Talking Tachlis Podcast

It’s been one year since the shooting at Tree of Life, in which a right-wing gunman entered the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and killed 11 people, and injured 6 more. At the one year anniversary, Uri and Rivky analyze the articles and think pieces published about American antisemitism - particularly Bari Weiss, Zack Beauchamp, and Deborah Lipstadt. They ask, how has the American Jewish community changed since Tree of Life? What is a more “important” focus - left-wing antisemitism, or right-wing antisemitism? And, is is "good" that, for some, fear or negativity has become motivation for Jewish life or Jewish community? Related links: One Year Since Tree Of Life: https://www.wtae.com/article/one-year-commemoration-of-tree-of-life-synagogue-shooting-marked-around-the-world/29601905# Zack Beauchamp On Anniversary Of Shooting: https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/10/18/20899208/tree-of-life-anniversary-pittsburgh-shooting-american-jews Bari Weiss (from one year ago): https://www.n

This week, Uri and Rivky start by talking about Yom Kippur in Israel, as well as the recent controversy regarding the NBA and China. Then they dive into their main topic: a recent letter released by the Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC), addressing the upcoming legalization of recreational marijuana in the state of Illinois. The letter strongly states that recreational marijuana violates halacha and is forbidden. Uri and Rivky discuss the relevance of this statement, as well as some very interesting Jewish sources relating to all kinds of other mind-altering substances. Links: Yom Kippur in Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-shuts-down-for-yom-kippur-2/ NBA China controversy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bA450uGN6fk  Various Jewish sources relating to marijuana: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/20405?lang=bi Lubavitcher Rebbe discusses alcohol: https://www.academia.edu/9320130/The_Lubavitcher_Rebbes_Decree_Against_Drunkenness_Booklet_titled_To_Drink_Like_a_Chossid_ Rambam discusses alcohol: https://

On the first episode of 5780, Rivky and Uri start by going over some feedback from last week's episode. Then in the spirit of Yom Kippur and the 10 Days of Repentance, they talk about what makes a good apology, they play some clips of great thinkers discussing the topic, and they analyze some famous apologies (and non-apologies) from this past year. Links: Paul McCartney on Colbert https://youtu.be/475Yc5YlqAU?t=440 Atone Phone Colbert http://www.cc.com/video-clips/liknzb/the-colbert-report-atone-phone---ira-glass-calls SNL Pete Davidson and Dan Krenshaw The original joke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukbtA3df8BI&t=83s The apology - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKaakjMVtyE&t=7s Naftali Bennet ad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFGWJ1vIf44 Music: B-I-B-L-E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxe0SD0_DzI Justin Bieber - Sorry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRh_vgS2dFE

This week, Uri and Rivky first break down some of the recent feedback from the YU March episode - and Uri offers an Elul apology. They they dive into today's topic, a recent article published by Rabbi Gil Student - "Is 929 Kosher?" 929 is the Tanach equivalent of Daf Yomi, in which people study a daily chapter of Tanach. Alongside the actual text study, the website both offer interpretations and commentaries from modern thinkers - both Orthodox and non-Orthodox. In Rabbi Student's essay, he argues that because there are “non-traditional interpretations of Tanakh,” and “perspectives from people who do not consider the text to be words of prophecy,” we, the public, should we wary about learning from them, because, “Studying non-Orthodox perspectives on the Bible is not recommended.” Uri and Rivky ask, is 929 as problematic as Rabbi Student seems to find it? Should there be limits to what people learn? What are those limits? Relevant links: 2017 YU Commentator "Where Are The Pitchforks?

