Rabbi In The Hot Seat with Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen

Every year we ask the same questions at the Seder – but do we actually know the answers?In this special Pesach edition of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, we go deep on the questions that matter most: Why are Jews obsessed with Egypt? What does real freedom look like in 2026? Is there archaeological evidence for the Exodus? And what does chametz actually have to do with your ego?Plus – the most beautiful and moving Pesach rabbi story you've ever heard.Whether you're hosting your first Seder or your fiftieth, these ideas will transform the way you experience Passover – and yourself.00:00 – Welcome & Why Jews Are Obsessed With Egypt 01:20 – The Most Important Message of Passover: Unconditional Love 02:32 – If Pesach Is About Freedom, Why So Many Rules? 03:48 – Your Personal Egypt: Slavery in 2026 05:08 – Doubts at the Seder Table – Is That Okay? 06:09 – Chametz, Ego & the Difference Between Arrogance and Self-Worth 08:34 – The Plagues, Free Will, Pharaoh & Archaeological Evidence 21:09 – The Skulener Rebbe's Matzah: A True StoryTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial #SelfHelp #LifeAdvice #MasteringLife #Shorts #RabbiDovBerCohen

From social media and negative speech to why it feels so hard to get out of bed, this conversation cuts straight to the root of how we think, how we live, and why so many people feel stuck even when they are doing everything right.Rabbi Cohen breaks down what Judaism actually says about happiness, discipline, purpose, and self worth. He explains why your mindset shapes your entire experience of life, how your thoughts may be blocking your natural state of happiness, and what it really takes to build a meaningful and fulfilling life.The conversation also explores deeper ideas around free will, good and bad actions, alcohol and consciousness, and one of the most compelling arguments for the Torah’s divine origin.This is not surface level advice. It is a direct look at how to take responsibility for your life, your mind, and your growth.Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.💬 Comment your questions for future episodes00:00 Intro00:37 Social media and evil speech02:29 Why you struggle to wake up in the morning04:38 Do good deeds cancel out bad ones06:28 Alcohol, weed, and consciousness08:09 The real secret to happiness12:23 Proof the Torah is divine17:36 Spinoza and where he got it wrongTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!

In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen responds to some of the most difficult and unexpected questions people send in.Why do the same challenges keep appearing in our lives? Where was God during tragedy and suffering? Can you hold a grudge? How should someone deal with stress? And what does Judaism actually say about difficult topics like sexuality, compassion, and personal struggle?Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.💬 Comment your questions for future episodes00:21 Why the same challenges keep returning01:22 Where was God on October 7?04:02 Is a hot dog a sandwich?04:30 Can you hold a grudge05:13 Stress and why it’s not helping you06:24 Judaism and homosexuality11:32 What gives the rabbi hopeTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform:https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration, visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife

There are questions about Judaism and life that people think about all the time but often don’t know where to turn for clear, honest answers.In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen answers them directly.Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.0:00 Why Judaism takes speech and language so seriously1:38 Jews for Jesus and whether there is evidence for Christianity4:08 Why Judaism refers to God as “He”6:42 Should Jews study other religions like the Quran?8:00 Are Midrash stories meant to be taken literally?10:00 Dating someone who says they will become observant later11:05 Why men say the blessing “thank you for not making me a woman”💬 Comment your questions for future episodesTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife

If you’ve ever felt stuck between belief and reality, truth and effort, or meaning and pain, this conversation is for you.In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen tackles the questions people ask when life doesn’t make sense anymore: trauma, numbness, faith, intimacy, and the pressure to find meaning too fast.00:32 – Why you don’t tell someone in trauma “everything happens for a reason”00:56 – What trauma actually is: fight, flight, freeze01:44 – Pain vs suffering in Judaism03:35 – “I feel nothing when I do mitzvot”04:46 – If Judaism is true, why don’t more people observe it?06:00 – Is Judaism all or nothing?07:33 – Sex, restraint, and emotional intimacy in Jewish marriage09:00 – When limits create deeper connectionRabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.

