Chanukah: "Know Thy Enemy"

The history of the Jewish people goes back vastly further than 1930's Germany. In order to understand antisemitism, this episode goes all the way back to the inception of our nation and dives into the first several Parshios of Sefer Shemos, which provides a blueprint for understanding the many ways antisemitism tends manifest, and what we can and can't do about it.

In this episode, Cypora recounts lessons learned from her grandfather, Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchok Perr and ponders a question that's been on her mind: What is a Jew?.

Vehi Sheamda is akin to our national anthem as Jews! What is it about these words that not only gives us strength but also illustrates who we are?

What happens when we have to deal with personal struggles (hastorah) within the context of a national struggle (b'soch hastorah)? Learning from Esther Hamalkah and Perek 22 of Tehillim gives us a blueprint for times like these. Cypora gets vulnerable and discusses her personal conncection to the message of Purim.

Chanukah is all about celebrating the victory of the war against the Yevanim, however, do we really understand what the war was about? What were we fighting for and what were we up against? In this episode we explore what the enemy was (and continues to be!) and why the victory of the macabees is such a cause for celebration. Happy Chanukah, everyone!

With everything going on right now, we look to this week's Parsha, Parshas Noach to understand the concept of ותמלא הארץ חמם. What is it? What causes it? We explore the importance of Shalom and taking refuge מתחת זיב השכינה. This episode should be a z'chus for the protection of K'lal Yisroel, especially those living in Israel, Our chayalim, and the hostages that were taken.

On this episode, Cypora is joined by Holocaust researcher and educator, Rachel Licht. Rachel shares her knowledge and insight on the holocaust.

On this episode we disscuss the significance of learning about the tragedy of Rabbi Akiva's talmidim before we get to celebrate Matan Torah on Shavuos. We disscuss the mishneh in Perkei Avos, "אם אין תורה אין דרך ארץ, אם אין דרך ארץ אין תורה" and learn how a Torah perspective teaches the true meaning of kindness.

Back from her break, Cypora dedicates this very special episode to her beloved grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Meir Weinberg Zt''l.

We all want to be happy! Happiness is one of the most fundamental human pursuits. But do we actually know what happiness is? Do we know exactly what it is that we are searching for? Does experiencing hardship or even sadness mean you can't be a happy person? On this episode, we explore the concept of "mi shenichnas adar marbim b'simcha" and discover how each of the four Mitzvos of Purim provide insight into what happiness means and what steps we can take to achieve happiness.