Shows
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 99 - The Torah LeagueJanuary 28, 2026Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 99 - The Torah LeagueIn this episode, we explore why the heroes from the Torah always seem to be told as a solo story. They have friends don’t they? Are they really the only “super” people at that time? As we contemplate and wish that someone would yell “assemble” we try and identify the groups of heroes from the Torah. We also decide which Torah heroes would be part of our Jewish Super Friends gr...
2026-01-2835 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 98 - Something Phishy ...With Special Guests Rabbi Benjamin David, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Stephen WiseJanuary 14, 2026Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 98 - Something Phishy… With Special Guests Rabbi Benjamin David, Rabbi Eric Linder, Rabbi Stephen WiseIn this episode, we’re join by not one phish, not two phish, three phish (jew phish) guests! We dive into the world of the band Phish and the one-of-a-kind community that has grown around the band. Phrom the music to the culture, we explore what makes the Phish phandom so devoted, so joyphul, and so unlike any other phan...
2026-01-1448 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 97 - Ted BlessingsDecember 31, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 97 - Ted BlessingsIt should be said: Fun is serious business.In this episode, we look at the comedy and heart-filled series, Ted Lasso. We discuss the title character’s impact on the world around him and the Jewish practice that he may be unknowingly doing regularly. From character growth to internal gratitude, this episode is a nice reminder to slow down, recognize the good that surrounds yo...
2025-12-3142 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar LaddyDecember 17, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar LaddyIn this episode, we’re joined by special guest, Tamar Laddy, who helps us better view the less frequently made Hanukkah Hallmark movies. We explore assimilation, belonging, and choosing to stand out instead of blend in. And then, we do that again and again and again. Not because it’s a time loop, but because we loved this conversation!
2025-12-1743 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 95 - MagicHeartDecember 3, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 95 - MagicHeartThe Torah says they no sorceress shall live, but what is its take on scientists?In this episode, we explore the tension between magic and science and the thin line that can exist between our understanding of both. Using a certain marvel metal hero, we dive into what counts as “magic” in the first place. From Shabbat science to Pharoah’s magicians, we examine faith’s role i...
2025-12-0343 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 94 - The Cube of Babel ...With Guest Host Cantor Ross WolmanNovember 19, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 94 - The Cube of Babel …With Guest Host Cantor Ross WolmanIn this episode, our guest host, Cantor Ross Wolman, helps us take a look back at the ambitious building of the Tower of Babel. We explore what happens when humanity’s drive causes their humanity to disappear. The answers to our questions may be revealed as we look up to the heavens, past the stars, and possibly where no man has gone before.00:03:23 The Tower of Babel00:09:23 The Borg00:13:05 Seven-of-Nine and...
2025-11-1942 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 93 - Um, ActuallyNovember 5, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 93 - Um, ActuallyWith a world of fun facts all around us, we all sometimes get the irresistible urge to push up our glasses, tap that person on the shoulder, and say, “Um, actually…”In this week’s episode, we correct each other while reading Proverbs 16:16. We explore the differences between knowledge and wisdom, but you know that already. We debate when education turns toxic, which you already...
2025-11-0536 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 92 - Huntrix, Honmoon, and Holy ScrollsOctober 22, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 92 - Huntrix, Honmoon, and Holy ScrollsThis episode takes us to the Honmoon protected world of the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie. We explore the protection spell cast by Huntrix and find similarities with Jewish cultural symbols that could possibly have the same effect? We discuss what it means to create a barrier that keeps something out and what does that also then keep contained inside? Turns out physical and spiritual boundaries can shield us...
2025-10-2246 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 91 - Not Heroes. Not Alone. ...With Guest Host Rabbi Emma GottliebOctober 8, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 91 - Not Heroes. Not Alone.Psalm 23 talks about walking through the shadow of death. Let’s walk into it together.In this episode, we dive into one of the newer Marvel movies to hit the big screen through the lens of one of the most popular Psalm versus. We explore fear, trust, and the power of being alone. But the people who will guide us through this co...
2025-10-0838 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 90 - Brave New MindsetSeptember 25, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 90 - Brave New MindsetAs we reflect during this High Holy Day season, we’re diving into the Jewish concept of teshuva—turning, returning, and transforming. What does it mean to change, to repair, and to not be wholly defined by your past?In this episode, we look at some truly marvelous characters wrestling with their pasts and the people they want to become. Along the way, we’l...
2025-09-2534 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 89 - Fantastic Four: First TestsSeptember 10, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 89 - Fantastic Four: First TestsFinally, there was pretty strong Jewish representation in a Marvel movie!In this episode, we venture through Marvel’s newest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps, with a look at this tale of sacrifice, testing, and trust. From cosmic children with unimaginable power to the silence of those around them, we explore how stories can sometimes wrestle with what it means to be ca...
2025-09-1039 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 88 - The Game Over PeopleAugust 27, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 88 - The Game Over PeopleIn video games, a “game over” isn’t the end, it’s just another chance to start again. In this episode, we explore how failing, restarting, and building resilience are just as much a part of Jewish life as they are of gaming culture. From gratitude and kindness to perseverance and play, we unpack what it means to keep going even after listing a level (or three). After all, sometime...
2025-08-2740 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 87 - Clone Force KilayimAugust 13, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 87 - Clone Force KilayimLet’s talk genetics. Yes, let’s talk genetics. Is there an echo in here? Yes, there is now.In this episode, we take a closer look at Kilayim, the Torah’s prohibition against mixing species. We inspect it and how it shows up in a tale from a long, long time ago, of a squad of soldiers unlike any ot...
2025-08-1239 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 86 - Pirkei AvigilanteJuly 30, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 86 - Pirkei AvigilanteTime to suit up as we take a daring dive into Pirkei Avot 1:10. From the streets to the courtroom, we unpack some of the tensions between working within the system or outside of it. We also discuss a certain red vigilante’s path and how it sometimes struggles when faced by its towering opposing force. If this topic gets too heated, it may be time you left the streets of the ki...
2025-07-3047 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 85 - Worse Than LeprosyJuly 16, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 85 - Worse Than LeprosyThis week, we look at what may possibly be the least favorite torah portion: parsha metzorah. It’s tedious, it’s a bit gross, and spoiler alert - it’s not even about leprosy! We clean up our act and take a look at why the portion has such a bad rap. What other Jewish texts are disliked? Can we discover why this bad writing has survived so long into today’...