This week, Uri and Rivky begin with feedback about the Rabbi Linzer interview and surmise that everyone's biggest shock was how traditional Rabbi Linzer is. (Some like that, and some hate that, go figure.) They then dive into the main topic for this week’s episode, Yeshiva University and the student march for LGBTQ representation, and the follow-up, the #PledgeNotToPledge campaign. They ask, how homophobic is YU? (What is homophobia, anyway?) If you strip down the five “goals” the organizers are asking for - what do you think is the focus? Is homophobia more common among the students, or among the university staff and rabbis? Does it matter? Relevant links: YU March, including pictures, videos, and their five demands: https://www.facebook.com/events/336023320677992/ #PledgeNotToPledge: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PledgeNotToPledge/ Deena Klein on Talking Tachlis: https://soundcloud.com/user-355770813/shes-here-shes-queer-shes-machmir Rachael Fried on Talking Tachlis: https://soundcloud.com/user-35577

This week, Uri and Rivky speak with Rabbi Dov Linzer, the President and Rosh HaYeshiva of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and a leader in the liberal Orthodox world. We’ve discussed Rabbi Linzer and YCT on the show many times, but sitting down with him is a whole other story! After discussing a little bit about his background, we dove into some important topics, such as: should biblical criticism be a part of Orthodox education? [What is out of bounds? Are there bounds?] What about Zionism, and a love for Israel? We also spoke about a classic TT topic, the role of a rabbi today, and asked, what makes YCT and liberal Orthodoxy unique from YU and Hadar, two institutions YCT is often compared to? Lastly, what are issues in the liberal Orthodox world, and can we turn to other Orthodox movements for guidance? Note: we made the conscious choice to not explicitly bring up the recent tension regarding Rabbi Dan Atwood and YCT, when YCT decided not to give Rabbi Atwood rabbinic ordination several weeks before his would-be gr

This week Uri and Rivky start off by getting a little deeper into the Jewish dual loyalty conversation. Should American Jews who serve in the IDF feel weird telling non-Jewish Americans about their army service? They also look at some historical examples of groups of Americans who's loyalty was questioned. Then they dive into the main topic: What do we think about the death penalty? Is there ever a reason to use it? More specifically, should the perpetrator of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shooting be punished by death? Finally, should this decision take into account the fact that many of the survivors and congregants of the Tree of Life synagogue have pleaded with the Attorney General not to pursue the death penalty? Related links: Harvard student has visa rejected and then accepted, finally arrived at school: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2019/9/3/harvard-student-turned-away-arrives/ US resumes capital punishment https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/us/politics/federal-executions-death-penalty.html?mo

This week, Uri and Rivky first touch on the new HBO series "Our Boys." Don't worry, no spoilers, but watch along with us! Next, our topic at hand: as Jewish Americans, many of us feel a connection to Israel. But how does that relate to Jewish dual loyalty? Is it real? If America and Israel came into conflict, would we pick a stand? Where? And, are other groups and religions accused of dual loyalty in the same way that Jews are? Related links: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-doubles-down-calling-jewish-democrats-disloyal-israel-n1044861 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/21/us/politics/jews-disloyal-trump.html http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/omar-israel-hawks-allegiance-foreign-country-anti-semitism.html "Our Boys" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4AVfDnwCIE Music: "American Idiot," Green Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI

Uri and Rivky spent the past week attempting to stay away from Tlaib, Omar, Bibi, and Trump. They were soooo close, but...no cigar. In this week's ep, they first review the extensive feedback re: last week's episode, about women and the daf yomi videos. Then they talk a little about Tlaib and Omar's cancelled trip to Israel, and a lot about Trump's charge of "disloyal" Jewish American Democrats and ask - is this just a dumpster fire? Is there anything we can get out of this? Music for the ep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk4DJIss1Oc

In a few months, we will be celebrating the completion of the Daf Yomi, a seven-and-a-half-year cycle of learning the entirety of the 2,711 pages of the Babylonian Talmud. Last time, the largest gathering for the celebration took place at MetLife Stadium in NJ, where a sellout crowd of 90,000+ came to listen to speeches, sing, dance, and celebrate this huge milestone. This week, Uri and Rivky discuss a few videos that have been created and promoted by Agudat Israel, the organization that creates this mega event. The first shows a few of the men who are completing the Talmud, and speaks to how highly they value their wives' contribution to their learning. The second is a video of Rebbetzin Aviva Feiner, called A Woman’s Relationship to Limud HaTorah. These videos make us ask, how should men and women relate to Torah learning? And what is the appropriate reaction to feeling uncomfortable with the way others are choosing to live? And, what do we think of the daf yomi in general? Related links: Men talking a

