode Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-53-destiny-report Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

April 10, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 52 - Moses and the Justice League Passover is around the corner, so of course, we will look at the hero who, to avoid the destruction of his people, was sent by his parents to eventually grow up to be the hero we all look up to. I’ll give you a hint, they’re a member of the Justice League. …Wait, who were you thinking of? 00:00:38 Barak likes Jewish holiday smashes 00:01:56 Moses and Superman 00:03:12 Comparison of the two heroes 00:11:34 No capes! 00:15:31 The rest of the biblical Justice League 00:16:17 Is Cyborg a Golem? 00:17:42 Aquaman and the sea based characters 00:18:26 Young and Impulsive 00:18:48 Green Lantern’s ring 00:23:38 The Emerald Archer 00:25:40 Martian Manhunter 00:27:48 Wonder Woman and Black Canary 00:31:24 The Dark Knight 00:34:59 Who’s left? Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-52-moses-and-the-justice-league Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

March 27, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 51 - You Are So Not Invited To My Borg Mitzvah Star Date: April 5, 2063. Earth has finally made contact with other intelligent life in the universe, so we better ask them all the important questions: Do lobster people keep kosher? How many people attend a Borg’s b’nai mitzvah service? And why does Ethan think Star Trek: First Contact can hold its own with Wrath of Kahn? 00:01:15 First Contact Day 04/05/63 00:03:16 Not sure if it holds up, but what a cast! 00:07:15 The power of touch 00:10:01 How would alien life change Judaism? 00:13:55 Humanity in a post-religious world 00:16:29 Does life on other planets have free will? 00:18:45 Alien b’nai mitzvot 00:21:15 Debating through real life examples 00:25:38 First romantic contact 00:28:22 Continuing the arguments …err …conversations 00:31:04 A little perspective 00:32:24 Is there religion in 2063? 00:33:09 Going back to the writing Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-51-you-are-so-not-invited-to-my-borg-mitzvah Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

March 13, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 50 - Funny, You Don’t Look Jewish …with Special Guest Fabrice Sapolsky Purim is around the corner (some may say it’s around three corners) and throughout the holiday we disguise who we really are. Together with comic creator and publisher, Fabrice Sapolsky, we explore some comic heroes who hide in plain sight and we discuss how these decisions are reflective in our modern world. So, pull up a chair, grab a plate of hamantashens, and enjoy this one! 00:02:13 Poppy filled pockets are coming! 00:03:52 Queen Esther hides her identity 00:05:45 Daniel Kaufman’s ELI Talk 00:06:33 Which Superheroes Passively hide? 00:09:44 Bear-ly hiding at conventions 00:16:04 What brings superheroes out of hiding? 00:21:59 In Jewish History and Present 00:24:43 When do you present actively or hide passively? 00:33:20 Revisiting the superheroes who passively hide 00:40:30 Movies trying to hide as comics Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-50-funny-you-dont-look-jewish Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

February 28, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 49 - Hogwarts School of Judaism and Wizardry…With Special Guest Rabbi Emma Gottlieb Filled with decades of knowledge, halls filled with history, and helping to teach the young ones the history, culture, and practices of their people. As we explore the starting point for the wizarding youth attending Hogwarts, joined by Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, we explore the connections to our own Jewish educational institutions that we had opportunities to learn and study in as well. 00:04:31 A boy named Harry Potter 00:10:25 Yeshiva: A History 00:12:40 Another nerd yeshiva 00:14:27 Learning in different worlds 00:17:31 Keeping the past alive 00:20:03 The value of multiple perspectives 00:24:06 Schools around the globe 00:29:54 The competition 00:35:37 Our houses 00:38:42 Anthony Goldstein 00:40:50 Names are important 00:42:39 Abra Kadabra Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-49-hogwarts-school-of-judaism-and-wizardry Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

February 14, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 48 - What If Creation Wasn’t The Beginning?…With Special Guest Roy Schwartz Judaism encourages us to ask questions. In this episode, we try to answer Marvel’s biggest question of What If…? We discuss the most recent animated addition to the MCU and debate how the question could be used to change our view of our own Jewish history. 00:01:49 The oddities of “Is Superman Circumcised?” 00:04:48 A good month for superhero fans 00:07:45 Ours is the world that was selected, for now. 00:09:59 Process theology 00:15:42 Save Scumming 00:20:20 Why OUR universe? Was it the burritos? 00:21:54 Jewish What If Scenarios 00:22:10 What If Pharoah’s Heart Wasn’t Hardened? 00:23:42 What If Moses Didn’t Part the Red Sea? 00:25:34 What If Baby Moses Chose Differently? 00:26:50 What If Adam Ate The Apple First? 00:28:58 What If We Didn’t Worship The Calf? 00:29:17 What If Pharoah Knew Joseph? 00:30:15 What If Joseph Didn’t Add? 00:31:10 What Isaac Binded Abraham? 00:35:00 What If we let this question loose in nerd culture? Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-48-what-if-creation-wasnt-the-beginning Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

