August 28, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 62 - Deadpool and Lamed Vavnikim

There are so many people in our world who are making the world a better place. Judaism calls them lamed vavnikim, or the righteous 36. But what about the people in the void who are making our world a better place? Or those who are trying to find missing anchor beings to make their own world better for their girlfriend who doesn’t love them anymore? They’re good too, right? Well, maybe they’re not “Avengers good”, but, woo, they’re about to make a name for themselves here.

00:01:24 Most people think they’re good people
00:03:07 We know the right answer and these aren’t it
00:06:11 Deadpool and Wolverine
00:08:40 Thirty-Six (Plus) Righteous People
00:12:00 The Thirty Six Graphic Novel by Kristopher White
00:14:38 Barak’s rant about D&W plot holes
00:19:51 Happy Hogan’s afikomen office
00:24:11 Into the Void
00:29:28 Wolverine variants
00:33:17 Musical anchors
00:35:27 Not one, but two (and a Peter)
00:36:14 More likes and dislikes
00:40:18 Deadpool 4?

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August 14, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 61 - Inside Mussar 2

Emotions can sometimes be difficult to handle and we find that they’re also often pretty Jewish. Join us as we explore the two joyfully sad movies by Pixar, Inside Out 1 and 2, and the connections to a very popular Jewish practice. We let the little voices inside our heads out for this conversation and we share the emotions that we wish made appearances in the films. Plus a hot take: Bing Bong is Jewish.

00:00:39 Step Inside RDY’s Mind
00:02:04 Initial film reactions
00:08:30 Favorite afikomen
00:12:56 Saboteurs and Mussar
00:19:39 Jewish guilt and nostalgia
00:23:19 If can control our emotions, we show true strength
00:31:23 Next is high school emotions
00:34:25 The original five base emotions
00:38:51 Other favorites and afikomen

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April 10, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 52 - Moses and the Justice League

Passover is around the corner, so of course, we will look at the hero who, to avoid the destruction of his people, was sent by his parents to eventually grow up to be the hero we all look up to. I’ll give you a hint, they’re a member of the Justice League. …Wait, who were you thinking of?

00:00:38 Barak likes Jewish holiday smashes
00:01:56 Moses and Superman
00:03:12 Comparison of the two heroes
00:11:34  No capes!
00:15:31 The rest of the biblical Justice League
00:16:17 Is Cyborg a Golem?
00:17:42 Aquaman and the sea based characters
00:18:26 Young and Impulsive
00:18:48 Green Lantern’s ring
00:23:38 The Emerald Archer
00:25:40 Martian Manhunter
00:27:48 Wonder Woman and Black Canary
00:31:24 The Dark Knight
00:34:59 Who’s left?

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March 27, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 51 - You Are So Not Invited To My Borg Mitzvah

Star Date: April 5, 2063. Earth has finally made contact with other intelligent life in the universe, so we better ask them all the important questions: Do lobster people keep kosher? How many people attend a Borg’s b’nai mitzvah service? And why does Ethan think Star Trek: First Contact can hold its own with Wrath of Kahn?

00:01:15 First Contact Day 04/05/63
00:03:16 Not sure if it holds up, but what a cast!
00:07:15 The power of touch
00:10:01 How would alien life change Judaism?
00:13:55 Humanity in a post-religious world
00:16:29 Does life on other planets have free will?
00:18:45 Alien b’nai mitzvot
00:21:15 Debating through real life examples
00:25:38 First romantic contact
00:28:22 Continuing the arguments …err …conversations
00:31:04 A little perspective
00:32:24 Is there religion in 2063?
00:33:09 Going back to the writing

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March 13, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 50 - Funny, You Don’t Look Jewish …with Special Guest Fabrice Sapolsky

Purim is around the corner (some may say it’s around three corners) and throughout the holiday we disguise who we really are. Together with comic creator and publisher, Fabrice Sapolsky, we explore some comic heroes who hide in plain sight and we discuss how these decisions are reflective in our modern world. So, pull up a chair, grab a plate of hamantashens, and enjoy this one!

00:02:13 Poppy filled pockets are coming!
00:03:52 Queen Esther hides her identity
00:05:45 Daniel Kaufman’s ELI Talk
00:06:33 Which Superheroes Passively hide?
00:09:44 Bear-ly hiding at conventions
00:16:04 What brings superheroes out of hiding?
00:21:59 In Jewish History and Present
00:24:43 When do you present actively or hide passively?
00:33:20 Revisiting the superheroes who passively hide
00:40:30 Movies trying to hide as comics

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February 28, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 49 - Hogwarts School of Judaism and Wizardry…With Special Guest Rabbi Emma Gottlieb

Filled with decades of knowledge, halls filled with history, and helping to teach the young ones the history, culture, and practices of their people. As we explore the starting point for the wizarding youth attending Hogwarts, joined by Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, we explore the connections to our own Jewish educational institutions that we had opportunities to learn and study in as well.

00:04:31 A boy named Harry Potter
00:10:25 Yeshiva: A History
00:12:40 Another nerd yeshiva
00:14:27 Learning in different worlds
00:17:31 Keeping the past alive
00:20:03 The value of multiple perspectives
00:24:06 Schools around the globe
00:29:54 The competition
00:35:37 Our houses
00:38:42 Anthony Goldstein
00:40:50 Names are important
00:42:39 Abra Kadabra

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February 14, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 48 - What If Creation Wasn’t The Beginning?…With Special Guest Roy Schwartz

Judaism encourages us to ask questions. In this episode, we try to answer Marvel’s biggest question of What If…? We discuss the most recent animated addition to the MCU and debate how the question could be used to change our view of our own Jewish history.

00:01:49 The oddities of “Is Superman Circumcised?”
00:04:48 A good month for superhero fans
00:07:45 Ours is the world that was selected, for now.
00:09:59 Process theology
00:15:42 Save Scumming
00:20:20 Why OUR universe? Was it the burritos?
00:21:54 Jewish What If Scenarios
00:22:10 What If Pharoah’s Heart Wasn’t Hardened?
00:23:42 What If Moses Didn’t Part the Red Sea?
00:25:34 What If Baby Moses Chose Differently?
00:26:50 What If Adam Ate The Apple First?
00:28:58 What If We Didn’t Worship The Calf?
00:29:17 What If Pharoah Knew Joseph?
00:30:15 What If Joseph Didn’t Add?
00:31:10 What Isaac Binded Abraham?
00:35:00 What If we let this question loose in nerd culture?

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January 31, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 47 - Echo of Resilience

Our Jewish history has been passed down through the generations and some experts may say that has made us more resilient. Superheroes learn about their ancestors’ ups and downs, but one in particular has shown the impact those stories can have when you fully embrace your past. L’dor vador.

