Shows / Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
This podcast features thoughts on issues of Jewish tradition and faith by Rabbi Rob Dobrusin from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Presented in informal and conversational style, Rabbi Dobrusin shares his interpretations of traditional Jewish texts and concepts often illustrated with examples taken from contemporary life. The discussions are designed to be accessible and thought-provoking to all.
Episodes
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 277: Glorifying God
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon from several years ago which addressed an issue that was on his mind then and continues to interest him today.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 276: Two Works of Art
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin follows up the last edition of the podcast with a comment on two particular works of art and how they relate to our study of…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 275: A Work of Art
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares some thoughts on a personal interest of his and relates it to this Shabbat.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 274: Remembering a Giant
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin speaks about a mentor and role model who left a great impression on him and on so many.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 273: Teshuvah Repentance
This is a reposting of an edition posted in the spring. It is particularly appropriate for the High Holy Days.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 272: Tying Shoes
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares one of his favorite sermons, delivered on Yom Kippur 2015. What have we learned from those who came before?
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 271: Remembering Them
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon he delivered before the Yizkor, Memorial Service, in 2007. It is not as much a sermon about remembering those…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 270: Beloved Crumbs
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon that he delivered for the Yizkor (memorial) service on Yom Kippur several years ago.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 269: A Hammer and A Chisel
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon he delivered on Yom Kippur 2003. The ideas expressed are still relevant today.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 268: The First Sermon
In this edition of the podcast, Rabbi Dobrusin observes a significant anniversary by sharing a sermon he delivered on that day.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 267: The Keys to the Temple
Tonight begins the fast of Tisha B'av, the anniversary of the destructions of the Temples in Jerusalem. In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the potential…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 266: Day and Night
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses a story in the news which has ramifications for the very foundation of our lives.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 265: People and Places II
This edition features a re-posting of a previously recorded episode which asks important questions inspired by the Torah reading for this Shabbat: the…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 264: America
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares words about growing up in the USA that he wrote 14 years ago after a potentially life-changing experience. Do they still…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 263: Interpersonal Commandments
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin expresses a critical point regarding mitzvot bein adam l'havero, interpersonal commandments, using bikkur holim, visiting the…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 262: Korach and Community
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a teaching from the Talmud connecting this week's Torah portion to a critical interpersonal mitzvah. What can we learn…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 261: Lessons From A Spy Story
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a previously recorded edition of the podcast from 2021 and urges us to consider whether these words resonate with us 5…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Have You Seen?
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a d'var Torah on last week's Torah portion of Naso. It ends with a rather provocative statement made by a well known…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Shavuot 2026
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a perspective on the upcoming holiday of Shavuot.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 278: More Serious and Less Serious
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin explains a critical concept relating to Jewish law. The discussion begins with an example from a rather unexpected place.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 277: Thoughts From a Warm Summer Evening
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on some phrases from a familiar source. The thoughts can teach us some lessons about Teshuvah, repentance…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 276: An Ethical Question from the Talmud
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a question raised in the section of Talmud he has been studying with his Talmud study group this year. How do you "undo" a wrongful act?
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 275: An Introduction to Judaism
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares the introduction to Judaism that he gave recently to a very interested group of students.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 274: The Line From Egypt
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought on one of the blessings said during the Pesach seder.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 273: Plagues: Then and Now
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin looks back on the events of the past week and discusses an issue of importance regarding a section of the Seder.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 272: How Did I Get Here?
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin suggests a way to make this year's Seder personally meaningful.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 271: A Sermon and A Tribute
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a sermon on this week's parasha and a memorial tribute to his father.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 270: What's In A Name?