This week, Uri and Rivky discuss David Frum’s piece in the Atlantic, “What If They’re Not Coming for the Jews This Time? Trump poses a new test for the American Jewish community.” Frum asks, what if Trump and his world are actually pro-Jewish and pro-Israel? What does that mean for us? As Frum puts it, “Jews generally believe ourselves to be bound by an ethical code of tolerance and decency larger than our own parochial interests. Trump seems intent on putting that belief to the test. Will we meet it as a united community? Or by tempting Jews with privileges denied to other, more marginal groups, will he split religious Jews from secular; more communally minded Jews from more universalist; more conservative from more liberal?” Uri and Rivky ask, this world David Frum asks us to imagine - is that our reality? And do we recognize his challenge? What do we do if/when we have to make a choice? Frum's article: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/07/has-trump-abandoned-anti-semitism/594619/ Phish -

On this phantastic episode, Uri and Rivky talk to Phish aficionado Jonny Miller about the unique phenomenon that is the band Phish, and their fans, affectionally called Phishheads. Why does Phish have such a large and passionate following - particularly among the Jewish community? [Don't worry - you don't need to be a Phishhead for this episode to be fun. Just ask Rivky, who is, as of yet, unconvinced.] PSA: Our conversation went a little longer than usual, so we decided to release the episode in 2 versions, a long one and a short one. Just be thankful we didn't make this a 5 part episode (we were tempted!). Check out the links below to dive deeper into the Phish pond, but most importantly, read the effing Book! Related links: Why do so many Jews love Phish? https://www.jta.org/2019/05/21/culture/why-so-many-jews-love-the-band-phish NYT interview with Trey: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/24/magazine/trey-anastasio-phish.html Baker's Dozen: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/ar

On this phantastic episode, Uri and Rivky talk to Phish aficionado Jonny Miller about the unique phenomenon that is the band Phish, and their fans, affectionally called Phishheads. Why does Phish have such a large and passionate following - particularly among the Jewish community? [Don't worry - you don't need to be a Phishhead for this episode to be fun. Just ask Rivky, who is, as of yet, unconvinced.] PSA: Our conversation went a little longer than usual, so we decided to release the episode in 2 versions, a long one and a short one. Just be thankful we didn't make this a 5 part episode (we were tempted!). Check out the links below to dive deeper into the Phish pond, but most importantly, read the effing Book! Related links: Why do so many Jews love Phish? https://www.jta.org/2019/05/21/culture/why-so-many-jews-love-the-band-phish NYT interview with Trey: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/24/magazine/trey-anastasio-phish.html Baker's Dozen: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/ar

Last week, the Jewish Press, a weekly newspaper geared towards modern-right Orthodox Jews, published an opinion piece entitled “The Pride Parade - What Are They Proud Of?” The Jewish Press’s Editor in Chief, Elliot Resnick, shared the article on Facebook with the caption “Sin, or the unusual predilection to commit a certain sin, is nothing to be proud of." Over the following few days, a heated conversation ensued in the comments section of that post, and it was also shared by a number of people who called for his dismissal from the newspaper, or for people to boycott the Jewish Press. In the following days, Resnick argued that he's entitled to his opinion, and that everyone who wants to "shut him up, and destroy him," is completely out of line. Is he completely off base? More broadly, when someone says something that we not only disagree with, but that offends us, where do we draw the line between “agree to disagree” vs “that person needs to be shut down?" What is an appropriate respo

U-S-A! U-S-A! Talking Tachlis wishes a huge mazal tov to the US Women's National Soccer Team! They then dive into this week's topic: patriotism and our military. On July 4th, President Trump gave a much anticipated and controversial address at the Lincoln Memorial that focused on American patriotism and pride, mostly centering around the armed forces and US military victories. And this week, Fivethirtyeight profiled “The Guy Who Wants To Bring Back The Draft.” Chris, a 40 year old white man from Tennessee believes the United States should implement mandatory military service for all young men and women as a way to include all different types of people into the American civic fabric. Uri and Rivky ask, are we, as Americans, missing a sense of civic pride, or connection to our country? Does a draft, or the military, address these issues? How does any of this relate to questions about nationalism, militarism, pride in the American flag, or kneeling for the anthem? Links: Trump's July 4th speech: h

