{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Everyday Judaism · Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe","title":"Ep. 66 - 🎤 Ask Away! #18: Mikvah, Mitzvot, and Decoding Bread [The Q&A Series]","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/b4a13d34\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2712,"description":"In Episode 18 of the Ask Away series on the Everyday Judaism Podcast, Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe answers diverse questions from participants at the TORCH Centre in Houston, recorded on a Sunday before Rosh Hashanah (pre-October 8, 2025). The session covers topics from the spiritual significance of bread-making to mikvah customs, technology’s role, and Rosh Hashanah prayers. Key themes include:Bread and Spiritual Symbolism: The 11-step bread-making process (Sidura DePas) counters the negative spiritual force of 11, tied to the curse of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:19). These steps are prohibited on Shabbat, and the temple’s 11-ingredient incense similarly counters evil, contrasting with the holiness of 10 (e.g., Ten Commandments) (1:06–3:38).Tree of Knowledge: All trees were originally edible (Genesis 1:29, 2:9), not just a cinnamon tree, but this changed post-sin, making only fruit edible (4:13–5:16).Numerology and Superstition: The number 11 isn’t inherently negative for birth dates, and superstitions (e.g., about yahrzeit candles or the number 13) are discouraged. Rosh Hashanah symbols like pomegranates inspire mitzvot, though no one can fulfill all 613 due to specific conditions (e.g., Kohen, Levi, or situational mitzvot) (5:35–10:42).Mikvah Customs: Men have no biblical obligation but follow a rabbinic custom to immerse before Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and festivals, using pools if needed. Women are obligated only post-menstruation, requiring kosher mikvahs. Post-menopause immersion is not required but can be spiritually beneficial, as seen in a case of Shema-induced distress (13:22–19:37, 26:15–28:37).Technology and Free Will: Hashem created technologies like social media to offer free will, allowing choices between good (e.g., sharing Torah) and distraction (e.g., games, news). Rabbi Wolbe uses platforms to spread Torah, urging listeners to prioritize meaningful activities (20:21–25:16).Pidyon HaBen: This mitzvah involves “redeeming” a firstborn Israelite son with five...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/RoxNa7w_mp6Se9Ek7j1Nu96TRqCUOhWvTd_e15CtdRE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lNmJl/OGI4NDNiZTZhMzk5/YzBjNThhYjIxZmVj/MDU5MS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}