Kol Deracheha
94 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWelcome 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.
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Episodes
Tzeniut Behind the Scenes
July 01, 2020 20:26 - 14 minutes - 9.54 MBIn 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 thoughts on coronavirus, trampolines and backyard weddings. To read the sources referenced, click here https://www.deracheha.org/tzeniut/
Rosh Chodesh
June 23, 2020 10:02 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBIn 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: https://www.deracheha.org/rosh-chodesh/
Dress III: More Details
June 16, 2020 12:18 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBHow 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 read all the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here https://www.deracheha.org/dress-3-more-details/
Dress II: The Details
June 09, 2020 11:50 - 13 minutes - 12.2 MBIn 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. To read all the sources mentioned in the podcast, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-2-the-details/
Dress I: The Basics
June 04, 2020 08:41 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBAfter 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 does Halacha say about dress? Read all the sources in the podcast here: https://www.deracheha.org/dress-1-the-basics/
Tzeniut
May 19, 2020 11:41 - 28 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this episode we discuss different ways of thinking about tzniut, whether it is based on societal standards, and why tzniut is often linked specifically to women. To read the full article, click here https://www.deracheha.org/tzeniut/
Tikkun Leil Shavuot
May 11, 2020 09:23 - 11 minutes - 8.63 MBWhat 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: https://www.deracheha.org/tikkun-leil-shavuot/
Sefirat Ha-omer
May 03, 2020 18:43 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBIn 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 women. To read the full article, click the link below. https://www.deracheha.org/sefirat-ha-omer/
Tefillin III: In Practice
March 12, 2020 11:21 - 22 minutes - 19.8 MBIn 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 https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-3-in-practice/
Tefillin II: Guf Naki
February 19, 2020 09:05 - 17 minutes - 14.5 MBWhat is a guf naki? How is it connected to tefillin, and to women? To read all the sources, click here: https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-2-guf-naki/
Tefillin I: Exemption
February 19, 2020 08:30 - 16 minutes - 15 MBWhat is the mitzva of tefillin? Why are women exempt from it? Is there precedent for laying tefillin voluntarily? Read up on the sources here: https://www.deracheha.org/tefillin-1-exemption/
Behind the Scenes: Head-Covering
February 13, 2020 18:42 - 10 minutes - 5.19 MBIn 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 read the series here https://www.deracheha.org/passages/#head-covering/
Tzitzit II: Yuhara
February 09, 2020 13:13 - 26 minutes - 23.2 MBIn 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 on our site at https://www.deracheha.org/tzitzit-2-yuhara/.
Tzitzit I: Keli Gever
January 23, 2020 21:36 - 20 minutes - 18.2 MBIn 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 perform the mitzva, and the potential halachic issue of keli gever (men's garb) that may apply in this case. To read all the sources mentioned in this episode, check out our article here: https://www.deracheha.org/tzitzit-1-keli-gever/
Head-Covering V: Where
January 12, 2020 19:12 - 23 minutes - 20.9 MBIn 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. To read more, click here https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-5-where/
Head-Covering IV: How
January 08, 2020 13:00 - 33 minutes - 29.7 MBHow 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 https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-4-how/
Head-Covering III: Who
January 02, 2020 19:00 - 26 minutes - 23.7 MBIn 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.
Bonus Chanuka Shiur: Women and Hallel on Chanukah
December 23, 2019 09:47 - 48 minutes - 31.5 MBIn 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 Hallel on Chanukah.
Head-Covering II: Rationale and Meaning
December 09, 2019 20:18 - 21 minutes - 19.1 MBWhat explanations for the mitzva of head-covering emerge from the sources? What other meanings might a woman find in the mitzva?
Talking about Prayer with Chana Jenny Weisberg
November 30, 2019 20:45 - 25 minutes - 19.5 MBIn 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 that connect her to herself and God.
Head Covering I - Halachic Basis
November 26, 2019 21:19 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBIn 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 to the concept of "dat yehudit", and secondarily to the concept of "erva". To read more about the sources mentioned in the podcast, click over to our full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/head-covering-1-halachic-basis/
Prayer IX: End of Shacharit and Priorities
September 23, 2019 12:00 - 13 minutes - 6.97 MBToday we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about the last section of shacharit, after the shemoneh esrei. For Deracheha's full article on this topic: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-9-end-and-priorities/
Prayer VIII: Birchot Keri’at Shema
September 16, 2019 22:00 - 18 minutes - 18.7 MBToday we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about Birchot kriat shema. For Deracheha's full article on this topic: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-8-birchot-shema/
Prayer VII: Keri'at Shema
September 09, 2019 13:00 - 17 minutes - 6.3 MBThis 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 out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-7-shema/
Prayer VI: Korbanot and Pesukei De-zimra
September 02, 2019 13:00 - 21 minutes - 17.7 MBThis 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 waking up, and birkot hashachar. Today we’re going to continue our series on prayer and talk about korbanot and psukei dezimra. To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here:https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-6-pesukei-de-zimra/
Prayer V: She-lo Asani Isha, She-asani Kirtzono
August 26, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 12.5 MBToday 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 say immediately upon waking up, and birkot hashachar. In this week’s podcast we’re going to zoom in and take a closer look at the first 3 brachot of birkot hashachar. To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-5-she-lo-asani-isha-she-asani-...
