SLabkoff
135 episodes
Our intricate world presents intertwined challenges, from tech to politics. In the US, religion's role is subtly changing, influenced largely by the "the hubris of the present-day". Yet, civilizations before us offer insights, untainted by our world. Hidden past insights hold much relevance. The "Judaism in the 21st Century" podcast draws bygone wisdom on today's challenges. Sage guidance to navigate our complex world. This podcast reimagines current matters using historical perspectives. Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr. Steven Labkoff explore modern life, guided by Jewish sages' insights.
Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
A plainspoken reminder that Jewish learning matters most when it turns into lived responsibility.
The episode treats a medical-school mantra as a Jewish lesson about learning, then living what was learned, and passing it on. Stephen Lapkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen tie that idea to the stretch from Pesach to Shavuot, where personal growth, legacy, and responsibility all sit…
Daily halacha, case by case.
Parsha questions carried into serious Torah argument.
This episode explores the tension between human free will and divine intervention in Judaism, examining who controls our lives and how to reconcile personal choices with preordained destiny.
This episode discusses the potential release of hostages brokered by the Trump administration between Hamas and Israel, connecting this current event to Jewish traditions like Sukkot and Torah teachings.
The hosts discuss how words have significant influence, with a personal example of how the host's terminology about data quality spread through his company's leadership.
This episode explores the meaning and relevance of lesser-known Jewish fast days like the 17th of Tammuz in contemporary society, examining their significance beyond major fasts like Yom Kippur.
The hosts discuss the profound differences between Israel's Yom HaZikaron, a solemn day of remembrance for fallen soldiers marked by nationwide moments of silence, and the more subdued observance of Veterans Day in the United States.
This episode explores Sukkot as the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, comparing it to Purim and discussing its relevance in the 21st century.
This episode features Rabbi Herbert Cohen discussing how he finds God and meaning in secular literature, connecting it to Judaism's relevance in modern life.
This episode explores how Jewish law addresses prayer obligations in modern time-related challenges like airplane travel across time zones and extreme locations like the Arctic Circle.
The hosts explore the evolving responsibilities of diaspora Jews in the 21st century, particularly in light of current global conflicts and divisions within the Jewish community regarding Israel.
This episode continues a discussion with philosopher and Mobileye founder Mois Navon about whether artificial intelligence can have a soul, exploring the intersection of Jewish theology and modern technology.
The hosts revisit the topic of Mandani's election as mayor of New York, connecting it to Torah lessons from Parsha Chayei Sera and discussing concerns about the future.
This episode explores how Jews in the 21st century can balance productivity and leisure time through the lens of Torah and Talmud teachings, using personal anecdotes about activities like photography.
This episode discusses the perspective of Diaspora Jews during Purim, connecting it to broader themes in Judaism through a conversation between a doctor and a rabbi.
This episode explores how the biblical story of Noah's Ark relates to modern Jewish community life through a discussion between a doctor and a rabbi.
This episode explores the significance of Yom Kippur and the 10 Days of Repentance in Judaism, discussing their intensity and the challenge of maintaining spiritual reflection beyond the holiday.
This episode discusses the implications of Zoran Mandani's election as mayor of New York City for the Jewish community, exploring concerns and reactions through a Jewish lens.
This episode discusses Yuval Raphael, an Israeli Eurovision contestant and survivor of the October 7th Nova Song Festival attack, exploring her story and the significance of her participation in the song contest.
This episode explores the contentious issue of ultra-Orthodox Jewish exemptions from mandatory military service in Israel and its potential political implications.
The hosts discuss a recent synagogue trip to Italy and personal travels, setting up a conversation about Tisha B'Av and its relevance in modern times.
The hosts discuss the importance of vacations and disconnecting from work through a Jewish lens, prompted by personal experiences of work intrusion during time off.
This episode discusses Israel's recent preemptive strike on Iran, focusing on the military and humanitarian implications, and explores how listeners can help through prayers and community support.
The hosts explore the historical and cultural significance of comedy within Jewish life, tracing its evolution through notable comedians from the 1930s to modern times.
This episode explores how to approach dementia and memory issues from a Jewish perspective, discussing the emotional and practical challenges families face when caring for loved ones with cognitive decline.
