Podcasts by Kol Deracheha
Welcome to Kol Deracheha, a podcast about women and mitzvot, from deracheha.org, a Yeshivat Har Etzion Initiative.
Our name comes from the pasuk in Mishlei 3:10, which says “be-chol derachecha da’ehu.” “In all your ways, know God.” We’ve changed that to Kol Deracheha, which means “all her ways,” and also “the voice of Deracheha.”
Our goal is that Kol Deracheha will inspire you wherever you walk on the pathways of Torah.
Season 1 of Kol Deracheha is dedicated in memory of Mrs. Anita Hirsch Silverman, Yehudit Raizel bat Eliezer v'Esther, zichrona livracha.
Further podcasts by Rachel Leshaw
Podcast on the topic Judentum
All episodes
Bat Mitzva from 2023-02-01T11:49
In this episode we discuss the halachic significance of bat mitzva and how should it be observed or celebrated.
Full article available here: https://www.de...
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Behind the Scenes: Talking about Chinuch with Ora&Laurie from 2022-07-07T12:52:09
In this episode, we discuss our personal inspirations and approaches to chinuch for our children.
Article on Chinuch available here: https://www.deracheha.org/chinuch/
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Mechitza III: Separation in Society from 2022-04-03T12:10:30
In this episode we discuss when we need a mechitza or gender separation outside of prayer.
To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, click here: https://www.deracheha.or...
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Mechitza II: Structure from 2022-03-27T09:02:28
In this episode we discuss the structural requirements for a mechitza and whether the ezrat nashim‘s structure has a halachic effect on prayers said within i...
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Mechitza I: Purpose from 2022-03-20T12:45:15
In this episode we discuss the purpose of mechitza and why gender separation is a part of prayer.
This episode is dedicated in honor of Ilan...
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Megilla Reading II: Quorum and Reading for Others from 2022-02-15T12:09:47
In part 2 of our megilla reading podcast we discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and whether women may read for herself and others.
Read all the sources here: https://www...
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Megilla Reading I: The Mitzva and Brachot from 2022-02-08T22:01:01
In this episode we discuss the nature of women's obligation in megilla reading and the brachot recited. Part 2 will discuss who constitutes a quorum for megilla reading, and who a woman may read...
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Women and Tefilla Be-tzibbur from 2022-01-17T10:14:04
In this episode we dicuss women and tefilla be-tzibbur. Specifically, what is the nature of communal prayer? What is the role of Shaliach Tzibbur, and who can fill it? What is the signi...
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Women and Minyan from 2022-01-09T09:01:27
In this episode we address some fundamental questions about minyan.
What is a minyan and what is it for? Who does and doesn’t count toward a minyan, ...
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Behind the Scenes: Menstruation and Shabbat from 2022-01-02T11:29:59
In this short episode, Rachel goes behind the scenes with Laurie to discuss Deracheha's most recent article on menstruation and Shabbat. Learn what made writing this article so challenging, what...
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Learning about Sigd with Brhan Worku from 2021-11-04T15:07:36
Erev Yom Kippur from 2021-09-01T16:39:20
What are the the mitzvot and customs of Erev Yom Kippur? Why are they significant? How do they apply to women?
Full article here: www.deracheha.org/e...
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Dress IV: Keli Gever from 2021-07-28T10:46:57
In this episode we address the halacha of keli gever - what is a man’s article, a keli gever? What is the prohibition of a woman’s wearing one? How does intent affect thi...
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Talking About Eicha and More with Dr. Yael Ziegler from 2021-07-08T10:25:30
In this special Pre-Tish'a Be-Av episode we talk to Dr. Yael Ziegler about her new book "Lamentations: Faith in a Turbulent World" and her experience writing on such a seemingly sad topic. We also ...