00:00:38 Shoutout to Spertus
00:01:01 Resilience as a Jewish Value
00:02:55 Marvel’s Spotlight Hero, Echo
00:05:04 Maya’s Ancestral Resilient History
00:10:05 Jewish Ancestral Resilient History
00:17:45 Resilience stems from gratitude
00:22:14 Echos of gratitude
00:28:16 What other heroes’ past make them resilient?
00:32:31 Favorite parts of the Echo series
00:39:12 More Jewish Smashes

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January 17, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 46 - The Incredible Samson

You may have grown up hearing the story of Samson, whose strength was connected to his hair. Did you know that it was also tied to one of his emotions? RDY gently guides us on a comparative look of how Samson’s love of Delilah and his destructive anger ties him to certain gamma based characters in Marvel comics.

00:00:42 The story of Samson
00:02:55 Samson’s Riddle
00:08:10 The Hulk, aka Bruce Banner
00:12:08 Dr. David Banner
00:12:48 You may not like him when he’s angry
00:18:40 Where their strengths come from
00:20:51 Anger and God
00:32:26 Being gripped by God
00:36:13 Designed on a flaw
00:38:03 Doc Samson

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January 3, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 45 - Our Heroes and Transformative Grief

Ethan returns and shares about his brief hiatus from the show due to the loss of a loved one. In this episode, we celebrate the life of Kiya, we each discuss how our grief has shaped us, and the difficult personal experiences and choices that can come from losing someone dear to us.

00:00:48 Final reminder for Torah Smash! Live!
00:01:50 Ethan talks about Kiya and the reason for his hiatus
00:03:55 Let’s talk about grief
00:07:47 Meowing and other moments of relief
00:11:17 The Jewish grieving process
00:13:04 The difference between “grief” and “mourn”
00:16:30 What types of support have you continued for others?
00:22:54 King Solomon’s special ring
00:27:57 All captains experience grief
00:32:27 It can consume you or transform you
00:34:58 The custom of kriah - tearing
00:37:43 What characters are shaped by grief
00:42:20 Sometimes there is no conclusion

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December 20, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 44 - Loki and the Whale…With Special Guest Joshua Edelglass

In this episode, we timeslip between Loki, the TVA, and Nineveh with our guest, Josh Edelglass. We go back in time to talk about Loki season 2 and his learned compassion for others, just like Jonah who gained compassion for his fellow man (and many beasts as well). So pull up your throne at the end of time and grab a slice of key lime pie, because all we can say about this episode is *in your best Owen Wilson impression* “wow.”

00:02:01 Regaling about JewCE
00:03:11 Book Your Tickets for Tora Smash! Live!
00:04:03 Loki is back in Season 2
00:07:15 Who else learns about compassion for others?
00:08:13 The Book of Jonah
00:11:01 What does Judaism say about our own glorious purpose?
00:13:15 Unrealized purposes
00:22:01 For you, for all of us.
00:24:24 Biblical misinterpreted purposes
00:26:29 The missing endings and origins
00:33:00 When will we see you again?
00:35:35 Favorite parts of the Loki series
00:39:03 The meaning of Key Lime Pie
00:42:15 The Jewish Ouroboros

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December 6, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 43 - Love, Jews + Robots …With Guest Host Joshua Sky

Our guest host this week, Joshua Sky, is not only a writer for popular properties like He-Man , Heavy Metal Illustrated, and Ben10, but he is also a massive Sci-Fi fan. He gives us an in depth look at how the era of Science Fiction started as well as the multitude of Jewish influences on its progression into modern sci-fi and comic stories.

00:02:20 Torah Smash! Live!
00:04:00 The Jewish influence on modern science fiction
00:07:36 The golden age of science fiction
00:09:11 Isaac Asimov, an OG Jewish nerd
00:11 34 The 3 Jewish Laws of Robotics
00:13:58 Asimov’s WWII rescuers
00:14:53 Stemming from the science fiction pulps
00:18:09 Judaism and jealousy in modern comics
00:22:29 Pulp science fiction paved the way for comic mythology
00:24:16 Jewish undertones
00:26:51 More representation, stemming from our love for others
00:30:38 Closing the gears on this robot
00:34:04 One last special He-Man Hanukkah smash!

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July 31, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 60 - All Nerds Think About Is Sects …with Special Guest Melissa Raub

Judaism is divided into sects or branches, but they all share a few core beliefs. We agree that they don’t sit on a spectrum, but perhaps they live in some kind of venn diagram? But, reviewing the sects of Judaism isn’t enough for us, we also explore the sects of Nerdaism. Or, as Barak preferred to call them, the cool kids tables.

00:03:21 The denominations of Judaism
00:04:51 Nerds and Geeks and Dorks and Dweebs
00:05:15 Breaking down the differences in Judaism
00:17:42 Save the Scranton Paper Tower
00:18:22 Breaking down the differences at the cool kids tables
00:20:40 Just Jews and Just Nerds
00:23:52 Torah Smash 5 Year Quest
00:25:40 How does one translate to the other?
00:28:46 Paul Rudd Marvel Nerd?
00:32:32 Knowing someone helps to welcome them
00:33:40 Mitzvahflix
00:36:42 What type of nerdy Jew are you?

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November 22, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud …With Guest Host Rabbi Benjamin Sharff

This week, guest host Rabbi Benjamin Sharff crashes into our living room couch and teaches us about the Jewish connections from the longest running sitcom in television history, The Simpsons. The incredible discoveries made here will have you saying “ay, caramba!”

00:02:31 Torah Smash! Live! Reminder
00:03:22 The Simpsons (sing the theme song opening in your head now)
00:07:26 The Mishnah (sing this the same way in your head)
00:08:30 Longest running show
00:15:03 The Jewish side of The Simpsons
00:17:10 Favorite Simpsons episodes
00:20:39 Simpsons rabbinic spinoffs
00:22:27 What if the Temple was rebuilt?
00:31:10 More Simpsons characters and appearances

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November 8, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 41 - Ahsoka Tano, RJE

In this episode, Ethan teaches us what makes Ahsoka and her Star Wars Rebels teammates different from those who came before them. Is it how they were taught? Or how they were teaching others? And which of the series’ characters are the most Jewish? Jump on a intergalactic traveling purrgil and let’s find out together!

00:00:41 Torah Smash! Live!
00:02:25 Ahsoka introduced in a Clone Wars
00:03:38 Star Wars Rebels is where it’s at
00:04:17 Who is the most Jewish character in Ahsoka?
00:05:00 The wise elder, Huyang
00:06:22 Ezra Bridger
00:08:46 Morgan Elsbeth and the Akeida
00:15:00 Kanan Jarrus, the best jedi?
00:16:58 Sabine Wren, Jew by choice
00:24:22 Ahsoka Tano is not just a Jewish Jedi
00:27:58 What am I doing wrong?
00:30:38 J.E.D.I. Training
00:31:15 Yoda’s Jewish roots
00:32:11 Ahsoka Season 2 Theories

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October 25, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 40 - Top 5 Jewish Characters ...With Special Guest Isaac Brynjegard Bialik

We welcome back Isaac to the show in this exploratory look at Jews in pop culture. We count down each of our top five favorite Jewish characters in pop-culture. We may have had some overlap in our choices, but were there any that we forgot?

