Israel At War

The feelings of rage and desire for revenge against Hamas still boil strong in the hearts of many. How should those feelings motivate Israel and her supporters in the war against Hamas? What did Hamas want us to feel and how can we protect ourselves from the dangers of uncontrolled rage?

Join Rabbi David Fohrman and Imu Shalev as they explore several reasons Israel is engaged in this war and offer hope for a nation in pain.

In this timely course, Rabbi Fohrman considers how God's response to ancient trauma speaks directly to our present moment after October 7th.

How can we have faith when it seems like darkness is everywhere and we feel utterly alone? This video visits a moment when Miriam the prophetess did not know how the story would end - before her brother was saved, before the Exodus. And teaches us something profound about faith in dark times.

Rabbi Fohrman and Imu are back sharing more stories from Rabbi Fohrman's last week in Israel, plus a fascinating discussion about last week's haftorah, its shocking conclusion, and the spiritual value of embracing "I don't know."

The following presentation was originally framed by Rabbi Fohrman as a course on Tisha b’Av. He argued that Shir Hamaalot, the psalm that we commonly use in benching on Sabbath and holidays will help us get in touch with the power of tears. With the ability to connect and transform. The vast majority of this video directly deals with Shir Hamaalot, but at the end, Rabbi Fohrman will discuss some Tisha b’Av themes, which you’ll see are quite relevant.

What would the burning bush have to do with what we’re going through in Israel now? Well, God’s original revelation to Moshe comes at another moment of great national tragedy and suffering: the exile in Egypt. And His message to Moshe is that there is something about God that makes Him God: His infinite capacity for empathy and to be with us in times of great pain.

In our fourth takeover episode dedicated to the war in Israel, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev share stories of volunteerism and heroism in Israel and abroad, while grappling with a shared sense of helplessness. Together, they explore the limits of utilitarianism, emphasizing the significance of being present for people, lending a listening ear, or simply giving someone a hug. Visit our website, alephbeta.org, to find inspiring and meaningful content that will give you strength and inspiration during this difficult time.

Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they share heartwarming stories and grapple with the moral ambiguity provoked by the war between Israel and Hamas. 

Parshat Noach describes the extreme violence that led to God's decision to destroy the world with a flood. This violence is referred to as "chamas" in Hebrew, a term that bears an eerie resemblance to "Hamas." In light of recent devastating attacks by Hamas on Israel, Rabbi Fohrman and Imu Shalev engaged in a discussion, exploring how to react to a world that is suddenly filled with violence.

In place of our usual parsha podcast, Rabbi David Fohrman sat down with Aleph Beta CEO, Imu Shalev, to reflect on the ongoing situation in Israel and discussed creative ways to help in these times of need, as well as how to cope with our intense emotions. 

To find meaningful content on and insightful thoughts on Parshat Bereishit, check out the videos and audios on our website. 

Please consider donating to Midreshet Ziv, an organization that Rabbi Fohrman has personally vetted. To learn more about how Midreshet Ziv is assisting Israeli families and soldiers in need and to donate, please click here.