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Kiddush 2: Practical Issues from 2021-07-04T10:35:15
In this episode we discuss some practical issues relating to kiddush. Can someone eat before kiddush? Does a woman recite or respond to she-hechiyyanu in Yom Tov kiddush? Does prayer affec...
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Kiddush I: Obligation from 2021-06-23T20:12:42
In this episode we discuss the mitzva of kiddush, both on Shabbat and Yom Tov, at night and during the day. We discuss a woman's obligation, and also how a couple should hand...
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Discharging Obligations in Practice from 2021-06-15T04:25:48
In this episode we discuss when a woman can discharge a man's mitzva obligations, and cases where she technically can, but maybe should not. Why would that be the case? Listen to find out, and g...
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Talking about Trust and Fear in Halakha Education with Shayna Goldberg from 2021-05-26T13:08:56
In this new podcast we go behind-the-scenes with Shayna Goldberg, Contributing Editor to Deracheha and author of the new book "What Do You Really Want?" In her conversation with Rachel, Shayna e...
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Discharging Another's Mitzva Obligations from 2021-05-20T11:44:13
In this episode we discuss how and when a person can discharge someone else’s halachic obligation. Who can do this for whom, and what are the halachic mechanisms that allow th...
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Talking about Shavuot with Rachel Sharansky Danziger from 2021-05-11T10:34:24
In this special pre-Shavuot interview episode, we spoke to Rachel Sharansky Danziger about Torah, story-telling, immigration, Megillat Rut, Shavuot at the Kotel and more!
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Zimmun 2: The Text and Mixed Zimmun from 2021-04-20T11:46:06
In the second episode in our podcast series we discuss whether men and women can combine to form a Listen
Zimmun 1: The Mitzva and Women's Zimmun from 2021-04-13T11:16:36
In our first podcast on Zimmun we discuss the mitzva of zimmun, who is obligated in it, and under what circumstances women recite it.
Full a...
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Talking Chametz, Matza and More with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach from 2021-03-15T16:54:24
In this interview, Rachel sat down with Devorah Katz of Pat Bamelach bakery in Efrat right before Pesach to talk about chametz, matza and more. Listen to find out what a bakery does with its sou...
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Women at the Seder - Part 2 from 2021-03-10T14:29:23
In this episode we discuss women's obligation in reclining at the seder and telling the story of the exodus from Egypt.
Read the full article with sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/...
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Women at the Seder - Part 1 from 2021-03-02T08:49:25
In this episode we discuss women's obligation at the Pesach seder. Are women obligated in Pesach, matza and maror? In the four cups? In Hallel?
... Listen
Mitzvot of Purim from 2021-02-18T15:35:52
In this episode we discuss the mitzvot of Purim - mishlo'ach manot, matanot la-evyonim and se'uda. Where do these obligations stem from, and what are women's obligations in the...
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Arba Parashiyot from 2021-02-09T10:52:19
In this episode we discuss the four special Torah readings that precede Purim and Pesach Why do we read them and who must hear them? Are women obligated to hear Parashat Zachor?
Exemption from Major Fasts from 2021-02-09T10:40:36
In this episode we discuss whether all women must fast on Yom Kippur and Tish’a Be-Av? What if a woman is pregnant, postpartum, or nursing? How do the laws of the two fast days differ?
Re...
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Exemptions from Minor Fasts from 2020-12-29T13:54:44
Must all Jewish women fast on the minor fast days? What if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding? Postpartum or after pregnancy loss?
Read Deracheha's...
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Chanuka II - Other Observances from 2020-12-01T12:06:57
What other observances of Chanuka are special to women? Are women obligated to recite Hallel on Chanuka?
Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/chanuka-2-other-observances/...
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Chanuka I - Candle-Lighting from 2020-11-24T10:36:13
Does a woman light her own Chanuka candles? When does she light for others?
Birkat Ha-Mazon II - Women's Obligation from 2020-11-17T11:02:23
In this episode we discuss women's obligation in Birkat Ha-Mazon, and what questions the test of Birkat Ha-Mazon may raise for women.