00:02:15 Coming this January: Torah Smash! Live!
00:03:57 How does this countdown work?
00:05:01 Starting with our #5 picks
00:12:45 First sign of trouble with our #4’s
00:30:27 These #3’s are bringing the heat!
00:40:20 Another contentious round with our #2 picks
00:58:23 Our top favorites
01:12:25 Honorable mentions

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Learn more about Isaac's career and artwork at https://www.nicejewishartist.com/ and learn about he and his wife's art workshops at https://www.papermidrash.com/

October 11, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 39 - Indiana Jones and the Dial of Beshert

Jock! Start the podcast! This episode we explore the most recent installment to the Indiana Jones franchise and the titular character’s entanglement with destiny. We also ask why everything belongs in a museum? And why did it have to be snakes? We don’t know. We’re making this up as we go. Just be glad we didn’t also name the podcast Indiana.

00:00:38 Big Indy fans
00:03:29 The yiddish word beshert
00:03:53 Destiny vs. free will according to Judaism
00:05:52 Joseph's divine story
00:07:19 Process theology
00:11:33 Indiana without Indiana, Isaac without Isaac
00:16:45 Moments of beshert in our lives
00:22:51 Ranking the Indy movies
00:28:18 Warehouse 13 and The Librarian
00:29:55 Jewish Archeology
00:31:41 Struggles with faith and facts
00:35:10 Changing names

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September 27, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 38 - The Latest Last of Us …With Guest Host Rabbi Eric Linder

This episode’s guest host, Rabbi Eric Linder, reintroduces us to the recent HBO drama The Last of Us and its artful history. We’re not playing games when we explore the connections between this retelling of the Playstation hit to a few poignant biblical texts.

00:04:38 The Last of Us video game
00:08:30 The retelling in Deuteronomy
00:12:46 A completely different reason for Shabbat
00:16:17 Not so faithful adaptations
00:22:20 Retelling for a different audience
00:27:54 Retelling in the same medium
00:29:54 We have Rashi
00:31:11 Biblical text in cinema
00:34:53 The return of the twelve spies
00:41:58 Favorite video games

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September 13, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 37 - Jews in Space? …With Special Guest Dr. Miriam Mora

The Co-Creator of JewCE (the Jewish Comics Experience), Dr. Miriam Mora, joins us as we explore strange Jew worlds, seek out Jew life and Jew civilizations, and boldly discuss which of the numerous Star Trek species are Jewish. You may find some of our conclusions highly illogical, but just know that we’ve given it all we’ve got!

00:03:47 Exploring the alien races and species of Star Trek
00:04:55 Have you watched any Star Trek?
00:11:54 The Vulcan salute, their origins, and their struggles
00:22:43 The Ferengi and historical antisemitism
00:38:28 The Klingons. The Klingons?
00:43:26 Worf
00:43:47 The Bajorans
00:45:23 Cardassians
00:45:48 Why the answer is yes

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August 30, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 36 - Cobra Chai …With Special Guest Dr. Betsy Stone

Torah Smash has special guest Dr. Betsy Stone to help us as we prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days. We always tend to take a look inward and think of all the people to which we may have done wrong, because every year even though sometimes our heart knows, our head forgets. So we look at the process of teshuva with some of our favorite pop-culture senseis. And these lessons are not just for karate only. These lessons are for whole life!

00:03:13 The Jewish practice of teshuva
00:05:38 The Karate Kid returns decades later
00:07:12 Stories from the “villain’s” perspective
00:08:10 The teshuva process
00:11:59 A state of mind or an action?
00:15:00 Telling ourselves that we’re wrong
00:19:27 Regretting I hurt you, but not my behavior
00:25:42 Hypothetical ladder of teshuva
00:28:03 Cobra Kai needs better practice saying sorry
00:36:41 Advice on changing your ways

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YouTube: Daniel is the Real Bully - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Gz_iTuRMM&t=6s

August 16, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 35 - Genesis of the Spider-Verse …With Special Guest Danny Fingeroth

In this episode, we explore the converging and diverging realities of Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse with one of the writers and editors of the Spider-Man comics, Danny Fingeroth. We explore the origins of The Spot, canon events in Marvel and the Torah, and a startling discovery about the film that will make you question if you even saw the same movie that we did!

00:00:57 Introducing Danny Fingeroth
00:02:24 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
00:05:20 Talking Al Milgrom and his creation: The Spot
00:09:18 Two versions of the same movie?
00:12:32 Two different Genesis stories
00:17:14 More examples of multiple stories
00:22:10 Diverging realties
00:24:30 When has Marvel told two stories?
00:27:20 The Marvel Universe’s canon event
00:29:42 The essentials of a canon event
00:34:38 Making a hero or a villain
00:35:30 Universe 42’s Prowler Theory
00:39:56 Across the Spider-Verse’s Afikomen

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This episode was supported in part by JewCE! (Jewish Comics Experience) which is a full day convention and preview night that brings together fans, creators, and industry professionals to explore the rich history and contributions of diverse Jewish creators and content in the comics medium. JewCE! is created and hosted by the Center for Jewish History in New York City. If you are interested in attending or to learn more, visit jewce.org.
Also visit the Center for Jewish History at cjh.org for new information on the institution and their partners, who are all involved in the upcoming exhibit: the museum and laboratory of the Jewish comics experience, opening in October 2023 at the center for Jewish history.

August 2, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 34 - Mishpacha of the Galaxy

Think back to the families that came before us: Abraham and Sarah; Rebecca and Isaac; Jacob, Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah; and of course Rocket, Lylla, Teefs, and Floor. Join as we review the many different family structures within the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and some surprising connections to a few families from the Torah.

00:01:06 The Guardians Trilogy
00:02:26 Mishpacha means family
00:03:19 The three sets of Amidah families
00:06:10 The families in the guardians trilogy
00:09:10 Related to Kevin Bacon
00:14:15 The High Evolutionary’s obsession
00:18:52 Drax, Quasar, and Warlock
00:20:57 Rocket’s Perspective and Groot’s love language
00:25:20 Swinging back to the Jewish stuff
00:26:09 Joseph, Moses, King David, and Joseph again
00:31:40 Reliving time with your family
00:35:06 Growing from the family around you
00:37:18 Some of our favorite afikomen
00:46:32 Two types of family

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July 19, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 33 - Cancel Lashon Hara …With Special Guest Rachel Frish

In this episode, we are joined by Rachel Frish as we look at the complexities of the Hebrew phrase “lashon hara.” What happens when cultural icons speak poorly of others and how does it impact us as their nerdy fans?

00:03:28 Defining Lashon Hara
00:06:17 When is it not lashon hara?
00:12:12 How to separate an artist from their work
00:18:01 Changing and shifting culture
00:27:09 Teshuva Process
00:34:01 The point of no return
00:39:28 Frish’s Harry Potter soapbox
00:47:07 May all wickedness cease

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Thank you for listening to this week’s episode, we touched on a few difficult topics. We want to make sure to say that if YOU or someone you know is a victim of abuse or in need of support, we urge you to contact your local clergy or the appropriate local or national hotline. If you are not connected to a clergy person, please call RDY. He can be reached any time at 833-722-2701. Everyone should always be able to find support when they need it.

