The Habura
We are a virtual and physical Bet Midrash with international membership dedicated to striving to know God by embracing the world through the lens of Torah. We learn and teach Torah as a lens through which we view and interact with God's world. This approach is not exclusive to, but is central and predominant in, the classical Sephardi mesorah that we uphold. We are proud to teach worldly students from across four continents and who work in a variety of professions.
8 Sep 2025
The Prohibition of Receiving Payment for Teaching Torah - Hakham Ratson Arussi (HEBREW)
Hakham Ratson Arussi discusses the prohibition of receiving monetary compensation for teaching Torah and its application in modern times, contrasting Maimonides' views with contemporary practices. He examines the justifications for paying Torah educators today while considering historical context and practical necessities.
30 Jun 2025
Q&A with Rabbi Dweck - June 2025
Rabbi Joseph Dweck addresses various questions from the Jewish community during a Q&A session, touching on topics like engaging with Haredim, understanding mitzvot, and the dynamics of Torah study. He emphasizes the importance of personalizing religious conversations and the interplay between Torah and morality.
25 Jun 2025
How to Read Midrashim - Miriam Zami Edeson
Miriam Zami Edeson delves into rabbinic interpretations of the Korach narrative, emphasizing the intricate role of Midrashim in understanding biblical texts. By examining textual inconsistencies and questions posed by Korach, Edeson illuminates how ancient rabbis engaged with theological and legal dilemmas.
22 Jun 2025
Quality of Life in Halakha: Praying for the Terminally Ill - Rabbi Shlomo Brody
Rabbi Shlomo Brody discusses the complex halakhic considerations surrounding praying for the terminally ill, weighing traditional Jewish values like the sanctity of life against the notion of quality of life. He examines Talmudic sources and contemporary rabbinic opinions, suggesting a balance between praying for miraculous healing and choosing prayers for mercy, especially when suffering is present.
19 Jun 2025
Exploring Sephardic Chief Rabbis of America (2 of 2) - Ethan Marcus
Ethan Marcus delves into the history of the Sephardic Chief Rabbis of America, focusing on the progress and challenges faced by Jewish leaders in unifying the Sephardic community in the United States. The episode highlights the efforts of Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alkali in community organization, advocacy, and maintaining Sephardic culture amidst the challenges of assimilation and World War II.
16 Jun 2025
Yehuda Halevy: Pillar of Andalus - Jackson Gardner (TALMID TAKEOVER)
Jackson Gardner delves into the life and philosophy of Yehuda Halevi, emphasizing that his work, notably the 'Kuzari', is not anti-science but rather critiques speculations that extend beyond empirical evidence. He underscores the importance of revelation in fully understanding divine will, contrasting rational laws with those needing prophetic elucidation.
12 Jun 2025
Exploring Sephardic Chief Rabbis of America (1 of 2) - Ethan Marcus
Ethan Marcus explores the influential yet underrecognized contributions of Sephardic rabbis, Rabbi Dr. Nissim J. Ovadia and Rabbi Dr. Isaac Alcalay, to American Judaism. Rabbi Ovadia's efforts in unifying Sephardic communities in New York and his dedication amidst adversity highlight his significant role in Sephardic Jewish continuity.
29 May 2025
Ḥakham Uziel’s Hegyonei Uziel (2 of 2) - Dr. Aryeh Tapper
Dr. Aryeh Tapper explores Rabbi Ben Zion Uziel's interpretative approach to Kabbalistic literature through the framework set by Rabbeinu Nissim of Gerona (the Ran), emphasizing a transformative and innovative use of mystical tradition. The episode discusses Uziel's and his friend Ariel Ben Zion's radical yet rooted use of Jewish mystical thought, drawing parallels between ancient wisdom and Zionism's philosophical underpinnings.
22 May 2025
Ḥakham Uziel’s Hegyonei Uziel (1 of 2) - Dr. Aryeh Tapper
Dr. Aryeh Tepper delivers a detailed lecture on 'Hegyonei Uziel,' a significant yet overlooked work by Rabbi Ben Zion Meir Ḥai Uziel, focusing on Jewish thought's intricate relationship with both internal spirituality and active life. This exploration honors Rabbi Uziel's richly nuanced writing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the human soul as a central theme in Jewish devotion and life.
13 May 2025
Understanding the Mishkan (3 of 3) - Freddie Grunsfeld
Freddie Grunsfeld presents the concluding part of a series on the Mishkan, focusing on its intricate design and spiritual significance in Jewish tradition. The episode offers insights into how the Mishkan served as a bridge between the divine and earthly realms, influencing worship practices and Jewish communal life.
