Rz Weekly

Is there a requirement to pray with a minyan? In what ways does this requirement differ between men and women? How strongly should women be encouraged to daven in a minyan? And as shuls re-open in Israel allowing up to 50 worshippers, can the policy of certain shuls that prioritise places to men over women be justified? In this highly animated session, the RZ Weekly team share their thoughts on these and many other questions. Please listen and let us know what you think!

When shuls reopen, will we be any different? Will the yearning for shul prayer that many of us have experienced change our attitudes and behaviours when we return to shul? Will some of us be in a rush to return back to shul, or have some of us found pleasure and comfort in our new normal praying at home or in outside minyanim? And are the answers to these questions different from a male and female perspective? All this and so much more is discussed in the latest edition of RZWeekly!

In recent weeks, the State of Israel has received criticism from Ronald Lauder, Rabbi Elchanan Poupko and Professor Adar Ferziger for its failure to show empathy or share its resources with Diaspora Jewry in general - and American Jewry in particular- in response to the Corona epidemic. In addition, Dr. Avshalom Kor was criticised by The Ruderman Family Foundation for remarks that he made about Jewish life in the diaspora while hosting this years’ Yom Ha’atzmaut Chidon HaTanach (International Bible Quiz). In the latest edition of RZ Weekly we discuss both these points, as well as the changing relationship between Jewish communities in Israel and the Diaspora.

What is the role of theology during a worldwide pandemic? Is it right to offer reasons why bad things happen? What message is God sending us at this time? In the latest edition of RZWeekly we address these questions while reflecting on how each of us are trying to find meaning in these challenging times.

Did a group of Rabbis give permission for us all to enjoy Seder night via zoom? The simple answer is ‘No’, but if you have been reading recent Jewish media you may be forgiven for thinking that they did. In this episode we discuss ‘that’ ruling, what it really said, and how halacha is discussed and shared in the digital age.

Over the past few weeks the government of the State of Israel have taken aggressive steps to try and curb the spread of the Corona virus, while across the globe there is an atmosphere of fear and trepidation. We at RZWeekly recognize the need to take radical steps to protect public health, while at the same time maintaining a sense of calm and resilience. In this episode we reflect on the stress being felt in the Jewish world in response to Corona, we consider Jewish attitudes towards coping with stress, and we acknowledge those who are experiencing economic and emotional difficulties at this time.

Following the results of the recent Israeli election our latest edition of RZWeekly discusses what we can learn from these results. Do the results indicate a stronger commitment to tradition in Israeli society? What do the results tell us about the voice of Religious Zionism in Israeli politics?

In our latest episode of RZWeekly, we consider demonational labeling - should it matter? What does it mean for a Rabbi to classify themselves as ‘Orthodox’ - especially when performing a ceremony that many believe to be in conflict with Orthodox principles. More broadly, we consider the responsibilities of Rabbis to live and lead with ‘halachic and spiritual integrity’, and what this means to us today.

In our latest episode of RZ Weekly we explore whether addressing public statements found in print and social media regarding delicate issues of psak and policy are necessary, especially given the high likelihood of them being misinterpreted. In addition, what is the cost when we stay silent - at least in the public setting?

Our latest edition of RZWeekly responds to the recently circulated article penned in the ‘Dialogue’ journal by Rav Aharon Feldman titled ‘Yoatzot Halacha - Are they good for the Jews?’. In our highly animated conversation we discuss what constitutes psak, whether Yoatzot Halacha pasken (as claimed by Rav Feldman), and the necessary qualifications for paskening. We shed light on the way that Yoatzot Halacha operate, and also how they try to work within communities and in partnership with local Rabbis. At the same time, we also addressed the changing role of Rabbis in local communities while pondering what factors may have contributed to this article being written.

