Rz Weekly

Nowadays, Torah educators and scholars worldwide are not only using but are actually relying on digital Torah databases to prepare their classes. However, while these databases are remarkable in terms of speed and accessibility, their use raises a variety of educational and, in some instances, ideological questions. Recently, Sefaria proudly announced the availability of a gender-neutral translation of Tanach, while other databases often ideologically limit what is available on their platforms. Given all this, in the latest edition of RZWeekly Reuven Spolter and Johnny Solomon discussed the merits and chllenges which arise from using these platforms, while concluding with a list of lesser known yet great resources available online.

Rabbi Alan Haber has recently launched a series of online educational videos under the title Am Levadad where he explores the Jewish National mission and the centrality of Israel to Jewish faith. In the latest episode of RZWeekly we interviewed Rabbi Haber to discuss this initiative and why he feels these ideas are so crucial for all Jews.

How are Religious Zionists feeling, on what side are they protesting, and what is actually being said within various Religious Zionist communities regarding the judicial reform propositions? In this refreshingly insightful episode, the RZWeekly team analyse the more subtle discourse, which you won’t read about in the media, about what different Religious Zionist populations are thinking and the priorities that are inspiring some to support the proposals, and others to oppose them.

In this episode marking the 30th yahrzeit of the Rav and his 120th birthday, Mali offers a range of nuanced insights about the Rav based on her article ‘The Rav’s Enduring Pedagogical Relevance’ (which is included in the recently published special edition of the Tradition journal), while Reuven and Johnny offer their thoughts about what made the Rav unique and what makes his ideas so compelling.

According to a recently published article by noted educator and author Simi Peters on 18forty, notwithstanding the significant costs and alleged high standards of Jewish schools, there has been a sharp decline in recent years in the Torah skills of Jewish men and women with many being unable to access Torah in its original Hebrew. In this episode we interview Simi and ask her to tell us more about her perspective, while each of us – given our experience and involvement in Jewish education – offer our thoughts.

Not having visited the New York/New Jersey area, R’ Johnny’s recent speaking tour gave him the opportunity to learn more about many of the Jewish communities that he only knew from a distance. In this edition of RZWeekly, he shares ten different insights which, though not necessarily limited to these communities, were particularly visible to him during his visit. In response, R’ Reuven and Mali offered their reflections and, in so doing, considered some aspects of the modern American Jewish experience.

What are the judicial changes that are being proposed and pushed forward in Israel? Why are they being rushed through so quickly? What is the basis of the opposition to the plan? We addresses these and other questions in the latest episode of RZWeekly (or, ‘RZ’ for short

Rabbi Haim Drukman was a teacher and leader whose life achievements are nothing short of outstanding. This episode of RZWeekly begins with an interview with R’ Naftali Kandler who both studied from and worked alongside Rabbi Druckman for many years, and it continues with a discussion between Reuven, Mali and Johnny about Rav Druckman’s achievements. We also discuss decisions taken by Rabbi Druckman that were morally problematic, his mistakes, and his overall legacy.

This week’s episode of RZWeekly begins with Mali telling us what she thinks about the recent Netflix series about Harry and Megan. We then discuss the opportunities and limitations of Modern Orthodox Jews engaging in the wider world and especially in sports and where to draw the line in terms of professional success and Shabbat observance and how in general we should view the larger world of Modern Orthodoxy.

In recent months, Rabbi Yitzie Blau has started writing English summaries on his Facebook feed of important articles/discussions found in Mekor Rishon (which is the premier Religious Zionist newspaper in Israel). This has led us to consider why it is important for English speakers in the Diaspora to be aware of some of the conversations being had in Israel and why Israelis should be made aware of similar discussions happening in the Diaspora. We invited Rav Blau to join us to talk through some of these issues and related points (eg. the state of Ivrit education in the diaspora). Please listen and let us know your thoughts.

In commemoration of Rabbi Sacks’ 2nd yahrzeit, we dedicated this episode of RZWeekly to explore the legacy of Rabbi Sacks, why his teachings resonate with so many people, and how his books and teachings are now being learnt and engaged with within Israeli society.

Did Religious Zionism just win? Or lose? This week we discuss the success of the new Religious Zionist party, the reasons for its rise, and how we feel about it. We also discuss the reactions from Jews around the world to the rise of Itamar Ben Gvir, and the possible disconnect between Jews in Israel and those in the Diaspora.

Dr. Yoel Finkelman recently wrote an article in Mekor Rishon which explored the meaning of post-modernism and which challenged the way this term is used by many Religious Zionist leaders. In this episode of RZWeekly we interview Dr. Finkelman,discussing with him why he wrote his article, what post-modernism really is, whether it is possible to reconcile post-modern thinking with Orthodox beliefs, and our thoughts on the issue.

Dr. Yoel Finkelman recently wrote an article in Mekor Rishon which explored the meaning of post-modernism and which challenged the way this term is used by many Religious Zionist leaders. In this episode of RZWeekly we interview Dr. Finkelman,discussing with him why he wrote his article, what post-modernism really is, whether it is possible to reconcile post-modern thinking with Orthodox beliefs, and our thoughts on the issue.

In this final episode of RZWeekly for 5782, each of us shares a thought that has been on our mind. Mali asks what lessons can we learn from the recent Royal Funeral about beauty, grandeur, royalty, and how those lessons apply to Rosh Hashana. Reuven discusses how can we remain cognizant of the core values that inspired previously established Jewish practices in the modern age. And Johnny considers how can we discover the rays of light in the clouds that some of us have encountered over the past year. We hope you enjoy the episode and wish you all Shana Tova!

How should we relate to royalty: in general, and in today’s age? In the latest edition of RZWeekly, two of us reflect upon royalty through the prism of the great contributions of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, while one of us is more skeptical of the whole enterprise.

Which Elul customs do you do? Do you try and say ‘LeDavid’ each day? Or is it your practice to visit kivrei tzaddikim? Or do you take time to make a tally for any tzedakah that you may not have given during the year? In this episode of RZWeekly we share our customs and habits of Elul and discuss the ways in which we try and get ourselves ready for Rosh Hashanah. Then, we discuss ways to approach the upcoming Chagim from a positive, uplifting perspective.

As we approach the Yamim Noraim, we at RZ Weekly decided to dedicate our first episode after the summer break to sharing Torah thoughts and insights relating to Ellul and the High Holy Days, and in particular, how we are working to get into the groove of this special time of year.

Har Habayit: Have you visited, and if so what was it like? If you haven’t, what are your reasons for not doing so? What has contributed to the sharp rise in numbers visiting Har HaBayit in recent years? These are the questions that we discussed in the latest episode of RZWeekly which led to a riveting conversation. Listen. Enjoy. And we look forward to your thoughts.

According to R’ Chaim Navon, Religious Zionist teenagers aren’t who they used to be. Rather than waking up with a spring in their step to serve their Creator and to live an industrious life, they wake up late morning or early afternoon; rather than adhering to the demands of their school, their schools now need to meet the demands of these students, and rather than parents parenting, they often mollycoddle their children who they often treat like grandchildren. In the latest episode of RZWeekly we discuss whether these observations are true and what life is like as parents raising Religious Zionist teenagers.