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PODCAST

Real Women, Real Torah

Batsheva Learning Center

An authentic Torah learning experience, produced for women, by women. In each series, you"ll listen to two women bring the texts to life as they share their take on the Torah they learned.

religion & spirituality judaism

All Episodes

00:24:07

Can teshuva be commanded? Why free choice lies at the...

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/09/18

At first glance, teshuvah seems straightforward: recognize mistakes, feel remorse, resolve to change. Yet when we examine the Rambam's Hilchos Teshuvah closely, fundamental questions emerge.The Rambam only lists viduy as a formal obligation. What about the internal, emotional process of teshuvah? Is that a mitzvah?Some argue that teshuvah is not a mitzvah at all, just the procedure we follow when we fail in our other obligations. On a deeper level, teshuvah cannot be a mitzvah because it

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00:45:19

Reimagining my Rebbetzin Role with Avital...

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/08/17

In this powerful finale to our "Finding Myself in Torah" series, we sit down with Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt — journalist, Rebbetzin, and one of the most honest voices in contemporary Jewish discourse.Avital takes us on her journey from feeling overwhelmed by serious Torah learning to becoming a woman who uses her platform to advocate for deeper spiritual engagement for Orthodox women. As both a community leader and community critic, she offers a unique perspective on the gaps between

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00:47:06

Start with Understanding Yourself with Eda Schottenstein

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/08/11

What happens when personal growth tools from the world of psychology aren’t enough? And how do we hold space for all the parts of ourselves, mother, professional, learner, friend, without feeling torn apart?In this episode, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Eda Schottenstein, a psychotherapist, ADHD coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Multi-Role Woman, to explore the powerful intersection between Torah, psychology, and real-life growth. Together, they delve into the limitations of therapeutic tools

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01:03:19

What They Didn’t Teach Us in School with Raizy Fried

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/07/27

What happens when our inner world matures, but our relationship with Yiddishkeit remains stuck in childhood?In this episode, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Raizy Fried, popular author, speaker, and founder of “Inspired Living”. Raizy explores the gap many women feel between the lives they’re living as complex, emotionally developed adults and the simplistic version of Torah they may have learned growing up.Raizy shares her journey of re-engaging with Torah in a deeper, more personal way and

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00:52:03

A Woman’s Voice in Torah with Stacey Goldman

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/07/20

What does it take for a woman to make Torah her own?In this insightful and inspiring conversation, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with educator and writer Stacey Goldman to explore what it means for women to develop their own voice in Torah learning. Stacey shares her personal learning journey, including the pivotal moments that drew her to Orthodox Judaism and deep Torah study, and how that journey helped her find not just knowledge, but a sense of belonging. Together, they delve into the

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01:07:48

The Art of Torah with Tonia Chazanow

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/07/13

What if Torah learning isn’t just about understanding, but about creating?In this powerful conversation, Hadassah Shemtov sits down with Tonia Chazanow to explore the creative process of learning Torah in a way that is rooted, rigorous, and deeply personal. Tonia shares how she approaches texts like Tanya with honesty and imagination, staying true to the source while allowing her own voice, metaphors, and visual language to shape how she teaches and understands Torah.They discuss the inner work of

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01:37:05

How We Got Here with Leah-Pearl Shollar

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/07/06

What’s the story behind the schools that shaped generations of frum girls—and what does that story mean for us today?In this illuminating episode, we sit down with scholar and educator Leah-Perl Shollar to explore the history and evolution of Orthodox girls’ education. Drawing from her extensive doctoral research, Leah-Perl takes us on a journey through the origins of formal Jewish schooling for girls in Eastern Europe, long before Sara Schenirer stepped onto the scene.We discuss what led Leah-Perl

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01:22:12

Find Your Fire with Alex Fleksher

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/06/29

What does it mean for a woman to truly make Torah her own—and how can that connection evolve across generations?In this thoughtful and nuanced conversation, Alex Fleksher reflects on her journey with Torah learning: from her own education growing up, to the experiences her daughter is having today, and the shifts she’s witnessed—and hopes to see—within her community.We discuss how women’s access to Torah learning has expanded, and how that expansion can continue in ways that honor each community’s

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00:57:54

When Torah teachings are hard to hear… With Mushka...