Read the full article here (starting from obligation...
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Birkat Ha-mazon I: The Mitzva from 2020-11-10T17:29:22
What is the mitzva of Birkat Ha-mazon? What is the reason for the mitzva, and what must be included?
Read the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/birkat-ha-mazon/
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Af Hen: Inclusion in the Miracle from 2020-11-04T14:47:11
What is the principle of af hen hayu be-oto ha-nes? When and how does it obligate women in mitzvot? Does it only apply to Chanukah, Purim and Pesach?
Read the full artic...
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Simchat Yom Tov from 2020-10-27T09:16:53
In this episode we discuss simchat yom tov (rejoicing on a festival). What is the nature of this mitzva? What is a woman’s obligation in it?
Read the full article on our site here: https:...
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Talking about Nursing and Fasting with Dr. Deena Zimmerman from 2020-09-22T12:39:36
In this episode we interview Dr. Deena Zimmerman, MD MPH IBCLC and yoetzet halacha, about nursing and fasting. We discuss what a nursing mother can expect if she fasts, how to prepare for the fa...
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Blowing Shofar from 2020-09-13T09:30:03
In this episode we'll discuss who can blow shofar for whom on Rosh Hashanah, and specific issues that arise because of the difference in obligation between men and women.
To read the full...
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The Mitzva of Shofar from 2020-09-06T12:48:24
In this episode we discuss the mitzva of shofar on Rosh Hashana, whether women are obligated, and some practical issues that arise.
To read the full article on our site, click here: Listen
Shofar in Elul from 2020-09-02T15:04:23
In this episode we discuss the reasons we blow shofar in Elul, and whether women should make an effort to hear the shofar blown. To read the full article on our site, click here: Listen
Talking About Kol Isha with Elena Tal and Nina Tokayer from 2020-08-25T09:08:49
In this special bonus episode, we interview Elena Tal and Nina Tokayer about their careers and Kol Isha.
For more on Kol Isha (articles and podcasts) on Deracheha, click here Listen
Kol Isha III: In Context from 2020-08-18T13:19:33
In this episode we discuss how contextual factors can affect the application of kol isha, and whether the halacha is different in a religious context.
To read the full article, c...
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Kol Isha II: Mutual Responsibility from 2020-08-08T21:30:54
In this episode we discuss men’s and women’s responsibilities with respect to kol isha, and whether a woman may freely listen to men sing, or sing herself.
To read the full artic...
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Kol Isha I: Halachic Basis from 2020-08-03T18:12:29
In this episode we discuss the halachic basis for the concept of Kol Isha. How does Halacha view song in general? What is of specific concern with kol isha? When and to which t...
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The Three Weeks and the Nine Days from 2020-07-13T18:26:19
In this episode we discuss the mourning practices of the period leading up to Tisha B'av, and whether they have particular relevance for women.
To read the whole article, click here Listen
Tzeniut Behind the Scenes from 2020-07-01T20:26:01
In this special behind the scenes episode, Rachel speaks to Laurie about tzeniut, and the challenges of writing about tzeniut as its own concept, not as it relates to clothing. Plus some thought...
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Rosh Chodesh from 2020-06-23T10:02:48
In this episode we'll discuss Rosh Chodesh, what makes it a woman’s holiday, and this affect its observance.
To read the full article, click here:
Dress III: More Details from 2020-06-16T12:18:52
How do the laws of erva shift in interpersonal settings? How does this affect the laws of women’s clothing? And what are the halachot concerning skirts and pants?
To rea...
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Dress II: The Details from 2020-06-09T11:50:51
In this episode we'll discuss some of the details of women's dress - what was traditionally covered, what is the status of the zeroa (arm), and how communal standards play into the halacha.