In our latest edition of RZ Weekly we decided to discuss Religious Zionist high school education. Specifically, in this episode we addressed the following questions: How do I choose a school for my child? Is the admissions procedure difficult? What are the pros and cons of dorming? What is the academic level of Religious Zionist schools? Is Judaic Studies taught rigorously? To what extent do schools emphasise holistic education? We hope you enjoy the podcast and welcome your feedback.

This week, the Chief Rabbinate reaffirmed and formally accepted the ruling of Rav Ovadia Yosef zt’l concerning the halachic Jewish status of the Beta Israel Ethiopian Jewish community. For some this was a historic declaration, while for others, the very fact that such a statement was felt to be needed was insulting. In this episode of RZWeekly we begin by discussing the significance of this announcement, and we then proceed by exploring attitudes towards the Chief Rabbinate including the balance of authority and power between the institution in general and individual Battei Din and how this plays out in terms of kashrut, gittin and other matters.

In our latest edition of RZ Weekly we discuss the recent Hadran Siyum Hashas for Women and the impact that this event has had - and will have - on Jewish women and on the Jewish world. In addition to this, we reflect on women saying kaddish in shuls - both when other men recite kaddish and when women recite kaddish alone - and what more can be done to make this experience more welcoming. We hope you enjoy the recording and welcome any feedback you may have.

In the latest edition of RZ Weekly we respond to a listener question about whether kiruv (outreach) is a priority for the Religious Zionist community. If it is, in what form does it take? And if it is not, then why not?

In this podcast we begin by discussing how the Star Wars franchise moved from archetypal timeless messages about humanity and good and evil, to a message that seems to discourage looking toward the past for wisdom. We discuss how that contrasts with classic Jewish teachings, and how to manage the tension between current messages and Jewish values. We then turn to a discussion of the Charedi society’s resistance to serving in the army, discussing what underpins their objections. We then discuss whether the Dati leumi world has something to learn from the Charedi approach, and why it’s more complex for the dati leumi world.

In the latest edition of RZ Weekly we discuss the changing landscape of Judaism in Israel and explore the category of ‘Jewisraeli’ as outlined in Shmuel Rosner and Camil Fuchs fascinating ‘#IsraeliJudaism: Portrait of a Cultural Revolution’. In particular, we discuss whether the category of ‘Jewisraeli’ is a new phenomena or just a new label for previously identified social groups. We consider the differences between being Jewish in Israel and the diaspora, and how these different identities may be leading to increased misunderstanding between these two populations. And we consider how those who make aliyah often find themselves diluting their religious identities while increasing their sense of ‘Jewisraeliness’.

In our latest episode of RZ Weekly we reflect on the bounty of essays found in the latest Tradition Journal which includes a symposium exploring Professor Haym Soloveitchik’s famous ‘Rupture and Reconstruction’ which was first published 25 years ago. In this episode we discuss Rivka Press Schwartz’s remarks in her ‘Of Metrology and Mimesis’ and consider the responsibilies of schools and families in passing down values and traditions.

Nishma recently published a new survey exploring ‘The Successes, Challenges, and Future of American Modern Orthodoxy’ including some interesting stats especially about Jewish education. Given this, our latest episode of RZ Weekly explores some of these stats while considering the function, responsibilities and challenges of Jewish education today.

Why are women’s issues so inflamatory in Jewish communities? How do we deal with social change? And what needs to be done to create healthy Jewish communities where there is room for difference and disagreement? These are the questions addressed by R’ Reuven Spolter, Rabbanit Mali Brofsky and R’ Johnny Solomon in the latest episode of RZ Weekly, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback.

While there has been a steady increase in the number of Orthodox communities where women dance with sifrei torah on Simchat Torah, this issue still remains contentious in some communities. Yet even those who disagree with this practice were shocked to hear about the violent protest and physical attack against a group of women in Yad Binyamin who were planning to dance with a Sefer Torah and who have since filed a police complaint. In this episode we discuss this incident and what it represents, while also discussing the way the issue was dealt with in the Alon Shvut community.