2025-07-1628 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 84 - Pixar's Paradigm ShiftJuly 2, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 84 - Pixar’s Paradigm ShiftIn this episode, we explore the theory that suggests that all Pixar films exist within a single shared universe. Or perhaps they don’t and they’re just individually made entertaining movies. Or maybe the director once knew someone named Andy and liked the way he treated his toys. We’ll discuss how literal or interpretive we believe the Pixar universe to be and we dig into some other pop cult...
2025-07-0238 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 83 - Monsters and Angels ...With Special Guest The Wayward Children PodcastJune 18, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 83 - Monsters and AngelsRemember the story in the Tanakh about flaming serpents? What about the one about unicorns?This week, the mystical co-hosts of Wayward Children: Jewish Monsters, Magic, and the Stories We Tell help us summon the wild, weird, and fantastical creatures hiding in the pages of Torah. We explore the line between monsters and angels. Honestly, we didn’t know we could fit this ma...
2025-06-1852 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 82 - This Andor ThatJune 4, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 82 - This Andor ThatIn this episode, Ethan guides us on a conversation to a galaxy far, far away to explore the rich themes and surprising Jewish connections within Andor, the newest series in the Star Wars universe. We dive into the blurred lines between science fiction and our own realities, we explore the sacrifices made in the name of hope, and we ask the question no one else dares: Is Syril’s mom Je...
2025-06-0444 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 81 - 3rd Anniversary Special: Dungeons & DreidelsMay 21, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 81 - 3rd Anniversary Special - Dungeons & DreidelsA year has passed since the goblins were driven from the village and the light of Hanukkah was saved by the hero called Hershel… or so everyone thought. Now, on the final night of the town’s Hanukkah celebration, the wind howls and dark clouds gather above. Join the village’s unlikely heroes—a blacksmith, a tailor, a butcher, and a teacher—as they defend their home, unravel a mysterious return, and stand together to protect the light. Because Ha...
2025-05-212h 29Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 80 - Putting the Pieces TogetherMay 7, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 80 - Putting the Pieces TogetherSamson apparently loved Delilah and word puzzles. In today’s world, before he attacked the philistines, he probably would have finished that morning’s Wordle. With so many types of puzzles in the world today, we try to piece together an episode with the clues given on the box. Would you consider that to be cheating though? If you’re confused, perhaps you should listen to figure this one out with us.00:01:08 Judges Chapter 14 00:03:22 Puzzles00:05:29 Puzzling habits...
2025-05-0748 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 79 - Let's Get Together: Live in Austin!April 23, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 79 - Let’s Get Together: Live In Austin!Barak, Ethan, and RDY were finally in the same zip code together, for the first time ever! So they decided to record an episode with the locals! When these nerds get together they play board games, watch superhero movies, visit comic book shops, go to escape rooms, and tell wonderfully terrible jokes. So what happens when you put them together in a room full of Jews? It turns out, you end up with a definitely-not-fake laugh track! Th...
2025-04-231h 09Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 78 - New Games, Old WisdomApril 9, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 78 - New Games, Old WisdomIn this episode, we dice into the world of reboots, remastering, and retelling, both in the sacred and the pixelated. Ethan begins by sharing his love for the remastered version of one of his favorite games, Star Wars: Dark Forces, and what changed in its recent rerelease. We discuss movie reboots, and why it’s sometimes okay for things to change. And while some properties struggle with an updated version, some things in life seem to only get better with ea...
2025-04-0935 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 77 - God Plans, Man LaughsMarch 26, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 77 - God Plans, Man LaughsThere’s a new episode of Torah Smash! Yes, and… the Jewish tie in is a story from Genesis! Yes, and… the hosts find more ways to comment about muppets. With a topic like improv, anything can happen! Let’s talk about laughter and where it can be found in the world and in our work as Jewish professionals. We also explore how laughter is utilized in Jewish holidays, even in the darkest of times.00:02:40 Genesis 17:1700:05:31 Improvisational Acting a...
2025-03-2639 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 76 - Separating the Nerdy from the MundaneMarch 12, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 76 - Separating the Nerdy from the MundaneAfter last episode’s connection to Shabbat, there was only one logical topic for the next conversation: havdalah! We learn about the ritual objects of havdalah and the meaning behind this short, weekly celebration. We discuss when we keep our nerdy parts of our lives separate, we find some sweetness in nerd culture, and we also talk about the bad body odor of gamers, for some reason. Once we’ve gotten to that point, how can we separate ours...
2025-03-1239 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 75 - Shabbat: There's A Nap For ThatFebruary 26, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 75 - Shabbat: There’s A Nap For ThatShabbat is a way for us to reflect on the week and reset ourselves. We power ourselves down and find ways of interacting with our loved ones and our community in ways that can really nourish our soul. So, this is a reminder to download that special app on your smartphone that will help you appreciate and recognize shabbat. And, while you’re at it, don’t forget to organize your apps and delete the ones that just f...
2025-02-2641 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 74 - JudAIsm ...With Special Guest Rabbi Josh FixlerFebruary 12, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 74 - JudAIsmArtificial intelligence is everywhere—even in the clergy world! In this episode, we welcome Rabbi Josh Fixler, who was recently featured in The New York Times for his insights on how religious leaders are using AI. Join us as we explore the intersection of faith and technology, discuss the opportunities and challenges AI presents to clergy, and maybe even ask the big question: If a chatbot gives a sermon, does it count? Tune in for a fascinating conversation that’s mo...
2025-02-1254 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 73 - Kosher or Not Kosher?January 29, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 73 - Kosher or Not Kosher?It’s time for everyone’s favorite game show when it comes to Jewish food… Kosher! Or! Not! Kosher?! Join us as we explore some fantasy foods, science fiction foods, and some soon-to-not-be so science fiction food based questions when it comes to keeping kosher. Do we think the Klingons follow similar laws when making their ritual wines? How about Dungeons & Dragons characters? What about your video game characters? Plus, Barak shares his one unfortunate food allergy and RDY may have a...
2025-01-2944 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 72 - Leviticus All Along ...With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-WeinerJanuary 15, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 72 – Leviticus All Along …With Special Guest Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-WeinerWe are thrilled to welcome the first character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to join us on Torah Smash, Rabbi Levin, played by real life clergy, Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner. She shares about her journey into the MCU, we discuss our thoughts of the newest Jewish character to be portrayed in this world, and we share some of our favorite parts of the series. Just like the show, you may have to relisten to this one again to m...
2025-01-1549 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 71 - The Wheel of New YearsJanuary 1, 2025Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 71 - The Wheel of New YearsThe Wheel of Time turns, and we return with another episode for you. Did you know that Judaism celebrates four different new years? So, that means that American Jews celebrate 5 different New Years! And if you’re stuck in a time loop, the number is much higher than that! Join us as we celebrate and mark this time on our calendars. We share why time was invented, how we decide to mark time, and question the idea of time al...
