A Rabbi And A Skeptic Walk Into A Podcast Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:45:43 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2236704 en-us © 2026 A Rabbi And A Skeptic Walk Into A Podcast yes 38f99515-d063-522d-8598-0800d1b66b5a Gary episodic false Host Gary Rosenberg, a former atheist,  interviews Rabbi Alon Tolwin in a relaxed search for wisdom within Judaism.

 

Rabbi Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit is one of the original class of six students who started Aish HaTorah with their teacher, Rabbi Noah Weinberg. Aish is the world’s largest Jewish adult education organization.




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]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Gary https://storage.buzzsprout.com/7443mpx32oanm1y4036iu3jnjfyb?.jpg A Rabbi And A Skeptic Walk Into A Podcast 3.9. Alon Together 3.9. Alon Together Is Heaven like the Judaism Hall of Fame?

 

A rocket alarm in Israel goes off in Rabbi’s phone at the 7 minute mark…why does he want to move to Israel, again?

Zion, eternity, Rabbi is fired up to live where the war is. I say, he wants to live where the war is. Let that sink in.

]]> Is Heaven like the Judaism Hall of Fame?

 

A rocket alarm in Israel goes off in Rabbi’s phone at the 7 minute mark…why does he want to move to Israel, again?

Zion, eternity, Rabbi is fired up to live where the war is. I say, he wants to live where the war is. Let that sink in.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-17373667 Sat, 21 Jun 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2306 3 8 full false 3.77 AI Rabbi. Oy, part two 3.77 AI Rabbi. Oy, part two Featuring Rabbi Alon Tolwin,

This one gets a little hairy... Now with more current events than ever before! 1000 more sheets .thanks for listening

]]> Featuring Rabbi Alon Tolwin,

This one gets a little hairy... Now with more current events than ever before! 1000 more sheets .thanks for listening

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-17296931 Sat, 07 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0400 2162 3 7 full false 3.6 AI meets the the Rabbi 3.6 AI meets the the Rabbi Finally! What took so long?  We give Chat GPT a deep question, and look over its homework.

The Devil may be in the details a la Shakespeare, or the Devil may be learning from AI.

]]> Finally! What took so long?  We give Chat GPT a deep question, and look over its homework.

The Devil may be in the details a la Shakespeare, or the Devil may be learning from AI.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-17181107 Sat, 17 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400 1900 3 6 full false 3.5 Grab bag for Jesus and the holy land 3.5 Grab bag for Jesus and the holy land Rabbi Alon Tolwin on....Jesus the Rabbi...Jews fighting Jews... a 2 state solution?... what about Gaza? Check points, living in Israel.

]]> Rabbi Alon Tolwin on....Jesus the Rabbi...Jews fighting Jews... a 2 state solution?... what about Gaza? Check points, living in Israel.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-17162175 Sat, 17 May 2025 21:00:00 -0400 1880 3 5 full false Passover Passover Featuring Rabbi Alon Tolwin.

A don't miss episode... tighten up your chumetz and check it out. 

]]> Featuring Rabbi Alon Tolwin.

A don't miss episode... tighten up your chumetz and check it out. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16985220 Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:00:00 -0400 2125 3 4 full false 3.3. Moses 3.3. Moses Rabbi Alon Tolwin talks with us about Mo, the man, the main guy. I have my usual slightly off-kilter questionsfor him.


Hope you enjoy.

]]> Rabbi Alon Tolwin talks with us about Mo, the man, the main guy. I have my usual slightly off-kilter questionsfor him.


Hope you enjoy.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16946396 Wed, 09 Apr 2025 13:00:00 -0400 2319 3 3 full false 3..2 Alon in the Holy Land 3..2 Alon in the Holy Land See what I did there? Rabbi Alon Tolwin is back from Israel. This episode goes deeper into the feelings about Gaza and Israel. Recorded 1.26.2025. 

]]> See what I did there? Rabbi Alon Tolwin is back from Israel. This episode goes deeper into the feelings about Gaza and Israel. Recorded 1.26.2025. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16877015 Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:00:00 -0400 2205 3 2 full false 31. SON OF A Rabbi and a Skeptic! 31. SON OF A Rabbi and a Skeptic! introducing Season three, with the addition of *SON OF* episodes featuring Rabbi Simcha Tolwin of Aish Detroit.

