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Estimated from 3 chart positions in 3 markets.
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- 🇦🇺AU · Judaism#1805K to 30K
- 🇧🇷BR · Judaism#1161K to 10K
- 🇪🇸ES · Judaism#1271K to 10K
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2.1K to 15K🎙 Daily cadence·218 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
7K to 50K🇦🇺60%🇧🇷20%🇪🇸20% - Active Followers
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2.8K to 20K
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On the show
Recent episodes
Israel Meir Kagan in 10 Minutes
May 20, 2026
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Raphael Hirsch in 10 Minutes
May 19, 2026
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Schneur Zalman of Liadi (The Alter Rebbe) in 10 Minutes
May 18, 2026
Unknown duration
Rabbi Judah Leow ben Bezalel (The Maharal) in 10 Minutes
May 17, 2026
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Josephus in 10 Minutes
May 16, 2026
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/20/26 | ![]() Israel Meir Kagan in 10 Minutes | Dive into the inspiring life of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Ha-Kohen Kagan (1838–1933), universally known as the Chofetz Chaim ("Desirer of Life"), after his foundational work on the ethics of speech. In this episode, we explore the legacy of the humble Lithuanian rabbi who, through his tireless efforts and saintly character, transformed global Orthodox life in the face of modern upheaval. We will focus on his dual masterpiece: the Mishnah Berurah, a six-volume, accessible codification of daily Jewish law that became the standard legal guide for Ashkenazi Jewry, and his eponymous Sefer Chofetz Chaim, which systematically lays out the intricate laws and profound moral imperative of refraining from lashon hara (malicious gossip and evil speech). Discover how this man, who ran a small shop and founded the world-renowned Radin Yeshiva, became one of the most influential ethical and legal authorities of the past two centuries. | — | ||||||
| 5/19/26 | ![]() Raphael Hirsch in 10 Minutes | Discover Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch (1808-1888), the formidable German rabbi who crafted a revolutionary strategy to save traditional Judaism from the tides of Reform and assimilation in 19th-century Europe. In this episode, we explore his iconic philosophy: Torah Im Derech Eretz ("Torah with the Way of the World"), which asserted that a Jew could and must embrace secular education, culture, and engagement with the modern world while maintaining uncompromising adherence to Halakha (Jewish Law). . We'll delve into his polemical work, the Nineteen Letters of Ben Uziel, his systematic code, Horeb, and how he became the "architect of Orthodoxy in the modern era," pioneering the first Orthodox Jewish day schools and fighting successfully for the right of Orthodox Jews to secede from non-traditional communal bodies, thereby establishing a flourishing, self-aware "Judaism understood from within" that continues to define contemporary Orthodox life. | — | ||||||
| 5/18/26 | ![]() Schneur Zalman of Liadi (The Alter Rebbe) in 10 Minutes | Unpack the groundbreaking teachings of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), known as the Alter Rebbe and founder of the Chabad branch of Hasidic Judaism. Breaking from the emotional focus of early Hasidism, he developed a systematic, intellectual approach symbolized by the Hebrew acronym Chabad—Chochmah (Wisdom), Binah (Understanding), and Da'at (Knowledge)—emphasizing deep contemplation (Hisbonenus) of mystical concepts as the path to genuine emotion and service of God. His magnum opus, the Tanya, functions as the "Written Torah" of Chabad, distilling complex Kabbalistic secrets into a practical psychological guide for the "intermediate man" (Beinoni), while his Shulchan Aruch HaRav simultaneously codified Jewish law, securing his place as one of the most intellectually influential figures in modern Jewish history. | — | ||||||