In this edition of the podcast, Rabbi Dobrusin shares thoughts on the meaning of the name of the holiday of Purim and its meaning for today.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 269: Uplifting Music
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the power of music to lift us and honors two musical performers, one from the recent past and one from the present…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 268: Realizing How Right I Was
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a story about a d'var Torah he wrote more than 40 years ago and how his feelings about the words he wrote have changed…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 267: Signs of Spring
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses the holiday of Tu B'shvat, the "New Year of the Trees", sand two different blessings said on the occasion of seeing…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 266: Seeing
How do we respond to what we see? Rabbi Dobrusin considers this question in this week's podcast.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 265: Packing for a Journey
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin asks us to consider the full meaning of two words that appear in the Torah. What does it mean when the Torah says: blichtecha…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 264: The One Frog
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the varied implications of a brief passage in the Talmud relating to this week's Torah portion.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 263: Alone and Together
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin gives his midrash, his interpretation, of one of his favorite movies in tribute to the late Rob Reiner.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 262: December 31
This week, Rabbi Dobrusin posts a repeat edition of the podcast, originally posted on December 31, 2020, marking this important date on the calendar. This…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 261: Visiting Parents
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a personal story and relates it to a brief story told in this week's Torah portion.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 260: A Week Which Has Shaken Us
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin looks back on the events of this past week, notably the horrific anti-Semitic terror attack in Sydney Australia.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 259: Four Words
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin focuses on a short phrase recited during the rituals of Hanukkah which are particularly meaningful.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 258: On the Road
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin onsiders what some might consider an issue facing our society today but which he feels reflects a serious crisis in our nation…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 257: Saying and Doing
What impact should a statement of intention make? Rabbi Dobrusin shares a scenario presented in the Talmud and discusses the answer that the traditional texts…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 256: Above Average
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a d'var Torah which he delivered last week for Parashat Vayera. What can we learn from Abraham's "bargaining" with God regarding the city…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 255: Which Is More Important
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin teaches commentaries on this week's Torah portion which can lead us to a conclusion as to the relative importance of different…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 254: Abraham and the Idols
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin connects the story of Abraham in his father's Idol Shop with a situation taking place today in our nation.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 253: For Love of Animals
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought on animals- appropriate for this week in which Parashat Noach, the story of Noah. This edition includes a tribute to a…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 252: One Human Being
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a traditional Jewish text connected to the Biblical Creation story. This text alway has great relevance but is…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 251: The Symbolism of the Lulav and Etrog
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers one tradition regarding the lulav and etrog, symbols of the holiday of Sukkot, and relates that tradition to the…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Introduction to Episode 250
In this very brief introduction, Rabbi Dobrusin clarifies a point about the timing of the recording of Episode 250.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 250: What Jonah Can Teach Us
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin considers the meaning behind the tradition of reading the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur. What can we learn from Jonah?
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 249: Where Are You
In this edition, the final edition before the High Holy Days, Rabbi Dobrusin shares an additional thought relating to Teshuvah, returning to the proper path in…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 248: Confession
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin focuses on one of the critical traditions regarding teshuvah, repentance in Jewish tradition and relates it to an issue in our…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 247: Like the Old Days
Rabbi Dobrusin shares a thought based upon a verse in this week's Torah reading and a line from the daily prayers. These texts and a rabbinic interpretation…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 246: That Was Before
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin discusses an important issue facing clergy and all of us as we wrestle with issues or aspects our lives.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 245: Comfort
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares a fascinating traditional aggada (legend) concerning comfort.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 244: Learning from the Observance of Tisha B'av
In this episode, Rabbi Dobrusin examines two unusual synagogue services and discusses their significance.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 243: Nostalgia and Tisha B'av
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares another thought relating to Tisha B'av, the fast of the 9th of Av, and its connection with nostalgia.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 242: Nostalgia: Importance and Limitations
This is part one of a two part episode relating to the upcoming observance of Tisha B'av. Rabbi Dobrusin tells a story which can shed light on the traditions…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 241: Satisfaction
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin shares an interpretation on a section from the Shabbat morning liturgy which reflects a need all of us have.
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 240: Telling the Story
The Talmud contains a fascinating discussion about whether the book of Esther should be included in the Biblical canon. In the course of the discussion, a…
- Wrestling and Dreaming: Engaging Discussions on Judaism
Episode 239: Answers
In this edition, Rabbi Dobrusin teaches from a brief section of the Talmud which reflects an important principle in our lives. Before the teaching, the episode…