Let's meet the Rabbi in this episode and dive right in to talk about judgment and other mistakes I make every day.

]]> introducing Season three, with the addition of *SON OF* episodes featuring Rabbi Simcha Tolwin of Aish Detroit.

Let's meet the Rabbi in this episode and dive right in to talk about judgment and other mistakes I make every day.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16872418 Thu, 27 Mar 2025 16:00:00 -0400 1156 3 1 full false 2.21 Kosher 2.21 Kosher Back to basics. Fins but no scales...Linen and wool? what about Corelle dishes?
Is this business deal Kosher?
Slaughtering animals one at a time.

]]> Back to basics. Fins but no scales...Linen and wool? what about Corelle dishes?
Is this business deal Kosher?
Slaughtering animals one at a time.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16366546 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0500 2113 2 21 full false 2.20 Two state solution? 2.20 Two state solution? The moral high ground... "it takes both the left wing and the right wing to fly the plane," says noted moralist and political philosopher Red Skelton in 1964. Rabbi Tolwin discusses the two state solution,aid to Gaza, education of Gazan youth. I give my answer to "The Outrage."

]]> The moral high ground... "it takes both the left wing and the right wing to fly the plane," says noted moralist and political philosopher Red Skelton in 1964. Rabbi Tolwin discusses the two state solution,aid to Gaza, education of Gazan youth. I give my answer to "The Outrage."

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16237523 Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:00:00 -0500 1989 2 20 full false 2.19 Holy Land debrief 2.19 Holy Land debrief Rabbi Tolwin is fresh back from 6 weeks overseas. Does a visit like that change a person? is it ridiculous for a person to be certain? What about tattoos? Wouldn't you rather have a king? Table manners of Jews.

]]> Rabbi Tolwin is fresh back from 6 weeks overseas. Does a visit like that change a person? is it ridiculous for a person to be certain? What about tattoos? Wouldn't you rather have a king? Table manners of Jews.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16237385 Sat, 07 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0500 2100 2 19 full false 2.18 Talmud and YOU! 2.18 Talmud and YOU! Rabbi Tolwin turns the tables on the interviewer...Torah and constitution..."there's no such thing as free speech."... The golden calf= sexual freedom. Hat tip to Nathan for his role in this story.

]]> Rabbi Tolwin turns the tables on the interviewer...Torah and constitution..."there's no such thing as free speech."... The golden calf= sexual freedom. Hat tip to Nathan for his role in this story.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-16039041 Sun, 03 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0500 2097 2 18 full false The Future of Judaism The Future of Judaism 2.16 The Future of Judaism?

Ortho, Con and Reform... Is perfect parenting possible?  The exotic  lure of the cheeseburger. The tragedy of the demise of conservative Judaism.  What about "spiritual but not religious?"

]]> 2.16 The Future of Judaism?

Ortho, Con and Reform... Is perfect parenting possible?  The exotic  lure of the cheeseburger. The tragedy of the demise of conservative Judaism.  What about "spiritual but not religious?"

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15990343 Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:00:00 -0400 2005 2 16 full false High holidays 2.15 High holidays 2.15 History as a spiral... "everything is measured by wisdom"....GUILT...Devil's Advocate...Shabbos squared equals Yom Kippur? And a night's sleep equals 1/60th of death?  The maths of Torah. What does I'm a Little Teapot have to do with it?

]]> History as a spiral... "everything is measured by wisdom"....GUILT...Devil's Advocate...Shabbos squared equals Yom Kippur? And a night's sleep equals 1/60th of death?  The maths of Torah. What does I'm a Little Teapot have to do with it?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15874976 Sat, 05 Oct 2024 21:00:00 -0400 2001 2 15 full false Forgiveness part deux 2.14 Forgiveness part deux 2.14 Solid episode If i say so myself. Maybe a bit too much Gare, but then again, that is always a danger. Dinner with Springsteen story, God's forgiveness is not automatic! Crunchers vs Doritos, and more. Thanks for listening. Please tell one other person if you enjoy this pod.

