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PODCAST

Dear Rabbi

Menachem Lehrfield

Concise weekly answers to your questions about Judaism. If you are a wondering Jew, visit www.joidenver.com/dearrabbi to submit your own questions.

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

2:32

Where Did the "All Jews Are Rich" Stereotype Come...

Dear Rabbi ·

2026/02/11

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle a persistent stereotype: Where did the idea come from that all Jews are rich? I can assure you it's not true in my case, and we all know Jews who are wealthy and Jews who are struggling, just like all of society. But the origin of this stereotype reveals something profound about Jewish values. I share a fascinating insight from Mark Twain, who once wrote an article addressing the root causes of

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3:13

Why Does Hanukkah Change Dates Every Year? Jewish...

Dear Rabbi ·

2026/01/28

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I answer a question many people wonder about: What's up with the Jewish calendar? Why was Hanukkah on December 2nd one year, late December another year, and even overlapped with Thanksgiving a few years ago? Why does this calendar seem so different from the regular calendar we use?I explain that here in America and most of the Western world, we use the Gregorian calendar, which is purely solar at

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2:19

Why Does the Jewish Day Start at Sundown? Biblical...

Dear Rabbi ·

2026/01/21

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I answer a fascinating question: Why does the Jewish concept of a day start at sundown instead of midnight or sunrise like most modern calendars? As Jews, we do tend to do things differently, and this includes how we mark time - but there's profound wisdom behind it.I explain that in the biblical narrative of creation, throughout every day of creation, the Torah states: "And it was evening, and it was

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3:54

What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/12/24

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle a fundamental question about prayer: What's the point if God already knows what I need? Are we trying to change God's mind? The answer reveals that worship is far more sophisticated than simply presenting God with an Amazon wish list.I explain that God already knows what we need, and if He's determined something isn't good for us, no amount of asking will change that - just like a parent won't

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4:48

Shabbos vs Shabbat: Why Jews Pronounce Hebrew...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/12/17

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I answer a fascinating question about Jewish pronunciation: Why do some people say "Shabbos" while others say "Shabbat"? Is Shabbos actually Yiddish? The answer reveals a deeper story about Jewish history, migration, and the diversity within the Jewish people.I explain that both "Shabbos" and "Shabbat" are equally Hebrew - the difference comes from where Jews historically lived. Ashkenazi Jews (from

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3:54

What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/12/10

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle a fundamental question about prayer: What's the point if God already knows what I need? Are we trying to change God's mind? The answer reveals that prayer is far more sophisticated than simply presenting God with an Amazon wish list.I explain that God already knows what we need, and if He's determined something isn't good for us, no amount of asking will change that - just like a parent won't

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1:56

Do Jews Believe in Soulmates?

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/11/26

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcastsIn this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore whether Judaism believes in the concept of soulmates and explain the fascinating Jewish teaching of "bashert", the idea of a predestined partner. If you've ever wondered whether there's one perfect person out there for you, or how Jewish tradition views romantic destiny, this episode will provide profound insights that challenge modern assumptions about finding "the one."I explain that in

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3:19

If God Knows Everything, Do I Really Have Free Will?...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/11/19

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I continue from last week's discussion about free will and divine knowledge. Last week, I explained that just because God knows what you're going to choose doesn't stop you from making that choice - similar to how knowing someone's past actions doesn't negate that they made those choices freely. But this week, I tackle the Rambam's (Maimonides') question, which sounds identical but is actually

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3:26

If God Knows Everything, Do I Really Have Free Will?...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/11/12

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle one of the most profound philosophical questions in Judaism and theology: If God knows everything, including what choices I'm going to make, do I really have free will? After all, if God already knows what I'm going to choose, isn't my choice predetermined? This question has puzzled philosophers and theologians for centuries, but the answer may be simpler than you think.I start by explaining

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2:28

Is Judaism a Religion, Ethnicity, or Race? The Answer...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/10/29

🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle one of the most frequently asked questions about Jewish identity: Is Judaism a religion, an ethnicity, or a race? This question became particularly relevant during the Whoopi Goldberg controversy and continues to confuse many people trying to understand what Judaism actually is. The answer is more complex and fascinating than you might think. I explain that Judaism predates all of these modern

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1:18

Why Do Jews Tell So Many Jokes About Being Jewish? |...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/10/08

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore one of the most recognizable aspects of Jewish culture: our love of humor and our tendency to tell jokes about being Jewish. If you've ever wondered why Jewish comedians dominate the comedy world or why Jews seem to have a joke for every situation, this episode reveals the profound survival mechanism behind Jewish humor.I explain that throughout millennia of persecution, Jews have experienced horrific acts of violence and oppression - literally anything you

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2:28

Why Is Food the Centerpiece of Every Jewish Experience?

