A Rabbi and a Lawyer Walk Into a Bar

We discuss the attacks on Iran and Asher monitors shabbat events in a halachically permissible manner. John describes whether Congress should declare war formally (last time against Romania?) and Asher gives parallels to Purim. We have AI on our minds as John hopes that it will not replace us. Asher challenges us to consider if we are here “for such a time as this” and encourages us to be tough Jews, not that weakling in the anti-antisemitism commercial. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

We discuss the Torah and Persian sources for the name of Israel’s recent Iran operation. Asher describes how the Diaspora can advocate for Israel when the going gets tough, getting more strident than during his anti-foie gras days. Speaking of advocacy, John requests a summer “get out of shul free” card, but Asher isn’t buying it. After a refresher on Tisha B’Av, John extracts Asher from an uncharacteristic funk by invoking the tradition that Moshiach, and the messianic era, will be born on that saddest day in the Jewish calendar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

We haven’t spoken since John’s dog ate the afikoman, and we discuss his Omer success and Asher’s Omer challenges. In the meantime, Asher continues his amazing world travels, this time to Kurdistan on an interfaith mission with his Chaldean friends. We discuss that region’s deep connection to Jewish history, including minor prophets like Nachum (John had to Google him). We then discuss Trump’s anti-antisemitism efforts, and our gratitude that adults are finally in the room on college campuses. Asher ends by describing the Wild West way in which new Jewish holidays are established. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

Did Asher visit Africa to avoid Pesach cleaning? We discuss his recent trip to Ghana (after Syria), and John suspects that Asher is a CIA officer. Asher describes the slave trade artifacts he witnessed, and contrasts them to slavery in the ancient Jewish tradition. He then answers Passover FAQs and reminds us to remember the goal of our seders. We grapple with having gratitude for freedom while our people remain in tunnels. Of course, no Jewish podcast is complete without referencing a problematic case of someone shouting “Heil Hitler.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com

And now for something completely different. We discuss Asher’s unbelievable adventures in Syria and Qatar, including his new (former) Al-Qaeda buddies and his guardedly optimistic outlook for the region as a result. John then discusses the importance of teaching about legal issues surrounding the Holocaust and why the right is on the rise in Germany. With Adar and Purim approaching and considering Asher’s trip, we’re reminded of v’nahafoch hu, how events can spin around in surprising ways. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rabbilawyerbar.substack.com