]]> Solid episode If i say so myself. Maybe a bit too much Gare, but then again, that is always a danger. Dinner with Springsteen story, God's forgiveness is not automatic! Crunchers vs Doritos, and more. Thanks for listening. Please tell one other person if you enjoy this pod.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15792855 Sat, 21 Sep 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2172 2 14 full false 2.13 Forgiveness 2.13 Forgiveness Steve H from macomb County asks the Rabbi about the f word. Rabbi Tolwin tells his first spicy story about room service... Have you ever been flim-flammed? is it ever ok to be get flimmed OR, for that matter,  flammed in the first place?

]]> Steve H from macomb County asks the Rabbi about the f word. Rabbi Tolwin tells his first spicy story about room service... Have you ever been flim-flammed? is it ever ok to be get flimmed OR, for that matter,  flammed in the first place?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15750645 Fri, 13 Sep 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2281 2 13 full false 2.12 A Day in the Life of a Rabbi part 2 2.12 A Day in the Life of a Rabbi part 2 Woke up... feelin' weird/
Dragged a comb across my beard.

Rabbi Tolwin gives us a glimpse inside the many traditions and rituals and  tasks that liven up his day, including Shabbos.

]]> Woke up... feelin' weird/
Dragged a comb across my beard.

Rabbi Tolwin gives us a glimpse inside the many traditions and rituals and  tasks that liven up his day, including Shabbos.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15712039 Sat, 07 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0400 1946 2 12 full false A day in the life... part one A day in the life... part one Does a rabbi put on his pants one leg at a time?

Gary wants to know how different Rabbi Tolwin's day is than his (mine). So we talk it through. We discuss the kiss of death, and answer the question, "if sleep is 1/60th of death, what happens after two months?...

]]> Does a rabbi put on his pants one leg at a time?

Gary wants to know how different Rabbi Tolwin's day is than his (mine). So we talk it through. We discuss the kiss of death, and answer the question, "if sleep is 1/60th of death, what happens after two months?...

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15596358 Fri, 16 Aug 2024 20:00:00 -0400 1868 2 11 full false Go to yourself Go to yourself Rabbi introduces an existential dilemma. We discuss looking for meaning and why that may be a mistake; is being a Rabbi enough? The nature of good; looking over your shoulder at honor, and changing the world from a room, no hat tip to Leonard Cohen.

]]> Rabbi introduces an existential dilemma. We discuss looking for meaning and why that may be a mistake; is being a Rabbi enough? The nature of good; looking over your shoulder at honor, and changing the world from a room, no hat tip to Leonard Cohen.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15522689 Fri, 02 Aug 2024 20:00:00 -0400 1764 2 10 full false Sleepwalking in 48 ways Sleepwalking in 48 ways 2.9. Why are there 48 ways, anyhoo? Part b is about sleepwalking, which I suffer from. and when I say suffer...

Was I careful with the cosmic balance? Is proof absolute? The stakes are your life! Keep your wisdom in large bills.... and, binge watching the Sopranos with the Rabbi.

]]> 2.9. Why are there 48 ways, anyhoo? Part b is about sleepwalking, which I suffer from. and when I say suffer...

Was I careful with the cosmic balance? Is proof absolute? The stakes are your life! Keep your wisdom in large bills.... and, binge watching the Sopranos with the Rabbi.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15409419 Sat, 13 Jul 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2136 2 9 full false 2.8 Friendship, Talmud style 2.8 Friendship, Talmud style Weighty subject. 

"Kill me!" No, kill me!" Now that's friendship.  From Charles Schultz's Linus all the way to Constantinople, what is a half a friend? A pig in a sack? Rabbi Tolwin elucidates the levels of friendship for us. 

]]> Weighty subject. 

"Kill me!" No, kill me!" Now that's friendship.  From Charles Schultz's Linus all the way to Constantinople, what is a half a friend? A pig in a sack? Rabbi Tolwin elucidates the levels of friendship for us. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15363686 Thu, 04 Jul 2024 17:00:00 -0400 2483 2 8 full false What Is Life, Mr. Beatle, Sir? What Is Life, Mr. Beatle, Sir? Rabbi Tolwin, inspired this day by George Harrison, wants to tackle this question.
The song led us from God the celebrity, God's ego, is it better to be authentic or moral, the push-pull between ignorance and innocence, finally ending up where so many disagreements do: "It is, so!" "It is not!"