July 17, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 59 - The Messiah Element

Not the first element, hydrogen. Not the second, the third, or even the fourth element. No, this episode is about the Fifth Element, and it’s just… perfect. Grab a flying taxi and head to the (for some reason) garbage filled airport because you won two tickets aboard the Flohston Paradise cruise ship! Is it possible to save the world from destruction? Or is that actually how we save it? Join us meat popsicles as we discuss the future of the galaxy. But first, do you have your multipass?

00:01:05 Our second “97” property in a row
00:03:22 Recapping The Fifth Element
00:06:01 The Jewish concept of messiah
00:08:40 Isaiah 7:14
00:10:22 The perfect being
00:14:11 Creating from destruction
00:16:29 War vs Love
00:19:11 RDY’s Messianic Theology
00:23:22 Bringing about the messiah
00:26:27 Questions of the heavenly court
00:29:21 The name of the messiah
00:34:48 Childlike wonder and trash
00:38:10 Barak’s favorite afikomen
00:39:18 How would you imagine a saved world?
00:40:16 Any final points

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July 5, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 32 - The Mikvahlorian …With Special Guest Ellery Weil

Join us and special guest, Ellery Weil, as we learn the way of the Mandalorian and the uncanny connection to one of Judaism’s ritual practices. While they don’t make their tallit out of beskar the history, culture, and customs we learn about in Season 3 of the Mandalorian help us reflect on our own practices as Jews. Much like Grogu, this podcast means more to us than you will ever know.

00:02:54 Optimal viewing experience
00:05:13 Let’s all go to the mikvah
00:07:44 An 18th Century Pirate Mikvah
00:09:17 Bo Katan’s accidental plunge
00:15:00 The dark saber’s transitive property
00:15:56 Grogu’s independence! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
00:16:45 Pellaeon-tology
00:18:22 Two theories
00:22:09 Moff Gideon tried
00:23:12 Building Nevarro’s Temple
00:27:35 The written and spoken words at the mikvah
00:30:35 Some more low-key Judaism
00:32:06 The Jewish way
00:32:53 The spies
00:33:22 Lightsabers into plowshares
00:34:21 Night of a thousand tears
00:35:21 This last one is way out in left field

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You can read Ellery’s article on Hey Alma here: https://www.heyalma.com/is-the-mandalorian-lowkey-jewish/

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

June 21, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 31 - Movie Midrash: D&D - Honor Among Family

Get ready to roll initiative again because we’re heading into a new medium for D&D! This episode we explore some of the Jewish “connections” that we found in the recent hit film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. We also talk about what parts plucked at our heart strings and what we hope they include in a hopeful sequel.

00:00:46 RDY’s D&D memory flashbacks
00:04:58 Dungeon & Dragon movies
00:12:35 Roll to guess the smash
00:13:46 Kehillah kedosha, a holy community
00:14:38 Why is community a Jewish value?
00:19:46 Hillel said, “Never split the party!”
00:23:28 All of Israel is responsible for one another
00:27:37 Community amongst the skeleton army
00:28:59 Is your party cautious or not cautious?
00:30:32 When does a horde become a community?
00:35:11 Final thoughts on the film
00:37:20 The biblical word for community

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June 7, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 30 - Movie Midrash: QWundermania …With Special Guest Terry Wunder

In this episode, we are joined by Terry Wunder as we explore the recent dive into Marvel’s quantum realm and discover what bothers us about the newest Ant-Man movie as well as Terry’s hopes and dreams for the future of the MCU.

00:03:41 Overall thoughts on Paul Rudd’s newest MCU film
00:11:33 It’s great that Scott wrote a book, so what?
00:12:55 It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither can you desist from it.
00:13:52 Jedi Temple Rabbi Tarfon’s full quote.
00:15:12 You just need to do something. Anything.
00:21:41 Getting a reward in return.
00:26:38 The grant of the reward is in the age to come.
00:34:20 LOOK OUT!! For the little guy!
00:25:59 Other LITTLE details
00:38:42 Jumping into Terry’s Wunderverse
00:41:24 Final Thoughts on Quantumania

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May 24, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 29 - Anniversary Special: A One-Shot of Biblical Proportions!

To celebrate one year of being Jewish and Nerdy, we invited our previous guests back to the show for a Torah Smashed version of Dungeons & Dragons. Each player chose a biblical character to portray (character descriptions below) and joined together for an adventure 5,783 years in the making.

00:02:27 Interrogating the slave master
00:06:26 MacGuffin’s compass
00:11:08 Noah: the seafarer and his mysterious ship
00:20:33 “Kuo toa! Defend Yourselves!”
00:52:02 This calls for a celebratory meal
00:54:17 Our hands are tied
01:07:13 What’s in the chest?
01:13:59 Maybe now it’s magical
01:18:13 The Temple atop Mount Sinai
01:30:00 Rabbi Fixler’s dreams come to life!
01:33:06 Who wakes Lilith?
01:51:39 It is not that easy
02:09:49 The helping friendly book

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Character Backgrounds:
JONAH - played by Barak Malkin
Level 15 Halfling Druid - Jonah comes from his eponymous book of the Tanakh, which we read on Yom Kippur. Jonah is asked by God to travel to Nineveh, tries to get away, gets swallowed by a whale (“big fish”), and eventually does as God asks.

JOSEPH - played by Ethan Lane-Miller
Level 15 Half-Elf Monk/Fighter/Warlock - Joseph comes from the book of Genesis (also featured in the musical written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber), where his adventures take him on a roller-coaster ride from favorite child to slave to head of house to prisoner to Egyptian vizier. His placement in Egypt leads to the salvation of his family, which in turn leads to his people being enslaved in Egypt.

TAMAR - played by Rabbi Leah Berkowitz
Level 15 Changeling Paladin - Tamar’s story is from Genesis 38, where she starts married to Judah’s eldest (making her Joseph’s niece-in-law). He dies while they are childless, so she marries Judah’s second. He dies while they are childless, so Judah keeps his third son away from her (which is against the custom of the time), and Tamar, in turn, tricks Judah into sleeping with her to provide a child. She uses Judah’s staff, cord, and signet to prove that the child is his.

ISAAC - played by Rabbi Josh Fixler
Level 15 Elf Warlock - Isaac’s story comes early in Genesis. He is the only son of Abraham and Sarah, the half-brother of Ishmael, and the father of Jacob and Esau. He spends his biblical story being guided by his family rather than making his own decisions, and eventually gets tricked by his wife and son Jacob because of his dimming eyesight.

RAHAV - played by Rabbi Elisa Koppel
Level 15 Half-Elf Rogue Assassin - Rahav comes from the book of Joshua, which tells the story of the conquest of Canaan. When Joshua sends spies into Jericho to scout the city, Rahav (the town prostitute) gives them a place to hide and a route of escape out of the city. Her sign of loyalty to the Israelites was a red cord tied to her window.