Prayer IV: Birkot Hashachar
August 19, 2019 16:00 - 17 minutes - 18.2 MBThis 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 prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this week’s podcast we are going to talk about what follows the initial berachot, namely, the recitation of bikot hashachar. To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-4-birchot-ha-shachar/
Prayer III: Upon Arising
August 12, 2019 13:00 - 22 minutes - 22.7 MBThis 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 going to start from the beginning, discussing the prayers we say immediately upon waking up. In this episode we will discuss why we start our day the way we do, and the specific question of whether women are obligated in the birchot hatorah. To see all the sources referenced in today's podcast, check out the full article on o...
Prayer II: Shemoneh Esrei
August 05, 2019 13:00 - 28 minutes - 25.6 MBLast 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? Are there justifications for women who recite fewer than two shemoneh esreis a day? We'll discuss all the different halachic approaches to this question, taking into account the different lived experiences of women at different periods in their lives. To see all the sources referenced in today's ...
Prayer I: Obligation
July 29, 2019 13:00 - 21 minutes - 18.6 MBIn 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 obligation to pray daily is Biblical or Rabbinic, and how that relates to women's obligation in prayer. To see all the sources referenced in this episode, check out the article on our site here: https://www.deracheha.org/prayer-1-obligation/
Three Mitzvot
July 22, 2019 13:00 - 30 minutes - 27.6 MBChalla, 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 halacha?
Voluntary Mitzva Performance II - Beracha
July 15, 2019 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21 MBIn 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'll discuss the purpose of a birkat hamitzva, the possible concerns with reciting one in this case, and the differences in practical halacha for Ashkenazim and Sefardim. Read the full article here: https://www.deracheha.org/beracha-on-voluntary-performance/
Voluntary Mitzva Performance II - Bracha
July 15, 2019 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21 MBIn our last podcast we discussed the general value of voluntary mitzva performance. This week we're discussing whether it's appropriate to make a bracha when voluntarily performing a mitzva. We'll discuss the purpose of a birkat hamitzva, the possible concerns with reciting one in this case, and the differences in practical halacha for Ashkenazim and Sefardim.
Voluntary Mitzva Performance I
July 08, 2019 13:00 - 31 minutes - 27.5 MBMay a woman perform mitzvot voluntarily? The test case is Smicha or semikhah (Hebrew: .mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-size:1.15em;font-family:"Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey David CLM","Taamey Frank CLM","Frank Ruehl CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli","SBL BibLit","SBL Hebrew",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,Fr...
Women and Positive Time-Bound Mitzvot
July 01, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 26.1 MBWhy 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".
Women's Status II - Halachic Status
June 24, 2019 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBAfter 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 when are they different? We'll discuss rules of thumb for gender differences in halacha, and how we're meant to understand these differences.
Women's Status I - Overall Status
June 17, 2019 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBWas 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
Talking about Talmud Torah with Shayna Goldberg
June 10, 2019 16:00 - 27 minutes - 18.2 MBJoin us as we speak to Shayna Goldberg, contributing editor at Deracheha, about how Torah influences her life and what she envisions for her students.
Learning Torah IV: What to Study?
June 03, 2019 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBWhat 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 those who believe it's an absolute imperative at this stage in time. To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-4-what-to-study/
Learning Torah III: Openings
May 27, 2019 13:00 - 21 minutes - 19 MBWhat early opportunities developed for women’s formal Torah study? On what halachic basis? To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah-3-openings/
Learning Torah II: Obligation
May 20, 2019 13:00 - 21 minutes - 18.2 MBWhat 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 this episode we'll explore opinions that approve or disapprove of a father teaching Torah to his daughter, and discuss how this influences the obvious obligation for women to know basic halacha in order for them to practice as observant Jews. To read more about the sources mentioned in this episode, c...
Learning Torah I: Exemption
May 13, 2019 17:11 - 17 minutes - 14.7 MBWhat 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 women are exempt from studying Torah in a formal way. To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/learning-torah/
Talking About Deracheha with Laurie Novick
May 12, 2019 11:26 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBJoin 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 conversation around the role women play in transmitting halacha. Trust us, you don't want to miss this conversation! Want to read more about women and halacha? Click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/
Introduction to Deracheha
May 09, 2019 16:00 - 18 minutes - 16.4 MBWhy 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 transmitted, and the role Jewish women have played in that transmission throughout Jewish history. To read the sources mentioned in this episode, click here https://www.deracheha.org/concepts-introduction/