Part 2 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility

In this episode, Yitty Gniwisch explores the question of why women are exempt from Pru Urvu from a mystical perspective and redefines the unique role a woman plays in influencing her family and the world.

www.batshevalearningcenter.com/courses

Part 1 of Pru Urvu: Torah Perspectives on Women’s Fertility

In this first episode of our Pru Urvu podcast series, Ita Broh lays out the foundational sources behind the mitzvah Pru Urvu and how it relates to women. She explores:

• What are the sources in the Torah for the mitzvah of having children? What are the specific guidelines for the mitzvah?
• What reasons are given for the mitzvah and why is it considered such an important value in Yiddishkeit?
• Are women obligated in this mitzvah? Why or why not?
• Is their role in the fulfillment of the mitzvah different from men and if so, how?

This episode lays the groundwork for the discussion in all future episodes in this series.

Welcome to our new podcast series, where we'll explore everything you ever wanted to know about hair covering. We approach the topic from a new angle, giving you the inside scoop on how the halachos of Kisui Rosh developed, following the chain from the original sources in the Torah, through the texts of the Mishna, Gemara, Rishonim and Acharonim.

In this introductory episode, we introduce Menucha Schwartz, our guest for this series and the genius behind the original Kisui Rosh course we launched three years ago. She talks about the process of researching and writing on this topic, we give an outline for the upcoming episodes and we talk about what we hope you, our audience, can gain from listening.

If you liked this series and want to take your learning to the next level by diving into the original sources for yourself, register for our upcoming course starting end of October: batshevalearningcenter.com/courses

To purchase the course books to learn on your own or in a group, visit our online store here:

batshevalearningcenter.com/textbooks

Follow us Instagram or join our WhatsApp group for more text-based Torah learning opportunities for women.

This episode is sponsored by Zlata Wigs.

Located in the heart of Crown Heights on Kingston Avenue, Zlata Wigs offers an unparalleled wig shopping experience.

With over a decade of expertise, Zlata has curated a stunning collection of hundreds of wigs to suit every style, length, and color.

Her skilled team will work closely with you to customize your wig to perfection.

If you're looking for your dream wig, head over to Zlata Wigs at 386 Kingston Ave.

Elevate your expectations!

Zlata Wigs

386 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn, NY

(917) 793-1230

Join us for a fascinating discussion with a third-year student at our Beis Midrash and high school Jewish history teacher, Tzivi Greenbaum.

Tzivi has always had a fascination with the development of women's Torah education in both formal and informal settings throughout the ages.

In this episode, she shares some of the research she has done on the topic and discusses these questions and more:

• What was the common standard of education for Jewish girls through the various periods of Jewish history?
• What did girls learn? How did they learn?
• How have those standards shifted over time?
• What are some examples of women who took on spiritual leadership roles and taught other women Torah?
• What can learn from the women of the past and how can it inform the way we approach girls' education today?

To get your hands on our new book: a comprehensive compilation of halachic, hashkafic, and historical sources on the topic of women’s Torah study, sign up to join our new monthly donor club to be the first to receive a hard copy or pre-order the book!

To learn more about this topic, check out these links:

https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/338925/jewish/Transforming-Womens-Torah-Learning.htmhttps://www.amazon.com/All-Your-Children-Shall-Learned/dp/0765799634https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Fascinating-Jewish-Famous-Forgotten-Expanded/dp/1600912532https://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/6224533/jewish/Meineket-Rivka-The-First-Published-Book-by-a-Jewish-Woman.htm

In this episode, Devorah Silberstein shares with us some of the fascinating women she's encountered in the process of researching sources for the new book we're putting out on women's Torah learning. In this conversation, we address these questions and more:

• Why is it important to see a precedent for women engaging in Torah study throughout Jewish history? How does that change our hashkafic perspective on women's education today?
• What trends do we see throughout the ages for which women had the privilege of a Torah education? Is the desire amongst women to study Torah something new or was it always around? How has this desire evolved overtime? What lessons can we learn from the female scholars of the past and how can that inform our approach to women's talmud Torah in the modern age?

The book we reference in this episode is a comprehensive compilation of halachic, hashkafic and historical sources on the topic of women’s Torah study. Sign up to join our new monthly donor club to be the first to receive a hard copy or pre-order the book!