]]> Rabbi Tolwin, inspired this day by George Harrison, wants to tackle this question.
The song led us from God the celebrity, God's ego, is it better to be authentic or moral, the push-pull between ignorance and innocence, finally ending up where so many disagreements do: "It is, so!" "It is not!"

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15294355 Sat, 22 Jun 2024 17:00:00 -0400 2208 2 6 full false Living with Awe Living with Awe We touch on Fleetwood Mac, the Key to Misery, controlling our thoughts and emotions, and jumping off a bridge. All that and more as we explore number 4 of the 48 Ways To Wisdom, from the teachings of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah, the world's largest Jewish adult education organization.

]]> We touch on Fleetwood Mac, the Key to Misery, controlling our thoughts and emotions, and jumping off a bridge. All that and more as we explore number 4 of the 48 Ways To Wisdom, from the teachings of Rabbi Noah Weinberg, founder of Aish HaTorah, the world's largest Jewish adult education organization.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15269490 Tue, 18 Jun 2024 09:00:00 -0400 1955 2 5 full false Learning from Rabbi Weinberg Learning from Rabbi Weinberg What was it like at the beginning of Aish? GTo have a world-changing teacher must have been enthralling. Let's find out, shall we?

Why did Noah Weinberg start Aish haTorah, which he grew into the world's largest Jewish adult-education organization?  Tell us about strategic rage, funding his competition...getting kicked out of class...

The beginnings of a movement.

]]> What was it like at the beginning of Aish? GTo have a world-changing teacher must have been enthralling. Let's find out, shall we?

Why did Noah Weinberg start Aish haTorah, which he grew into the world's largest Jewish adult-education organization?  Tell us about strategic rage, funding his competition...getting kicked out of class...

The beginnings of a movement.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15120683 Wed, 22 May 2024 19:00:00 -0400 2242 2 4 full false 2.3. What makes a Jewish thinker tick? 2.3. What makes a Jewish thinker tick? I wanted to explore Rabbi Tolwin's upbringing, since I know it's wa-a-ay different than mine. More Jewish, frankly. And we do think differently.  From Milwaukee to Aish HaTorah.

]]> I wanted to explore Rabbi Tolwin's upbringing, since I know it's wa-a-ay different than mine. More Jewish, frankly. And we do think differently.  From Milwaukee to Aish HaTorah.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15048379 Fri, 10 May 2024 20:00:00 -0400 2399 2 3 full false 2.2 Morality 2.2 Morality Morality, ethics, where do they come from? God? And what of moral relativism, William F. Buckley, right and wrong?  Stay tuned!

]]> Morality, ethics, where do they come from? God? And what of moral relativism, William F. Buckley, right and wrong?  Stay tuned!

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-15006148 Fri, 03 May 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2245 2 2 full false Season 2, Epi. 1. Music + Judaism= Ju-sic? Season 2, Epi. 1. Music + Judaism= Ju-sic? Here is a Torah take on music and art from Rabbi Alon Tolwin.  The Torah instructs us that we should live with joy, and there is a  part that music plays as we kick off season two.

]]> Here is a Torah take on music and art from Rabbi Alon Tolwin.  The Torah instructs us that we should live with joy, and there is a  part that music plays as we kick off season two.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14944460 Tue, 23 Apr 2024 18:00:00 -0400 2166 2 1 full false Bonus episode. SON OF A Rabbi and a Skeptic Bonus episode. SON OF A Rabbi and a Skeptic A very special treat today! Rabbi Simcha Tolwin joins me... to coax me to leap into Judaism 2.0--- kicking and screaming.  Me, not him.  Why does tragedy bring religion? Knowledge isn't the same as faith. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is name-checked. Why we go gray, and why that's a good thing. Thanks, Rabbi! Let's do this again.

