Torah Across Generations by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 59 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 58 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

Episode 09: Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut: How Should We Relate? SHOW NOTES This episode addresses a question many alumni struggle with: how to relate to Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut. Many who went through Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya developed an appreciation for the State of Israel and for the IDF. At the same time, many now find themselves in communities where these days are not marked at all. Even within Israel, there is a wide range of approaches. Some communities do not observe these days, while others mark them in meaningful ways, and for some they are central to the year. That leaves many people unsure how to think about it. Is this a hashkafic question, a halachic one, a communal one, or a personal one? And what do you do when your instincts don’t align with your environment? In this episode, Rabbi Shurin offers a framework to help think through these questions with clarity. EPISODE TOPICS • The background behind different approaches to Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut • How the religious landscape developed and whether it has shifted over time • Relating to Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut in a serious and meaningful way • How to formulate your own approach ABOUT THE PODCAST Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Host Dana Margolis brings real questions from students and alumni to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin, who draws on Torah wisdom, decades of experience, and the teachings of his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, to address the challenges of modern Jewish life. SEND US A QUESTION Have a question you’d like Rabbi Shurin to address? Email [email protected]. SUPPORT OUR WORK Please help support our work at Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Your partnership helps us continue educating and guiding students who are building Torah lives in Israel. https://www.darchenoam.org/donate SUBSCRIBE If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit.

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 57 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 56 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 55 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

Episode 8: Living Through War (again): Chizuk, Perspective, and Staying Connected SHOW NOTES This episode was recorded during the current war in Israel. Our goal was simple: to offer chizuk and perspective to our students and alumni living through this moment in very different ways. Rabbi Shurin and Rebbetzin Esther Shurin share thoughts for those living in Israel right now, guidance for alumni and friends living outside of Israel who want to respond thoughtfully, and a broader Torah perspective that can help frame the times we are living through. RESOURCES MENTIOND IN THE EPISODE: Rabbi Shurin referenced this article: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-889276 Rebbetzin Shurin mentioned this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv-Wk22YXqE&t=8s SUPPORTING FRIENDS IN ISRAEL: If you want to send a small gesture of support to friends or family in Israel, a simple option is a gift card for food delivery through Wolt. It is widely used across Israel and can be a practical way to let someone know you are thinking about them. https://wolt.com STAY CONNECTED: If you have a question you would like Rabbi Shurin to address on a future episode, email [email protected]. If this podcast is meaningful to you, please subscribe and share it with others who may benefit. SUPPORT OUR WORK: Please consider supporting our work at Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Your partnership helps us continue educating and guiding the next generation of students who have chosen to build Torah lives in Israel. https://www.darchenoam.org/donate

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 54 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

Episode 7: Simcha in Real Life SHOW NOTES Adar is the month of simcha. Chazal teach us that when Adar begins, we increase in joy. There is even a mitzvah to be happy. But real life is complicated. The news brings uncertainty and worry. Some people enter Purim feeling full and surrounded. Others feel alone. Some are still waiting for the family they hoped to build. Others are navigating children who are struggling or absent. Even in busy homes, things are not always simple. So what does the Torah really mean by simcha? In this episode, Rabbi Shurin explores: • A working definition of simcha, what it is and what it isn’t • How simcha can be cultivated in a busy, demanding home, and when life feels tough • One primary theme to focus on during Purim, regardless of your circumstances If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, email [email protected]. If you found this meaningful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who might benefit. And please consider supporting our work at Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Your partnership helps us continue educating and inspiring the next generation of students building meaningful and contributive Torah lives. Visit www.darchenoam.org/donate. Wishing everyone a meaningful and joyous Purim.

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 53 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 52 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 51 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 50 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 49 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 48 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

Episode 6: Honoring Parents Across Differences SHOW NOTES In this episode of Rebbi, I Have a Question, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin addresses one of the most sensitive and complex mitzvot in the Torah: Kibud Av V’Eim, honoring our parents, when life circumstances make it complicated. Many students and alumni are navigating relationships with parents who live far away, don’t share their religious choices, or are aging and increasingly dependent. Others are raising children and struggling with how to speak honestly and respectfully about grandparents who live very different lives. This conversation explores how Torah guides us through these realities with integrity, balance, and clarity. EPISODE QUESTIONS • Should honoring one’s parents be a factor when deciding whether to make Aliyah? • How can someone properly fulfill Kibud Av V’Eim when living far from their parents? • What are our obligations to parents as they age, especially when values and life choices differ? • How should we speak to our children about grandparents who are not observant or practice a different religion? ABOUT THE PODCAST Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Host Dana Margolis brings real questions from students and alumni to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin, who draws on Torah wisdom, decades of experience, and the teachings of his grandfather, Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetsky zt”l, to address the challenges of modern Jewish life. SEND US A QUESTION Have a question you’d like Rabbi Shurin to address? Email [email protected]. SUPPORT OUR WORK Please help support our work at Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Your partnership enables us to educate and inspire the next generation of students who have made the courageous decision to build Torah lives in Israel. Visit https://darchenoam.org/donate/. SUBSCRIBE If you found this episode meaningful, please subscribe to the podcast and share it with someone who may benefit from the conversation.