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/06/22

What happens when the Torah we learn doesn’t sit well with us — when it challenges our instincts, values, or sense of self?In this honest and moving episode, we speak with a woman whose relationship with Torah is marked by both fierce passion and radical openness. We explore how she’s cultivated the ability to engage with complex, sometimes uncomfortable Torah concepts without cynicism or fear — and how she believes that real growth happens not in avoiding those teachings, but in leaning into them

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01:18:06

Going Pro in Torah with Rebbetzin Yehudis Golshevsky

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/06/15

What does it look like to move from dabbling in Torah to making it your identity? What does it mean to move from an interested layperson to a ‘professional’ of Torah learning?In this powerful episode, Rebbetzin Golshevsky shares about her journey doing just that. From her early education to the pivotal shifts that shaped her learning, we trace the journey of one frum woman who turned her deep personal connection to Torah into a lifelong mission.She explores the challenges she faced along the way,

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01:12:33

What’s Your Question? With Dr. Chava Green

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/06/08

In this episode, Dr. Chava Green explores how uncovering a genuine curiosity about our Judaism can ignite a lifelong passion for Torah study. Chava shares about her own journey of seeking out a community that would give her access directly to the texts of Torah and why that was a deal breaker for her. We dive into how firsthand engagement with Torah sources has shaped her understanding of Jewish womanhood, how she’s adapted to the changes that came with motherhood, and why direct access to learning

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00:14:26

Finding Myself in Torah

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/05/29

As Shavuos approaches, we're excited to introduce a brand-new summer podcast series: Finding Myself in Torah — a journey into the hearts and minds of ten frum women from across the Jewish world, each sharing how they’ve discovered their voice and place within the world of Torah.In this special trailer episode, host Hadassah Shemtov shares the inspiration behind the series and offers two powerful Torah insights that explore how women can fully connect to Torah and claim it as their own. Though

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00:39:50

Disown or Destroy? Purging Chametz Inside and Out

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/04/06

Dive into an intricate legal discussion on the laws of removing chametz before Pesach. Both searching for chametz (and burning it) and disowning it are valid ways to fulfill this mitzvah—so why are both necessary? As we explore this discussion in the Gemara, we’ll uncover a profound lesson on self-growth and perfectionism. How do the halachic parameters of purging our homes of physical chametz reflect the way we approach ridding ourselves of our spiritual chametz within? Tune in to discover the

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00:54:45

The Hidden Face of Esther

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/03/10

In this pre-Purim episode, Zisi Zirkind explores the symbolism of Esther's name and character through the lens of various midrashim and Chassidic sources. Listen in to a fascinating discussion about the theme of concealment that characterizes Purim and the unique power of the G-d's hidden presence that exists within darkness and the hidden love of the Jewish people that emerges in when we are in exile.

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00:52:43

BONUS Episode: A Student’s Perspective with Miri Birk

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/01/06

Part 5 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s FertilityIn this bonus episode, Miri Birk, a student of last year’s Pru Urvu course, shares some of her reflections on the concepts explored in the course and how they can shape our approach to parenting. In this candid conversation, Hadassah and Miri talk about the real challenges of motherhood and what it looks like to adopt the Torah value of having a family while keeping in mind the realities of our human experience.

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00:37:51

Pregnancy & Infant Loss with Hadassah Shemtov

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2025/01/02

Part 4 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility In this conversation with Aimee Baron from ‘I was supposed to have a baby’, Hadassah explores the topic of pregnancy and infant loss. She introduces some fascinating Torah sources that discuss the identity of the soul of a miscarried fetus, its value and its purpose. She also discusses the inherent value Torah places on embarking on the journey towards motherhood, regardless of the outcome. Join the course on Pru Ur'vu here to learn the

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00:35:07

Yehudis: The Heroine behind the Miracle of Chanukah

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2024/12/26

What’s the story behind Yehudis, the fearless woman who played a key role in the Chanukah miracle? Join Hadassah Shemtov as she delves into Yehudis’s remarkable bravery, the halachic implications of her story on women’s connection to the mitzvah of Menorah, and Chanukah minhagim. Discover a mystical perspective on why women take center stage in the salvation stories of Purim and Chanukah. Follow along in the sources with our free Chanukah booklet here.

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01:01:28

Halacha & Haskafa on the use of Contraceptives with...

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2024/12/26

Part 3 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility This episode explores some of the practical concerns that come up with raising a large family and how to navigate them. We discuss questions like: Where do we draw the line between hishtadlus and bitachon when it comes to concerns about finances or chinuch? What role does mental health play in halachic decisions about preventing pregnancy? What are some general halachic issues that comes up with the use of contraceptives? Sign up

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00:37:30

Redefining the Maternal Role with Yitty Gniwisch

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2024/12/20

Part 2 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility In this episode, Yitty Gniwisch explores the question of why women are exempt from Pru Urvu from a mystical perspective and redefines the unique role a woman plays in influencing her family and the world. www.batshevalearningcenter.com/courses

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00:59:04

Foundations of Pru Urvu with Ita Broh

Real Women, Real Torah ·

2024/12/18

Part 1 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility In this first episode of our Pru Urvu podcast series, Ita Broh lays out the foundational sources behind the mitzvah Pru Urvu and how it relates to women. She explores: What are the sources in the Torah for the mitzvah of having children? What are the specific guidelines for the mitzvah? What reasons are given for the mitzvah and why is it considered such an important value in Yiddishkeit? Are women obligated in this mitzvah? Why or

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138 results

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