| 5/17/26 | ![]() Rabbi Judah Leow ben Bezalel (The Maharal) in 10 Minutes | Journey to 16th-century Prague to discover Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel, known as the Maharal, a prodigious Talmudist, philosopher, and mystic whose works profoundly shaped Jewish thought, inspiring both Hasidism and early Zionism. . Rejecting the scholastic pilpul of his era, the Maharal sought the deeper, philosophical meaning in the Talmudic Aggadah (narrative portions), positing a universe based on natural order and asserting that the Jewish people's exile is an aberration that must inevitably be rectified through return to their proper spiritual and physical place. While his sophisticated metaphysical writings—like Tiferet Yisrael—are his true legacy, he is most famously remembered in folklore as the creator of the Golem of Prague, the mute, clay automaton brought to life to defend the Jewish community from persecution and blood libels. | — | ||||||
| 5/16/26 | ![]() Josephus in 10 Minutes | Explore the controversial legacy of Flavius Josephus (born Yosef ben Mattityahu, c. 37 CE), the Jewish priest and aristocrat who became the primary, yet problematic, source for the dramatic destruction of the Second Temple. Appointed a general in the Jewish revolt against Rome, he famously surrendered after the siege of Yodfat and, by predicting that Vespasian would become Emperor, saved his own life and became a favored Roman advisor. . Writing his seminal works, The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews, under Roman patronage, Josephus offered a vast, Hellenized history of his people to a Greco-Roman audience, providing invaluable accounts of sects like the Pharisees and Essenes, but forever earning the complex reputation of a traitor among many of his own people for siding with the very empire that razed Jerusalem. | — | ||||||
| 5/15/26 | ![]() Shalom Aleichem in 10 Minutes | Explore the poignant and often hilarious world of Sholem Aleichem (Solomon Rabinovich, 1859-1916), the revered Ukrainian-born author hailed as the "Jewish Mark Twain" and a founding father of modern Yiddish literature. . Writing in the vernacular Yiddish, Aleichem immortalized the vanishing life of the Eastern European shtetl by creating universally relatable characters who grapple with poverty, tradition, and the overwhelming forces of modernity and pogroms. We dive into the life of his most beloved creation, Tevye the Dairyman, whose philosophical, Bible-misquoting debates with God capture the tragicomic resilience of a people struggling to hold onto their faith and family as their daughters embrace new ideas—a narrative that endures today as the inspiration for the classic musical, Fiddler on the Roof. | — | ||||||
| 5/14/26 | ![]() When Does Shabbat Begin and End in 10 Minutes | In this episode of Everything Jewish, 10 Minutes at a Time, we tackle one of the most practical and important questions in Jewish life: When does Shabbat actually begin and end? From the moment the sun dips below the horizon on Friday evening to the appearance of three medium-sized stars on Saturday night, we break down the precise timing rules, the different opinions on candle-lighting times, nightfall (tzeit hakochavim), and why some communities wait longer than others. Whether you're new to Shabbat or have been keeping it for years, understanding these halachic cut-off points makes all the difference in observance. Join us for a clear, straightforward 10-minute guide that will help you confidently welcome and conclude Shabbat every single week. | — | ||||||
| 5/13/26 | ![]() Baruch Spinoza in 10 Minutes | Embark on the controversial story of Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677), the brilliant Amsterdam philosopher whose radical thinking led to the most severe herem (excommunication) ever issued by the Portuguese Jewish community, branding him a heretic. We'll explore the ideas in his masterwork, the Ethics, which famously proclaimed "Deus Sive Natura" (God or Nature), asserting a singular, impersonal substance—a form of pantheism that denied a transcendent, providential God and rejected the divine origin of the Torah. . Though cut off from the Jewish world, his pioneering rationalist critique and passionate defense of democratic liberty and free thought profoundly influenced the Enlightenment, shattering medieval dogma and establishing him as a pivotal, albeit exiled, figure in the history of modern philosophy and the intellectual precursor to the secular Jewish identity. | — | ||||||