These are questions people live with for years.In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen takes on real questions about God, identity, ambition, sex, death, and the meaning behind Jewish practice. Thoughtful, direct, and grounded in Jewish wisdom without shortcuts.Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.💬 Comment your questions for future episodes0:12 – Is God actually good?2:15 – The difference between ambition and ego2:58 – Is there a Jewish view of sacred sex?6:05 – Can Jews be cremated?8:00 – Why burial matters in Judaism8:52 – Can Judaism exist without Israel?10:25 – Why Israel is the spiritual center of Jewish lifeTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat

What happens when people stop whispering their questions about Judaism and start asking them out loud?In this episode, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen answers questions that people usually keep to themselves. What happens if someone takes their own life? Is pornography ever okay in a Jewish marriage? And do Jews believe in horoscopes? Can Jews own pets? Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.💬 Comment your questions for future episodes0:00 – Welcome0:23 – Do Jews believe in horoscopes and astrology?0:56 – Free will vs the stars: Abraham and going “above” astrology1:05 – Can Jews own pets? Responsibility, compassion, and Shabbat1:49 – Muslim father, Jewish mother: What am I according to Judaism?2:15 – Pornography, intimacy, and marriage: a hard no and why3:26 – Why sex therapy can actually strengthen a marriage4:21 – Why do Orthodox Jews dress in black and white?6:10 – Suicide, mental illness, and Jewish burial7:35 – Final thoughts: asking hard questions makes better peopleTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife

What happens when a former DJ, martial artist, and world traveler becomes a rabbi?Speaking from Jerusalem, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen sits in the hot seat to answer the real questions people are actually asking — about sex, drugs, spirituality, guilt, identity, and what Judaism really says about living a meaningful life. Rabbi Dov Ber brings Torah, humor, life experience, and a lot of heart to every answer, reminding us that growth is a journey, every step counts, and the goal is to move through Judaism with sincerity, joy, and trust in Hashem.0:00 Introduction0:37 My husband won’t keep Shabbat — can our marriage still work?2:31 Does Judaism condone Polygamy?3:58 Does Judaism believe in superstition?5:52 Dybbuks, golems, and “monsters” — what’s real?6:42 I felt nothing at the Western Wall… does that mean something?8:11 Why does Judaism follow the mother (and do patrilineal Jews matter)?10:11 Do Jews have sex through a sheet?11:02 Is happiness only possible through pain?11:53 – Closing + what this episode was really aboutTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat

In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen takes on some of the most curious, unexpected, and misunderstood questions in Judaism — with clarity, humor, and zero fluff.From sleep and dreams, tattoos, Kiddush wine, circumcision, Kabbalah, money myths, and even marrying your cousin, this episode shows how Judaism approaches everyday life, symbolism, and reality — not superstition.⏱️ Timestamps0:00 Welcome back0:20 Why did God create the need for sleep?1:23 Should I act on messages in my dreams?2:18 Can I tattoo a Star of David on my skin?4:17 Can you make Kiddush on non-kosher wine?6:43 What’s the point of circumcision?8:58 Is chicken soup actually healing?9:25 Why are Jews stereotyped as rich?11:36 Can non-Jews learn Kabbalah?12:29 Can you marry your cousin?12:58 How to contact the rabbiTo listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat

Who gets to define who is Jewish? Why does Orthodox Judaism not recognize Reform conversion? What makes Shabbat so special?Do we really have to keep all the mitzvot? And when religion feels overwhelming, where does mental health fit in?In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen tackles questions of identity, practice, tradition, emotional wellbeing, and modern life with honesty, clarity, and zero scripts.0:00 Introduction0:25 What makes someone Jewish?1:22 Why isn’t a Reform convert considered Jewish by Orthodox standards?4:15 What is so special about Shabbat?5:40 There are too many mitzvot, do we have to keep them all?8:05 What does kickboxing have to do with Judaism?9:22 “Religion makes me miserable…”10:43 Have rabbis replaced the role of therapists?12:24 Should children use phones?To listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aish.com/Tik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife

Nothing is off-limits in this Ask Me Anything episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat.Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen tackles raw, personal, and often uncomfortable questions about desire, doubt, discipline, Jewish law, charity, intimacy, and why God feels distant with honesty and clarity, not clichés.From whether Judaism is more than a religion, to touching before marriage, self-pleasure, evolving Jewish law, and fighting your inner voice, this is a real conversation about living a Jewish life in the modern world.0:00 Introduction - Ask Me Anything0:38 Is Judaism just a religion?2:27 Should Jews donate to non-Jewish charities?3:19 Does Jewish law ever evolve?4:20 What’s harder: fighting another person or your inner voice?5:25 Can you touch at all before marriage?6:35 Are you allowed to pleasure yourself?8:22 What’s your favorite rabbi story?9:54 Is it okay to doubt yourself?10:55 Why is God hidden from us?11:55 What matters more: discipline or inspiration?🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife

What are we really afraid of? What gives life meaning?And how do you climb out when you’ve hit rock bottom?In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen takes on the biggest human questions: fear, death, purpose, parenting, faith, and rebuilding.From misconceptions about G-d, to raising distracted teenagers, to finding purpose, overcoming fear, and asking what’s truly worth living or dying for, this is an unfiltered conversation about what it means to live with depth in a chaotic world.0:00 Introduction0:56 What’s the biggest misconception Jews have about God?1:35 How do we overcome fear?4:15 Why is Judaism focused on the next world?5:13 How do we connect with distracted teenage kids?6:15 Is education a teacher’s or a parent’s responsibility?7:29 How do we find purpose in life?9:23 Why are there so many sects in Judaism?10:46 What are you willing to die for?11:55 How do you climb out of rock bottom?💬 Comment your questions, and we will answer them in future episodes🔔 Subscribe and turn on post notifications so you don’t miss out on any wisdom!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration, visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Rabbi Dov Ber Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/rabbidovberofficial/https://www.instagram.com/aishTik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@rabbidovberofficial ✅Donate now! https://donate.aish.com/masteringlife#SelfHelp #LifeAdvice #MasteringLife #Shorts #RabbiDovBerCohen

What happens when the questions people actually want to ask finally get asked out loud?In this episode of Rabbi in the Hot Seat, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen takes on some of the most uncomfortable and misunderstood topics in Judaism: identity, dress code, sacrifice, women, individuality, and weed, with honesty and zero clichés.0:00 Introduction 0:40 Is being a Rabbi just a Phase for Rabbi Dov Ber?3:53 Does God need us to Sacrifice Animals?5:06 Why is Judaism obsessed with how Women Dress?7:21 Is there room for individuality in how Jews Dress?9:34 What does Judaism say about Weed?To listen to Rabbi In The Hot Seat on your favorite podcast platform: https://pods.link/rabbiinthehotseat

Speaking from Jerusalem, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen returns to the hot seat to answer the big theological and emotional questions you have asked.From mental health and self-mastery to questioning G-d, revenge, Hell, Mashiach, and why Judaism cares about daily choices like what we eat — this conversation explores faith as something lived, not inherited.0:00 Introduction0:27 Are Jews the Chosen People?0:58 Why is everyone struggling with mental health today?1:30 What is self-mastery?2:04 Is it okay to question G-d?2:27 Can you be spiritual without being religious?3:04 From monk to rabbi — are Buddhism and Judaism similar?4:12 Is revenge ever justified?4:38 Do Jews believe in Hell?6:09 How do we know Mashiach is coming?8:01 Why does G-d care what we eat?🔔 Subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/@Aishdotcom and turn on post notifications so stay updated on all the latest content!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Jewish Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/aish.com/Tik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@aishjewish/ | https://www.tiktok.com/@aishwisdomFacebook: ➡︎ http://www.facebook.com/aishdotcom#Jewish #JewishWisdom #JewishLearning #Aish #Shorts

What happens when a former DJ, martial artist, and world traveler becomes a rabbi?Speaking from Jerusalem, Rabbi Dov Ber Cohen sits in the hot seat to answer the real questions people are actually asking — about sex, drugs, spirituality, guilt, identity, and what Judaism really says about living a meaningful life. 00:00 Meet the Rabbi 00:58 How can Jews value peace and still learn to fight?2:06 Why do observant Jews drink, smoke, or take drugs?5:37 Does G-d care who we sleep with?9:54 Is Judaism about guilt — or growth?14:10 Should Jews forgive the Nazis?💬 Comment your questions for future episodes🔔 Subscribe to https://www.youtube.com/@Aishdotcom and turn on post notifications so stay updated on all the latest content!✡️ For more Jewish inspiration visit https://www.aish.com – the world's leading Judaism website. 👉🏼 Connect and follow for more Jewish Wisdom 💫IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/aish.com/Tik Tok: ➡︎ https://www.tiktok.com/@aishjewish/ | https://www.tiktok.com/@aishwisdomFacebook: ➡︎ http://www.facebook.com/aishdotcom#Jewish #JewishWisdom #JewishLearning #Aish #Shorts