May 10 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 28 - STRANGERAMA

Good news, everyone! Exodus is full of travelers, but never did we expect to travel so far into the future! We love fish out of water stories, but when Moses decided to name his son Gershom, meaning “stranger in a foreign land,” we wonder if that stranger also became a delivery boy.

00:01:32 Exodus 2:22 “A Stranger in a foreign land”
00:04:08 We’re going into the future….again!
00:06:00 Philip J. Fry, the Planet Express delivery boy of 2999
00:07:48 Favorite fish out of water stories
00:09:25 Favorite Jewish fish out of water stories
00:14:29 Futurama’s Jewish themes
00:16:24 But is it a Jewish show?
00:23:31 Dr. Zoidberg’s heritage
00:30:31 Futurama’s genius writers

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April 26, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 27 - Forgotten Torah Stories: The Director’s Cut

Not all Jewish stories are told. There are some that get left behind on the cutting room floor. Who decides which stories get told and how does that impact our teachings? Ethan leads us on an exploration of the forgotten, the rewritten, and the unknown.

00:04:19 How we decide which stories are canon
00:09:36 Apocryphal books
00:12:42 Items removed from nerd culture canon
00:16:14 Do we lose something when we forget stories?
00:19:39 Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
00:23:19 Visual impact on stories we keep
00:27:55 What Jewish or nerdy stories do we wish were considered canon?
00:29:56 MCU playing with canon
00:34:52 Who decides what is canon?

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April 12, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 26 - It’s Not Easy Being Keen …With Guest Host Rabbi Elisa Koppel

Join us as Rabbi Elisa Koppel (REK) makes a most colorful connection between her biggest fandom, the Muppets, and the part of herself that she most identifies with, Jewish education. Explore our favorite muppet characters and the lessons they teach us. This one is seriously funny. Wakka wakka!

00:03:42 REK’s Biggest Fandom? The Muppets
00:14:47 Who is wise? One who learns from every other person.
00:16:38 Learning can be fun and funny
00:18:47 Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms
00:23:31 You can teach to two audiences at once
00:35:51 Anyone can be a muppet
00:42:37 Don’t take yourself too seriously
00:46:35 Favorite Muppet Guest
00:52:43 Everyone gets included

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March 29, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 25 - Passover’s Four Children, Mmkay?

Read the passover haggadah like never before and explore a wild theory that Barak once heard about four famous never aging 10-year-old tv characters and their connection to the four children of the passover seder.

00:01:44 The Four Children of the Passover Haggadah
00:05:10 The children of South Park, Colorado
00:09:52 The Wise One - Kyle
00:12:45 The Wicked One - Cartman
00:23:16 The Simple One - Stan
00:28:53 The One Unable To Ask - Kenny
00:39:11 Paralleling Four Generations
00:43:47 Proven to be true? Or just a fun theory?
00:45:42 Finding the Four Children in Pop Culture
00:53:09 Mr. Hanky’s Hanukkah Message

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March 15, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 24 - Is It Golem? …With Guest Host Rabbi Josh Fixler

This episode, we take a tour of the virtual Golem Museum with its curator, Rabbi Josh Fixler! What should we talk about? Oh, I know: Superman! And Star Trek! And supercomputers! Actually, the conversation is about the Golem…or is it?

00:03:21 The History of the golem, for Susan
00:07:43 Our experiences with golem
00:12:23 What pop-culture Golem will we talk about?
00:15:13 Rabbi Josh Fixler invented a game show for us!
00:15:51 Round 1 - Superman
00:21:49 Round 2 - A ‘different’ golem story
00:29:54 The first supercomputer in Israel
00:32:37 Round 3 - Star Trek android golems
00:39:31 Lightning Round: Frankenstein, Cybermen, Mickey’s broomsticks, the great mouse of Minsk, Pinnoccio, Ultron, and Gollum
00:47:46 Thank you touring the Golem Museum with us

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Learn more about Rabbi Josh Fixler's Golem Museum on Instagram @golem_museum

March 1, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 23: Loving Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

This movie has won award after award across every multiverse. In this life, RDY takes his time to guide us through the 2022 film: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once. We explore the clutter, the googly eyes, the IRS receipts, and of course bagels. Find Joy for yourself in this episode and discover the Jewish text that’s guiding the lives of these characters. Or, if you need to, just be a rock.

00:01:02 The Award Winning Film: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once
00:08:40 Fighting with kindness
00:10:20 It’s all about bagels… maybe
00:14:57 V'ahavta l'reacha kamocha - Love your neighbor as yourself
00:18:46 Loving everything the Torah way
00:21:41 Finding clutter and meaning everywhere
00:26:34 Being dedicated and obligated all at once
00:29:55 Relationships aren’t won by being the nicest
00:34:01 The highest form of wisdom is kindness
00:37:30 Love means love means love
00:43:12 Take a moment to think about what you love
00:44:01 A little more love for the movie

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July 3, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 58 - X-Men Again Again …with Guest Host Joel Swedlove

In this episode, our guest host, Joel Swedlove, leads our team through a quote quote from a rabbi with a funny name name. We discuss the ever popular X-Men ‘97 animated series that recently completed and explore the similarities and differences in how we watched it. Not just because it’s a different show, but because we are different people than when we first saw it. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one, bub!

00:04:30 Joel keeps us on track
00:05:03 Put out the Bat SigNal
00:05:57 Starting with a quote quote from a rabbi with a funny name name
00:09:33 X-Men ‘97
00:13:32 Reboots, sequels, and requels
00:17:25 Knowing every character or story arc ahead of time
00:23:45 MCU’s struggles with completionist homework
00:26:33 Keeping Magneto’s impactful Jewish background
00:29:25 The timeless X-Men story
00:32:27 Fun fact about Menachem Begin’s X-men connection
00:35:10 There is nuance between good and bad
00:44:16 The X-Men will return

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February 15, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 22: Producing a Hit Spiel ...With Guest Host Rabbi Leah Berkowitz

We explore the ideas behind the very first Purim Spiel and the villain we all love to mock with our guest host, Rabbi Leah Berkowitz. Join us as we discover the connections to one of Mel Brooks’ classic films and share some of our favorite parodies from years past.

00:02:23 Purim?! What a coincidence!
00:16:33 Mel Brooks’ anti-musical The Producers
00:19:20 Some background on the 1967 film
00:26:42 How would your 1967 persona have reacted?
00:33:32 Mel Brooks brings the context
00:37:43 Favorite portrayal of Haman
00:42:39 Quick Muppet Tangent
00:43:50 More Purim Memories

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February 1, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 21 - Phase IV: The Genesis Saga

The first book of the Torah, Genesis, has many of the characters exploring the questions of “How do we know who we are or who we are supposed to be?” Lucky for us, similar themes run through the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase Four projects! Get ready for a dive on some of your favorite Marvel projects from the last two years!