| 5/12/26 | ![]() Chaim Vital in 10 Minutes | Meet Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543–1620), the indispensable figure who codified the entirety of Lurianic Kabbalah, ensuring its survival and transmission to the world. A distinguished scholar of Jewish law and student of Rabbi Moshe Cordovero and Rabbi Yosef Karo, Vital became the chief and most trusted disciple of Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal) in Safed for the brief two years before Luria's passing. Luria himself wrote almost nothing, making Vital's comprehensive collection and organization of his master's oral teachings—primarily preserved in the seminal work Etz Chaim (Tree of Life)—the foundational text for virtually all subsequent mystical study. His writings transformed scattered revelations into a profound, systematic theology, defining concepts like Tzimtzum and Tikkun Olam and establishing the Lurianic worldview as the dominant force in Jewish mysticism for centuries. | — | ||||||
| 5/11/26 | ![]() Moses Isserles (Rema) in 10 Minutes | Journey to 16th-century Krakow, Poland, to meet the intellectual counterweight to Yosef Karo: Rabbi Moses Isserles, known by the acronym Rema. When Karo's Shulchan Arukh threatened to codify Jewish law solely according to Sephardic custom, the Rema authored his essential gloss, the Mappah (The Tablecloth), seamlessly weaving in the distinct customs and practices of Ashkenazi Jewry. Discover how this single, indispensable work—which often adds the crucial phrase "The custom is to..." to Karo's rulings—transformed the Shulchan Arukh from a regional code into the definitive, universal standard for global Orthodox practice, ensuring that the unique heritage of European Jewry was preserved and codified for all generations that followed. | — | ||||||
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| 5/10/26 | ![]() Yosef Karo in 10 Minutes | Uncover the journey of Rabbi Yosef Karo (1488-1575), the Spanish-born Jewish legal giant who was expelled from Spain and ultimately rose to become the chief Rabbi of Safed, the 16th-century capital of Kabbalah. We'll explore the epic scope of his work, the Bet Yosef, an encyclopedic commentary on Jewish law that took two decades to write, and its highly accessible condensation, the Shulchan Arukh (The Prepared Table) . This succinct code of law became—together with the glosses of Rabbi Moshe Isserles—the virtually universal standard for Orthodox Jewish practice, unifying disparate communities centuries after their dispersal. But look deeper: Karo, the master codifier of revealed law, also had a mystical life, recording nocturnal visits from his heavenly mentor, the Maggid Mesharim, revealing the profound blend of Halakha and Kabbalah that defined his world. | — | ||||||
| 5/9/26 | ![]() Isaac Luria in 10 Minutes | Explore the revolutionary world of Rabbi Isaac Luria (known as the Ari or Arizal), the 16th-century mystic of Safed who fundamentally reshaped Jewish thought with his radical system of Kabbalah. We'll delve into the core cosmological narrative of Lurianic Kabbalah: the primordial act of Tzimtzum (divine contraction), where God "made space" for creation, followed by the catastrophic Shevirat HaKelim (shattering of the vessels) that scattered divine sparks into our flawed world. Most importantly, discover the concept of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), where every individual's spiritual act—from prayer to the performance of a mitzvah—takes on cosmic significance, striving to gather the holy sparks and restore the primordial harmony. | — | ||||||
| 5/8/26 | ![]() Rabbeinu Tam in 10 Minutes | Step into 12th-century France to meet Rabbi Jacob ben Meir Tam, the magnetic and formidable grandson of Rashi, who refused to live in his grandfather's shadow. A brilliant scholar, affluent wine merchant, and political player who survived a near-lynching by Crusaders, Rabbeinu Tam spearheaded the Tosafot movement, transforming Talmud study by challenging, reconciling, and systematizing centuries of legal thought. Discover the fierce halakhic debates he ignited—from the placement of the mezuzah to the order of the scrolls in the tefillin—and how this outspoken, self-confident leader shaped Ashkenazi Jewry, leaving an indispensable mark on the very pages of the Talmud that endures today. | — | ||||||