2025-01-0146 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 70 - Torah Smash Jr.December 18, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 70 - Torah Smash Jr.There are some stories in Jewish tradition and history that put the children at the center of it all. Jacob and Esau as well as Joseph teach us some valuable lessons as adults. But aren’t children just meant to be sidekicks? And how old are the children of the Torah anyway? Let’s just hope that as they grow up, they’ve learned from the mistakes of their parents.00:01:00 Jacob and Esau the adult children00:03:13 Joseph the tattle...
2024-12-1838 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 69 - Die Hard Is A Chanukah Movie ...With Special Guest Arnon ShorrDecember 4, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 69 - Die Hard is a Chanukah Movie …With Special Guest Arnon ShorrChanukah falls on Christmas Day this year, so what better way to celebrate this overlap than debating if the classic action film, Die Hard, is a Christmas movie or a Chanukkah movie? We review what makes a movie holiday specific, the subtle Chanukkah plotline, and the movie’s Jewish characters… one which may surprise you! Make sure that you cuddle on the couch with some latkes and gelt in the warm glow of your m...
2024-12-0447 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 68 - Super Mitzvot Bros. ...With Special Guest Sparkle PetersNovember 20, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 68 - Super Mitzvot Bros. …with Special Guest Sparkle PetersThe Nintendo video game company has been filling our homes with fun and excitement for many years. Some even say that the best video game of all time was Super Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. Twitch streamer and podcaster, Sparkle Peters, joins us to discuss the innovation around the tutorial levels in video games, save skimming, and sometimes just throwing the instructions out all together. Plus, did you know that you’re remembering Rainbow Road wrong?!
2024-11-2046 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 67 - Grief, Loss, and LifesabersNovember 6, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 67 - Grief, Loss, and LifesabersEthan opens his heart to all of us once again as we look back on a year of grief together with returning guest, Dr. Betsy Stone. We learn about the difference between the words grief and loss, share some of the meaningful practices during the mourning period, and hear what Star Trek has to say about the unexpected death of a loved one. We also teach Betsy what we’re supposed to call those plasma sword thingies in Star Wars. …Or m...
2024-11-0651 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 66 - Good Ideas Gone WrongOctober 23, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 66 - Good Ideas Gone WrongWe recorded this episode in September of 2024, which means that we had to visit the future historical event of the time: the Bell Riots from Deep Space 9. Ethan walks us through this time travel Star Trek episode and we discuss what went wrong. They seemed like they had good intentions, but do good plans always go awry? We also visit some other future prediction events from other franchises. …Does Judaism ever predict the future?00:01:18 Isaiah 58:7-800:03:26 Deep Sp...
2024-10-2345 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 65 - Sabra: The Hero Not The Hummus ...With Special Guest Sasha KaplanOctober 9, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 62 - Sabra: The Hero not the Hummus …with Special Guest Sasha KaplanThe upcoming Captain America movie will include the first live action portrayal of the Israeli superhero Sabra. In this episode, we take a deep dive into Sabra’s first introduction into the Marvel Comics world, the possible powers and skills you may see on the big screen, and our predictions on what her story in the MCU will look like.00:02:41 A background on Sabra00:07:38 Sabra got a name change00:09:17 Sabr...
2024-10-0951 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 64 - The Good, The Bad, and The Antisemitic ...With Special Guest Dr. Linda MaizelsSeptember 25, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 64 - The Good, The Bad, and The Antisemitic …With Special Guest Dr. Linda MaizelsIt’s been almost a year since the attack on Israel on October 7. Since that time, it hasn’t just been the war that has taken over the news. It feels like there has been such a strong increase of antisemitism locally and around the world. We discuss centuries worth of antisemitism, we ask why it seems so acceptable today, and we try to find hope for the future. Don’t worry, t...
2024-09-2549 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 63 - The Rav and The AcolyteSeptember 11, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 63 - The Rav and The AcolyteIn today’s episode, we learn from each other as we discuss the newest Star Wars show, The Acolyte. We discuss the best and worst teachers among the sith and the jedi in the show. Also, did Darth Maul’s mommy make an appearance? Speaking of teaching, Ethan sith-splains Star Wars to his co hosts. 00:02:23 The Master and their student00:03:39 “The desire of the wise is to learn, and a fool’s to teach”00:05:16 Appreciating the cast f...
2024-09-1136 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 62 - Deadpool and Lamed VavnikimAugust 28, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 62 - Deadpool and Lamed VavnikimThere are so many people in our world who are making the world a better place. Judaism calls them lamed vavnikim, or the righteous 36. But what about the people in the void who are making our world a better place? Or those who are trying to find missing anchor beings to make their own world better for their girlfriend who doesn’t love them anymore? They’re good too, right? Well, maybe they’re not “Avengers good”, b...
2024-08-2846 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 61 - Inside Mussar 2August 14, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 61 - Inside Mussar 2Emotions can sometimes be difficult to handle and we find that they’re also often pretty Jewish. Join us as we explore the two joyfully sad movies by Pixar, Inside Out 1 and 2, and the connections to a very popular Jewish practice. We let the little voices inside our heads out for this conversation and we share the emotions that we wish made appearances in the films. Plus a hot take: Bing Bong is Jewish.00:00:39 Step Inside RDY’s Mind00:02:04 Init...
2024-08-1443 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 60 - All Nerds Think About Is Sects ...With Special Guest Melissa RaubJuly 31, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 60 - All Nerds Think About Is Sects …with Special Guest Melissa RaubJudaism is divided into sects or branches, but they all share a few core beliefs. We agree that they don’t sit on a spectrum, but perhaps they live in some kind of venn diagram? But, reviewing the sects of Judaism isn’t enough for us, we also explore the sects of Nerdaism. Or, as Barak preferred to call them, the cool kids tables.00:03:21 The denominations of Judaism00:04:51 Nerds and Geeks...
2024-07-3147 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 59 - The Messiah ElementJuly 17, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 59 - The Messiah ElementNot the first element, hydrogen. Not the second, the third, or even the fourth element. No, this episode is about the Fifth Element, and it’s just… perfect. Grab a flying taxi and head to the (for some reason) garbage filled airport because you won two tickets aboard the Flohston Paradise cruise ship! Is it possible to save the world from destruction? Or is that actually how we save it? Join us meat popsicles as we discuss the future of the gala...