... Listen
Dress I: The Basics from 2020-06-04T08:41:05
After discussing tzniut as a concept in a previous podcast, in this episode we'll focus specifically on dress. What is the purpose of clothing? How does this relate to tzeniut? What doe...
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Tikkun Leil Shavuot from 2020-05-11T09:23:24
What is the source of the custom to stay up late to learn Torah on Shavuot? Does it apply to women?
Read the full article here: h...
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Sefirat Ha-omer from 2020-05-03T18:43:41
In this episode we discuss the nature of the mitzva of sefirat ha-omer and whether women are obligated in the mitzva. We also discuss the customs of the omer period and the way they apply to wom...
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Tefillin III: In Practice from 2020-03-12T11:21:25
In practice, may a woman choose to lay tefillin? What are the practical halachic rulings on this?
To read the full article on our site, click here Listen
Tefillin II: Guf Naki from 2020-02-19T09:05:14
What is a guf naki? How is it connected to tefillin, and to women?
To read all the sources, click here: Listen
Tefillin I: Exemption from 2020-02-19T08:30:35
What is the mitzva of tefillin? Why are women exempt from it? Is there precedent for laying tefillin voluntarily?
Read up on the sources here: Listen
Behind the Scenes: Head-Covering from 2020-02-13T18:42:02
In this episode we go behind the scenes with Deracheha site director Laurie Novick to hear about the challenges and inspiration that went into writing our series on head-covering.
You can...
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Tzitzit II: Yuhara from 2020-02-09T13:13:43
In this episode we discuss the concept of yuhara and its applicability to women voluntarily wearing tzitzit.
To read the sources discussed in context, check out the full article...
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Tzitzit I: Keli Gever from 2020-01-23T21:36
In this episode we'll discuss what the mitzva of tzitzit is, as well as why women have not customarily performed this mitzva. We'll also discuss whether a woman can perfo...
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Head-Covering V: Where from 2020-01-12T19:12:37
In this episode we discuss the setting in which the obligation to cover the head applies, including the difference between public and private spaces, and whether there are others present.
<... Listen
Head-Covering IV: How from 2020-01-08T13:00:31
How much of her head or hair does a woman need to cover? Where do the variations in custom come from?
To see the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here Listen
Head-Covering III: Who from 2020-01-02T19:00:59
In this episode we discuss the source of the ruling that the obligation to cover the head takes effect only upon marriage, and how this affects divorced women and brides.
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Bonus Chanuka Shiur: Women and Hallel on Chanukah from 2019-12-23T09:47:05
In this shiur, Laurie Novick analyzes the type of Hallel said on Chanuka, as well as the unique relationship of women to Chanuka, in order to understand the special obligation of women to recite...
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Head-Covering II: Rationale and Meaning from 2019-12-09T20:18:15
What explanations for the mitzva of head-covering emerge from the sources? What other meanings might a woman find in the mitzva?
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Talking about Prayer with Chana Jenny Weisberg from 2019-11-30T20:45:06
In this episode we speak to Chana Jenny Weisberg of JewishMom.com about her personal approach to tefilla, and how she balances both traditional prayer from the siddur along with personal practices ...
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Head Covering I - Halachic Basis from 2019-11-26T21:19:02
In this episode we discuss where head-covering is mentioned in the Torah, and in which contexts it is raised in the Mishnah and Gemara. We'll discuss sources which relate head-covering strongly ...
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Prayer IX: End of Shacharit and Priorities from 2019-09-23T12:00
Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about the last section of shacharit, after the shemoneh esrei.
Prayer VIII: Birchot Keri’at Shema from 2019-09-16T22:00
Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about Birchot kriat shema.
For Deracheha's full...
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Prayer VII: Keri'at Shema from 2019-09-09T13:00
This week is the seventh installment in our series on prayer.
Today we’re going to talk about Keri'at Shema.
To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check o...
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Prayer VI: Korbanot and Pesukei De-zimra from 2019-09-02T13:00
This week is the fifth installment in our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, the prayers we say immediately upon wakin...