| 5/7/26 | ![]() Rambam in 10 Minutes | Dive into a compelling exploration of one of Judaism's most towering intellects, Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, better known as the Rambam or Maimonides. In this episode, we unpack the extraordinary life of the 12th-century physician, philosopher, and legal scholar who traversed the globe, navigating exile from Spain to Morocco and ultimately becoming the personal physician to the Sultan of Egypt. Discover how he masterfully synthesized Greek philosophy with Jewish theology in the Guide for the Perplexed and radically systematized Jewish law in his monumental Mishneh Torah, cementing his legacy as a figure whose rationalist approach and comprehensive codification continue to shape Jewish thought and practice a millennium later. | — | ||||||
| 5/6/26 | ![]() Rashi in 10 Minutes | Today's episode is about Rashi — Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki — the unparalleled medieval commentator whose lucid, concise explanations of the Torah and Talmud have illuminated Jewish study for over nine centuries, earning him the title "teacher of the Jewish people" and making his name synonymous with accessible Torah wisdom. Born around 1040 in Troyes, France, he studied in the great yeshivot of Worms and Mainz under leading scholars, returned home to establish his own academy around age 30, supported himself through winemaking (as tradition holds), and led his community through turbulent times, including the horrors of the First Crusade in 1096 that claimed many lives close to him. His monumental works include a comprehensive commentary on nearly the entire Babylonian Talmud — phrase-by-phrase clarifications that unlocked its complexities, became the standard in every printed edition since the 16th century, and laid the groundwork for later Tosafot — and his even more beloved commentary on the Chumash (Pentateuch) and much of the Tanakh, blending peshat (plain, contextual meaning) with selected midrashic insights to resolve difficulties, explain grammar, and make the text meaningful for beginners and advanced learners alike. Famous for his clarity, humility, and ability to distill vast rabbinic traditions into straightforward language, Rashi's writings — often printed alongside the text itself — democratized Torah knowledge across Ashkenazi and beyond, inspiring countless supercommentaries and remaining the first stop for students worldwide. Join us to explore the life, the genius methodology, the enduring legacy, and the timeless light of this extraordinary sage whose words continue to guide generations in understanding the depth and beauty of Torah. | — | ||||||
| 5/5/26 | ![]() Rabbi Ishmael in 10 Minutes | Today's episode is about Rabbi Ishmael ben Elisha, the profound third-generation Tanna of the 1st-2nd centuries CE whose logical, humane approach to Torah interpretation profoundly shaped halakhic midrash and rabbinic thought, standing as the great intellectual counterpart to Rabbi Akiva. Born into a distinguished priestly family in Upper Galilee — likely the grandson of a high priest — he was captured as a child during the Roman destruction of the Second Temple but was ransomed and redeemed by Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah, who recognized his extraordinary potential; he studied under Rabbi Nehunya ben HaKanah and became a leading sage in the academy at Yavneh and later Usha. Renowned for his 13 hermeneutical rules (Middot) of Torah exegesis — an expansion of Hillel's seven — which emphasize rational, plain-sense interpretation of Scripture in human language rather than overly expansive readings from minor words or letters, Rabbi Ishmael's school produced foundational works like the Mekhilta on Exodus and parts of the Sifre on Numbers, prioritizing textual clarity, mercy in application of law, and avoidance of undue stringency. A man of deep compassion, he taught "Receive every man with a friendly countenance," practiced kindness even to strangers, aided the poor and vulnerable, and promoted peace, goodwill, and early marriage amid persecution; traditions hold that he was one of the Ten Martyrs executed by the Romans for upholding Torah, facing death with remarkable composure. His legacy endures as the voice of measured reason and ethical sensitivity in Jewish legal tradition, influencing generations through his balanced methodology that continues to guide learners in understanding the Torah's eternal wisdom. Join us to explore the life, the brilliant rules of interpretation, the compassionate teachings, and the courageous martyrdom of this luminous sage whose light still brightens the path of Torah study. | — | ||||||