2024-07-1745 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 58 - X-Men Again Again ...with Guest Host Joel SwedloveJuly 3, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 58 - X-Men Again Again …with Guest Host Joel SwedloveIn this episode, our guest host, Joel Swedlove, leads our team through a quote quote from a rabbi with a funny name name. We discuss the ever popular X-Men ‘97 animated series that recently completed and explore the similarities and differences in how we watched it. Not just because it’s a different show, but because we are different people than when we first saw it. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one, bub!00:04:30 Joel kee...
2024-07-0347 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 57 - To Everything There Is A Bluey ...With Special Guest Cantor Emily SimkinJune 19, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 57 - To Everything There Is A Bluey…with Special Guest Cantor Emily SimkinThis week’s episode of Bluey is called… Torah Smash! Sometimes special episodes come into our lives, this is one of those episodes. For real life! We talk about our feelings around the Heeler’s “moving” episode and all the advice that we’ve learned from a cartoon dog (and from real people as well). Life can get ruff sometimes, so we hope you find this episode to be a real t-r-e-a-t.00:03...
2024-06-1950 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews2nd Anniversary Special: Paraders of the Blessed Ark - Part TwoJune 5, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 56 - 2nd Anniversary Special - Paraders of the Blessed Ark - Part TwoThe second part of this year’s epic adventure to celebrate our podcast’s two years of being Jewish and nerdy. Can our heroes defeat this mysterious giant? Can they complete their mission? What happens to Tirza’s cat rock? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this epic anniversary episode of a Torah Smashed version of Dungeons & Dragons.00:01:40 The city golem of Ai00:08:11 KaiJew battle00...
2024-06-051h 50Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews2nd Anniversary Special: Paraders of the Blessed Ark - Part OneMay 22, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 55 - 2nd Anniversary Special - Paraders of the Blessed Ark - Part 1To celebrate two years of being Jewish and Nerdy, we invited some of our previous guests from the past year back to the show for a Torah Smashed version of Dungeons & Dragons. Each player chose a biblical character to portray (character descriptions below) and worked together to rescue the innocents and protect one of the most famous artifacts of the Torah.00:00:37 Character Introductions00:01:44 Our story begins on the bank of...
2024-05-221h 34Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 54 - Very Special Episodes ...With Guest Host Rabbi Alan CookMay 8, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 54 - Very Special Episodes …with Guest Host Rabbi Alan CookThis week’s episode will talk about something very special. Since we want it to be extra memorable, we’ll bring in a special guest. That should help ensure that the purpose and topic stick out in your mind. Did that work for you growing up with the very special episodes of your favorite tv shows growing up? Does that still work for you now? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this v...
2024-05-0850 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 53 - Destiny ReportApril 24, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 53 - Destiny ReportYou’re going to listen to this episode. How do I know? Because it’s destined to happen. The fact that you’re reading this now already tells me that this episode is in your feed. Just because you're reading this doesn’t change the fact that it’s going to happen. You see the dilemma right? If you listen, then our Torah Smash precogs were right and the system works. If you don’t listen, then our precogs were wrong and the whole sy...
2024-04-2437 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 52 - Moses and the Justice LeagueApril 10, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 52 - Moses and the Justice LeaguePassover is around the corner, so of course, we will look at the hero who, to avoid the destruction of his people, was sent by his parents to eventually grow up to be the hero we all look up to. I’ll give you a hint, they’re a member of the Justice League. …Wait, who were you thinking of?00:00:38 Barak likes Jewish holiday smashes00:01:56 Moses and Superman00:03:12 Comparison of the two heroes00:11:34 No capes!
2024-04-1040 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 51 - You Are So Not Invited To My Borg MitzvahMarch 27, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 51 - You Are So Not Invited To My Borg MitzvahStar Date: April 5, 2063. Earth has finally made contact with other intelligent life in the universe, so we better ask them all the important questions: Do lobster people keep kosher? How many people attend a Borg’s b’nai mitzvah service? And why does Ethan think Star Trek: First Contact can hold its own with Wrath of Kahn?00:01:15 First Contact Day 04/05/6300:03:16 Not sure if it holds up, but what a cast!00:07:15 The powe...
2024-03-2742 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 50 - Funny, You Don't Look Jewish ...With Special Guest Fabrice SapolskyMarch 13, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 50 - Funny, You Don’t Look Jewish …with Special Guest Fabrice SapolskyPurim is around the corner (some may say it’s around three corners) and throughout the holiday we disguise who we really are. Together with comic creator and publisher, Fabrice Sapolsky, we explore some comic heroes who hide in plain sight and we discuss how these decisions are reflective in our modern world. So, pull up a chair, grab a plate of hamantashens, and enjoy this one!00:02:13 Poppy filled pockets are coming...
2024-03-1345 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 49 - Hogwarts School of Judaism and Wizardry ...With Special Guest Rabbi Emma GottliebFebruary 28, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 49 - Hogwarts School of Judaism and Wizardry…With Special Guest Rabbi Emma GottliebFilled with decades of knowledge, halls filled with history, and helping to teach the young ones the history, culture, and practices of their people. As we explore the starting point for the wizarding youth attending Hogwarts, joined by Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, we explore the connections to our own Jewish educational institutions that we had opportunities to learn and study in as well. 00:04:31 A boy named Harry Potter00:10:25 Yeshiva: A Hi...
2024-02-2848 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 48 - What If Creation Wasn't The Beginning? ...With Special Guest Roy SchwartzFebruary 14, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 48 - What If Creation Wasn’t The Beginning?…With Special Guest Roy SchwartzJudaism encourages us to ask questions. In this episode, we try to answer Marvel’s biggest question of What If…? We discuss the most recent animated addition to the MCU and debate how the question could be used to change our view of our own Jewish history.00:01:49 The oddities of “Is Superman Circumcised?”00:04:48 A good month for superhero fans00:07:45 Ours is the world that was selected, for now.00:09:59...
2024-02-1444 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 47 - Echo Of ResilienceJanuary 31, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 47 - Echo of ResilienceOur Jewish history has been passed down through the generations and some experts may say that has made us more resilient. Superheroes learn about their ancestors’ ups and downs, but one in particular has shown the impact those stories can have when you fully embrace your past. L’dor vador. 00:00:38 Shoutout to Spertus00:01:01 Resilience as a Jewish Value00:02:55 Marvel’s Spotlight Hero, Echo00:05:04 Maya’s Ancestral Resilient History00:10:05 Jewish Ancestral Resilient History00:17:45 Resilience stems from gra...
2024-01-3142 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 46 - The Incredible SamsonJanuary 17, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 46 - The Incredible SamsonYou may have grown up hearing the story of Samson, whose strength was connected to his hair. Did you know that it was also tied to one of his emotions? RDY gently guides us on a comparative look of how Samson’s love of Delilah and his destructive anger ties him to certain gamma based characters in Marvel comics. 00:00:42 The story of Samson00:02:55 Samson’s Riddle00:08:10 The Hulk, aka Bruce Banner00:12:08 Dr. David Banner00:12:48 You may...
2024-01-1743 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 45 - Our Heroes and Transformative GriefJanuary 3, 2024Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 45 - Our Heroes and Transformative GriefEthan returns and shares about his brief hiatus from the show due to the loss of a loved one. In this episode, we celebrate the life of Kiya, we each discuss how our grief has shaped us, and the difficult personal experiences and choices that can come from losing someone dear to us. 00:00:48 Final reminder for Torah Smash! Live!00:01:50 Ethan talks about Kiya and the reason for his hiatus00:03:55 Let’s talk about grief00:07:47 Me...
2024-01-0346 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 44 - Loki And The Whale ...With Special Guest Josh EdelglassDecember 20, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 44 - Loki and the Whale…With Special Guest Joshua EdelglassIn this episode, we timeslip between Loki, the TVA, and Nineveh with our guest, Josh Edelglass. We go back in time to talk about Loki season 2 and his learned compassion for others, just like Jonah who gained compassion for his fellow man (and many beasts as well). So pull up your throne at the end of time and grab a slice of key lime pie, because all we can say about this episode is *in yo...
2023-12-2047 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 43 - Love, Jews + Robots ...With Guest Host Joshua SkyDecember 6, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 43 - Love, Jews + Robots …With Guest Host Joshua SkyOur guest host this week, Joshua Sky, is not only a writer for popular properties like He-Man , Heavy Metal Illustrated, and Ben10, but he is also a massive Sci-Fi fan. He gives us an in depth look at how the era of Science Fiction started as well as the multitude of Jewish influences on its progression into modern sci-fi and comic stories. 00:02:20 Torah Smash! Live! 00:04:00 The Jewish influence on modern science fiction00:07:36 Th...
2023-12-0635 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud ...With Guest Host Rabbi Ben SharffNovember 22, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud …With Guest Host Rabbi Benjamin SharffThis week, guest host Rabbi Benjamin Sharff crashes into our living room couch and teaches us about the Jewish connections from the longest running sitcom in television history, The Simpsons. The incredible discoveries made here will have you saying “ay, caramba!”00:02:31 Torah Smash! Live! Reminder00:03:22 The Simpsons (sing the theme song opening in your head now)00:07:26 The Mishnah (sing this the same way in your head)00:08:30 Longest running show00:15:03 The Je...
2023-11-2240 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 41 - Ahsoka Tano, RJENovember 8, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 41 - Ahsoka Tano, RJEIn this episode, Ethan teaches us what makes Ahsoka and her Star Wars Rebels teammates different from those who came before them. Is it how they were taught? Or how they were teaching others? And which of the series’ characters are the most Jewish? Jump on a intergalactic traveling purrgil and let’s find out together!00:00:41 Torah Smash! Live!00:02:25 Ahsoka introduced in a Clone Wars00:03:38 Star Wars Rebels is where it’s at00:04:17 Who is the most J...
2023-11-0838 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 40 - Top 5 Jewish Characters ...With Special Guest Isaac Brynjegard-BialikOctober 25, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 40 - Top 5 Jewish Characters ...With Special Guest Isaac Brynjegard BialikWe welcome back Isaac to the show in this exploratory look at Jews in pop culture. We count down each of our top five favorite Jewish characters in pop-culture. We may have had some overlap in our choices, but were there any that we forgot?00:02:15 Coming this January: Torah Smash! Live!00:03:57 How does this countdown work?00:05:01 Starting with our #5 picks00:12:45 First sign of trouble with our #4’s00:30:27 These #3’s are...
2023-10-251h 19Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 39 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of BeshertOctober 11, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 39 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of BeshertJock! Start the podcast! This episode we explore the most recent installment to the Indiana Jones franchise and the titular character’s entanglement with destiny. We also ask why everything belongs in a museum? And why did it have to be snakes? We don’t know. We’re making this up as we go. Just be glad we didn’t also name the podcast Indiana. 00:00:38 Big Indy fans00:03:29 The yiddish word beshert...
2023-10-1143 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 38 - The Latest Last Of Us ...With Guest Host Rabbi Eric LinderSeptember 27, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 38 - The Latest Last of Us …With Guest Host Rabbi Eric LinderThis episode’s guest host, Rabbi Eric Linder, reintroduces us to the recent HBO drama The Last of Us and its artful history. We’re not playing games when we explore the connections between this retelling of the Playstation hit to a few poignant biblical texts. 00:04:38 The Last of Us video game00:08:30 The retelling in Deuteronomy00:12:46 A completely different reason for Shabbat00:16:17 Not so faithf...
2023-09-2745 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 37 - Jews in Space? ...With Special Guest Dr. Miriam MoraSeptember 13, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 37 - Jews in Space? …With Special Guest Dr. Miriam MoraThe Co-Creator of JewCE (the Jewish Comics Experience), Dr. Miriam Mora, joins us as we explore strange Jew worlds, seek out Jew life and Jew civilizations, and boldly discuss which of the numerous Star Trek species are Jewish. You may find some of our conclusions highly illogical, but just know that we’ve given it all we’ve got!00:03:47 Exploring the alien races and species of Star Trek00:04:55 Have you watched any Star T...
2023-09-1353 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 36 - Cobra Chai ...With Special Guest Dr. Betsy StoneAugust 30, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 36 - Cobra Chai …With Special Guest Dr. Betsy StoneTorah Smash has special guest Dr. Betsy Stone to help us as we prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. We always tend to take a look inward and think of all the people to which we may have done wrong, because every year even though sometimes our heart knows, our head forgets. So we look at the process of teshuva with some of our favorite pop-culture senseis. And these lessons are not just for karate on...
2023-08-3047 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 35 - Genesis of the Spider-Verse ...With Special Guest Danny FingerothAugust 16, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 35 - Genesis of the Spider-Verse …With Special Guest Danny FingerothIn this episode, we explore the converging and diverging realities of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse with one of the writers and editors of the Spider-Man comics, Danny Fingeroth. We explore the origins of The Spot, canon events in Marvel and the Torah, and a startling discovery about the film that will make you question if you even saw the same movie that we did!00:00:57 Introducing Danny Fingeroth00:02:24 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse00:05:20 Ta...