6 May 2025
Understanding the Mishkan and Qorbanot (2 of 3) - Freddie Grunsfeld
Freddie Grunsfeld explores the symbolic and covenantal meanings of the Mishkan and the Korbanot, comparing them to the revelation at Sinai. He argues that the Mishkan's construction served as a corrective measure to reinforce the covenant and address breaches like the sin of the Golden Calf.
29 Apr 2025
Understanding the Mishkan and Qorbanot (1 of 3) - Freddie Grunsfeld
Freddie Grunsfeld delves into the purpose and construction of the Mishkan and its relationship with Qorbanot, exploring different scholarly and historical perspectives. The episode discusses varying interpretations about the primary role of the Mishkan, whether it served to house the tablets of the covenant, facilitate divine presence, or act as a response to the sin of the Golden Calf.
24 Apr 2025
A Bridge between Ashkenaz and Sepharad: Hakham Tsevi - Rabbi Yosie Levine
Rabbi Yosie Levine delves into the life and controversies surrounding Hakham Tsevi Ashkenazi, a prominent rabbinic figure bridging Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewries during the early 18th century. This episode highlights Hakham Tsevi's efforts to root out Sabbatean heresies and his challenges with religious authority in Amsterdam's Jewish community.
3 Apr 2025
Q&A with Rabbi Dweck | Kitniyot, Shlissel Challa, Switching from Ashkenazi to Sepharadi (April 2025)
Rabbi Dweck addresses various questions posed by the Jewish community, discussing topics such as framing suffering in one's relationship with God, and understanding cultural engagement through a Torah lens. He emphasizes the importance of Jewish unity amidst a world perceived as hostile, and navigates questions around halakhic issues, personal identity, and the value of Kabbalah in modern Jewish discourse.
20 Feb 2025
Is there Evidence for the Bible's Historicity? - Rabbi Zarum
Rabbi Raphael Zarum explores the historicity of the Bible, examining whether it holds as a historical and divine text. He differentiates between studying the Bible as a sacred text versus an academic subject, while also addressing archaeological evidence and literary readings that contribute to this discussion.
6 Feb 2025
Shaping Judaism: The Evolution and Impact of Hebrew Printing - Israel Mizrahi Books
Israel Mizrahi explores the transformative role of Hebrew printing in shaping Jewish scholarship and culture, highlighting its impact from the printing press's inception through its continued legacy. He discusses the challenges, opportunities, and shifts in Jewish textual traditions as a result of printing advancements, as well as the social and economic factors influencing Jewish book publishing historically and today.
2 Feb 2025
Q&A with Rabbi Dweck (January 2025) - Mixed Dancing, Gelatin, Studying Tanakh
Rabbi Joseph Dweck addresses a wide range of audience questions covering topics such as the structure of the Amidah, the interpretation of Midrashim, and the permissibility of mixed dancing in Jewish law. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and halakhic context when making religious decisions and stresses the need for comprehensive Jewish education, especially in Tanakh study.
13 Jan 2025
Se’adya Gaon: The Geonic Pillar of Al-Andalus - Jackson Gardner
Jackson Gardner explores the monumental influence of Saadia Gaon on Andalusian Sephardic Judaism and his parallels with later thinkers like Maimonides. By examining Saadia's philosophical, exegetical, and halakhic contributions, Gardner illustrates how Saadia shaped key aspects of Jewish thought that resonated through successive generations.
28 Nov 2024
Exploring Gan Eden - Rabbi Chaim Eisen
Rabbi Chaim Eisen explores the concept of Gan Eden across multiple Jewish texts, highlighting the divergence between its descriptions in the Tanakh and interpretations found in Talmudic and Midrashic literature. He discusses whether these interpretations should be considered allegory or symbolism, contrasting perspectives from prominent medieval Jewish thinkers, including Maimonides and Rashi.
25 Nov 2024
Saying a Berakha/Blessing over a Minhag - Rabbi Yossi Azose
Rabbi Yossi Azose explores the origins and reasons behind the practice of lighting Chanukah candles in synagogues (Bet Knesset) and whether a blessing (berakha) should be recited, delving into historical, halakhic, and minhagic perspectives. He provides insights from various rabbinic sources and offers an original hypothesis on the transition of blessings from biblical commandments to expressions of communal kudos (shevach).