May 4, 2025

R. Lichtenstein on Women’s Torah Study

TRADITION’s subscribers have already received our recent issue containing content commemorating R. Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l, timed with his 10th yahrzeit marked this month. Five years ago we were pleased to publish Tonya Mittelman’s essay, “Women in the Torah World in the Thought of Rabbi Lichtenstein.” Toni, a distinguished educator and daughter of R. Lichtenstein, joins Mali Brofsky to discuss the article in our podcast.
April 29, 2025

Rav Lichtenstein’s Legacy

As we mark the 10th yahrzeit of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein zt”l  the Tradition Podcast catches up with two contributors to our recent Spring issue exploring his thought. Alongside a never-before published essay by R. Lichtenstein, “Relevance and Reverence,” exploring challenges in Jewish education – we bring you Michael S. Berger’s analysis of its ongoing relevance. In this episode we talk with Michael about the topics raised in the two essays. Later in the episode we hear from Shlomo Zuckier about his contribution to the volume, revisiting R. Lichtenstein’s classic essay, “Does Jewish Tradition Recognize an Ethic Independent of Halakha.”
April 27, 2025

COVID+5 Panel Discussion

How did COVID reshape our synagogues, schools, and souls? I this episode of the Tradition Podcast we speak with the authors of our recent “COVID+5” series, looking back on the pandemic 5 years later. Listen to guest editor Yehuda Halpert and a panel of prominent educators, rabbis, and mental health experts as they reflect on the pandemic’s lasting impact—from leadership decisions to silent personal struggles. This raw, honest conversation explores how our communities have changed, and how such change can be an opportunity for growth.
April 3, 2025

The COVID Seder

With Passover around the corner our minds are on the many preparations required to join our families around the Seder Table—and yet, who can forget the events of five years ago, when so many of us were isolated, locked-down, sheltering in place during that COVID Pesach of 2020. We’re pleased to share this episode of Moshe Kurtz’s “Shu”t First, Ask Questions Later” podcast, examining the COVID Zoom Seder controversy. Kurtz is joined by Yehuda Halpert, who takes us back to the pandemic halakhic literature, identifies important topics that the Jewish world wrestled with during those unprecedented days, and shows how those questions are still resonant for Jewish practice in 2025.