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/09/24

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore why food plays such a central role in Jewish life and religious experience. While many people notice that Jews have a strong affinity for food, there's actually a profound spiritual significance behind this focus. Judaism is unique among religions in that we don't view the physical world as something to overcome or avoid, but rather as something to elevate and make spiritual. Food represents

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1:58

Why Do Jews Celebrate New Year in September?...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/09/17

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcast ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explain why Jewish coworkers wish each other "Happy New Year" in September rather than January. The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, falls at the beginning of the Jewish calendar year, which differs from the secular calendar we use in America. I clarify a common misconception: while many people think Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world, we're actually celebrating the creation of the

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1:49

Do Jews Believe in the Devil? Understanding Satan vs....

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/09/10

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcast ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address whether Jews believe in the devil, and the short answer is no. The Christian concept of the devil is antithetical to Jewish thought. While Judaism does believe in Satan (which is where the English word "Satan" comes from), this is fundamentally different from the Christian devil. Satan is not a counter-force to God or a force of evil, but rather an angel - a messenger and spiritual celestial

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1:20

Why Do Jews Only Marry Other Jews? Understanding...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/09/03

✨🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcast ✨In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism traditionally encourages Jews to marry within the faith when choosing a life partner. I explain that when selecting someone to spend your entire life with, it's crucial to find someone who shares your fundamental values and worldview. Even if religion isn't important to someone today, it may become significant later in life, making shared religious identity important for long-term

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2:19

If Judaism Values Peace, Why Are Our Texts So...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/08/20

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore the apparent contradiction between Judaism's emphasis on peace and the argumentative nature of Jewish texts and culture. I explain that it's not just our texts that are argumentative, our people are too, as reflected in the saying "two Jews, three opinions" and the fact that Jews make excellent attorneys. I clarify that peace is not passivity but rather harmony of difference. You can argue vehemently with someone while still maintaining respect and peace

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2:46

Why Do Jews Need Atonement Without Original Sin?...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/08/13

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a question that highlights the difference between Jewish and Christian concepts of human nature and forgiveness. I explain that while Christianity teaches original sin - the idea that humanity is inherently flawed due to Adam's sin and needs salvation - Judaism teaches the opposite: every human being is a spark of the divine and is essentially good. I clarify why Jews still need the process of teshuvah (often translated as atonement or repentance) despite not

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1:29

Why Is There No Blessing Before Giving Charity?...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/08/06

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address why Judaism doesn't require a blessing before giving charity, despite the general rule that we make blessings before performing mitzvot to thank God for the opportunity to partner with Him in making the world a more spiritual place. I explain that there's an important exception to this blessing rule: we don't make blessings before performing mitzvot that involve other people, because doing so would make the recipient feel inferior. I explore how creating a

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1:53

How Does Someone Become "Gadol Hador" (Greatest of...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/07/30

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore how Jewish religious leaders achieve the prestigious title of "Gadol Hador" (greatest of the generation) and explain why this process is fundamentally different from American political campaigns. I discuss how authentic Jewish leadership operates on the principle that the best leaders are often those who don't seek leadership positions but have leadership thrust upon them. Unlike political systems, where candidates campaign for office, Jewish religious

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1:32

How Could Humble Moses Write That He Was the Most...

Dear Rabbi ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I address a fascinating question about Moses and humility: if Moses was truly humble, how could he write about himself that he was the most humble person who ever lived? I explain that this question is based on a common misconception about what humility means in Jewish thought. True humility doesn't mean thinking less of yourself or diminishing your abilities - it means thinking of yourself less and focusing outward rather than inward. I explore how Judaism teaches

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108 results

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