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In this episode we take a look at the fascinating case of Cassandra C.  In September 2014, Cassandra C., then 17 years old, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After lying to the courts and running away from chemo, she was placed under the custody of the Connecticut Dept. of Children and Families. She was then forced to complete treatments against her and her family’s wishes, ultimately resulting in her complete recovery. In this episode we discuss the Torah's perspective on the following ethical questions: Are there any limits to personal autonomy in Jewish law? Is one allowed to deny treatment of a curable disease? If one is making a bad medical decision, can we coerce them into taking the necessary treatment? As I move over the next few weeks, I will be posting episodes on fascinating topics in Jewish Bioethics from classes I gave to a group of Medical Doctors.  Once I'm settled, I intend on restarting the shorter 10-15 minute style I've used until now.  I'd love your feedback on which you like! Happy listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ Source sheets can be accessed at www.sefaria.org/sheets/415387 Full Hebrew Source sheets here Legal Documentation from the Supreme Court of Connecticut can be found here For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com

Have you ever felt trapped in a certain behavior pattern and struggled to break out?  Often when we approach our behaviors head on, we lose badly.  How can the Torah guide us in this aspect? In Numbers chapter 6 the Torah discusses the Nazirite, one who accepts upon himself to separate from certain physical pleasures and focus on their spiritual growth.  And, the commentaries all struggle with understanding this section.  In one place, the Torah describes him as holy and even compares him to the high priest, but at the same time the Torah requires him to bring a sin offering, implying he's doing something wrong? Join me as we take a deeper look at the Nazir and try to understand exactly what he is attempting to accomplish.  Once we understand that, we can apply it to improving our own lives as well! All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/414076?lang=bi Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com

While traveling in the desert, God commands Moses to set up the Jews in very specific formation; three tribes in each direction and the tabernacle in the center.  The Torah also teaches that each encampment had its own flag, as well as each tribe had its own flag. What was the role of these flags and encampments?  Why not keep the people united as one whole group?  To strengthen the question, one of the great merits the Jews had when they received the Torah was their unity, so why would God seemingly want to alter that by dividing them? Join me as we take a deeper look into what flags represent as well as the Kabbalistic parallels between the tribes encampment around the Tabernacle and the angels' encampment around God's throne of glory.  Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/410917

I heard earlier today that one of my greatest Rabbis passed away.  His name was Rabbi Eliyahu Margulies zt'l, and he was the first teacher I had that really opened my eyes to the deeper side of Torah.  Many of the ideas that I share on this podcast and throughout all of my teaching are sourced in what I learned from this great man. In his honor and in his memory, I decided to share a beautiful and deep idea that I heard from him 10 years ago (to the week), when I was studying in the great Mir Yeshiva in Jerusalem. He left behind a wife and seven children and a fund was set up to assist them going forward.  If you would like to participate in this great mitzvah, you can donate here: https://secure.cardknox.com/congregationramatshlomo In today's episode we discuss the two parts of the counting of the Omer: the first 32 days and the last 17.  The great Maharal explains that the first 32 days correspond to the concept of Kavod, honor, which has a numerical value (gematria) of 32, while the last 17 days reflect tov, goodness, which has a value of 17. In this class Rabbi Margulies zt'l explained each of these concepts individually and then explained how it connected back to the counting of the Omer and the upcoming holiday of Shavuos. May the neshama of HaRav Eliyahu Menachem ben Rav Eliezer Tzadok zt'l have an aliyah. Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/408351?lang=bi

One of the most famous Jewish dictums is (Leviticus 19:18), "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  But this verse seems quite difficult!  Is it really possible?  What does that mean?  Do I really have to do everything that I would do for myself for all my Jewish brethren as well?  Buy them their groceries?  Lease them a car?  Take out a mortgage for them?  It seems impossible! Join me as we analyze a fascinating debate between the Rambam (Maimonides) and the Ramban (Nachmanides) regarding the obligation of this famous verse.  We'll also discuss another fascinating verse from Leviticus (25:36) which seems to prioritize your life to the life of your brother and try to figure out how to resolve these apparently contradictory verses. Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/404880?lang=bi

