Cities of Refuge

One of the most horrific episodes of jewish history began in 1827, when Czar Nicholas of Russia decreed that Jewish communities supply boys for his army. These boys would be taken at young ages and pressured to convert to Orthodox Christianity. They would have to remain in the army under horrific conditions for decades until they reached their early 40's. The Cantonist Decree (as it was called), not only tore apart families, it tore apart communities as each family looked for ways to save their children at the expense of others. Hear the tragic story of the Cantonists and how it continues to impact Jewish in the United States today. 

For more than 70 years, the Soviet Union outlawed most Jewish practice in the Soviet Union. Yet throughout that time, a vibrant Jewish Underground existed with synagogues, schools, yeshivas, kosher slaughter, Jewish circumcision, Torah classes and more.The punishment for being caught committing any of the above 'transgressions' was hard labor in the Gulags of Siberia or death. Thousands of members of the Jewish underground were killed, thousands more spent years in the Gulags but the clandestine Jewish activities continued and grew.JThe fascinating untold story of the Jewish Underground in the Soviet Union.

The Ohel, the burial place of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson in Queens NY is the most widely visited Jewish shrine in the United States. Since the Rebbe's passing in 1994, more than one million people visit the Ohel each year to pray and be inspired.A fascinating discussion about the Ohel and why so many people visit the Ohel. 

One of the most consequential early leaders of Israel was the prophet Samuel. He succeeded in uniting Israel under his leadership and ending the federal system of Judges. He appointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. A fascinating discussion about the prophet Samuel.

Jewish law has a number of rules limiting the involvement of non-Jews in the kosher kitchen, including limits on cooking, baking, milking and making wine. Each of these limits have exceptions and work-arounds allowing non-Jews to people involved in most Kosher food preparation. A fascinating discussion about the rules concerning non-Jews in a Kosher kitchen. 

Jewish observance has evolved significantly over our long history and varies from community to community. While the commandments and laws have not changed over our history and are practically identical in every community, the variations are in Jewish customs which have evolved significantly over the generations.  Where do Jewish customs come from? How do customs become part of Jewish practice? Can customs be wrong?A fascinating discussion about the role of Jewish customs.

In Judaism, we believe that the Torah was written cryptically in code form. To derive commandments and laws from the Torah we need to decipher that code. What is the code that is used to decipher the Torah? How is it employed? Has the Torah's code been fully deciphered in the past 3,000 years our people have studied it?

One of the most esoteric parts of Tanach (the Hebrew Scriptures) is the description of the Merkava or G-d's chariot described twice in detail in the book of Ezekiel. Kabbalists have written extensively, explaining the meaning and significance of each detail described in the Merkava.A fascinating discussion about the Merkava and its meaning. 

Rav Saadia Gaon, was one of the most famous Geonim who led the great schools in Babylon during the geonic period (500-1000 CE). Rav Saadia, was known for his many works that he wrote on Jewish law and on Jewish beliefs. He also fought the Kaarites, a group that broke away from traditional Judaism.A fascinating discussion about Rav Saadia Gaon, his life story, teachings and his impact on Judaism today. 

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were two groups that fought for religious and political dominance of the Jewish people during the Second Temple period (350 BCE - 70 CE).  Who were they? What did they believe? How did they impact Judaism as we know it today?