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Explorations

by Raphael Davidovich

Religion

My name is Raphael Davidovich. I want these podcasts to explore the deep and practical ideas to be found in Torah and Jewish Tradition.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Oct 13, 2023. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. Funeral of Tamara Davidovich

    First hesped from Rabbi Sholom Galperin. Second hesped from Raphael Davidovich

  2. Moving on after Tisha B’Av

    Some Halacha and life insights into a post Tisha B’Av mindset, especially when Tisha B’Av falls out on a Thursday.

  3. Kina 11: government coercion of mitzvah observance

    An analysis of government power in Torah matters

  4. Intro to Kina 10: the power of the Cohen, the Rabbi, and the ordinary Jew

    Why do we have a Kina about the watches of the Cohanim? What does the first Mishna in Shas tell us about how to live as Jews every day?

  5. Kina 7: The realness of the Torah

    Exploring the contrasts in Kina 7, and what it says about what is expected of us on Tisha B’Av, and year-round as Jews.

  6. Introduction to Kinos 5786

    The real meaning of Golus

  7. A wide lens view of the history of Jews in America

    A quick helpful and fun guide to the history of Jews in America from the 1640’s till today.

  8. Message to the Community

    This is the message I sent to my community in response to the tragedy in the Holy Land this past week.

  9. Elokai, Neshama

    Exploring the words "Tehora Hee" in the brocha thanking Hashem for our neshama.

  10. Exploring Bikkurim- We must start at the very beginning

    Exploring the speech a Jew gives when he brings the first fruits in the Temple. Connected to Pesach Seder

  11. Ki Seitzei and Pickup Sticks

    Exploring the haphazard nature of this week's Mitzvos

  12. Asher Yatzar Part 3 - Closing and opening

    More on Asher Yatzar: Exploring the dangers of opening a closed door, or closing an open door.

  13. Asher Yatzar: It is revealed and known

    Exploring why we say that our body's functions are "revealed and known before Your Throne of Glory".

  14. Judgment and Enforcement

    Exploring the importance of a system that enforces the right thing

  15. Ask the Rabbi - Hot topics

    We explored several topics - from issues of tension and controversy in our community, to unzoned shuls, to Jewish Schools that don't teach secular studies, to Moshe hitting the rock etc. We hope you'll enjoy it.

  16. Chukas: The advantage of now

    Exploring the nature of the inconvenience that Edom would not let the Jews cut through their territory to enter the Promised Land. Where was Edom 39 years earlier?

  17. Asher Yatzar

    Exploring the Bracha a Jew makes after using the bathroom

  18. Korach and the difference between Cohanim and Leviim

    Exploring Korach's beef with Aharon - and how it influences the way we approach the Torah

  19. Models of Spiritual Leadership - a thought by The Lubavitcher Rebbe

    Exploring the Maamor: V'Ata Tetzaveh - An essay on Moshe and Mordechai's leadership

  20. The Rebels' Wives

    Exploring the sup-plot of the wives of Korach, Dasan and Aviram, and On ben Peles

  21. Tanya Chapter 47

    Exploring Tanya Chapter 47, and its connecting the Mitzvah of Krias Shema to the Mitzvah to recall the Exodus.

  22. Wheat and Wine

    Exploring why the Torah wants a side order of wheat and wine with each korban

  23. Tanya Chapter 46

    Exploring Tanya Chapter 46, which teaches us to use the tool of reflecting love back to Hashem. A great tool to appreciating saying Shema.

  24. The Torah of Traveling

    Exploring the shenanigans of being on the road in the Torah - comparing Parshas Behaalosecha and Parshas Beshalach

  25. Acquire Me

    Exploring how a possuk in Parshas Terumah, when repunctuated, redefines the purpose of Mitzvos.

  26. Conflicts among Jews; ancient and current

    Assessing conflicts Jews have had with one another over the past 3500 years!

  27. Tanya Chapter 45

    Exploring how having compassion for God leads to loving God

  28. Mitzvah 47: Courts must impose capital punishment for certain crimes

    Exploring the Mitzvah to impose capital punishment

  29. Modeh Ani Part 4 - Melech Chai V'Kayam

    Exploring the phrase "Melech Chai V'Kayam" in Modeh Ani.

  30. Knowing Joseph and knowing God

    Exploring Pharoah's failure to know Joseph and God.

  31. Mitzvah 46 - Do not deprive your wife of food, clothing, shelter, and marriage time

    Exploring a husband's mitzvah to provide for his wife

  32. Tanya Chapter 44

    Exploring two insights into loving God.

  33. Raba Emunasecha - Modeh Ani Part Three

    Exploring the last two words of Modeh Ani

  34. Those who taste the upcoming Shabbos merit life

    Exploring the minhag of partaking of some of the Shabbos food on Erev Shabbos

  35. Vayechi - Yaakov asks Yoseph and all Jews to choose

    Exploring Yaakov's demand that Yosef swear to commit to not bury Yaakov in Mitzrayim

  36. Tanya Chapter 43

    Exploring two fears and two loves

  37. Modeh Ani - A concession speech

    Exploring another facet of the Hebrew word "Modeh" in Modeh Ani

  38. Mitzvah 45 - Not to sell a Jewish Maidservant

    Exploring the Mitzvah not to resell a women you were meant to marry

  39. Third time (famine) is a charm

    Exploring the recurring famines and resulting departure from the Holy Land

  40. Menorah on the left

    An exploration into human nature as learned from the Halacha that the Chanukah Menorah should be placed on the left side of the doorway.

  41. Tanya Chapter 42

    Exploring Chapter 42 - How to achieve the trait of Yirah

  42. Modeh Ani

    Exploring a facet of the awakening prayer "Modeh Ani"

  43. Mitzvah 44 - Redeeming a Jewish maidservant

    Exploring the mitzvah to release a Jewish maidservant as soon as you have no intention of having her marry into the family.

  44. Tanya Chapter 41

    Exploring Tanya Chapter 41 - How to fear and love God when doing a Mitzvah.

  45. Mitzvah 43 - To marry off a Jewish maidservant

    Exploring the mitzvah that someone who has taken a Jewish maidservant should marry her or have his son marry her.

  46. A facet of praying for rain

    Exploring the inconvenience of rain and the prayer for rain

  47. Shabbos is for the Jewish People

    Exploring the Jewish particularism of Shabbos

  48. Vayeitzei - Trust and Honesty

    What does the brief story of Yaakov at the well tell us about trust?

  49. What Leah teaches us about Tefilla

    Exploring the rabbis' understanding of Leah Imeinu and her tefillos

  50. Tanya Chapter 40

    Exploring Tanya Chapter 40 - how Love of God and Awe of God elevate mitzvos

View all 318 episodes →

About this show

My name is Raphael Davidovich. I want these podcasts to explore the deep and practical ideas to be found in Torah and Jewish Tradition.

Hosted by

Raphael Davidovich

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does Explorations have?

Explorations has 318 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on August 20, 2026.

What is Explorations about?

My name is Raphael Davidovich. I want these podcasts to explore the deep and practical ideas to be found in Torah and Jewish Tradition.

How often does Explorations release new episodes?

Explorations publishes weekly, based on its 318 episodes since May 2021.

Who hosts Explorations?

Explorations is created and hosted by Raphael Davidovich.
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