2023-08-1647 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 34 - Mishpacha of the GalaxyAugust 2, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 34 - Mishpacha of the GalaxyThink back to the families that came before us: Abraham and Sarah; Rebecca and Isaac; Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah; and of course Rocket, Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. Join as we review the many different family structures within the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and some surprising connections to a few families from the Torah.00:01:06 The Guardians Trilogy00:02:26 Mishpacha means family00:03:19 The three sets of Amidah families00:06:10 The families in the guardians trilogy00:09:10...
2023-08-0250 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 33 - Cancel Lashon Hara ...With Special Guest Rachel FrishJuly 19, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 33 - Cancel Lashon Hara …With Special Guest Rachel FrishIn this episode, we are joined by Rachel Frish as we look at the complexities of the Hebrew phrase “lashon hara.” What happens when cultural icons speak poorly of others and how does it impact us as their nerdy fans?00:03:28 Defining Lashon Hara00:06:17 When is it not lashon hara?00:12:12 How to separate an artist from their work00:18:01 Changing and shifting culture00:27:09 Teshuva Process00:34:01 The point of no return00:39:28 Frish’...
2023-07-1953 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 32 - The Mikvahlorian ...With Special Guest Ellery WeilJuly 5, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 32 - The Mikvahlorian …With Special Guest Ellery WeilJoin us and special guest, Ellery Weil, as we learn the way of the Mandalorian and the uncanny connection to one of Judaism’s ritual practices. While they don’t make their tallit out of beskar the history, culture, and customs we learn about in Season 3 of the Mandalorian help us reflect on our own practices as Jews. Much like Grogu, this podcast means more to us than you will ever know. 00:02:54 Optimal viewing experience00...
2023-07-0541 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 31 - Movie Midrash: D&D Honor Among FamilyJune 21, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 31 - Movie Midrash: D&D - Honor Among FamilyGet ready to roll initiative again because we’re heading into a new medium for D&D! This episode we explore some of the Jewish “connections” that we found in the recent hit film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. We also talk about what parts plucked at our heart strings and what we hope they include in a hopeful sequel. 00:00:46 RDY’s D&D memory flashbacks00:04:58 Dungeon & Dragon movies00:12:35 Roll to guess the smas...
2023-06-2139 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 30 - Movie Midrash: QWundermania ...With Special Guest Terry WunderJune 7, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 30 - Movie Midrash: QWundermania …With Special Guest Terry WunderIn this episode, we are joined by Terry Wunder as we explore the recent dive into Marvel’s quantum realm and discover what bothers us about the newest Ant-Man movie as well as Terry’s hopes and dreams for the future of the MCU.00:03:41 Overall thoughts on Paul Rudd’s newest MCU film00:11:33 It’s great that Scott wrote a book, so what?00:12:55 It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neithe...
2023-06-0746 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 29 - Anniversary Special: A One-Shot of Biblical Proportions!May 24, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 29 - Anniversary Special: A One-Shot of Biblical Proportions!To celebrate one year of being Jewish and Nerdy, we invited our previous guests back to the show for a Torah Smashed version of Dungeons & Dragons. Each player chose a biblical character to portray (character descriptions below) and joined together for an adventure 5,783 years in the making.00:02:27 Interrogating the slave master00:06:26 MacGuffin’s compass00:11:08 Noah: the seafarer and his mysterious ship00:20:33 “Kuo toa! Defend Yourselves!”00:52:02 This calls for a celebratory meal00...
2023-05-242h 15Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 28 - STRANGERAMAMay 10 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 28 - STRANGERAMAGood news, everyone! Exodus is full of travelers, but never did we expect to travel so far into the future! We love fish out of water stories, but when Moses decided to name his son Gershom, meaning “stranger in a foreign land,” we wonder if that stranger also became a delivery boy. 00:01:32 Exodus 2:22 “A Stranger in a foreign land”00:04:08 We’re going into the future….again!00:06:00 Philip J. Fry, the Planet Express delivery boy of 299900:07:48 Favorite fish out of water sto...
2023-05-1034 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 27 - Forgotten Torah Stories: The Director's CutApril 26, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 27 - Forgotten Torah Stories: The Director’s CutNot all Jewish stories are told. There are some that get left behind on the cutting room floor. Who decides which stories get told and how does that impact our teachings? Ethan leads us on an exploration of the forgotten, the rewritten, and the unknown. 00:04:19 How we decide which stories are canon00:09:36 Apocryphal books00:12:42 Items removed from nerd culture canon00:16:14 Do we lose something when we forget stories?00:19:39 Luke Skywalker and th...
2023-04-2641 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 26 - It's Not Easy Being Keen ...With Guest Host Rabbi Elisa KoppelApril 12, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 26 - It’s Not Easy Being Keen …With Guest Host Rabbi Elisa KoppelJoin us as Rabbi Elisa Koppel (REK) makes a most colorful connection between her biggest fandom, the Muppets, and the part of herself that she most identifies with, Jewish education. Explore our favorite muppet characters and the lessons they teach us. This one is seriously funny. Wakka wakka!00:03:42 REK’s Biggest Fandom? The Muppets00:14:47 Who is wise? One who learns from every other person.00:16:38 Learning can be fun and fu...
2023-04-1258 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 25 - Passover's Four Children, Mmkay?March 29, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 25 - Passover’s Four Children, Mmkay?Read the passover haggadah like never before and explore a wild theory that Barak once heard about four famous never aging 10-year-old tv characters and their connection to the four children of the passover seder. 00:01:44 The Four Children of the Passover Haggadah00:05:10 The children of South Park, Colorado00:09:52 The Wise One - Kyle00:12:45 The Wicked One - Cartman00:23:16 The Simple One - Stan00:28:53 The One Unable To Ask - Kenny00:39:11 Paralleling Fo...
2023-03-2955 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 24 - Is It Golem? ...With Guest Host Rabbi Josh FixlerMarch 15, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 24 - Is It Golem? …With Guest Host Rabbi Josh FixlerThis episode, we take a tour of the virtual Golem Museum with its curator, Rabbi Josh Fixler! What should we talk about? Oh, I know: Superman! And Star Trek! And supercomputers! Actually, the conversation is about the Golem…or is it?00:03:21 The History of the golem, for Susan00:07:43 Our experiences with golem00:12:23 What pop-culture Golem will we talk about?00:15:13 Rabbi Josh Fixler invented a game show for us!00:15:51 Round 1 - Su...
2023-03-1552 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 23 - Loving Everything, Everywhere, All At OnceMarch 1, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 23: Loving Everything, Everywhere, All At OnceThis movie has won award after award across every multiverse. In this life, RDY takes his time to guide us through the 2022 film: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. We explore the clutter, the googly eyes, the IRS receipts, and of course bagels. Find Joy for yourself in this episode and discover the Jewish text that’s guiding the lives of these characters. Or, if you need to, just be a rock.00:01:02 The Award Winning Film: Everything, Everywhere, Al...