00:00:50 Starting at the beginning, Genesis
00:04:18 Clarifying MCU Phase IV
00:06:30 Rapid fire of all 17 Marvel projects
00:12:35 Resetting the game board
00:20:29 The Torah Cinematic Universe’s Kang
00:29:56 Favorite Phase 4 Projects
00:35:38 When did you discover who you were supposed to be?
00:44:46 The changing of spaces that shape who we become
00:48:25 Rating MCU Phase 4

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January 18, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 20 - Captain Janeway’s Transporter Trolley Dilemma

Ethan takes us back for a rewatch of an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, titled “Tuvix.” A miscalculation with the transporter causes two crew mates to be merged into a new being. Captain Janeway has quite the conundrum in front of her and Judaism has a few pieces of advice for her. Also, we help prepare the rabbis for important decisions they will need to make in regards to replicators.

00:01:58 Season 2, Episode 24 - Tuvix
00:06:55 Pikuach Nefesh - To save a life
00:11:06 The Trolley Problem
00:14:05 Clarifications on Captain Kathryn Janeway
00:16:55 Some heroes kill way too many people
00:19:24 Is Tuvix made in the image of God?
00:27:50 The Captain who made decisions
00:29:48 Struggling through change
00:31:29 Future Jewish Problems
00:35:48 Computer: Run Torah Smash Holodeck Program
00:41:53 What Star Trek should someone start with?

URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the premiere Jewish science and technology camp in the multiverse, welcomes young scientists, innovators, and digital creators entering grades 4-11. Located on the campus of the prestigious Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, 6 Points Sci-Tech boasts top-notch educational and recreational facilities. At 6 Points Sci-Tech, campers participate in an immersive, hands-on environment that nurtures their passion for exploration and creativity through a values-based curriculum geared towards making the world a more whole, just, and compassionate place through science and technology. Their camp programming includes instruction in Robotics, Video Game Design, Behavioral Sciences, Digital Film Production, Chemistry, Programming & Coding, Cryptology, Digital Art, as well as a variety of counselor-led electives. For more information, call 857-246-8677 or visit http://6PointsSciTech.org.

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January 4, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 19 - Movie Midrash: May Wakanda Forever Be A Blessing

We laugh and cry until it hurts in this look at Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with special guest Myq Kaplan. Join us as we celebrate the lives of both Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa. Also, why did they change the name to Talokan?

00:03:18 A solemn opening
00:06:47 A movie in mourning
00:15:01 Elephants and experiences
00:25:02 Memories as a blessing
00:30:24 Rituals of mourning
00:37:41 Talokan and the spelling of Hanukkah… chanukah… you get it.
00:41:47 “Sin Amore” and changing the truth we know
00:50:10 MCU mutant timeline discussion
00:53:36 Everyone has suffered loss

URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the premiere Jewish science and technology camp in the multiverse, welcomes young scientists, innovators, and digital creators entering grades 4-11. Located on the campus of the prestigious Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, 6 Points Sci-Tech boasts top-notch educational and recreational facilities. At 6 Points Sci-Tech, campers participate in an immersive, hands-on environment that nurtures their passion for exploration and creativity through a values-based curriculum geared towards making the world a more whole, just, and compassionate place through science and technology. Their camp programming includes instruction in Robotics, Video Game Design, Behavioral Sciences, Digital Film Production, Chemistry, Programming & Coding, Cryptology, Digital Art, as well as a variety of counselor-led electives. For more information, call 857-246-8677 or visit http://6PointsSciTech.org.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-14-the-mcflys-of-hillel-valley

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December 21, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 18 - Hershel and the Torah Smash Chanukah Special!

Walking down the dark, quiet road is Hershel of Ostropol and, what’s this? He’s real?! Not only did this yiddish folklore legend save Chanukah, but he also has so much in common with another character from nerd culture. Find out who in this very special Chanukah episode!

00:01:11 Introducing our hero, Hershel of Ostropol
00:03:40 The trickster of Yiddish folklore
00:05:50 “Better a whole lie, than a half truth”
00:10:18 Have you ever been deceived and thought it was okay?
00:12:27 One is just a more likable trickster
00:16:52 We survive, that’s just what we do
00:21:25 The Hershel Cinematic Universe
00:32:32 Favorite Loki Appearance in the MCU
00:40:15 HAPPY CHANUKAH!

URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the premiere Jewish science and technology camp in the multiverse, welcomes young scientists, innovators, and digital creators entering grades 4-11. Located on the campus of the prestigious Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, 6 Points Sci-Tech boasts top-notch educational and recreational facilities. At 6 Points Sci-Tech, campers participate in an immersive, hands-on environment that nurtures their passion for exploration and creativity through a values-based curriculum geared towards making the world a more whole, just, and compassionate place through science and technology. Their camp programming includes instruction in Robotics, Video Game Design, Behavioral Sciences, Digital Film Production, Chemistry, Programming & Coding, Cryptology, Digital Art, as well as a variety of counselor-led electives. For more information, call 857-246-8677 or visit http://6PointsSciTech.org.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-14-the-mcflys-of-hillel-valley

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December 7, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 17 - I. Am. Jacob …With Guest Host Micol Zimmerman Burkeman

Our guest host, Micol Zimmerman Burkeman, leads us in discussion of her favorite and least favorite representations of a hero in the bible. They may not always be fighting a villain who is the opposite of them. Sometimes it’s our own selves that need to be dealt with.

00:05:10 The first of many guesses: Micol’s fav and least fav characters?
00:12:37 A bonus guess: Torah in a musical
00:18:54 Who best represents the question, “Why Jacob?”
00:24:31 A beloved, but challenging character
00:31:15 We are not Esau and we are not Cap
00:38:03 That’s the Jewish people’s tuches
00:43:18 Jacob is the relatable figure for us
00:48:03 This enriches our experience of learning

URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the premiere Jewish science and technology camp in the multiverse, welcomes young scientists, innovators, and digital creators entering grades 4-11. Located on the campus of the prestigious Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, 6 Points Sci-Tech boasts top-notch educational and recreational facilities. At 6 Points Sci-Tech, campers participate in an immersive, hands-on environment that nurtures their passion for exploration and creativity through a values-based curriculum geared towards making the world a more whole, just, and compassionate place through science and technology. Their camp programming includes instruction in Robotics, Video Game Design, Behavioral Sciences, Digital Film Production, Chemistry, Programming & Coding, Cryptology, Digital Art, as well as a variety of counselor-led electives. For more information, call 857-246-8677 or visit http://6PointsSciTech.org.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-14-the-mcflys-of-hillel-valley

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

November 23, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 16 - Rogue One: A Midrash Story

RDY leads us in an exploration of Rogue One and the implications it has on the vast expanding Star Wars universe. You’re probably just as surprised as us that Ethan wasn’t the lead on this episode.

