Tanach & Tea

Don't be a Loser: Israel & Hashkafa with Rabbi Moshe Nachbar (19)

In this episode of Tanach & Tea, we’re joined by Rabbi Moshe Nachbar - Rebbe u’Mashpia, educator, personal development coach, co-founder of Nekudah Tova of Hollywood, and host of the podcast Light in the Pocket — and my colleague at Katz Yeshiva High School, for a conversation that goes straight at some of the biggest — and most uncomfortable — questions about Israel, hashkafa, and what Judaism actually demands from us today. Rabbi Nachbar brings a unique blend of Torah depth, Breslov thought, and real-world perspective to a conversation that doesn’t stay theoretical. We start with Tanach Barbershop Talk: If you had to choose someone from Tanach to be Prime Minister today — who are you picking? From there, things get real: What is hashkafa — and is there really only one “correct” approach? Does Zionism belong inside Judaism, or is it something else entirely? What role is the Diaspora supposed to play today? We also explore: • Why Rabbi Akiva’s students specifically died during Sefirat HaOmer • Whether Yom HaAtzmaut being in Sefirah is coincidence — or something deeper • If our current leaders are failing us • Whether the Meraglim are still among us — just in a different form • What Tanach actually says about the world we’re living in right now • Are we living more “rabbinically” than “biblically” — and what does that even mean? • Are we too comfortable spiritually? • What are we actually afraid of? And yes — we go there: Should Chareidim be drafted? Hallel with a bracha? Can we accept irreligious Jews? (Rav Kook, Breslov, and beyond) This is one of those conversations that challenges how you think — about Israel, about Judaism, and about yourself. 🎙 Guest: Rabbi Moshe Nachbar — https://www.instagram.com/nach_notes [https://www.instagram.com/nach_notes] 🎥 Full video available on YouTube (and Spotify Video): https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea [https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea] 📱 Instagram Reels & clips: https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/ [https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/] 🔗 Listen everywhere: https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea [https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea] 📩 To sponsor an episode: tanachandtea@gmail.com

Being a Slave was Good: Pesach, Shabbat, & Freedom from Freedom (Bonus)

Special Episode of Tanach & Tea with my students L'Kvod Rosh Chodesh Nisan. Leilui Nishmat Baruch ben Roza & Mirel Bat Chaim Yehoshua Halevi. Being a slave sounds like the worst possible thing. So why would the Torah need us to go through Egypt? In this episode, we explore a surprising idea: that what looked like the lowest point in Jewish history was actually a necessary step toward receiving the Torah. Sometimes what feels like suffering is really preparation. We unpack how the Jews only fully understood this after leaving Egypt—when they were finally able to sing, realizing that everything they thought was bad was actually part of something much greater. From there, we zoom out to a bigger question: what is freedom, really? Because today, we may not be slaves to Pharaoh—but we’re often slaves to something else. Our phones, our stress, our endless choices. Too much freedom can actually trap us. That’s where Shabbat comes in. Shabbat isn’t just a day of rest—it’s a kind of Hashem's rehab for us. A built-in “freedom from freedom.” A space where we step away from everything that controls us and reconnect with who we actually are. Not a deprivation—but the highest form of freedom. This episode reframes Pesach, Shabbat, and what it truly means to be free. Freedom from freedom b/c freedom can be slavin' https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea [https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea]

What if Haman had a Podcast? | With Comedian Mikey Greenblatt (18)

For our special Purim episode, Tanach & Tea is joined by comedian Mikey Greenblatt (https://www.instagram.com/mikey_greenblatt/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikey_greenblatt/]) to talk Megillat Esther, media, the connection between adultery & eggs, dinosaurs — and much more. We start with Tanach Barbershop Talk: If people in Tanach had podcasts, who would host — and whose shows today would they resemble? From Candace Owens to Tucker Carlson to Ben Shapiro, and more. Then we turn to the Megillah and unpack the backstory to the pasuk introducing Mordechai — and how it connects back to David HaMelech. We also discuss: • Esther’s beauty — and why it matters • Achashverosh: impulsive king or calculated politician? (And was he shomer negiah?) • Whether Esther initiated Mishloach Manot • Messaging, influence, and how narratives shape history This episode is sponsored by Aharon Shain, leili nishmat my grandmother who passed away on Rosh Chodesh Adar — Mirrel bat Chaim Yehoshua Halevi. 🎥 Full video available on YouTube (and Spotify Video): https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea [https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea] 📱 Instagram Reels & clips: https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/ [https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/] 🔗 Listen everywhere: https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea [https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea] 🎙 Guest: Mikey Greenblatt — https://www.instagram.com/mikey_greenblatt/ [https://www.instagram.com/mikey_greenblatt/] 📩 To sponsor an episode: tanachandtea@gmail.com