| 5/4/26 | ![]() Yosef ben Chalafta in 10 Minutes | Today's episode is about Rabbi Yose ben Halafta — also known as Rabbi Yose or Yosef ben Chalafta — one of the most frequently cited Tannaim whose voice echoes through hundreds of rulings in the Mishnah, making him the fifth-most-mentioned sage in that foundational text. A fourth-generation Tanna of the 2nd century CE, he was born in Sepphoris to a family of Babylonian origin and noble lineage, traced back to Jonadab ben Rechab, and studied primarily under the great Rabbi Akiva as one of his five principal disciples who "restored the Law" after devastating persecutions; he also learned from Johanan ben Nuri and his own father Halafta, while boldly receiving ordination from Judah ben Baba in defiance of Roman bans, forcing him to flee to Asia Minor before returning to lead in Usha and eventually revitalize a flourishing academy in his hometown of Sepphoris. Despite working as a tanner — a humble, often despised trade — to support his family, he embodied dignity in labor, opposed needless controversy, promoted peace among scholars, and authored the influential chronological work Seder Olam Rabbah; legends recount his saintly encounters with Elijah the prophet, and his pupil Judah ha-Nasi later declared his generation's Torah greatness far superior to later ones. With his systematic halakhic approach, ethical teachings emphasizing piety and harmony, and enduring legacy as a bridge-builder in turbulent times, Rabbi Yose's wisdom continues to guide Jewish thought and practice across the centuries. Join us to delve into the life, teachings, and timeless impact of this extraordinary sage whose quiet strength and brilliance illuminated the path of rabbinic Judaism. | — | ||||||
| 5/3/26 | ![]() Rabbi Meir in 10 Minutes | Today's episode is about Rabbi Meir, the brilliant second-century Tanna whose genius illuminated the entire Oral Torah and whose teachings form the backbone of much of the Mishnah itself. A disciple of the legendary Rabbi Akiva — and initially of the tragic Elisha ben Abuyah — he earned the name "Meir," meaning "illuminator," because he enlightened the eyes of the sages with his unparalleled dialectical skill, able to argue 150 reasons for a law being pure and 150 against it. Anonymous rulings in the Mishnah are often attributed to him, his parables and fox fables captivated audiences, and his sharp mind helped preserve Jewish law after the Roman persecutions. Famous for his piety, his miraculous escapes, his compassionate wife Beruriah — one of the few women celebrated as a profound Torah scholar — and tales that earned him the title Baal HaNes ("Master of Miracles"), Rabbi Meir's life blends extraordinary intellect, moral courage, and timeless wisdom that continues to inspire learners today. Join us to uncover the stories, the scholarship, and the enduring light of this extraordinary sage whose voice echoes through every page of the Talmud. | — | ||||||
| 5/2/26 | ![]() Yehuda HaNasi in 10 MInutes | Today's episode is about Yehuda HaNasi, the towering sage and leader also known as Rebbi or Rabbeinu HaKadosh, whose extraordinary life bridged the eras of the Tannaim and forever shaped Jewish tradition. As a direct descendant of Hillel, he combined unmatched Torah scholarship, immense personal wealth, political acumen, and deep piety to navigate the dangerous world of Roman-occupied Judea, even forging strategic relationships with emperors while quietly preserving Jewish life and learning. His single greatest achievement was compiling and redacting the Mishnah, the first written codification of the Oral Torah, a monumental act of foresight that rescued centuries of oral transmission from potential loss amid persecution and dispersion, thereby laying the foundation for the entire Talmud and rabbinic Judaism as we know it. Join us as we explore the legends of his humility, his bold decisions, his legendary wealth used for Torah, and why he remains one of the most revered figures in Jewish history since the time of Moses. | — | ||||||
| 5/1/26 | ![]() Shammai in 10 Minutes | We're talking about Shammai—Hillel's sharp-edged counterpart and the original "tough love" rabbi. While Hillel said "be nice," Shammai said "be precise." He's the one who wanted to chase away a convert for being flippant, insisted on setting boundaries, and taught that seriousness is a spiritual virtue. But there's more to Shammai than just stern eyebrows and strict rulings. Underneath the firmness was a deep devotion to truth, tradition, and raising the bar for holiness. In this episode, we explore why Shammai's voice still matters—even if Hillel's opinions usually won the vote—and how the tension between kindness and conviction is built into Jewish life. Bring your inner debate team—this one's all about balance. | — | ||||||