This episode discusses the implications of Zoran Mandani's election as mayor of New York City for the Jewish community, exploring the topic through a religious lens rooted in Torah and Talmud.
This episode explores how New Year's resolutions and secular new year traditions intersect with Jewish teachings from Torah and Talmud to help listeners reflect on improving their lives and building a meaningful legacy.
This episode explores how technology, particularly AI, is transforming Jewish education while maintaining traditional oral and written practices.
This episode explores the meaning of independence and freedom by comparing American Independence Day (July 4th) with Israel's Yom HaAtzmaut from a Jewish perspective.
This episode features a special recording from a Men's Seder event where multiple rabbis share stories and ideas to make Passover Seders more meaningful.
This episode of Judaism in the 21st Century features hosts Dr.
This episode discusses practical lessons and preparations for the upcoming Jewish holiday of Pesach (Passover), focusing on community events and spiritual insights rooted in Torah teachings.
This episode explores the intersection of AI and Judaism through a discussion of Moise Navon's perspectives, unpacking his video from an AI conference and his talk at a synagogue.
This episode explores the intersection of AI avatars and the Jewish concept of the soul (Neshama), discussing ethical and spiritual implications of artificial intelligence in relation to death and memory.
This episode features an interview with Rabbi Dr.
The hosts discuss appreciating God's creation through nature, inspired by a rabbi's comment about seeing God's Alps, as Dr.
The hosts introduce a discussion on business ethics from a Jewish perspective, prompted by a Shavuot teaching session.
This episode discusses the story of Purim and its relevance to contemporary issues through a Jewish lens.
Dr.
This episode explores whether God is silent in the modern world or if people are simply not listening properly, examining prayer and divine communication through a Jewish lens.
This episode explores the challenges of maintaining Jewish identity and adherence to religious rules in modern times, using a Netflix show as a discussion point.
This episode explores the significance of the Jewish holiday Shavuot in modern times, connecting its traditional themes of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai to contemporary Jewish life.
This episode explores Jewish rituals surrounding death and dying, examining their logical structure, human-centered design, and role in helping individuals and communities process grief and reintegrate after loss.
This episode explores whether sites like Mount Sinai are considered holy due to divine declaration or human interpretation, using Jewish teachings to examine the concept of holiness in modern times.
The hosts celebrate their 100th episode and discuss the origins of their podcast, which explores modern life through Jewish teachings.
A discussion on whether the Torah and Prophets foretold the recent hostage release, exploring its implications amid ongoing anti-Semitism and conflict in Gaza.
This episode explores the meaning and backstory of counting the Omer, a 49-day period between Passover and Shavuot in the Jewish calendar, as discussed by host Stephen Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen.
A Jewish perspective on the tension between privacy and transparency in modern life, exploring ethical dilemmas through Torah and Talmud teachings.
This episode explores how Judaism addresses the challenges of aging parents, including caregiving, family dynamics, and religious teachings like honoring parents.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen interviews Elisha Wiesel about his father Elie Wiesel's legacy, memory, and moral responsibility in a modern context.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen interviews Elisha Wiesel about his father Elie Wiesel's legacy, memory, and moral responsibility in a modern context.
This episode features rabbis sharing lessons from a Men's Seder to make Passover seders more meaningful.
Host Stephen Lapkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen explore the medical mantra 'see one, do one, teach one' as a metaphor for Jewish life, connecting it to Passover traditions, personal redemption at the Red Sea, and generational transitions in family rituals.
This episode of Judaism in the 21st Century discusses how Jewish perspectives and historical wisdom can guide support for friends and family on a cancer journey, blending personal stories with religious insights to address modern challenges.
Dr.
Rabbi Daniel Cohen and Dr.
A discussion about the role of Jewish overnight camps in shaping Jewish identity, featuring an interview with a camp director.
A rabbi and a doctor interview a mother about her son's cochlear implants, exploring Jewish perspectives on parenting and medical technology.
A discussion on how Jewish concepts of freedom of mind can help hostages reintegrate after a ceasefire deal.
A discussion on Jewish identity and pride in the face of assimilation, framed around the upcoming Hanukkah holiday.
A podcast exploring modern life challenges through Jewish teachings, celebrating its one-year anniversary with a recap.