2023-03-0148 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 22 - Producing A Hit Spiel ...With Guest Host Rabbi Leah BerkowitzFebruary 15, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 22: Producing a Hit Spiel ...With Guest Host Rabbi Leah BerkowitzWe explore the ideas behind the very first Purim Spiel and the villain we all love to mock with our guest host, Rabbi Leah Berkowitz. Join us as we discover the connections to one of Mel Brooks’ classic films and share some of our favorite parodies from years past.00:02:23 Purim?! What a coincidence!00:16:33 Mel Brooks’ anti-musical The Producers00:19:20 Some background on the 1967 film00:26:42 How would your 1967 persona have reacted?00:33:32 Mel...
2023-02-1552 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 21 - Phase IV: The Genesis SagaFebruary 1, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 21 - Phase IV: The Genesis SagaThe first book of the Torah, Genesis, has many of the characters exploring the questions of “How do we know who we are or who we are supposed to be?” Lucky for us, similar themes run through the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four projects! Get ready for a dive on some of your favorite Marvel projects from the last two years!00:00:50 Starting at the beginning, Genesis00:04:18 Clarifying MCU Phase IV00:06:30 Rapid fire of all 17 Marvel proj...
2023-02-0153 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 20 - Captain Janeway's Transporter Trolley DilemmaJanuary 18, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 20 - Captain Janeway’s Transporter Trolley DilemmaEthan takes us back for a rewatch of an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, titled “Tuvix.” A miscalculation with the transporter causes two crew mates to be merged into a new being. Captain Janeway has quite the conundrum in front of her and Judaism has a few pieces of advice for her. Also, we help prepare the rabbis for important decisions they will need to make in regards to replicators.00:01:58 Season 2, Episode 24 - Tuvix00:06:55 Pikuach Nefesh...
2023-01-1846 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 19 - Movie Midrash: May Wakanda Forever Be A Blessing ...With Special Guest Myq KaplanJanuary 4, 2023Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 19 - Movie Midrash: May Wakanda Forever Be A BlessingWe laugh and cry until it hurts in this look at Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with special guest Myq Kaplan. Join us as we celebrate the lives of both Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa. Also, why did they change the name to Talokan? 00:03:18 A solemn opening00:06:47 A movie in mourning00:15:01 Elephants and experiences00:25:02 Memories as a blessing00:30:24 Rituals of mourning00:37:41 Talokan and the spelling of Hanukkah… chanukah… you get it.
2023-01-041h 03Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 18 - Hershel and the Torah Smash Chanukah Special!December 21, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 18 - Hershel and the Torah Smash Chanukah Special!Walking down the dark, quiet road is Hershel of Ostropol and, what’s this? He’s real?! Not only did this yiddish folklore legend save Chanukah, but he also has so much in common with another character from nerd culture. Find out who in this very special Chanukah episode!00:01:11 Introducing our hero, Hershel of Ostropol00:03:40 The trickster of Yiddish folklore00:05:50 “Better a whole lie, than a half truth”00:10:18 Have you ever been deceived...
2022-12-2142 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 17 - I. Am. Jacob. ...With Guest Host Micol Zimmerman BurkemanDecember 7, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 17 - I. Am. Jacob …With Guest Host Micol Zimmerman BurkemanOur guest host, Micol Zimmerman Burkeman, leads us in discussion of her favorite and least favorite representations of a hero in the bible. They may not always be fighting a villain who is the opposite of them. Sometimes it’s our own selves that need to be dealt with.00:05:10 The first of many guesses: Micol’s fav and least fav characters?00:12:37 A bonus guess: Torah in a musical00:18:54 Who best represents the qu...
2022-12-0751 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 16 - Rogue One: A Midrash StoryNovember 23, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 16 - Rogue One: A Midrash StoryRDY leads us in an exploration of Rogue One and the implications it has on the vast expanding Star Wars universe. You’re probably just as surprised as us that Ethan wasn’t the lead on this episode. TIME STAMPS00:00:50 - RDY’s Star Wars nostalgia00:02:16 - Think of the entire Star Wars universe for the guess00:04:50 - Midrash and FanFiction00:08:30 - A New Hope opening crawl and its history00:11:53 - Hints at con...
2022-11-2340 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 15 - Nerd Mitzvah: A Rite of PassageNovember 9, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 15 - Nerd Mitzvah: A Rite Of PassageEthan reminds us that life happens in stages. In Judaism, we experience milestones like our b’nai mitzvah or religious school or summer camp. What rituals do nerd children have to look forward to? Listen if you want to learn how to best prepare for your own Nerd Mitzvah!00:00:38 Pirkei Avot 5:2100:04:56 The Milestones of Being a Nerd00:07:07 As parents, what nerdy milestones do you hope to cross off?00:15:10 Raising Pokemon Trainers of our ow...
2022-11-0943 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 14 - The McFlys of Hillel Valley ...With Special Guest Micah HartOctober 26, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 14 - The McFlys of Hillel Valley …with special guest Micah HartWe find a new Jewish connection as we are joined by the host of the Jewish geography game show, Who Knows One?, Micah Hart. Join as we explore the numerous timelines of the Back to the Future trilogy and how it connects perfectly to a quote by the Talmudic scholar, Hillel. 00:01:35 Jewish Geography already00:04:41 To quote Hillel, “If not now, when?”00:06:03 We’re using Back to the Future rules00:11:01 Are rule...
2022-10-2648 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 13 - Dungeons & Discrimination?October 12, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 13: Dungeons & Discrimination?RDY dives into his background as a Dungeon Master for a D&D group of Rabbis and we look into an article on magical creatures that makes us question our perception of the world around us. 00:02:20 RDY has a few things to say00:04:12 Our Cassandra problem00:08:10 The Problem with Bubble Wrap Golem00:10:05 Homebrewing in Torah00:12:08 Should we play a Torah Smash One Shot?00:14:43 Satanic Panic and finding connections00:20:16 Magic The T’shuvah00:23:27 Do we tr...
2022-10-1244 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 12 - Choice Effect 3September 28, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 12 - Choice Effect 3Finally, our first video game based episode! Ethan shares his insights to one of the most controversial decisions from the last decade that was made in the virtual RPG world. Listen to the episode or not, the choice is entirely yours. Or at least maybe that’s what we want you to think.00:00:43 - Exploring Mishneh Torah Hilchot Teshuvah 00:05:15 - The Mass Effect Trilogy and other RPGs00:09:27 - Limited free will00:19:09 - The mathematical limit of choice
2022-09-2842 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 11 - Movie Midrash: Iyov And ThunderSeptember 14, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 11 - Movie Midrash: Iyov and ThunderWe proudly present our second Movie Midrash episode! Join us as we review the recently released Thor: Love and Thunder, and discover which biblical character’s story has immense similarity to one of the main characters in this newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.00:00:53 - Initial Reactions to Thor 400:08:33 - The perceptions of gods in this film00:11:17 - The man who loses everything00:12:50 - Job’s influence in Love and Thunder00:13:57 - Job’...