Is Eve the most Relatable Woman in Tanach? | With Eve's Gardeners (17)

In this episode of Tanach & Tea, Leah Bahar — host of the Eve’s Gardeners podcast — returns for a deep dive into Adam & Eve - the moment the snake meets Chava, the conversation begins, and history tilts. But first… 📺 Tanach Barbershop Talk: “8 women who ate.” Not “ate” like Gan Eden. Ate like slayed. We highlight eight women in Tanach who absolutely owned their moment — spiritually, strategically, and courageously — before pivoting to the most famous “eating” of all time… and why it’s usually misunderstood. 🌿 Main Discussion (Bereishit 3:1–7): This isn’t just “the first sin.” It’s the Torah’s masterclass in how human beings think, justify, rationalize, and get pulled. We explore: • Why the snake targets Chava • Miseducation & misinformation in Judaism • Desire vs. wisdom — and what happens when desire gets behind the wisdom wheel and starts driving • Why Chava is so relatable: moral dilemmas, self-talk, pressure, and the world of gray (not everything is black-and-white) Seven verses. Infinite consequences. And maybe the most human story in the Torah. 🎥 Full video available on YouTube (and Spotify Video): https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea [https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea] 📱 Instagram Reels, episode clips, and more: https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/ [https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/] 🔗 Listen on your favorite podcast platform: https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea [https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea] 👤 Follow Leah (Eve’s Gardeners): https://www.instagram.com/evesgardeners/ [https://www.instagram.com/evesgardeners/] Spotify: Eve's Gardeners [https://open.spotify.com/show/6f4lRjkUqZvCjrvptkmrBN?si=937dc221fa404fd6] 📩 Want to sponsor an episode? tanachandtea@gmail.com 🎙 Also check out my wife’s new podcast, Causeway Confessions — now on Spotify: https://www.instagram.com/causewayconfessions_/ [https://www.instagram.com/causewayconfessions_/] Spotify: Causeway Confessions [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZVps0L1SgfCwqhLTqaaae?si=f1c9af68c13a4cc9]

Avner Kills Asahel; The Sons of David & the Seeds of Chaos (Story of King David)

Recorded live on January 6th, 2026, we continue Sefer Shmuel Bet and explore Perek 2, Pasuk כ״ג through Perek 3, Pasuk ו׳ — where one death reshapes the balance of power and the cracks in David’s kingdom begin to widen. Asahel refuses to stop chasing Avner — and Avner’s final warning goes unheeded. With the blunt end of a spear, Asahel falls. The battlefield freezes. But the story does not. From that moment forward, the war between the house of Shaul and the house of David intensifies. The text tells us plainly: David grows stronger, the house of Shaul grows weaker. Yet strength comes at a cost. David’s family expands — sons are born in Chevron — Amnon, Kileav, Avshalom… names that will later shake the kingdom from within. Meanwhile, Avner remains the real force behind Ish-Boshet’s throne. But even that alliance begins to fracture. Accusations, ego, loyalty, honor — the fragile coalition holding Israel together begins to unravel. This is not just the aftermath of a battlefield death. It is the beginning of long-term instability. Blood feuds linger. Political marriages multiply. Power consolidates. And the seeds of future rebellion are quietly planted inside David’s own house. This chapter forces us to confront a sobering truth: a leader can win a war and still lose control of the forces around him. David is rising — but so is the chaos that will define the next phase of his reign. 🎥 Watch the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea [https://www.youtube.com/@tanachandtea] 🎧 Watch on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea [https://linktr.ee/tanachandtea] 📱 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/ [https://www.instagram.com/tanachandtea/] 📩 Want to sponsor an episode? Email: tanachandtea@gmail.com