x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe

The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud. Every week a new, deep, and inspiring piece of brilliance will be selected from the

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

33:47

Ep 104 - Choni Title (Ta'anit 23a)

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/02/20

Summary_____________The Thinking Talmudist Podcast shares select teachings of Talmud in a fresh, insightful and meaningful way. Many claim that they cannot learn Talmud because it is in ancient Aramaic or the concepts are too difficult. Well, no more excuses. In this podcast you will experience the refreshing and eye-opening teachings while gaining an amazing appreciation for the divine wisdom of the Torah and the depths of the Talmud._____________This Podcast Series is Generously

en

47:26

Ep 103 - Choni Draws a Circle—And Forces Rain from...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/02/16

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Ta'anit 23a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the Talmudic teachings on rain as a divine blessing (geshem), its timing, and spiritual lessons from stories of Choni HaMe'agel (Choni the Circle-Maker), the greatest rain-maker in Jewish history.Key points:Rain in its proper time — Rains fall moderately (not oversaturating or leaving earth thirsty) on Wednesday and Friday nights (eves of Thursday/Shabbos) when people are home and inconvenienced minimally (demons

en

47:11

Ep 102 - Roman Atrocities: The Painful Stories...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/02/06

This Thinking Talmudist podcast episode by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe (TORCH, Houston) explores the deeply tragic narratives in Gittin 58a, focusing on the suffering of Jewish children during the destructions of the First and Second Temples under Babylonian and Roman oppression. These stories, drawn from the Talmud and linked to verses in Lamentations, Deuteronomy, and Psalms, depict horrific acts: Babylonian killings leaving vast amounts of children's brains on stones (with divine retribution

en

55:10

Ep 101 - Blood That Boiled for Centuries (Gittin 57b)

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/01/30

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic narratives surrounding the destruction of Betar and the broader Roman massacres, drawing powerful lessons on reckless reaction, lashon hara, and ultimate divine justice.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls (later used for wedding canopies) led to disaster: Roman attendants cut a local cedar to fix Caesar's daughter's carriage, prompting Jewish

en

44:34

Ep 100 - From Superstition to Slaughter: Why Beitar...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/01/23

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe concludes the tragic stories of Kfar Sekania's destruction and delves into the Roman massacre of Betar (Beitar), using it to illustrate the dangers of reckless reaction and the power of lashon hara (slander) in causing national catastrophe.The Gemara recounts how Betar's custom of planting cedar trees for boys and pine for girls—later used for wedding canopies—led to disaster: when Caesar's daughter's carriage broke, her

en

34:59

Ep 99 - The Secret to Lasting Marriage: 12 Honeymoons...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/01/16

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe revisits the tragic destruction of Kfar Sekania in Egypt, sharing three powerful stories that highlight extraordinary devotion to Torah law amid extreme circumstances:A betrothed couple captured and forcibly "married" by idolaters: The wife insists on no physical intimacy without a ketubah (marriage contract); the husband honors her request for their entire lives, overcoming daily temptation far greater than Yosef's single

en

54:32

Ep 98 - Titus Tried to Hide His Ashes from God—Here's...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/01/09

In this Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 56b-57a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the dramatic aftermath of the Temple's destruction through Titus's deathbed fear of divine judgment (scattering his ashes over seven seas to evade accountability) and Onkelos's necromantic consultations with Titus, Balaam, and Jewish sinners—all affirming Jewish prominence in the World to Come while warning against joining or harming Israel.The Talmud contrasts: idolaters' prophets (like Balaam) advise

en

16:39

Ep 97 - Why Rabbi Yochanan Asked for Yavne—Not...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2026/01/02

In this Thinking Talmudist episode continuing Gittin 55b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into the Talmud's account of Vespasian's siege of Jerusalem and the miraculous rise of Titus (Vespasian's successor). When Vespasian receives word of Caesar's death and his impending appointment as emperor, his feet swell from joy—preventing him from putting on his second shoe—until Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai explains it as "good tidings fatten the bones," then suggests seeing someone disliked to restore

en

46:11

Ep 96 - Kamtza & Bar Kamtza: The Humiliation That...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/12/30

In this powerful Thinking Talmudist episode on Gittin 55b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the Talmud's explanation for the destruction of the Second Temple and Jerusalem: three tragic incidents rooted in people failing to consider consequences ("hardening the heart"). The primary story involves Kamtza and Bar Kamtza—a host mistakenly invites his enemy Bar Kamtza to a banquet, then publicly humiliates and ejects him despite offers to pay for the entire feast. The silent rabbis' inaction

en

47:04

Ep 95 - He Ignored a Roman General Ready to Kill Him...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/12/26

In this powerful Thinking Talmudist episode on Berachot 32b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the depth and intensity of prayer through a dramatic Talmudic story of a pious man so immersed in Shemoneh Esrei that he ignores a Roman general's greeting—risking death—because he is conversing directly with Hashem. The general, furious at being snubbed, quotes Torah verses about protecting one's life, but the pious man responds: if you wouldn't interrupt a human king, how much more so the King of

en

43:32

Ep 94 - They Stole All His Jewels and Left Only Dirt...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/11/28