January 31, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 47 - Echo of Resilience Our Jewish history has been passed down through the generations and some experts may say that has made us more resilient. Superheroes learn about their ancestors’ ups and downs, but one in particular has shown the impact those stories can have when you fully embrace your past. L’dor vador. 00:00:38 Shoutout to Spertus 00:01:01 Resilience as a Jewish Value 00:02:55 Marvel’s Spotlight Hero, Echo 00:05:04 Maya’s Ancestral Resilient History 00:10:05 Jewish Ancestral Resilient History 00:17:45 Resilience stems from gratitude 00:22:14 Echos of gratitude 00:28:16 What other heroes’ past make them resilient? 00:32:31 Favorite parts of the Echo series 00:39:12 More Jewish Smashes Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-47-echo-of-resilience Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

January 17, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 46 - The Incredible Samson You may have grown up hearing the story of Samson, whose strength was connected to his hair. Did you know that it was also tied to one of his emotions? RDY gently guides us on a comparative look of how Samson’s love of Delilah and his destructive anger ties him to certain gamma based characters in Marvel comics. 00:00:42 The story of Samson 00:02:55 Samson’s Riddle 00:08:10 The Hulk, aka Bruce Banner 00:12:08 Dr. David Banner 00:12:48 You may not like him when he’s angry 00:18:40 Where their strengths come from 00:20:51 Anger and God 00:32:26 Being gripped by God 00:36:13 Designed on a flaw 00:38:03 Doc Samson Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-46-the-incredible-samson Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

January 3, 2024 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 45 - Our Heroes and Transformative Grief Ethan returns and shares about his brief hiatus from the show due to the loss of a loved one. In this episode, we celebrate the life of Kiya, we each discuss how our grief has shaped us, and the difficult personal experiences and choices that can come from losing someone dear to us. 00:00:48 Final reminder for Torah Smash! Live! 00:01:50 Ethan talks about Kiya and the reason for his hiatus 00:03:55 Let’s talk about grief 00:07:47 Meowing and other moments of relief 00:11:17 The Jewish grieving process 00:13:04 The difference between “grief” and “mourn” 00:16:30 What types of support have you continued for others? 00:22:54 King Solomon’s special ring 00:27:57 All captains experience grief 00:32:27 It can consume you or transform you 00:34:58 The custom of kriah - tearing 00:37:43 What characters are shaped by grief 00:42:20 Sometimes there is no conclusion Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-45-our-heroes-and-transofrmative-grief Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

December 20, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 44 - Loki and the Whale…With Special Guest Joshua Edelglass In this episode, we timeslip between Loki, the TVA, and Nineveh with our guest, Josh Edelglass. We go back in time to talk about Loki season 2 and his learned compassion for others, just like Jonah who gained compassion for his fellow man (and many beasts as well). So pull up your throne at the end of time and grab a slice of key lime pie, because all we can say about this episode is *in your best Owen Wilson impression* “wow.” 00:02:01 Regaling about JewCE 00:03:11 Book Your Tickets for Tora Smash! Live! 00:04:03 Loki is back in Season 2 00:07:15 Who else learns about compassion for others? 00:08:13 The Book of Jonah 00:11:01 What does Judaism say about our own glorious purpose? 00:13:15 Unrealized purposes 00:22:01 For you, for all of us. 00:24:24 Biblical misinterpreted purposes 00:26:29 The missing endings and origins 00:33:00 When will we see you again? 00:35:35 Favorite parts of the Loki series 00:39:03 The meaning of Key Lime Pie 00:42:15 The Jewish Ouroboros Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-44-loki-and-the-whale Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

December 6, 2023 Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews Episode 43 - Love, Jews + Robots …With Guest Host Joshua Sky Our guest host this week, Joshua Sky, is not only a writer for popular properties like He-Man , Heavy Metal Illustrated, and Ben10, but he is also a massive Sci-Fi fan. He gives us an in depth look at how the era of Science Fiction started as well as the multitude of Jewish influences on its progression into modern sci-fi and comic stories. 00:02:20 Torah Smash! Live! 00:04:00 The Jewish influence on modern science fiction 00:07:36 The golden age of science fiction 00:09:11 Isaac Asimov, an OG Jewish nerd 00:11 34 The 3 Jewish Laws of Robotics 00:13:58 Asimov’s WWII rescuers 00:14:53 Stemming from the science fiction pulps 00:18:09 Judaism and jealousy in modern comics 00:22:29 Pulp science fiction paved the way for comic mythology 00:24:16 Jewish undertones 00:26:51 More representation, stemming from our love for others 00:30:38 Closing the gears on this robot 00:34:04 One last special He-Man Hanukkah smash! Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-43-love-jews-and-robots Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

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.

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.

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/

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.

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.

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.

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

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.