]]> A very special treat today! Rabbi Simcha Tolwin joins me... to coax me to leap into Judaism 2.0--- kicking and screaming.  Me, not him.  Why does tragedy bring religion? Knowledge isn't the same as faith. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is name-checked. Why we go gray, and why that's a good thing. Thanks, Rabbi! Let's do this again.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14748157 Fri, 22 Mar 2024 20:00:00 -0400 2060 1 0 full false 27. The Rabbi wore loafers 27. The Rabbi wore loafers When does a ritual become a mitzvah?
 
We discuss the Dixie Cup effect-- featuring a story about Rabbi YomTov Glazer, then Rabbi Tolwin nails down a piece of consciousness.
Danny Kahneman and Amos Tverski are name-checked, along with cartoonist Dave Berg from Mad Magazine  on how to honor your father and mother.... and more!  This may be the end of season one. Time will tell.

Thanks for listening. No, really! Thank you. It would be wonderful if more people enjoyed the easy to swallow, easy to follow wisdom of my friend, Rabbi Alon Tolwin. So please share this with your friends.

Gary

]]> When does a ritual become a mitzvah?
 
We discuss the Dixie Cup effect-- featuring a story about Rabbi YomTov Glazer, then Rabbi Tolwin nails down a piece of consciousness.
Danny Kahneman and Amos Tverski are name-checked, along with cartoonist Dave Berg from Mad Magazine  on how to honor your father and mother.... and more!  This may be the end of season one. Time will tell.

Thanks for listening. No, really! Thank you. It would be wonderful if more people enjoyed the easy to swallow, easy to follow wisdom of my friend, Rabbi Alon Tolwin. So please share this with your friends.

Gary

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14693992 Thu, 14 Mar 2024 22:00:00 -0400 2443 1 277 full false Episode 26. Miracle of Miracles Episode 26. Miracle of Miracles I know, i know... it's pretty cheesy to name-check such a wonderful song from Fiddler. But, Hey, if I can't do that now, then when will I ever get such an opportunity?  Why, it's like a... whopper-tunity!  Mmmm, ...whopper....

An especially delightful chat with Rabbi Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit about the three ages of miracles, and why they don't really impress anyone.
I can't say why, but I had a really good time editing this one. Possibly because I am elated whenever I can edit out my lame jokes. 

Thanks for listening.

]]> I know, i know... it's pretty cheesy to name-check such a wonderful song from Fiddler. But, Hey, if I can't do that now, then when will I ever get such an opportunity?  Why, it's like a... whopper-tunity!  Mmmm, ...whopper....

An especially delightful chat with Rabbi Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit about the three ages of miracles, and why they don't really impress anyone.
I can't say why, but I had a really good time editing this one. Possibly because I am elated whenever I can edit out my lame jokes. 

Thanks for listening.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14597083 Sun, 03 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500 2179 1 26 full false Episode 25. The Torah-- what to make of it? Episode 25. The Torah-- what to make of it? This week Rabbi Alon Tolwin helps your host see how the Torah should be considered. Is it a history book, a story book?  We discuss the bread of shame and free clothing. Can we take Torah literally?

]]> This week Rabbi Alon Tolwin helps your host see how the Torah should be considered. Is it a history book, a story book?  We discuss the bread of shame and free clothing. Can we take Torah literally?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14568966 Sat, 24 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0500 2129 1 25 full false 24. Kaballah... Abra Cadabra! 24. Kaballah... Abra Cadabra! Ok, i had no idea the famous "magic words" are from hebrew!  Wait, what? As we scratch the surface of mysticism, Rabbi Alon Tolwin tells us that "while science can tell us how things work, Kaballah tells us why."  Whoa-a-a-a. Mind blown. 
     A few minutes hence came this little atom bomb: "Everything we do lasts forever... leaves an indelible impact on the world we're living in."
Gulp.   
The Rabbi cranks it up to 11 for just a moment.