The Talmud (Ta’anit 21a) teaches the life-attitude of “Gam Zu L’Tovah” – this too is for the good – through the unforgettable figure of Nachum Ish Gamzu, a tzaddik who was blind, without hands or legs, and covered in boils, yet insisted that even his own horrific suffering was for the best because he once delayed helping a starving man and accepted the punishment as atonement. When the Jews sent him to Caesar with a chest of jewels, thieves replaced it with dirt overnight; instead of

en

41:23

Ep 93 - Rabbi Akiva Lost His Donkey, Rooster & Light...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/11/21

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast on Brachot 60b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe teaches the foundational mindset for confronting life’s challenges: “Kol mah d’avid Rachmana l’tav avid”—everything the Merciful One does is for the best. Drawing from Rabbi Akiva’s journey, he arrives in a town seeking lodging but is refused everywhere; he sleeps in a field with his rooster (alarm clock), donkey (transport), and lamp (for Torah study). A wind extinguishes the lamp, a cat eats the rooster,

en

27:25

Ep 92 - He Told a Crying Calf “That’s Your Purpose” –...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/11/14

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast on Bava Metzia 85a, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe delves into the profound theme of suffering, mercy, and redemption through the stories of Rebbe (Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi) and Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon. Rebbe, inspired by Rabbi Elazar’s preserved body due to accepted suffering, voluntarily endured 13 years of excruciating illness—six of tzmirta (a beet-based treatment for urinary stones) and seven of tzfarna (thrush)—to attain spiritual merit. Despite

en

61:20

Ep 91 - Rabbi's Body Stayed FRESH for 22 Years in an...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/11/07

In this Friday Thinking Talmudist episode on Talmud Bava Metzia 84b, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores the extraordinary life and legacy of Rebbe Elazar ben Rebbe Shimon, a sage whose body remained undecayed in his attic for 18–22 years after death due to his unparalleled righteousness—his vessel solely for Torah and mitzvot, not worldly indulgence. The Talmud recounts how his absence as community marshal prevented women from receiving halachic rulings on purity, halting procreation, echoing

en

18:14

Ep 90 - Torah, Guilt, and Prayer: The Power of...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/10/31

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe continues the discussion of Tractate Bava Metzia 84b, focusing on Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon’s emotional and spiritual struggle after executing a guilty laundryman (referenced from a prior episode, likely tied to the “vinegar, son of wine” incident). The episode explores themes of guilt, divine justice, Torah study, and the efficacy of prayer, connecting them to personal anecdotes and broader Jewish responsibilities

en

62:27

Ep 89 - How a Robber Became a Sage—Then Lost...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/10/24

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Tractate Bava Metzia 84a, focusing on the profound relationship between Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish, their transformative encounter, and the tragic fallout of their dispute. The episode delves into themes of Torah’s transformative power, respect for teachers, self-sufficiency, and the Jewish people’s global mission. Key points include:Rabbi Yochanan and Reish Lakish’s Encounter: Rabbi Yochanan, swimming in the

en

17:07

Ep 88 - This Rabbi’s Beauty Changed Lives (Bava...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Tractate Baba Metzia 84a, focusing on a Talmudic discussion about Rabbi Yochanan’s exceptional beauty and its spiritual implications. The episode delves into the concept of the evil eye, the influence of parental thoughts on conception, and the responsibility to use one’s gifts thoughtfully. Key points include:Rabbi Yochanan’s Beauty: Rabbi Yochanan claims to be the last of Jerusalem’s beautiful people, described

en

44:48

Ep 87 - Vinegar, Son of Wine: Sensitivity in Divine...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/10/10

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe discusses a passage from Tractate Baba Metzia 83b, focusing on an aggadic narrative about Rabbi Elazar, son of Rabbi Shimon, and a Talmudic exposition of Psalms 104:20. The episode explores themes of divine justice, human sensitivity, and the role of punishment in Jewish law, using a story about Rabbi Elazar’s tenure as a marshal arresting thieves. Key points include:Talmudic Exposition (Psalms 104:20): Rabbi Yosef (or a

en

27:29

Ep 86 - The Copper Serpent: Talmudic Lessons on...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/10/03

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Chukas (Numbers 21:4–9), focusing on the episode of the poisonous serpents sent to punish the Israelites for complaining against God and Moshe. He connects this to Talmudic teachings (Pesachim 56a, Rosh Hashanah 29a) about King Chizkiyahu’s destruction of the copper serpent and the book of remedies, emphasizing divine messages through affliction. Key points include:Parshas Chukas Context: The Israelites,

en

43:17

Poisonous Snakes, Divine Messages and Personal Growth...

Thinking Talmudist Podcast · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe ·

2025/09/17

In this episode of the Thinking Talmudist Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe explores Parshas Chukas (Numbers 21:4-9) and Tractate Pesachim 56a, focusing on the episode of the poisonous serpents sent to punish the Jewish people for their complaints against God and Moshe, and the subsequent copper serpent created by Moshe as a divine remedy. He explains that the serpents were a measure-for-measure punishment for Lashon Hara (evil speech) and ingratitude, mirroring the primeval serpent’s slander

en

104 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

PodPoint

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint