Episodes

  • Parshat Vayeishev: The Secret to Yosef's Success

    Parshat Vayeishev: The Secret to Yosef's Success
    Dec 11 2025
    📖 Parshat Vayeishev This Week: Yosef's life is a rollercoaster, sold into slavery, rises in Potiphar's house, wrongly imprisoned, and becomes Egypt's viceroy. Through every high and low, one thing remains constant: success. What's his secret? The Torah repeatedly states, 'God was with Yosef,' but more importantly, Potiphar saw that God was with him. Yosef's success wasn't hidden faith; it was visible godliness. People encountered God through encountering Yosef. This is Kiddush Hashem, living so that others see the Divine radiating through you. It's not just what you believe privately; it's how your actions, integrity, and character reveal God's presence publicly. When people meet you, what do they see? That's the measure of true success. Shabbat Shalom. ✨


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    1 min
  • Parshat POV: Vayeshev - Joseph's Dreams and Second Chances

    Parshat POV: Vayeshev - Joseph's Dreams and Second Chances
    Dec 10 2025
    In this week's Parshat POV, we explore Parshat Vayeshev, one of the Torah's most dramatic narratives. Just as Jacob thinks he can finally settle down and find peace, his life takes the most challenging turn yet. The portion follows Joseph's descent from favored son to enslaved prisoner, sold by his jealous brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar's wife, and thrown into an Egyptian dungeon. Woven into this drama is the mysterious story of Judah and Tamar, which seems out of place but reveals profound lessons about leadership and accountability. Through the parallel narratives of Joseph and Judah, we discover a powerful message about second chances: the Hebrew word "hakir na" (identify please) appears in both Joseph's coat and Tamar's plea, connecting their stories and showing how mistakes don't define us forever. We learn that true leadership requires taking responsibility, and that even our greatest failures can become pathways to redemption. This engaging Torah study combines textual analysis with timeless lessons about resilience, moral courage, and the transformative power of owning our mistakes.

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    46 mins
  • What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What I Need?

    What's the Point of Prayer If God Already Knows What I Need?
    Dec 10 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts

    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I tackle a fundamental question about prayer: What's the point if God already knows what I need? Are we trying to change God's mind? The answer reveals that prayer is far more sophisticated than simply presenting God with an Amazon wish list.

    I explain that God already knows what we need, and if He's determined something isn't good for us, no amount of asking will change that - just like a parent won't give a three-year-old a knife no matter how much they beg, because it's dangerous. However, prayer works differently with a ten-year-old asking for a knife - the answer becomes "it depends" based on their intention and maturity.

    Through a humorous example about asking for a Lamborghini "to help old ladies," I demonstrate how prayer forces us to clarify what we truly want and why we want it. When we have to justify our requests, we often realize our real motivations - ego, status, or selfish desires - versus genuine needs. This self-examination is one of prayer's primary purposes.

    Additionally, prayer reminds us that God is the only one who can truly provide what we need. Using a rabbi joke about asking for a burger at a library, I illustrate that asking someone for something implies believing they can give it to you. Prayer accomplishes two crucial things: clarifying what we want and why, and reminding ourselves that God is the ultimate source of everything we need.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
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    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    4 mins
  • Parsha POV: Jacob's Return and the Story of Dinah

    Parsha POV: Jacob's Return and the Story of Dinah
    Dec 5 2025
    An engaging Torah study session exploring Parshat Vayishlach, where Jacob prepares to reunite with his brother Esau after years of separation. The discussion covers the concept of angels (malakhim) in Jewish tradition, Jacob's wrestling match with the angel and his resulting limp, the significance of name changes (Jacob to Israel), and the tragic story of Dinah. The session concludes with powerful lessons about Leah's selflessness and the principle that doing the right thing ultimately brings divine reward, even if not immediately. This interactive study combines textual analysis with practical life lessons, emphasizing themes of wholeness, identity, and moral courage. Perfect for anyone interested in Jewish learning, biblical interpretation, or exploring the deeper meanings within Torah narratives.

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    59 mins
  • Parshat Vayishlach: The Name That Defines Us

    Parshat Vayishlach: The Name That Defines Us
    Dec 5 2025
    📖 Parshat Vayishlach This Week: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks asked: Why don't we know why bad things happen to good people? His answer: Because if we knew, we'd accept it as God's will and stop fighting to make things better. This week, Yaakov wrestles with an angel and earns a new name: Yisrael' ki sarita im Elohim' because you have struggled with God and prevailed. That's who we are. To be Jewish means being okay with wrestling with the Divine, questioning, arguing, demanding answers, refusing to accept injustice just because 'that's how it is.' We don't passively accept suffering; we challenge it, fight it, and work to fix it. There's nothing more Jewish than standing up for what's right, even if it means wrestling with God Himself. Shabbat Shalom. 💪

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    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    1 min
  • Parshat Vayeitzei: One Day at a Time

    Parshat Vayeitzei: One Day at a Time
    Nov 28 2025
    📖 Parshat Vayeitzei This Week: Yaakov works 7 years of slave labor for Lavan just to marry Rachel. The Torah says those years felt 'k'yamim achadim', like a few days, because he loved her so much. Wait, shouldn't love make time drag? Every day should feel like eternity when you're waiting for what you want most. But here's the brilliance: 'yamim achadim' can also mean 'individual days.' Yaakov didn't stare at the mountain of 7 years thinking, 'I can't do this.' He broke it down: just get through today. Then tomorrow. Then the next day. When we face overwhelming challenges, we paralyze ourselves by looking at the whole mountain. Break it into steps. One day. One moment. Suddenly, the impossible becomes achievable. What mountain do you need to break into in days? Shabbat Shalom. 🏔️

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    1 min
  • Do Jews Believe in Soulmates?

    Do Jews Believe in Soulmates?
    Nov 26 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts

    In this episode of Dear Rabbi, I explore whether Judaism believes in the concept of soulmates and explain the fascinating Jewish teaching of "bashert", the idea of a predestined partner. If you've ever wondered whether there's one perfect person out there for you, or how Jewish tradition views romantic destiny, this episode will provide profound insights that challenge modern assumptions about finding "the one."

    I explain that in Judaism, there is indeed a concept known as bashert, which means "predestined" or "meant to be." According to Jewish tradition, we're taught that before a child is even born - right after conception - a heavenly voice announces that this person is meant to be with that person. This suggests a divine plan for partnership that exists from the very beginning of our existence.

    But here's where Jewish wisdom adds a crucial twist to the popular soulmate narrative: Does the existence of a bashert mean you'll automatically find that soulmate? Not necessarily. And more importantly, Judaism places far more emphasis not on finding the soulmate, but on being the soulmate. This is a profound shift in perspective that transforms the entire approach to relationships and marriage.

    What does it mean to "be the soulmate" rather than just "find the soulmate"? It means we spend more effort on becoming the right partner and becoming the right person, instead of passively searching for the right person. This isn't a passive act of waiting for destiny to deliver your perfect match. It requires active self-improvement, character development, and preparation for partnership.

    Keep the questions coming! If you have a burning question about Judaism,
    Please email us at Dearrabbi@Joidenver.com📧

    Tune in to Dear Rabbi and uncover the wisdom behind Jewish customs and laws. 🎙️🌟
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    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    2 mins
  • From Corporate Executive to Philanthropist: David Jacques Farahi's Jewish Giving and Impact

    From Corporate Executive to Philanthropist: David Jacques Farahi's Jewish Giving and Impact
    Nov 26 2025
    🎧 Listen to this and other episodes at www.joidenver.com/podcasts.

    Welcome to Zero Percent, the podcast that explores the outsized impact of the Jewish people! 🌟

    Join us as David Jacques Farahi, a former hospitality and gaming executive turned investor and philanthropist, shares his inspiring journey from corporate America to a life dedicated to meaningful giving. Discover how David's Iranian-Jewish parents modeled philanthropy even before financial success, teaching him that "we have a responsibility," a mantra that shaped his entire worldview.

    Hear David's powerful story about his work with Derech Eretz, a pre-military program transforming the lives of Israeli youth from underserved communities, and learn how finding the right cause changed his life as much as his giving changed others. From helping Russian Jews escape communism to supporting Israeli startups, David reveals the ripple effects of Jewish philanthropy and why agency, taking action rather than waiting, is central to Jewish values.

    Whether you're just starting your philanthropic journey or looking to deepen your impact, David's wisdom about time, talent, and treasure will inspire you to recognize that everyone can be a philanthropist. Discover why giving isn't just about writing checks, why hosting a Shabbat dinner can change someone's life, and how the Jewish concept of responsibility leads to ability.

    This episode challenges the notion that philanthropy is only for the wealthy, offering practical advice on finding causes that align with your passions, creating meaningful impact, and ensuring that the next generation inherits the same freedoms we enjoy today.

    🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVID JACQUES FARAHI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-jacques-farahi-b542a8208?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

    SUPPORT DERECH ERETZ: https://derecheretz.org.il/en/

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    Subscribe to "JOI to the World" to access all our podcasts, including Yada Yada Yiddish, Kids Say the Deepest Things, Reconnect, and Dear Rabbi.

    Join us as we uncover the treasures in our backyard and explore what makes the Jewish people extraordinary! 🕎📚🎙️
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    41 mins