]]> Ok, i had no idea the famous "magic words" are from hebrew!  Wait, what? As we scratch the surface of mysticism, Rabbi Alon Tolwin tells us that "while science can tell us how things work, Kaballah tells us why."  Whoa-a-a-a. Mind blown. 
     A few minutes hence came this little atom bomb: "Everything we do lasts forever... leaves an indelible impact on the world we're living in."
Gulp.   
The Rabbi cranks it up to 11 for just a moment.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14475401 Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:00:00 -0500 1725 1 24 full false 23.Therapy for the host? 23.Therapy for the host? This time it's personal. We take a break from the  high-flying  philosophy stuff to look at my relation to  Judaism.  I ask Rabbi Tolwin to discuss my effort to be a better person. Fer instance, why do I sometimes feel like I need to bonk myself on the head with a rubber mallet? 

]]> This time it's personal. We take a break from the  high-flying  philosophy stuff to look at my relation to  Judaism.  I ask Rabbi Tolwin to discuss my effort to be a better person. Fer instance, why do I sometimes feel like I need to bonk myself on the head with a rubber mallet? 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14430957 Fri, 02 Feb 2024 21:00:00 -0500 2430 1 23 full false 22. Shiva: The best party of the year? 22. Shiva: The best party of the year? The Jewish method of mourning, either orthodox or other than orthodox. Also in this episode, when the soul freaks out (so to speak), what does that mean?

Rabbi Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit sets me straight on a few things. Thanks for listening. If you are getting something out of this live, barely edited convo, please share it with a friend! Questions for the rabbi? Send them to rabbi2skeptic@gmail.com. Theme song is titled "Under My Skin," written by me and performed by The Mercator Project.

]]> The Jewish method of mourning, either orthodox or other than orthodox. Also in this episode, when the soul freaks out (so to speak), what does that mean?

Rabbi Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit sets me straight on a few things. Thanks for listening. If you are getting something out of this live, barely edited convo, please share it with a friend! Questions for the rabbi? Send them to rabbi2skeptic@gmail.com. Theme song is titled "Under My Skin," written by me and performed by The Mercator Project.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14393470 Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:00:00 -0500 2107 1 22 full false Sin.SIN.Sin. I see you, sinnahs! I hope you're proud of yourself. Sin.SIN.Sin. I see you, sinnahs! I hope you're proud of yourself. Episode 21. Sin-talk... morphs into a discussion of parenting, then the rabbinic rules about the charging of interest. Thanks for listening, and I played the theme music longer than usual this week, cause... I felt like it. What, is that a sin? Them music excerpted from my song "Under My Skin" performed by A Herring And A Half, formerly known as A Volley of Salvoes (hat tip to the great Dan Logan). It's just me, so I can call the band whatever I want.

]]> Episode 21. Sin-talk... morphs into a discussion of parenting, then the rabbinic rules about the charging of interest. Thanks for listening, and I played the theme music longer than usual this week, cause... I felt like it. What, is that a sin? Them music excerpted from my song "Under My Skin" performed by A Herring And A Half, formerly known as A Volley of Salvoes (hat tip to the great Dan Logan). It's just me, so I can call the band whatever I want.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14331252 Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:00:00 -0500 2016 1 21 full false 20. Praying for a parking spot 20. Praying for a parking spot Fish, Springsteen,  gratitude, dixie cups, the limits of metaphor, breathing, mercy, and "constant amazement."  Enjoy.

]]> Fish, Springsteen,  gratitude, dixie cups, the limits of metaphor, breathing, mercy, and "constant amazement."  Enjoy.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14304015 Sat, 13 Jan 2024 17:00:00 -0500 2399 full false 19. Why a Rabbi anyway? 19. Why a Rabbi anyway? Pod gets a little bit personal this week, boys and girls. What kind of path leads to becoming a Rabbi with Aish HaTorah? Whatever you do, "Keep off the Grass!"

]]> Pod gets a little bit personal this week, boys and girls. What kind of path leads to becoming a Rabbi with Aish HaTorah? Whatever you do, "Keep off the Grass!"

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14244983 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:00:00 -0500 2271 1 19 full false 18. Proof? 18. Proof? What if someone could prove to you there is a God? Would you change your mind? What does proof mean anyway?

]]> What if someone could prove to you there is a God? Would you change your mind? What does proof mean anyway?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14244613 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 20:00:00 -0500 2207 full false 17. Eeee-vill! 17. Eeee-vill! Cue the scary music. Rabbi Tolwin and I discuss the nature of evil and how we might learn to think of it in a Torah-centric light.

