Real Women, Real Torah

This is the fourth episode in our new podcast series exploring a woman's relationship with Talmud Torah. In this episode, we interview Dr. Tali Loewenthal, a professor of Jewish studies at University College London and an academic whose research focuses on the history of Chassidic women. We explore the origins of the tradition amongst the Kabbalists to educate their daughters and how that has impacted the evolution of Chassidic women's Torah learning from the start of the Chassidic movement until the modern era. We discuss these questions and more: The Frierdiker Rebbe's Memoirs mentions an ancient tradition amongst the Kabbalists to educate their daughters. Where do we see evidence of this in the history of Kabbalah? How was this implemented practically? How did this perspective fit into the general perspective of the Kabbalists? Did this tradition continue to get passed down in subsequent generations? If so, was it only select women or did it ever become widespread throughout the entire community? Was this tradition passed down in any other Chassidic communities aside from Chabad? What was the goal of the Achos Hatemimim movement, started by the Frierdiker Rebbe? What in particular did the women study and in what format? How many women were involved? What impact did it have on Chabad girls education today? Visit our website to sign up to be the first to receive our updated source booklet which will include all the sources referenced in this episode (and more!): www.batshevalearningcenter.com Thank you to Rivka Lazarus for sponsoring this episode in the zchus of a refuah sheleimah for Velvel Shlomo Hakohen ben Fayga Gittel.

This is the third episode in our new podcast series exploring a woman's relationship with Talmud Torah. In this episode, we interview Dr. Leslie Ginsparg Klein, the academic dean of Women’s Institute of Torah Seminary & College. She is a scholar, author and lecturer whose research focuses on the history of Bais Yaakov. We discuss the evolution of the Bais Yaakov movement in Eastern Europe and the impact it has on girls’ education today. We discuss these questions and more: What theological beliefs and cultural attitudes towards women's learning existed leading up to Sara Schenirer's revolution? What kind of resistance did Sara Schenirer face in starting her movement? How did she finally gain support? Were there other parallel movements happening in other places at the same time? What made Bais Yaakov unique? How might the interruption of World War 2 have influenced the development of the movement? How has (or hasn't) the culture and values of the original Bais Yaakov influenced modern Bais Yaakov schools? What are the biggest misconceptions people have about the history of Bais Yaakov? What do you think is most inspiring about Sara Schenirer's story? Visit our website to sign up to be the first to receive our updated source booklet which will include all the sources referenced in this episode (and more!): www.batshevalearningcenter.com Thank you to Esther Babayov for sponsoring this episode, in honor of her family.

This is the second episode in our new podcast series exploring a woman's relationship with Talmud Torah. In this episode, we interview Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe, scholar, lecturer and board member at Batsheva Learning Center. He discusses the core halachic principles that impact the development of halacha in general and the development of women’s Torah study in particular. Rabbi Yaffe zooms in on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s nuanced view of women’s Torah study, based on sources from the Rebbe’s letters and talks. We discuss these questions and more: In what circumstances can and should halacha adapt to the times? What justifies the modern shift in women’s education? Why is this more valid than other progressive movements that may have strayed from tradition? Should we be concerned about women who aren’t learning for the “right” reasons? Is that a factor that is brought up in any halachic sources? What did the Lubavitcher Rebbe say regarding women's Torah learning? Did he ever mention Gemara specifically? Did the Rebbe believe Gemara learning is only permissible for individual women who want it or that it should be taught on a communal level? What about topics in Gemara that are not relevant to practical halacha? Visit our website to sign up to be the first to receive our updated source booklet which will include all the sources referenced in this episode (and more!): www.batshevalearningcenter.com Thank you to Chava and Chaim Aharon Green for sponsoring this episode in honor of their daughter, Devorah Leah.