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Prayer V: She-lo Asani Isha, She-asani Kirtzono from 2019-08-26T13:00
Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, the prayers we sa...
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Prayer IV: Birkot Hashachar from 2019-08-19T16:00
This week is the fourth installment in our series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and the ...
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Prayer III: Upon Arising from 2019-08-12T13:00
This episode continues our eight part series on prayer. We’ve already discussed the general obligation of women in prayer, including shemoneh esrei, and now we’re...
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Prayer II: Shemoneh Esrei from 2019-08-05T13:00
Last week we spoke about women's obligation in prayer in general. This week we'll focus on shemoneh esrei specifically. Do women have an obligation to recite Shemoneh Esrei? How many times a day...
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Prayer I: Obligation from 2019-07-29T13:00
In this podcast, the first of our series on women's prayer, we'll identify prayer as "rachamei", seeking divine mercy. We'll discuss the various opinions about whether the obligat...
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Three Mitzvot from 2019-07-22T13:00
Challa, candle-lighting and nidda are three mitzvot in which women's performance takes precedence over men's. Taken together, what do they teach us about women and
Voluntary Mitzva Performance II - Beracha from 2019-07-15T13:00
In our last podcast we discussed the general value of voluntary mitzva performance. This week we're discussing whether it's appropriate to make a beracha when voluntarily performing a mitzva. We...
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Voluntary Mitzva Performance II - Beracha from 2019-07-15T13:00
In our last podcast we discussed the general value of voluntary mitzva performance. This week we're discussing whether it's appropriate to make a beracha when voluntarily performing a mitzva. We...
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Voluntary Mitzva Performance I from 2019-07-08T13:00
May a woman perform mitzvot voluntarily? The test case is Listen
Women and Positive Time-Bound Mitzvot from 2019-07-01T13:00
Why are women generally exempt from positive time-bound mitzvot? We'll discuss the rule, exceptions, and possible rationales, including whether these explanations are "just apologetics".
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Women's Status II - Halachic Status from 2019-06-24T13:00
After establishing in our previous podcast than men and women are viewed as having equal sanctity in Judaism, we'll explore the halachic obligations of men and women - when are they the same and...
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Women's Status I - Overall Status from 2019-06-17T13:00
Was gender hierarchy built into creation? Are men and women really created equal? All this, and more, in the first of our three-part series on women's status in Judaism
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Talking about Talmud Torah with Shayna Goldberg from 2019-06-10T16:00
Join us as we speak to Shayna Goldberg, contributing editor at Deracheha, about how Torah influences her life and what she envisions for her students.
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Learning Torah IV: What to Study? from 2019-06-03T13:00
What areas of Torah may, and should, a woman study? And how? In this episode we'll discuss different modern approaches to women studying Oral Torah, from those who approve on a limited basis, to...
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Learning Torah III: Openings from 2019-05-27T13:00
What early opportunities developed for women’s formal Torah study? On what halachic basis?
To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here Listen
Learning Torah II: Obligation from 2019-05-20T13:00
What is a woman's obligation in Torah study? The Talmud teaches that women are exempt from the Torah-level obligation to learn or teach Torah. What does this mean women should actually do? In th...
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Learning Torah I: Exemption from 2019-05-13T17:11:40
What is the mitzvah of learning Torah? Does it apply to women? In this episode we'll see that the definition of Talmud Torah is more broad than we might have thought, although ...
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Talking About Deracheha with Laurie Novick from 2019-05-12T11:26:42
Join us as we meet Laurie Novick, Deracheha's Site Director, and learn more about her goals for the site. We'll discuss everything from favorite holidays to the ways Deracheha is changing the co...
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Introduction to Deracheha from 2019-05-09T16:00
Why is it important for women to engage directly with halachic texts? In this introduction to Deracheha we'll discuss the different ways Jewish tradition can be transmi...
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