The pod's new email is rabbi2skeptic@gmail.com. 

Please get in touch with questions or subjects with which we can tango. Let's start a dialogue. 

Thanks for listening. Please share with friends if you get a kick out of it.

]]> Cue the scary music. Rabbi Tolwin and I discuss the nature of evil and how we might learn to think of it in a Torah-centric light.

The pod's new email is rabbi2skeptic@gmail.com. 

Please get in touch with questions or subjects with which we can tango. Let's start a dialogue. 

Thanks for listening. Please share with friends if you get a kick out of it.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14190707 Thu, 21 Dec 2023 23:00:00 -0500 1816 1 17 full false 16. Education is Ethics, sometimes pronounced "Ettix" by youts 16. Education is Ethics, sometimes pronounced "Ettix" by youts Somehow this discussion of education sailed from business and retail ethical behavior and fairness to phishing and gullibility. Good clean fun!

]]> Somehow this discussion of education sailed from business and retail ethical behavior and fairness to phishing and gullibility. Good clean fun!

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14158645 Sat, 16 Dec 2023 16:00:00 -0500 2116 1 16 full false 15. Tikkun Olam-- "Repair the World" 15. Tikkun Olam-- "Repair the World" Rabbi Tolwin goes deep this week. This discussion really ranges, from slavery to Jimmy Carter to stolen candy bars. 

]]> Rabbi Tolwin goes deep this week. This discussion really ranges, from slavery to Jimmy Carter to stolen candy bars. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-14115582 Fri, 08 Dec 2023 21:00:00 -0500 1817 1 15 full false Episode 13. Science and Judaism Episode 13. Science and Judaism This week, Rabbi Tolwin and I discuss the relationship of the Torah to science.  We touch on the writings of Gerald Schroeder such as his brilliant and helpful books The Science of God and Genesis and The Big Bang. There's your homework assignment for the week. And it will be on the test! 

]]> This week, Rabbi Tolwin and I discuss the relationship of the Torah to science.  We touch on the writings of Gerald Schroeder such as his brilliant and helpful books The Science of God and Genesis and The Big Bang. There's your homework assignment for the week. And it will be on the test! 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13952927 Sat, 11 Nov 2023 20:00:00 -0500 2251 full false A view from Israel A view from Israel Special guest Patrick Amar joins Rabbi Tolwin and me to discuss the war and related issues. Patrick, an Israeli citizen born in Canada, has been living in Israel with his family since 2005, working as a tour guide. 

]]> Special guest Patrick Amar joins Rabbi Tolwin and me to discuss the war and related issues. Patrick, an Israeli citizen born in Canada, has been living in Israel with his family since 2005, working as a tour guide. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13867623 Sun, 29 Oct 2023 16:00:00 -0400 2570 1 0 full false Episode 12, season one. Doubt. Episode 12, season one. Doubt. Goethe said, "To have doubt is uncomfortable, but to be certain is ridiculous."

I once met a rabbinic student in Jerusalem, 19 years old. He had never -- in his life!- met anyone with any doubt about God or the Torah or nuthin!

Blew each others' minds. Enjoy.

]]> Goethe said, "To have doubt is uncomfortable, but to be certain is ridiculous."

I once met a rabbinic student in Jerusalem, 19 years old. He had never -- in his life!- met anyone with any doubt about God or the Torah or nuthin!

Blew each others' minds. Enjoy.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13737882 Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 2242 1 11 full false Special war episode Special war episode The horrendous events of the past few days are our topic today,  with an emphasis on some on "how we got here."
 
So much unknowable right now. So much sadness and carnage. Thanks for listening.

]]> The horrendous events of the past few days are our topic today,  with an emphasis on some on "how we got here."
 
So much unknowable right now. So much sadness and carnage. Thanks for listening.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13754579 Tue, 10 Oct 2023 20:00:00 -0400 1955 1 0 full false Episode 11. Zionism Episode 11. Zionism Let's learn about Zionism, shall we?

