Episodes
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April 24, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 53 - Destiny Report
Youâre going to listen to this episode. How do I know? Because itâs destined to happen. The fact that youâre reading this now already tells me that this episode is in your feed. Just because you're reading this doesnât change the fact that itâs going to happen. You see the dilemma right? If you listen, then our Torah Smash precogs were right and the system works. If you donât listen, then our precogs were wrong and the whole system is broken. Whatâs this episode worth to you? What choice will you make⊠or has it already been decided for you?
00:02:16 The legality of future crime in the Minority Report movie
00:05:11 Heroes not embracing their path
00:07:30 Mosesâ humility
00:08:37 Destiny cannot be manipulated
00:09:47 A flaw in the logic
00:12:44 C.R.U.S.H.
00:16:02 It is your destiny!
00:22:24 All paths lay before you
00:31:34 Keeping the marbles
00:33:36 Ethan promises this isnât a Star Wars episode
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Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
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. Iâll give you a hint, theyâre a member of the Justice League. âŠWait, 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 Lanternâs 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 Whoâs left?
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Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
Missing episodes?
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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 Borgâs bânai 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 bânai mitzvot
00:21:15 Debating through real life examples
00:25:38 First romantic contact
00:28:22 Continuing the arguments âŠerr âŠconversations
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 Donât Look Jewish âŠwith Special Guest Fabrice Sapolsky
Purim is around the corner (some may say itâs 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 Kaufmanâs 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-50-funny-you-dont-look-jewish
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
February 28, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 49 - Hogwarts School of Judaism and WizardryâŠWith 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-49-hogwarts-school-of-judaism-and-wizardry
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
February 14, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 48 - What If Creation Wasnât The Beginning?âŠWith Special Guest Roy Schwartz
Judaism encourages us to ask questions. In this episode, we try to answer Marvelâs biggest question of What IfâŠ? 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 âIs Superman Circumcised?â
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 Pharoahâs Heart Wasnât Hardened?
00:23:42 What If Moses Didnât 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 Didnât Worship The Calf?
00:29:17 What If Pharoah Knew Joseph?
00:30:15 What If Joseph Didnât Add?
00:31:10 What Isaac Binded Abraham?
00:35:00 What If we let this question loose in nerd culture?
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-48-what-if-creation-wasnt-the-beginning
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
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 ancestorsâ ups and downs, but one in particular has shown the impact those stories can have when you fully embrace your past. Lâdor vador.
00:00:38 Shoutout to Spertus
00:01:01 Resilience as a Jewish Value
00:02:55 Marvelâs Spotlight Hero, Echo
00:05:04 Mayaâs 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 heroesâ past make them resilient?
00:32:31 Favorite parts of the Echo series
00:39:12 More Jewish Smashes
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-47-echo-of-resilience
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
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 Samsonâs 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 Samsonâs Riddle
00:08:10 The Hulk, aka Bruce Banner
00:12:08 Dr. David Banner
00:12:48 You may not like him when heâs 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-46-the-incredible-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 Letâs 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 âgriefâ and âmournâ
00:16:30 What types of support have you continued for others?
00:22:54 King Solomonâs 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-45-our-heroes-and-transofrmative-grief
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
December 20, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 44 - Loki and the WhaleâŠWith 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* âwow.â
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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-44-loki-and-the-whale
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December 6, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 43 - Love, Jews + Robots âŠWith 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 Asimovâs 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!
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-43-love-jews-and-robots
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
November 22, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 42 - Treehouse of Talmud âŠWith 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 âay, caramba!â
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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-42-treehouse-of-talmud
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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 seriesâ characters are the most Jewish? Jump on a intergalactic traveling purrgil and letâs 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 itâs 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 Yodaâs Jewish roots
00:32:11 Ahsoka Season 2 Theories
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-41-Ahsoka-Tano-RJE
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
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 #4âs
00:30:27 These #3âs 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-40-top-5-jewish-characters
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.
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 characterâs entanglement with destiny. We also ask why everything belongs in a museum? And why did it have to be snakes? We donât know. Weâre making this up as we go. Just be glad we didnât 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-39-indiana-jones-and-the-dial-of-beshert
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September 27, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 38 - The Latest Last of Us âŠWith Guest Host Rabbi Eric Linder
This episodeâs guest host, Rabbi Eric Linder, reintroduces us to the recent HBO drama The Last of Us and its artful history. Weâre 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-38-the-latest-last-of-us
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
September 13, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 37 - Jews in Space? âŠWith 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 weâve given it all weâve 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-37-jews-in-space
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. -
August 30, 2023
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 36 - Cobra Chai âŠWith 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 âvillainâsâ perspective
00:08:10 The teshuva process
00:11:59 A state of mind or an action?
00:15:00 Telling ourselves that weâre 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-33-cancel-lashon-hara
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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 âŠWith 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 Universeâs canon event
00:29:42 The essentials of a canon event
00:34:38 Making a hero or a villain
00:35:30 Universe 42âs Prowler Theory
00:39:56 Across the Spider-Verseâs Afikomen
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-35-genesis-of-the-spider-verse
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.
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 Evolutionaryâs obsession
00:18:52 Drax, Quasar, and Warlock
00:20:57 Rocketâs Perspective and Grootâs 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
Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-34-mishpacha-of-the-galaxy
Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com. - Show more
