December 17, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 96 - Not Alone for Hallmark Hanukkah…With Special Guest Tamar Laddy

In this episode, we’re joined by special guest, Tamar Laddy, who helps us better view the less frequently made Hanukkah Hallmark movies. We explore assimilation, belonging, and choosing to stand out instead of blend in. And then, we do that again and again and again. Not because it’s a time loop, but because we loved this conversation!

00:03:38 Exodus 12:49

00:05:22 Jewish or Nerdy Cultural Assimilation

00:07:06 Unapologetically Jewish

00:09:50 Time Traveling Comic Book Nerds

00:11:48 When do we assimilate and when do we choose to be outwardly Jewish?

00:18:30 Jewish Hallmark Movies

00:19:49 Rudolph: The first Jewish superhero

00:21:12 That old joke about a tie shop

00:22:13 The Stranger in a Land of Hallmark Movies

00:25:21 Jews and Nerds together

00:26:23 A peek behind the scenes

00:32:26 Time Loop Movies

00:35:01 Are Jewish movies popular yet?

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-96-not-alone-for-hallmark-hanukkah

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

December 3, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 95 - MagicHeart

The Torah says they no sorceress shall live, but what is its take on scientists?

In this episode, we explore the tension between magic and science and the thin line that can exist between our understanding of both. Using a certain marvel metal hero, we dive into what counts as “magic” in the first place. From Shabbat science to Pharoah’s magicians, we examine faith’s role in magic and that sometimes the strongest force in the world isn’t magic or tech… it’s heart.

00:00:43 Exodus 22:17

00:06:55 Ironheart

00:08:50 The tension between magic and mythology

00:11:06 The science that’s allowed on Shabbat

00:15:39 Defining magic in Jewish text

00:20:44 Decisions around death

00:27:46 Rir’s decisions with science and magic

00:30:45 Sorceresses in Talmud and Firefly

00:33:46 The Pharaoh's sorcerors

00:37:40 Favorite moments from Ironheart

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-95-magicheart

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

November 19, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 94 - The Cube of Babel …With Guest Host Cantor Ross Wolman

In this episode, our guest host, Cantor Ross Wolman, helps us take a look back at the ambitious building of the Tower of Babel. We explore what happens when humanity’s drive causes their humanity to disappear. The answers to our questions may be revealed as we look up to the heavens, past the stars, and possibly where no man has gone before.

00:03:23 The Tower of Babel
00:09:23 The Borg
00:13:05 Seven-of-Nine and Assimilation
00:17:57 Dispersion and Disconnecting from the Collective
00:22:56 Assimilation in modernity
00:25:29 The Borg Queen’s Individuality
00:33:06 The Borg helped get Obama Elected

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-94-the-cube-of-babel

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

November 5, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 93 - Um, Actually

With a world of fun facts all around us, we all sometimes get the irresistible urge to push up our glasses, tap that person on the shoulder, and say, “Um, actually…”

In this week’s episode, we correct each other while reading Proverbs 16:16. We explore the differences between knowledge and wisdom, but you know that already. We debate when education turns toxic, which you already know. And why not everyone wants to hear your favorite obscure fact, except yours though. Your trivial knowledge is important though, we know that. In fact, you may not even learn anything new from this episode, but it couldn’t hurt to check it out just in case.

00:01:13 The new vibe

00:02:12 Proverbs 16:16

00:04:56 Trivia

00:06:15 Well, Actually

00:10:33 Other people don’t care about it as much as you

00:14:38 The line between education and toxic

00:18:43 Correcting in Judaism

00:21:43 Knowledge and Wisdom

00:29:01 Favorite Facts

00:32:53 Pub Trivia Team Names

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-93-um-actually

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

October 22, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 92 - Huntrix, Honmoon, and Holy Scrolls

This episode takes us to the Honmoon protected world of the K-Pop Demon Hunters movie. We explore the protection spell cast by Huntrix and find similarities with Jewish cultural symbols that could possibly have the same effect? We discuss what it means to create a barrier that keeps something out and what does that also then keep contained inside? Turns out physical and spiritual boundaries can shield us from the darkness, if you know what the blessings sound like.

00:00:38 K-Pop Demon Hunters phenomenon

00:02:13 Initial thoughts

00:05:07 The mezuzah and its customs

00:14:51 Is the Honmoon a mezuzah?

00:21:17 Demon hunting

00:22:38 Unique mezuzot

00:30:19 Soul created mezuzah

00:32:07 Other Jewish culture protection items

00:36:27 Other notes from K-Pop Demon Hunters

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-92-huntrix-honmoon-and-holy-scrolls

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

October 8, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 91 - Not Heroes. Not Alone.

Psalm 23 talks about walking through the shadow of death. Let’s walk into it together.

In this episode, we dive into one of the newer Marvel movies to hit the big screen through the lens of one of the most popular Psalm versus. We explore fear, trust, and the power of being alone. But the people who will guide us through this conversation are not heroes… far from it.

00:03:06 Psalm 23

00:06:11 The Thunderbolts

00:09:12 The pros and cons of being alone

00:17:37 The psalms are meant to give comfort

00:22:29 Who is You?

00:25:04 Not Giving Up

00:29:38 Heroes in our Sukkah

00:34:26 Favorite parts of The Thunderbolts

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-91-not-heroes-not-alone

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

September 25, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 90 - Brave New Mindset

As we reflect during this High Holy Day season, we’re diving into the Jewish concept of teshuva—turning, returning, and transforming. What does it mean to change, to repair, and to not be wholly defined by your past?

In this episode, we look at some truly marvelous characters wrestling with their pasts and the people they want to become. Along the way, we’ll apologize, we’ll grow, and then—depending on our emotions—we may grow just a little bit more.

00:00:40 Teshuva

00:04:24 Captain America: Brave New World

00:11:33 Changes to character

00:16:28 Apologizing

00:19:21 Final Battle Debate

00:26:08 Don’t be defined by your past

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-90-brave-new-mindset

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.

September 10, 2025

Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews

Episode 89 - Fantastic Four: First Tests

Finally, there was pretty strong Jewish representation in a Marvel movie!

In this episode, we venture through Marvel’s newest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps, with a look at this tale of sacrifice, testing, and trust. From cosmic children with unimaginable power to the silence of those around them, we explore how stories can sometimes wrestle with what it means to be called to give up what matters most.

00:01:34 Fantastic Four: First Steps Recap

00:02:36 Akedah - The binding of Isaac

00:07:21 Responding to the call for a sacrifice

00:10:49 An absolutely fantastic movie

00:11:24 Let’s look at who’s not talking now

00:13:57 Not Nathaniel, but Franklin, is all powerful

00:15:34 Silver Surfer as a Herald

00:17:43 Tests and Choices

00:20:13 Marvel’s Movie Judaism

00:31:06 Other movie nods

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-89-fantastic-four-first-tests

Connect with us online, purchase swag, support us with a donation, and more at www.torahsmash.com.