| 4/30/26 | ![]() Hillel the Elder in 10 Minutes | We're spending time with the one and only Hillel the Elder—the sage of sages, the king of calm, and the master of turning Torah into tweet-sized wisdom 2,000 years before Twitter. You've heard his greatest hits: "If I am not for myself…" "That which is hateful to you…" "In a place where there are no people…"—all Hillel. But behind the quotes is a man of radical patience, spiritual gentleness, and deep humility. He welcomed converts with kindness, outwitted rivals with grace, and taught that Torah must be lived with love. In this episode, we unpack Hillel's legacy—how he shaped rabbinic Judaism, why he's still quoted at every Jewish summer camp, and what it really means to be a mensch. Spoiler: It starts with standing on one foot. | — | ||||||
| 4/29/26 | ![]() Shimon bar Yochai in 10 Minutes | This week, we're lighting a spiritual fire with Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai—the Talmudic sage, mystic legend, and star of every Lag BaOmer bonfire. Known for speaking truth to power (like, Roman Empire–level power), hiding in a cave for 13 years, and possibly authoring the Zohar—the central text of Jewish mysticism—Rashbi's story is equal parts drama, depth, and divine secrets. He comes out of the cave burning with holiness (and maybe some social awkwardness), ready to teach the inner meanings of the Torah. In this episode, we explore how one rabbi's exile turned into a mystical revolution—and why his legacy still glows in Jewish tradition, quite literally, every year with fire, singing, and maybe a grilled hot dog or two. | — | ||||||
| 4/28/26 | ![]() Rabbi Akiva in 10 Minutes | We're talking about the rockstar of the Talmud: Rabbi Akiva—the shepherd-turned-scholar who didn't even learn the aleph-bet until age 40 and still became one of the greatest sages in Jewish history. His story has everything: late-in-life transformation, deep romance (shoutout to his legendary wife Rachel), Torah study under Roman persecution, mystical adventures, and yes, a tragic but heroic end. He's the guy who saw the letters on the Torah crowns and smiled, who laughed at the ruins of the Temple, and who taught love your neighbor is the core of it all. In this episode, we explore the legacy of a man who proved it's never too late to change your life—and who helped shape Judaism as we know it. Bring your sandals and your scrolls—Akiva's got lessons for everyone. | — | ||||||
| 4/27/26 | ![]() Joshua in 10 Minutes | We're marching into the man who is the focus of Book of Joshua, who took the reins from Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua: warrior, prophet, spiritual successor, and possibly the most underrated biblical action hero. He brings down the walls of Jericho with a marching band, pulls off military campaigns with divine backing, and still finds time to give inspirational farewell speeches. But he's not just about battles—Joshua is about faith, leadership, and figuring out how to move forward when your mentor is gone and the desert wandering is over. In this episode, we unpack the legacy of a man who turned prophecy into reality—with a shofar in one hand and the Torah in the other. | — | ||||||
| 4/26/26 | ![]() The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, in 10 Minutes | We're stepping into the baseball fields, yeshiva halls, and quiet living rooms of 1940s Brooklyn with The Chosen—Chaim Potok's beloved novel about friendship, faith, and the space between fathers and sons. On the surface, it's a story about two brilliant teenage boys—one Hasidic, one Modern Orthodox—who meet after a baseball game gone wrong. But underneath? It's about the struggle between tradition and change, silence and speech, destiny and choice. In this episode, we unpack why The Chosen still resonates decades later, how it captures the beautiful tension of Jewish identity, and why no one forgets the first time they read it. Bring tissues. And maybe a baseball glove. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
3 placements across 3 markets.
Chart Positions
3 placements across 3 markets.