2022-09-1446 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 10 - It's Daf Yomi, Mr. Frodo! ...With Special Guest Miriam AnzovinAugust 31, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 10: It’s Daf Yomi, Mr. Frodo! …With Special Guest Miriam AnzovinWe form a small fellowship as we are joined by writer, visual artist, and TikTok creator, Miriam Anzovin. Explore the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and many other nerd culture references. as we consider the forces of good and bad in the ordinary and extraordinary. 00:04:24 Lord of the Rings inspires a child00:12:03 Let’s Smash This!00:15:34 The yetzer hara and yetzer hatov of Middle Earth00:20:15 Schleps, birthdays, and the le...
2022-08-3151 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 9 - Finding the Value of WhyAugust 17, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 9 - Finding the Value of WhyThere are distinct similarities between the subject of Mathematics and the study of Judaism. We won’t ask you to come up to the chalkboard to prove it, but make sure you have your pocket protectors and TI-85 ready for today’s class…I mean episode. 00:00:38 - Barak’s start with Mathematics00:04:52 - Judaism can be found in everything00:06:08 - The Torah doesn’t change, I do00:08:58 - Letters, Numbers, Theorems, and Talmud00:18:19 - Favorite...
2022-08-1745 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 8 - What Would Picard Do?August 3, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 8 - What Would Picard Do?Ethan held off as long as he could, so for his second time in the host seat we are exploring strange new worlds, new civilizations, and Star Trek’s prime directive (aka Starfleet General Order 1).00:01:28 Going where no podcast has gone before00:05:01 What is Judaism’s prime directive?00:12:47 Can you separate values and practice?00:15:26 When it’s okay to break Judaism’s prime directive00:21:12 Best Starfleet Captain00:29:42 Favorite depiction of the Star Trek Universe...
2022-08-0334 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 7 - For You Were Once A Superhero In Egypt ...with Guest Host Isaac Brynjegard-BialikJuly 20, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 7 - For You Were Once A Superhero in EgyptOur first guest host, Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik, reminds us how often Jews think about Egypt. Whether we are remembering through Passover, through our mezuzot, or through Torah study, Egypt seems to be a recurring theme for Jews. We’re pretty much like superheroes in that way, or at least one superhero in particular.00:01:11 Introducing our first guest host: Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik00:08:51 Exploring the text from Bamidbar (Chapter 11:4-6, and 11:18)00:16:08 A biographical sketch of Moon Kn...
2022-07-2049 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 6 - Movie Midrash: Mussar of MadnessJuly 6, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 6 - Movie Midrash: Mussar of MadnessYou asked for a deeper dive into movies, so we give you our first Movie Midrash episode! Jump into the multiverse with us and learn what Jewish path Dr. Stephen Strange finds himself on in his most recent MCU appearance.00:01:41 Popcorn Chat - Dr. Strange 200:13:47 Drawing the connection to Judaism00:15:58 A Strange Mussar path00:22:08 A plethora of references00:33:35 The importance of humilityThis episode is supported in part by Sinai and...
2022-07-0639 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsWhere Judaism And Nerd Culture CollideWe explore Jewish texts, history, and values and the apparent and invisible connections to your favorite movies, characters, and hobbies. www.torahsmash.com
2022-06-2901 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 5 - Leadership Without VisionJune 22, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 5 - Leadership Without VisionYou’ve never studied parsha Yitro like this! Leadership is filled with difficult choices and can’t happen in a bubble. Listen to this episode at your next leadership training! Trust us, your leaders are also fans of nerd culture!00:01:22 Barak explains Yitro “in a nutshell”00:07:42 Spoiler alerts ahead for WandaVision00:08:50 Wanda can only do so much on her own00:14:01 Leadership’s choice of jealousy or admiration00:16:50 The benefits of having a… Vision (and mentor)00:21:05...
2022-06-2241 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 4 - The American ImmigrantJune 8, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 4: The American ImmigrantFor his first episode in the lead chair, Rabbi David Young explores stories of Jewish immigration and its ties to one of America’s most famous superheroes!00:01:20 - RDY Introduces the topic of Jewish Immigration and this episode’s nerdy connection00:03:30 - The connections between Moses and Superman00:10:36 - Everyone seems to change their names, just like some of the comic greats.00:22:26 - The unique alter ego and how we wear our Jewish identity00:28:05 - The sign...
2022-06-0848 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 3 - Pretty Fly for a Text StudyMay 25, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 3: Pretty Fly for a Text StudyWe grew up adoring the music and lyrics by "Weird Al" Yankovic and always wished that we could dive deep in a text study of one of his songs. Today, that dream finally came true. Oy vey! Oy vey!00:00:55 - Ethan dives into Weird Al’s 10th studio album00:05:28 - What is Jewish Identity?00:09:00 - Who defines a “fly” rabbi?00:13:15 - Our temple has had a fair share of rabbis00:16:23 - Works like a dog...
2022-05-2545 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 2 - Marvelous MenschMay 25, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 2: Marvelous MenschWe discern the true meaning of the word "mensch" outside of its pop culture definition. Join us as we reveal which popular character from a recent record-breaking blockbuster movie encompasses this true definition of how to behave in the world.00:00:51 - Barak’s favorite word in Jewish culture00:03:34 - Spoiler alert for Spiderman: No Way Home00:04:22 - Conversation at F.E.A.S.T.00:07:01 - With great power comes great responsibility00:10:32 - The “surprise guests” are people, too
2022-05-2532 minTorah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 1 - Origin StoriesMay 23, 2022Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy JewsEpisode 1: Origin StoriesWelcome to Torah Smash!Discover the background behind your newest favorite podcast, Torah Smash! Meet your hosts, hear their stories, and learn how they became super nerdy Jews. …Or should we say Jewish super nerds?00:00:47 - The journey of getting to Episode 100:02:50 - Allow ourselves to introduce… ourselves00:07:15 - Jewish super nerd or super Jewish nerd?00:11:10 - Favorite Jewish character in nerd culture?00:17:19 - Favorite character in nerd culture overall?00:22:01 - Nerdiest thing you’ve done i...
2022-05-2343 min