We're baaaack! This week, Uri and Rivky review the many emotional reactions to last week's concentration camp conversation. They then excitedly cheer on the US Women's Soccer Team - Uri just can't get enough of #sports! And lastly, they dive into the recent essay by Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold about her decision to shift her title from Maharat Rachel to Rabba Rachel. Uri and Rivky ask, what do titles mean, exactly? And has there been a shift in our community, in regards to women's rabbinic leadership? Related links: AOC concentration camps: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/06/18/ocasio-cortez_trump_administration_is_running_concentration_camps_on_the_souther_border.html US Holocaust Museum Statement: https://www.ushmm.org/information/press/press-releases/statement-regarding-the-museums-position-on-holocaust-analogies Holocaust Academics Respond to Museum Statement: https://www.nybooks.com/daily/2019/07/01/an-open-letter-to-the-director-of-the-holocaust-memorial-museum/ US w

Rivky and Uri are back in New York and they dive right into some of this week's hot topics. First they talk about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's heartfelt pajama-clad Instagram Live video where she compares the terrible conditions in migrant detention facilities on the US-Mexico border to concentration camps. The Tach Team asks if this comparison is accurate, and even if it isn't, is criticizing AOC more important than criticizing the conditions in these camps? Then, they talk about the latest college admissions scandal. Harvard has retracted an offer of admissions to Kyle Kashuv, for racist and sexist remarks he made in a private Google Doc when he was 16. Did Harvard make the right decision or should Kyle's apology be enough to allow him to keep his spot at Harvard? Links: AOC Concentration Camps: https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2019/06/18/ocasio-cortez_trump_administration_is_running_concentration_camps_on_the_souther_border.html https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/inside-a-texas

Rivky and Uri were both in Israel last week, and they got to visit their favorite Israeli podcast- The Promised Podcast! Listen to the shout out they get from their podcasting idol, Noah Efron https://tlv1.fm/full-show/promised-podcast/2019/06/13/the-labor-savers-edition/ Since the Talking Tachlis crew were in Israel, they decided to hit the streets of Jerusalem and find out what real Israelis of all stripes think about America's president. What they hear may surprise you... Music: Hanan Ben Ari - Tutim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfLHAJrNnsM Café Shahor Hazak - Rak Laalot https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh1rDsKiTTg Moshe Peretz - Kos Shel Yayin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNtw_r0n8-I Eden Ben Zaken - Tazizu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryHLrr4J1M4 Jerusalem Boys Choir - Super Trump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFK6a4JBrWU

Welcome to our first virtual episode! This week, Uri and Rivky record from different studios - Rivky in the classic Drive In Productions spot, in NYC, and Uri from the satellite studio in Jerusalem. Uri begins by sharing some observations about his trip - such as, why do so many young, generally progressive, Israeli Jews love Trump? They then dive into this week's topic - Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, and its flag dance/march/parade. Uri and Rivky work through some complicated feelings about this day and ask, is it off-putting or is it exciting? Is it nationalistic or is it religious? And more! Jerusalem Day: https://www.timesofisrael.com/tens-of-thousands-join-flag-march-to-mark-unification-of-jerusalem Super Trump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFK6a4JBrWU&t=2s

[Disclaimer: while there are no spoilers in the description, there will be spoilers in the episode itself!!] This week, we all finally watched the series finale of Game of Thrones, HBO's hugely popular epic fantasy TV series, based on George RR Martin's series of novels, "A Song of Ice and Fire." Uri and Rivky talk about their experiences of the show and ask, is it weird that, as religious people, we are so casually and publicly invested in a show filled with graphic violence, graphic sex, and graphically violent sex? They also ask about the show's treatment of women, and religion, and explore what the implications of both have for our society today. Related links: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/teaneck/2019/05/19/israeli-ambulance-service-fundraiser/3709830002/ https://groknation.com/culture/game-of-thrones-is-back/?fbclid=IwAR2Pwv0KUNY4wh0bZh3NwWM7KGVAUR7UeoCv7RYSEswJkDXZoHXnGimBMxY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6YFcwzOubM