The Avrum Rosensweig Show

PARSHA & PROSE: TORAH PORTION, SHEMOTH THROUGH THE LENS OF MARK TWAIN'S 'THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER' (Audio)

💠 In this episode of 'Parsha and Prose', Rabbi Shlomo Gemara and Avrum Rosensweig discuss the Torah portion Shemoth (Exodus), we witness the transformation of Moses from a prince in Pharaoh’s court to a reluctant leader of the oppressed Israelites, paralleling the classic themes of The Prince and the Pauper. In Mark Twain’s tale, the two protagonists swap lives, experiencing vastly different worlds—one of privilege and the other of hardship. Similarly, Moses begins as a privileged figure, raised in the wealth and security of the Egyptian royal family, yet his identity as a Hebrew and his growing empathy for the suffering of his people lead him to renounce his royal status. Like the pauper in Twain’s story, Moses enters the world of his oppressed kin, where he must fight for justice and lead them to freedom, navigating the harsh realities of enslavement and political struggle. The contrast between Moses’ early life of comfort and his later mission to deliver his people mirrors the dramatic change in perspective that comes when Edward and Tom, in 'The Prince and the Pauper' one steps into the shoes of the downtrodden, bringing forth themes of social justice, identity, and responsibility.

✅ PARSHA & PROSE: TORAH PORTION, SHEMOTH THROUGH THE LENS OF MARK TWAIN'S 'THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER' (Audio/Visual)‬

In this episode of 'Parsha and Prose', Rabbi Shlomo Gemara and Avrum Rosensweig discuss the Torah portion Shemoth (Exodus), we witness the transformation of Moses from a prince in Pharaoh’s court to a reluctant leader of the oppressed Israelites, paralleling the classic themes of The Prince and the Pauper. In Mark Twain’s tale, the two protagonists swap lives, experiencing vastly different worlds—one of privilege and the other of hardship. Similarly, Moses begins as a privileged figure, raised in the wealth and security of the Egyptian royal family, yet his identity as a Hebrew and his growing empathy for the suffering of his people lead him to renounce his royal status. Like the pauper in Twain’s story, Moses enters the world of his oppressed kin, where he must fight for justice and lead them to freedom, navigating the harsh realities of enslavement and political struggle. The contrast between Moses’ early life of comfort and his later mission to deliver his people mirrors the dramatic change in perspective that comes when Edward and Tom, in 'The Prince and the Pauper' one steps into the shoes of the downtrodden, bringing forth themes of social justice, identity, and responsibility.

RAV YONI ROSENSWEIG, A PIONEER ON JEWISH LAW AND MENTAL HEALTH (Audio)

Rav Yoni Rosensweig is rabbi of the Netzach Menashe community in Beit Shemesh and is a renowned teacher of Halakha, Gemara and Jewish thought. From 2006-2009 he served as Rosh Kollel of the Mizrahi community in Melbourne, Australia. Upon his return, he headed Yeshivat Hamivtar, and then became Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Shevut Yisrael in Efrat, a post which he held until 2016. He currently teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rav Yoni has semikha from Rav Nachum Eliezer Rabinovitch and from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and degrees in education, philosophy and history. He is the author of “Yishrei Lev,” a three-volume responsa on different halakhic questions, and of “Conversations in Essence,” in which he engages in imaginary dialogue with great Jewish thinkers from the past. Rabbi Rosensweig is the author of several books including the recent Nafshi Beshe’elati on Jewish law and mental health. In this interview we will mostly focus on halacha and its flexibility having to do with mental health.

RAV YONI ROSENSWEIG, A PIONEER ON JEWISH LAW AND MENTAL HEALTH (Audio/Visual)

Rav Yoni Rosensweig is rabbi of the Netzach Menashe community in Beit Shemesh and is a renowned teacher of Halakha, Gemara and Jewish thought. From 2006-2009 he served as Rosh Kollel of the Mizrahi community in Melbourne, Australia. Upon his return, he headed Yeshivat Hamivtar, and then became Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Shevut Yisrael in Efrat, a post which he held until 2016. He currently teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. Rav Yoni has semikha from Rav Nachum Eliezer Rabinovitch and from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, and degrees in education, philosophy and history. He is the author of “Yishrei Lev,” a three-volume responsa on different halakhic questions, and of “Conversations in Essence,” in which he engages in imaginary dialogue with great Jewish thinkers from the past. Rabbi Rosensweig is the author of several books including the recent Nafshi Beshe’elati on Jewish law and mental health. In this interview we will mostly focus on halacha and its flexibility having to do with mental health.

The Legacy of Dr. Sandy Buchman: A Medical Pioneer (Audio/Visual)

In this episode, we’ll dive into the remarkable career and legacy of Dr. Sandy Buchman, a true legend in the medical world. Dr. Buchman is a renowned palliative care physician and a Professor in the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. Holding the Freeman Family Chair in Palliative Care, he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital, where he has dedicated his life to improving end-of-life care in both ambulatory and home settings. Over his distinguished career, Dr. Buchman has worked with organizations like the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care and the Palliative Care and Education for the Homeless (PEACH) program. His passions extended beyond his clinical work to global health, HIV/AIDS, and primary care cancer care, with volunteer experiences across South America and Africa. A trailblazer in his field, Dr. Buchman is also one of the first doctors to be involved in MAID - Medical Assistance in Dying. He is also the founder and medical lead of a new hospice residence, Neshama, set to open in 2026. Recognized with numerous accolades, including the W. Victor Johnston Award, his leadership in palliative care and family medicine has left an indelible mark on the healthcare community. Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Dr. Sandy Buchman and his lasting impact on medicine and compassionate care.