This is the first episode in our new podcast series exploring a woman's relationship with Talmud Torah. In this episode, we interview Laurie Novick, a talented educator and director of Deracheha.org. She explores the original halachic sources that discuss the mitzvah of Talmud Torah for women and lays the groundwork for understanding the fundamental halachic issues surrounding this topic. We discuss these questions and more: Is a woman obligated to study Torah? If yes, what? Aren't there sources that forbid Torah study for women? How do different halachic authorities interpret those statements? There seems to be a change in the way we approach this issue in the modern age. How can the halacha change? What about Gemara? Why is it so controversial and what are the arguments for and against making it accessible to women? Visit our website to sign up to be the first to receive our updated source booklet which will include all the sources referenced in this episode (and more!): www.batshevalearningcenter.com Thank you to Yitty and Leibel Gniwisch for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode of our monthly series, Adina Weisner joins us to explore the famous maamar "V'atah Tetzaveh", in honor of Gimmel Tammuz.  What does it look like when our relationship with G-d is an expression of the core of who we are? How do we peel away the layers of the relationship that may be superimposed by external drama and discover a yearning for G-d from deep within ourselves? How can we make Judaism an authentic, natural part of our lives?  Join us as we learn excerpts of this profound maamar inside and discuss its practical relevance in our modern world.

What's the difference between healthy self-esteem and inflated ego? Between honest self-awareness and unhealthy self-consciousness? Between respectful expectation and self-centered entitlement? Between superficial satisfaction and deep joy? In this episode of our monthly maamar series, Shoshana Wolf and Hadassah Shemtov explore a rich and relatable maamar of the Frierdiker Rebbe in preparation for Shavuos. The maamar (linked here) is based on the narrative of receiving the Torah and the two opposing qualities that were integral to the process: awe and joy. Using a profound analysis of the human psyche, we come to appreciate the nature of true humility and its ability to bring us authentic joy. Listen in as we read excerpts of the maamar inside and uncover its relevance in our own personal lives. Visit www.batshevalearningcenter.com/textbooks to purchase a textbook that will aid you in studying this maamar on your own.

Ponder Point #6 - From The Archives A one hour discussion with Rabbi Avraham Zajac. Explore the sources of topics you always wondered about.

We've all had moments of inspiration, when a deeper, truer part of ourselves emerges and our everyday struggles melt away. But inspiration doesn't last long, and when it fades, we come crashing back into our ordinary lives as though it never happened. What if we could approach inspiration differently? What if we could transform our regular, human selves into a window into our G-dly consciousness? The key is to start not with spirituality, but with an honest awareness of ourselves and the messages our inner animal needs to hear.  Join us for a powerful episode in honor of Rosh Chodesh Iyar, in which Zisi Zirkind explores a maamar from Likutei Torah, "Adam Ki Yakriv Mikem" as a practical framework for implementing the avodah of Sefiras Haomer. She reads excerpts of the maamar inside, explains the flow of ideas and discusses some of her personal reflections and takeaways.

This episode of our monthly Maamar series explores the concept of leaving Egypt as both a global, historic journey towards Moshiach and a personal, daily journey out of our own comfort zones. What is the interplay between our personal redemption and the global one and what kind of significance can that give to our daily struggles? Delve into the text of a beautiful maamar "Kimei Tzeischa" 5742 with Menucha Schwartz, and discover how yetzias miztrayim is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process that each of us take part in every single day. It's about a process that G-d initiated thousands of years ago and one that we continue to develop throughout the rest of history.

Why do we name the holiday of Purim after the lottery that Haman threw to destroy us? How can the randomness inherent in a lottery symbolize a miracle Hashem deliberately orchestrated to save us? In this episode of our monthly maamar series, Shaindle Sharfstein and Hadassah Shemtov explore a profound maamar on what the core of the Purim story is all about. They discuss the nihilistic perspective that Haman represents, the flaw in his reasoning and what that tells us about the nature of free choice. They share the practical implications these concepts have on own lives and on current world events. Here is a link to the text of the maamer.