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 47 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 46 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 45 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 44 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 43 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

🎙️ Episode 5: "Is it Time to Make Aliyah?" This episode grew directly out of our recent visit to the United States. Everywhere we went, people were asking the same urgent question: “Is it time to make Aliyah?” For many, the rise in antisemitism is only part of the story. More deeply, there is a sense that the ground is shifting beneath our feet, politically, socially, and spiritually. Jewish communities that once felt stable now feel uncertain. 🔹 Episode Summary In this episode, Rabbi Shurin explores: • How to understand the global climate through a Torah lens • What practical and communal responses make sense • How to decide where to focus our energy: safety? activism? strengthening communities? • When it’s right to begin making concrete plans for Aliyah and when it’s not • How to think about the real challenges of moving to Israel: family, finances, kids, safety • What guidance Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky zt"l might offer in a moment like this 🧠 About the Podcast “Rebbi, I Have a Question” is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, where host Dana Margolis brings your real-life questions to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin. Drawing from Torah wisdom and decades of experience, Rabbi Shurin offers thoughtful, grounded responses to questions from students and alumni navigating life, relationships, and Jewish growth. 📩 Send Us a Question Have a question you'd like Rabbi Shurin to answer on the show? Email us at [email protected]. 🌐 Learn More To learn more about Shapell’s or Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit us online at https://darchenoam.org/. 🎧 Subscribe & Share If this conversation resonates, please subscribe, rate, and share the podcast so others can join the learning. And please consider supporting our work at Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya. Your donation helps us make Torah like this available to our community and most importantly, to educate this generation of students who have chosen to learn in Israel at a time when the world is pushing against it. https://darchenoam.org/donate/

🎙️ Episode 4: “I Fought So Hard to Be Religious. Why Does Life Still Feel So Hard?” When the Dream Doesn’t Match the Reality Start the new year feeling strengthened and inspired with Episode 4 of "Rebbi, I Have a Question". Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin shares guidance for navigating the struggle to maintain faith and clarity when life doesn’t turn out the way we originally dreamed it would. 🔹 Episode Summary In this honest and super inspiring episode of “Rebbi, I Have a Question”, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin addresses a struggle many baalei teshuva face: “When I became religious, I fought so hard for what I felt was right. But now, the life I imagined hasn’t turned out the way I thought. Meanwhile, my siblings, who didn’t make the same religious choices, seem to be thriving — their children are happy, balanced, and well-rounded, while my family is struggling. Sometimes I wonder: what did I fight so hard for?” ❓ Questions Discussed: • When someone chooses a religious life, they often imagine a certain outcome: joy, fulfillment, stability. What can we do when reality doesn’t match the dream we fought so hard for? • How do we hold onto faith and commitment when we feel let down by the reality of what our religious life looks like? • It’s hard not to compare our struggles with the apparent “success” of our siblings or friends who didn’t make the same religious choices. How can we process those feelings without falling into resentment or despair? 🧠 About the Podcast “Rebbi, I Have a Question” is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, where host Dana Margolis brings your real-life questions to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin. Drawing from Torah wisdom and decades of experience, Rabbi Shurin offers thoughtful, grounded responses to questions from students and alumni navigating life, relationships, and Jewish growth. 🔗 Related Link Rabbi Shurin mentions a video of Steven Hill, the Mission Impossible actor who becomes orthodox, dancing at his grandson’s bar mitzvah. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AACL3v3jMtE 📩 Send Us a Question Have a question you'd like Rabbi Shurin to answer on the show? Email us at [email protected]. 🌐 Learn More To learn more about Shapell’s or Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit us online at https://darchenoam.org/. 🎧 Subscribe & Share If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe, and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