]]> Let's learn about Zionism, shall we?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13737910 Sun, 08 Oct 2023 14:00:00 -0400 1955 full false Season 1, Episode 10. Intermarriage Season 1, Episode 10. Intermarriage Two things. 
A. This is a topic with which I am intimately familiar, and
 2. Why did this topic make the Rabbi nervous?

]]> Two things. 
A. This is a topic with which I am intimately familiar, and
 2. Why did this topic make the Rabbi nervous?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13600309 Sat, 07 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1951 1 10 full false season 1, Episode 9. How does Judaism relate to the other religions? season 1, Episode 9. How does Judaism relate to the other religions? Talking about other religions can be fraught. Can be dicey. Can be spiky. Even  prickly sometimes. Stop me before I google a thesaurus. 

]]> Talking about other religions can be fraught. Can be dicey. Can be spiky. Even  prickly sometimes. Stop me before I google a thesaurus. 

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13600243 Sat, 30 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1518 1 9 full false Season 1, Episode 8. Women and Judaism. Season 1, Episode 8. Women and Judaism. Judaism's treatment of women in general goes under scrutiny from our skeptical host. 

Side note--The host loved the Barbie movie, BTW, recommends it heartily, and was quoted as saying it was "the most important film in 30 years" and "girls (and the the women they become) will quote this movie the rest of their lives."

]]> Judaism's treatment of women in general goes under scrutiny from our skeptical host. 

Side note--The host loved the Barbie movie, BTW, recommends it heartily, and was quoted as saying it was "the most important film in 30 years" and "girls (and the the women they become) will quote this movie the rest of their lives."

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13600180 Sat, 23 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400 1707 1 8 full false Season 1, episode 7. Gossip Season 1, episode 7. Gossip Isn't gossiping just harmless little fun sharing of juicy tidbits?  
"Not so fast!" says Judaism. This is no small matter. Some tall ethical fences to climb here.

]]> Isn't gossiping just harmless little fun sharing of juicy tidbits?  
"Not so fast!" says Judaism. This is no small matter. Some tall ethical fences to climb here.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13600121 Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:00:00 -0400 1661 1 7 full false Death...! Death...! What's so great about death?  Let's discuss this with Rabbi Tolwin. Buckle up, buttercup.

]]> What's so great about death?  Let's discuss this with Rabbi Tolwin. Buckle up, buttercup.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13555503 Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:00:00 -0400 2183 1 6 full false Episode 5. God Episode 5. God A relaxed and friendly discussion with Rabbi Tolwin about the big guy (not guy). How does God work? How does God communicate? Will we ever perceive or receive evidence of God's existence?

]]> A relaxed and friendly discussion with Rabbi Tolwin about the big guy (not guy). How does God work? How does God communicate? Will we ever perceive or receive evidence of God's existence?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13522088 Sun, 03 Sep 2023 20:00:00 -0400 2710 1 5 full false Love. Ah, love. Let me count the waze. Love. Ah, love. Let me count the waze. How can a person be commanded to love? And  while we're at it, can we define the concept please?

]]> How can a person be commanded to love? And  while we're at it, can we define the concept please?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13481460 Mon, 28 Aug 2023 03:00:00 -0400 1936 full false Orthodox living in 2023 in the suburbs Orthodox living in 2023 in the suburbs This week, Rabbi Tolwin explains what it means to live an orthodox life in the suburbs of Detroit today.

]]> This week, Rabbi Tolwin explains what it means to live an orthodox life in the suburbs of Detroit today.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13446503 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 19:00:00 -0400 2362 full false The Meaning of Life The Meaning of Life In this discussion, Rabbi  Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit explains why we are here, in case you were wondering.

]]> In this discussion, Rabbi  Alon Tolwin of Aish Detroit explains why we are here, in case you were wondering.

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13446403 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:00:00 -0400 1440 full false Feeling V. Thinking Feeling V. Thinking Modern western thinking tells us to "follow your heart and you can't go wrong." 
But is this really the best way to live our life?

]]> Modern western thinking tells us to "follow your heart and you can't go wrong." 
But is this really the best way to live our life?

]]> Gary Buzzsprout-13446219 Mon, 21 Aug 2023 18:00:00 -0400 2105 full false