TIME STAMPS
00:00:50 - RDY’s Star Wars nostalgia
00:02:16 - Think of the entire Star Wars universe for the guess
00:04:50 - Midrash and FanFiction
00:08:30 - A New Hope opening crawl and its history
00:11:53 - Hints at connections to Episode IV
00:19:54 - This isn’t their first time
00:23:31 - Favorite Torah Legends
00:28:45 - A midrash about a midrash
00:33:00 - Mon Mothma and final thoughts

URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy, the premiere Jewish science and technology camp in the multiverse, welcomes young scientists, innovators, and digital creators entering grades 4-11. Located on the campus of the prestigious Governor's Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, 6 Points Sci-Tech boasts top-notch educational and recreational facilities. At 6 Points Sci-Tech, campers participate in an immersive, hands-on environment that nurtures their passion for exploration and creativity through a values-based curriculum geared towards making the world a more whole, just, and compassionate place through science and technology. Their camp programming includes instruction in Robotics, Video Game Design, Behavioral Sciences, Digital Film Production, Chemistry, Programming & Coding, Cryptology, Digital Art, as well as a variety of counselor-led electives. For more information, call 857-246-8677 or visit http://6PointsSciTech.org.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-14-the-mcflys-of-hillel-valley

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

November 9, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 15 - Nerd Mitzvah: A Rite Of Passage

Ethan reminds us that life happens in stages. In Judaism, we experience milestones like our b’nai mitzvah or religious school or summer camp. What rituals do nerd children have to look forward to? Listen if you want to learn how to best prepare for your own Nerd Mitzvah!

00:00:38 Pirkei Avot 5:21
00:04:56 The Milestones of Being a Nerd
00:07:07 As parents, what nerdy milestones do you hope to cross off?
00:15:10 Raising Pokemon Trainers of our own
00:19:19 Welcoming a rising adult into nerd culture
00:25:35 Coming of age rituals in a nerd medium
00:32:26 Alternative B’Mitzvah in Judaism
00:37:30 Kobayashi Maru and other unexpected ceremonies

This episode is supported in part by Magnetic Shul, which is a tech-free, self-contained box with a synagogue background and magnets of the people and props we encounter at shul. The color sets invite children to play and create their own stories while at services or whenever MagneticShul is brought out.
MagneticShul makes a wonderful addition to synagogues. MagneticShul is an educational tool used by all ages: free play, structured barrier games, stop motion animation, or just retelling the synagogue experience. For parents, MagneticShul is a wonderful tool for their children to discover the synagogue through developmentally appropriate play. It is portable and can be enjoyed both on the road, while driving or in the comfort of your own home or at synagogue. Ultimately, MagneticShul is where kids play to pray.
MagneticShul is the brainchild of educator Justin Sakofs. The project was incubated through the PresenTense Global Institute with magnets produced in Israel, the tins are printed in China and assembled by the clients of Keshet in Chicago.
To learn more about MagneticShul visit www.magneticshul.com or contact Justin at justin@magneticshul.com.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-15-nerd-mitzvah-a-rite-of-passage

Connect with us online, support us with a donation, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com

October 26, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 14 - The McFlys of Hillel Valley …with special guest Micah Hart

We find a new Jewish connection as we are joined by the host of the Jewish geography game show, Who Knows One?, Micah Hart. Join as we explore the numerous timelines of the Back to the Future trilogy and how it connects perfectly to a quote by the Talmudic scholar, Hillel.

00:01:35 Jewish Geography already
00:04:41 To quote Hillel, “If not now, when?”
00:06:03 We’re using Back to the Future rules
00:11:01 Are rules different for nerd spoilers?
0018:00 Last connection to self care
00:18:33 Saving the community in the sequel
00:21:52 Being erased
00:23:34 Make your future whatever you want it to be
00:27:12 Playing with the Talmud timeline
00:32:14 Favorite Time Travel Movies
00:34:17 Sequels that stand up
00:41:40 If you could go back

This episode is supported in part by Magnetic Shul, which is a tech-free, self-contained box with a synagogue background and magnets of the people and props we encounter at shul. The color sets invite children to play and create their own stories while at services or whenever MagneticShul is brought out.
MagneticShul makes a wonderful addition to synagogues. MagneticShul is an educational tool used by all ages: free play, structured barrier games, stop motion animation, or just retelling the synagogue experience. For parents, MagneticShul is a wonderful tool for their children to discover the synagogue through developmentally appropriate play. It is portable and can be enjoyed both on the road, while driving or in the comfort of your own home or at synagogue. Ultimately, MagneticShul is where kids play to pray.
MagneticShul is the brainchild of educator Justin Sakofs. The project was incubated through the PresenTense Global Institute with magnets produced in Israel, the tins are printed in China and assembled by the clients of Keshet in Chicago.
To learn more about MagneticShul visit www.magneticshul.com or contact Justin at justin@magneticshul.com.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-14-the-mcflys-of-hillel-valley

Connect with us online, support us with a donation, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com

October 12, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 13: Dungeons & Discrimination?

RDY dives into his background as a Dungeon Master for a D&D group of Rabbis and we look into an article on magical creatures that makes us question our perception of the world around us.

00:02:20 RDY has a few things to say
00:04:12 Our Cassandra problem
00:08:10 The Problem with Bubble Wrap Golem
00:10:05 Homebrewing in Torah
00:12:08 Should we play a Torah Smash One Shot?
00:14:43 Satanic Panic and finding connections
00:20:16 Magic The T’shuvah
00:23:27 Do we try too hard to find antisemitism?
00:31:20 The conversation is missing
00:38:23 Most memorable campaigns

SPONSORSHIP
This episode is supported in part by MagneticShul, which is a tech-free, self-contained box with a synagogue background and magnets of the people and props we encounter at shul. The color sets invite children to play and create their own stories while at services or whenever MagneticShul is brought out.
MagneticShul makes a wonderful addition to synagogues. MagneticShul is an educational tool used by all ages: free play, structured barrier games, stop motion animation, or just retelling the synagogue experience. For parents, MagneticShul is a wonderful tool for their children to discover the synagogue through developmentally appropriate play. It is portable and can be enjoyed both on the road, while driving or in the comfort of your own home or at synagogue. Ultimately, MagneticShul is where kids play to pray.
MagneticShul is the brainchild of educator Justin Sakofs. The project was incubated through the PresenTense Global Institute with magnets produced in Israel, the tins are printed in China and assembled by the clients of Keshet in Chicago.
To learn more about MagneticShul visit www.magneticshul.com or contact its creator at justin@magneticshul.com.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-13-dungeons-discrimination

Connect with us online, support us with a donation, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com 

June 19, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 57 - To Everything There Is A Bluey…with Special Guest Cantor Emily Simkin

This week’s episode of Bluey is called… Torah Smash! Sometimes special episodes come into our lives, this is one of those episodes. For real life! We talk about our feelings around the Heeler’s “moving” episode and all the advice that we’ve learned from a cartoon dog (and from real people as well). Life can get ruff sometimes, so we hope you find this episode to be a real t-r-e-a-t.

00:03:01 Everyone’s favorite animated dog - Bluey!
00:06:32 Bluey is Torah
00:11:20 Ecclesiastes 3:1
00:12:34 How do we handle big life shifts?
00:16:36 Wanted more of a moving episode on moving.
00:19:26 Unetaneh Tokef
00:22:13 How do you notice life’s little things?
00:29:05 Best advice on the topic of kids
00:30:18 A quick correction about blessings
00:31:39 More genius advice
00:40:16 Favorite Bluey episodes

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-57-to-everything-there-is-a-bluey

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

September 28, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 12 - Choice Effect 3

Finally, our first video game based episode! Ethan shares his insights to one of the most controversial decisions from the last decade that was made in the virtual RPG world. Listen to the episode or not, the choice is entirely yours. Or at least maybe that’s what we want you to think.