The Legacy of Dr. Sandy Buchman: A Medical Pioneer (Audio)

In this episode, we’ll dive into the remarkable career and legacy of Dr. Sandy Buchman, a true legend in the medical world. Dr. Buchman is a renowned palliative care physician and a Professor in the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. Holding the Freeman Family Chair in Palliative Care, he currently serves as the Medical Director of the Freeman Centre for the Advancement of Palliative Care at North York General Hospital, where he has dedicated his life to improving end-of-life care in both ambulatory and home settings. Over his distinguished career, Dr. Buchman has worked with organizations like the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care and the Palliative Care and Education for the Homeless (PEACH) program. His passions extended beyond his clinical work to global health, HIV/AIDS, and primary care cancer care, with volunteer experiences across South America and Africa. A trailblazer in his field, Dr. Buchman is also one of the first doctors to be involved in MAID - Medical Assistance in Dying. He is also the founder and medical lead of a new hospice residence, Neshama, set to open in 2026. Recognized with numerous accolades, including the W. Victor Johnston Award, his leadership in palliative care and family medicine has left an indelible mark on the healthcare community. Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Dr. Sandy Buchman and his lasting impact on medicine and compassionate care.

PARSHA & PROSE WITH RABBI GEMARA: VA'YECHI AND 'CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY' (Audio)

In this week's Torah portion, Va'yechi, we witness the poignant moment of Jacob's deathbed blessing, where he speaks to his sons, offering words of prophecy and guidance. The portion delves deeply into themes of legacy, identity, and the burden of inheritance—both blessings and curses. As we reflect on these profound dynamics through the lens of Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, we see striking parallels. In Paton's novel, the personal and collective struggles of South Africa’s people are deeply intertwined with the weight of history and the echoes of past injustices. Just as Jacob’s blessings carry the complex realities of his sons' destinies, the characters in Cry, the Beloved Country must navigate a fractured society marked by division and reconciliation. The call to "cry" is not just a cry for justice but also a cry for understanding, for the ability to heal from the wounds of the past and forge a path forward. Va'yechi, with its emphasis on familial ties, future trajectories, and the unresolved burdens of legacy, invites us to consider how we, too, must confront the legacies we inherit, whether they be of division or unity, pain or promise.

PARSHA & PROSE WITH RABBI GEMARA: VA'YECHI AND 'CRY, THE BELOVED COUNTRY' (Audio/Visual)

In this week's Torah portion, Va'yechi, we witness the poignant moment of Jacob's deathbed blessing, where he speaks to his sons, offering words of prophecy and guidance. The portion delves deeply into themes of legacy, identity, and the burden of inheritance—both blessings and curses. As we reflect on these profound dynamics through the lens of Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton, we see striking parallels. In Paton's novel, the personal and collective struggles of South Africa’s people are deeply intertwined with the weight of history and the echoes of past injustices. Just as Jacob’s blessings carry the complex realities of his sons' destinies, the characters in Cry, the Beloved Country must navigate a fractured society marked by division and reconciliation. The call to "cry" is not just a cry for justice but also a cry for understanding, for the ability to heal from the wounds of the past and forge a path forward. Va'yechi, with its emphasis on familial ties, future trajectories, and the unresolved burdens of legacy, invites us to consider how we, too, must confront the legacies we inherit, whether they be of division or unity, pain or promise.

BEATRICE WEBER: FOR 20 YEARS I SHAVED MY HEAD THEN ESCAPED RELIGIOUS TRAUMA IN THE HASIDIC COMMUNITY (Audio)

Beatrice Weber was born into a deeply traditional Hasidic community, where religious observance and strict cultural norms shaped every aspect of life. She was a devoted mother, raising ten children within the confines of the community’s values and expectations. However, after years of living in this insular world, Beatrice made the profound decision to go to college and learn how to drive shave her hair—acts that marked a symbolic break from the orthodox practices she had once adhered to. This bold step was part of a larger journey of self-discovery, which eventually led her to leave the Hasidic world altogether. Her decision to step away from the community, while challenging, became a powerful assertion of personal autonomy, as she sought to embrace a life that was true to her own beliefs and identity.

Transcript

BEATRICE WEBER: FOR 20 YEARS I SHAVED MY HEAD THEN ESCAPED RELIGIOUS TRAUMA IN THE HASIDIC COMMUNITY (Audio/Visual)

Beatrice Weber was born into a deeply traditional Hasidic community, where religious observance and strict cultural norms shaped every aspect of life. She was a devoted mother, raising ten children within the confines of the community’s values and expectations. However, after years of living in this insular world, Beatrice made the profound decision to go to college and learn how to drive shave her hair—acts that marked a symbolic break from the orthodox practices she had once adhered to. This bold step was part of a larger journey of self-discovery, which eventually led her to leave the Hasidic world altogether. Her decision to step away from the community, while challenging, became a powerful assertion of personal autonomy, as she sought to embrace a life that was true to her own beliefs and identity.