There is a biblical obligation to count 50 days from the Omer offering (Leviticus chapter 23), and then on the 50th day to bring an offering of two breads and celebrate a holiday (Shavuos).  Even in modern times, in which we no longer have a temple and can no longer perform these offerings, we still count the 50 day period from when the Omer should've been brought until Shavuos. What exactly is the purpose of the counting?  Why is the Omer offering brought in the middle of Passover?  What is the connection between Passover and Shavuos (the two bookends of this counting)?  Why does the Torah require the Omer offering to be from barley while the two bread offering must be from leavened wheat?  Why is Shavuos celebrated as the 50th day from the Omer and not based on a calendar date? Join me as we look into the deeper connection between Passover and Shavuos, and how the respective offerings brought on each holiday connects to the essence of what that holiday represents.  With that knowledge in place, we can unlock the deeper meaning of the counting of the Omer! Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/403574?lang=bi

The Yahrtzeit is the Hebrew date of passing of a close family member.  There are many customs observed on the yahrtzeit as a merit for the departed soul, such as, lighting a 24 hour candle, learning Torah and saying the mourner's kaddish. In this episode, I take a deeper look at the significance of the yahrtzeit and its customs.  What exactly happens to the soul on the yahrtzeit?  Why is the Hebrew date of passing still significant in future years?  What can we practically do to carry on the legacy of our relative's that are no longer in this world? Big thank you to Sasha and Alyssa Sicular for sponsoring this episode with a gold level sponsorship in memory of Sasha's father, Roy Sicular ob'm, Yerachmiel ben Chaim Ha'Levy z'l. May the Torah learned here serve as a great merit for his soul. Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this podcast can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/401908?lang=bi

What is the real definition of "freedom"? Is it doing whatever we want, however we want, whenever we want or is it something more internal?  How does the Torah define freedom?   Join me as we analyze a few unique stories of "freedom" to uncover this essential principle.  Additionally, we'll discuss many other fundamental ideas, such as free choice, the receiving of the Torah, and our general decision making process. This is an edited recording of a class I gave in 2018 on the topic of freedom and Passover. I hope you enjoy! Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe As always, I'd love to hear from you! You can reach me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ Source sheet for this episode: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/400821

This episode is the last one discussing the laws of Passover.  In episode 68, I discussed the laws (and philosophy) of removing chametz from your house in general.  In episode 69, I discussed how to kasher your year-round kitchen to allow you to use it for cooking Passover food.  In this episode, I discuss the laws of the Passover Seder. We'll go through each step of the seder and mention the relevant laws to that section.  Also, a final reminder to sell your chametz (as discussed in episode 68).  If you would like me to be your agent for that, please reach out. Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, I discuss the laws of using your year-round kitchen for Passover foods.  Obviously, we want to avoid any chametz from getting into our Passover food, but in addition to actual physical chametz, the Torah prohibits chametz "flavor" from being cooked into our Passover food as well. The episode begins with the general rules of taste transfers in Jewish law and then goes through the classic sections and appliances in your kitchen, teaching you how to prepare each one for use on Passover. If you have any specific questions, you can always reach me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, you can reach me at thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com

This episode begins with the laws of chametz, leavened bread, on the holiday of Passover.  Interestingly, in addition to the famous prohibition against eating chametz on Passover, there is actually a less-known law prohibiting even owning chametz on Pesach! After defining what exactly chametz is, we'll learn how to avoid all the prohibitions regarding chametz, which will enable us to transform our homes into our "Pesach zone". At the end of the episode, we'll dive into the deeper sources of what chametz signifies, and we'll uncover a powerful new understanding of our what removing chametz from our possession really represents. Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this episode can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/397960?lang=bi

The concept of Kosher is probably one of the most well-known Torah laws in the world. Why is that?  Is there a deeper theme behind it that reflects the broader lessons of Torah?   In this episode, we'll discuss that which the great Kabbalists before us, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Lozzatto, Rabbi Shneur Zalmen of Liadi and the holy Ariz'al, revealed to us about the importance of eating kosher.   We begin with looking at the role of Torah and Mitzvahs in general, we then continue to understand why there are so many mitzvahs regarding food, and conclude with explaining the Kabbalistic spiritual side of eating and of making blessings over food. The episode is dedicated in honor and as a token of appreciated for the great work that the Dallas Kosher (DK) does for the DFW community.  To learn more about the DK or to become a member, go to dallaskosher.org For episodes on related topics, check out: episode 12 regarding the function of Mitzvahs, episode 24 about making blessings on food, and episode 25 about Jewish holiness!  Happy Listening! Rabbi Moshe To sponsor a podcast or make a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast and DATA of Richardson go to: https://thethinkingjew.com/support-us/ For questions comments or topic requests, email: thethinkingjewpodcast@gmail.com All the sources quoted in this episode can be viewed on this source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/395952?lang=bi