00:00:43 - Exploring Mishneh Torah Hilchot Teshuvah
00:05:15 - The Mass Effect Trilogy and other RPGs
00:09:27 - Limited free will
00:19:09 - The mathematical limit of choice
00:20:28 - Choice when there are limits
00:22:29 - Do you want choice A or B?
00:25:30 - A Rush text study
00:27:56 - Morally ambiguous characters
00:33:29 - Choices in the Torah
00:36:00 - Biblical RPG

This episode is supported in part by MagnetShul, which is a tech-free, self-contained box with a synagogue background and magnets of the people and props we encounter at shul. The color sets invite children to play and create their own stories while at services or whenever MagneticShul is brought out.
MagneticShul makes a wonderful addition to synagogues. MagneticShul is an educational tool used by all ages: free play, structured barrier games, stop motion animation, or just retelling the synagogue experience. For parents, MagneticShul is a wonderful tool for their children to discover the synagogue through developmentally appropriate play. It is portable and can be enjoyed both on the road, while driving or in the comfort of your own home or at synagogue. Ultimately, MagneticShul is where kids play to pray.
MagneticShul is the brainchild of educator Justin Sakofs. The project was incubated through the PresenTense Global Institute with magnets produced in Israel, the tins are printed in China and assembled by the clients of Keshet in Chicago.
To learn more about MagneticShul visit www.magneticshul.com or contact its creator at justin@magneticshul.com.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-12-choice-effect-3

Connect with us online, support us with a donation, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com

September 14, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 11 - Movie Midrash: Iyov and Thunder

We proudly present our second Movie Midrash episode! Join us as we review the recently released Thor: Love and Thunder, and discover which biblical character’s story has immense similarity to one of the main characters in this newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

00:00:53 - Initial Reactions to Thor 4
00:08:33 - The perceptions of gods in this film
00:11:17 - The man who loses everything
00:12:50 - Job’s influence in Love and Thunder
00:13:57 - Job’s first two discussion questions
00:24:18 - How is suffering explained?
00:39:35 - The role of the accuser
00:40:30 - Love comes in many forms

This episode is supported in part by Magnetic Shul, which is a tech-free, self-contained box with a synagogue background and magnets of the people and props we encounter at shul. The color sets invite children to play and create their own stories while at services or whenever MagneticShul is brought out.
MagneticShul makes a wonderful addition to synagogues. MagneticShul is an educational tool used by all ages: free play, structured barrier games, stop motion animation, or just retelling the synagogue experience. For parents, MagneticShul is a wonderful tool for their children to discover the synagogue through developmentally appropriate play. It is portable and can be enjoyed both on the road, while driving or in the comfort of your own home or at synagogue. Ultimately, MagneticShul is where kids play to pray.
MagneticShul is the brainchild of educator Justin Sakofs. The project was incubated through the PresenTense Global Institute with magnets produced in Israel, the tins are printed in China and assembled by the clients of Keshet in Chicago.
To learn more about MagneticShul visit www.magneticshul.com or contact its creator at justin@magneticshul.com.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-11-movie-midrash-iyov-and-thunder

Connect with us online, support us with a donation, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com 

August 31, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 10: It’s Daf Yomi, Mr. Frodo! …With Special Guest Miriam Anzovin

We form a small fellowship as we are joined by writer, visual artist, and TikTok creator, Miriam Anzovin. Explore the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, and many other nerd culture references. as we consider the forces of good and bad in the ordinary and extraordinary.

00:04:24 Lord of the Rings inspires a child
00:12:03 Let’s Smash This!
00:15:34 The yetzer hara and yetzer hatov of Middle Earth
00:20:15 Schleps, birthdays, and the letter G
00:26:10 How the One Ring would affect each host
00:36:24 The real nerd of Boston
00:37:31 Destroying the yetzer hara: a midrash
00:42:29 Reactions and conversations are teachings
00:45:14 Closing banter with Miriam

If you’re interested in following Miriam on social media, you can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and Youtube (@miriamanzovin) or on Twitter (@anzovina).
You can discover more about Miriam’s work on her website: www.miriamanzovin.com

This episode is supported in part by Sinai and Synapses, which offers people a worldview that is both scientifically grounded and spiritually uplifting. They provide tools and language for learning and living to those who see science as their ally as they pursue personal growth and the repair of our world. Sinai and Synapses helps to equip scientists, clergy and dedicated lay people with knowledge and skills to become role models, ambassadors and activists for grappling with the biggest and most important questions we face. They believe that in order to enhance ourselves and our world, we need both religion and science as sources of wisdom, as the spark for new questions, and as inspiration and motivation.
Through classes, seminars, lectures, videos and writings, they help create a vision of religion that embraces critical thinking and scientific inquiry, and at the same time, gives meaning to people’s lives and helps them make a positive impact on society.
Sinai and Synapses is incubated at Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, which links Jewish wisdom with innovative scholarship to deepen civic and spiritual participation in American life. You can learn more at www.sinaiandsynapses.org or @SinaiSynapses on twitter.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-10-its-daf-yomi-mr-frodo

Connect with us online, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com 

August 17, 2022
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 9 - Finding the Value of Why

There are distinct similarities between the subject of Mathematics and the study of Judaism. We won’t ask you to come up to the chalkboard to prove it, but make sure you have your pocket protectors and TI-85 ready for today’s class…I mean episode.

00:00:38 - Barak’s start with Mathematics
00:04:52 - Judaism can be found in everything
00:06:08 - The Torah doesn’t change, I do
00:08:58 - Letters, Numbers, Theorems, and Talmud
00:18:19 - Favorite Midrash Proofs
00:28:40 - Recognizing that it’s all around us
00:38:50 - Favorite math subjects

This episode is supported in part by Sinai and Synapses, which offers people a worldview that is both scientifically grounded and spiritually uplifting. They provide tools and language for learning and living to those who see science as their ally as they pursue personal growth and the repair of our world. Sinai and Synapses helps to equip scientists, clergy and dedicated lay people with knowledge and skills to become role models, ambassadors and activists for grappling with the biggest and most important questions we face. They believe that in order to enhance ourselves and our world, we need both religion and science as sources of wisdom, as the spark for new questions, and as inspiration and motivation.
Through classes, seminars, lectures, videos and writings, they help create a vision of religion that embraces critical thinking and scientific inquiry, and at the same time, gives meaning to people’s lives and helps them make a positive impact on society.
Sinai and Synapses is incubated at Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, which links Jewish wisdom with innovative scholarship to deepen civic and spiritual participation in American life. You can learn more at www.sinaiandsynapses.org or @SinaiSynapses on twitter.

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-9-finding-the-value-of-why

Connect with us online, email us directly, and more at www.torahsmash.com