To learn more about this topic, check out these episode:

Women's Talmud Torah: The History (Part 1)

Women's Talmud Torah: The History (Part 2)

What is the essence of תפילה?

The תפילות in our סידור, in general, and especially the תפילות on ראש השנה, appear to have two opposing themes.

On the one hand, תפילה is a time of standing before Hashem, of acknowledging His greatness, of praising His majesty. On ראש השנה, this is especially true: the theme of the day is crowning Hashem king. The liturgy in our מחזור is dotted with proclamations of Hashem’s sovereignty over the universe, and pleas that His dominion be revealed and apparent to all.

On the other hand, תפילה is about asking for our personal needs. Thirteen out of the nineteen ברכות in שמונה עשרה are requests – for health, wealth, wisdom, forgiveness, and more. In the ראש השנה מחזור, there are many passages focused on hopes and requests that the coming year be blessed and sweet.

So which is it? Is תפילה about transcending ourselves, of standing in humility and awe before God, of putting aside our own will in deference to His? Or is it about turning inward, taking stock of our lacks and wants, and petitioning Hashem to fill them?

Join Mrs. Shterna Ginsburg, a well-known author and teacher of Chassidus, as we explore these questions through the paradigm of Chana's prayer, the story we read in the haftorah of Rosh Hashana.

Click here for a beautiful booklet with all the sources explored in this episode (and more):

The booklet includes the full Hebrew sources on one side and excerpts of those sources with English translation on the other.

You can download a free PDF or purchase hard copies to be printed and shipped to your door.

Learn it on your own, learn with a friend, or start a study group in your community!

Up to this point, this podcast series discussed what the mitzvah of kisui rosh is, who it applies to, and how and where it applies. In this final episode of the series, we start exploring why?

What is the mystical meaning behind hair covering? Menucha takes us through a few Chassidic sources that discuss the symbolism of hair in Kabbalah in general and how that sheds light on the obligation for married women in particular to cover their hair. This eye-opening conversation offers a novel perspective that can change the way you approach this mitzvah and your relationship with Torah observance as a whole.

If you liked this series and want to take your learning to the next level by diving into the original sources for yourself, register for our upcoming course starting at the end of October: ⁠⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/courses⁠⁠⁠⁠

To purchase the course books to learn on your own or in a group, visit our online store here:

⁠⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/textbooks⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow us ⁠on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠or join our ⁠⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp ⁠⁠⁠⁠group for more text-based Torah learning opportunities for women.

This episode is sponsored by Zlata Wigs.

Located in the heart of Crown Heights on Kingston Avenue, Zlata Wigs offers an unparalleled wig shopping experience.

With over a decade of expertise, Zlata has curated a stunning collection of hundreds of wigs to suit every style, length, and color.

Her skilled team will work closely with you to customize your wig to perfection.

If you're looking for your dream wig, head over to Zlata Wigs at 386 Kingston Ave.

Elevate your expectations!

Zlata Wigs

386 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn, NY

(917) 793-1230

Covering our hair with more hair seems like a strange concept. What is the halachic basis for wig wearing as a valid form of hair covering? What are some reasons wigs would or wouldn’t be allowed? Why might wigs be preferable over other forms of hair covering?

This episode explores the original source in the mishna that introduces the concept of wigs and its various applications. We also discuss sheitels as a symbol for a general approach to our Judaism that brings together a strong commitment to halacha and an integration of mitzvos into our identity as women in the modern age.

If you liked this series and want to take your learning to the next level by diving into the original sources for yourself, register for our upcoming course starting at the end of October: ⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/courses⁠⁠⁠

To purchase the course books to learn on your own or in a group, visit our online store here:

⁠⁠⁠batshevalearningcenter.com/textbooks⁠⁠⁠

Follow us ⁠on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠or join our ⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp ⁠⁠⁠group for more text-based Torah learning opportunities for women.

This episode is sponsored by Zlata Wigs.

Located in the heart of Crown Heights on Kingston Avenue, Zlata Wigs offers an unparalleled wig shopping experience.

With over a decade of expertise, Zlata has curated a stunning collection of hundreds of wigs to suit every style, length, and color.

Her skilled team will work closely with you to customize your wig to perfection.

If you're looking for your dream wig, head over to Zlata Wigs at 386 Kingston Ave.

Elevate your expectations!

Zlata Wigs

386 Kingston Ave. Brooklyn, NY

(917) 793-1230