🎙️ Episode 3: “Does Authenticity in Relationships Mean Sharing It All?” 🔹 Episode Summary In this episode of Rebbi, I Have a Question, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin addresses a sensitive and practical struggle many baalot teshuva face: “How much of my past do I need to share—with friends, a potential spouse, my husband, or even my kids?” Together we explore the balance between honesty and privacy, how to respond when asked directly about the past, and the role of openness in dating and marriage. We also touch on the bigger question of how parents can relate to their pasts when raising children—whether to hide, share, or use those experiences as teaching tools. ❓ Questions Discussed • How important is it to share about my past at all, or is it better to keep it private? • If someone asks me directly about my past, do I need to tell the full truth? • In dating and marriage, when does sharing build trust, and when does it cross into over-sharing? • How should a woman relate to her past when raising children? Should she hide it or use it? 🧠 About the Podcast Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, where host, Dana Margolis, brings real-life questions to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin. Drawing from deep Torah wisdom and decades of experience, Rabbi Shurin offers thoughtful, grounded responses to questions from students and alumni navigating life, relationships, and Jewish growth. 📩 Send Us a Question Have a question you'd like Rabbi Shurin to answer on the show? Email us at [email protected]. 🌐 Learn More To learn more about Shapell’s or Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit us online at www.darchenoam.org. 🎧 Subscribe & Share If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe—and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

🎙 Episode 2: I Chose a Religious Life. What Do I Do With My Past? 🔹 Episode Summary In this deeply personal episode of Rebbi, I Have a Question, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin explores an issue faced by almost everyone who made the choice to take on a more observant lifestyle: I Chose a Religious Life. What Do I Do With My Past? “How should I relate to the version of myself that existed before I was religious? Can I bring parts of her with me, or do I have to leave her behind?” Rabbi Shurin addresses the emotional and spiritual questions that arise when we look back on who we used to be: What do we do with shame? With old interests and hobbies? With relationships and memories that don’t seem to fit our current lives? And how do we know when holding on is healthy, and when it’s not? ❓ Questions Discussed • Should I distance myself from who I was before becoming religious or try to integrate her? • Is teshuva meant to erase the past, or transform it? • Can I keep old interests like music, travel, or books that were part of my former lifestyle? • What about friendships or relationships from before—are they still okay? • How can I tell when the past is enriching me versus pulling me backward? 🧠 About the Podcast Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, where host Dana Margolis brings your questions about real-life challenges to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin. Drawing from deep Torah wisdom and decades of experience, Rabbi Shurin offers thoughtful, grounded responses to questions from students and alumni navigating life, relationships, and Jewish growth. 📩 Send Us a Question Have a question you'd like Rabbi Shurin to answer on the show? Email us at [email protected] 🌐 Learn More To learn more about Shapell’s or Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit us online at www.darchenoam.org. 🎧 Subscribe & Share If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe—and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

🎙 Episode 1: My Brother Is Marrying Out 🔹 Episode Summary In this first episode of Rebbi, I Have a Question, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin responds to a complex situation posed by a listener: “My brother is getting married to a non-Jewish woman. She has only ever been kind and warm to me and my family. How do I relate to her—and how do I model the right approach for my kids?” With over 45 years of experience guiding baalei teshuva, Rabbi Shurin shares Torah-based guidance on how to navigate family relationships with clarity, compassion, and integrity. This conversation touches on honoring your values, staying connected to siblings, and being thoughtful about the messages we pass on to the next generation. ❓ Questions Discussed • How do I hold strong values while showing basic respect to someone outside the fold? • How do I stay in relationship with a sibling making different life choices? • What’s the Torah-appropriate way to relate to a non-Jewish fiancée? • How can I model a Torah based approach to my kids? • What can I do spiritually or emotionally when the situation is out of my hands? 🧠 About the Podcast Rebbi, I Have a Question is a podcast from Shapell’s and Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, where host Dana Margolis brings your questions about real-life challenges to Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin. Drawing from deep Torah wisdom and decades of experience, Rabbi Shurin offers thoughtful, grounded responses to questions from students and alumni navigating life, relationships, and Jewish growth. 📩 Send Us a Question Have a question you'd like Rabbi Shurin to answer on the show? Email us at [email protected] 🌐 Learn More To learn more about Shapell’s or Midreshet Rachel v’Chaya, visit us online at www.darchenoam.org. 🎧 Subscribe & Share If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe—and share it with someone who might find it helpful.

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 29 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 28 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 27 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 26 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 25 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 24 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 23 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 22 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 21 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 20 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 19 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 18 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 17 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 16 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 15 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 14 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 13 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 12 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 11 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 10 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 09 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 08 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 07 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin

A Grandson’s Lens: Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky’s Writings On Tanach - Episode 06 By Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin by Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin