July 31, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 60 - All Nerds Think About Is Sects …with Special Guest Melissa Raub

Judaism is divided into sects or branches, but they all share a few core beliefs. We agree that they don’t sit on a spectrum, but perhaps they live in some kind of venn diagram? But, reviewing the sects of Judaism isn’t enough for us, we also explore the sects of Nerdaism. Or, as Barak preferred to call them, the cool kids tables.

00:03:21 The denominations of Judaism
00:04:51 Nerds and Geeks and Dorks and Dweebs
00:05:15 Breaking down the differences in Judaism
00:17:42 Save the Scranton Paper Tower
00:18:22 Breaking down the differences at the cool kids tables
00:20:40 Just Jews and Just Nerds
00:23:52 Torah Smash 5 Year Quest
00:25:40 How does one translate to the other?
00:28:46 Paul Rudd Marvel Nerd?
00:32:32 Knowing someone helps to welcome them
00:33:40 Mitzvahflix
00:36:42 What type of nerdy Jew are you?

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July 17, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 59 - The Messiah Element

Not the first element, hydrogen. Not the second, the third, or even the fourth element. No, this episode is about the Fifth Element, and it’s just… perfect. Grab a flying taxi and head to the (for some reason) garbage filled airport because you won two tickets aboard the Flohston Paradise cruise ship! Is it possible to save the world from destruction? Or is that actually how we save it? Join us meat popsicles as we discuss the future of the galaxy. But first, do you have your multipass?

00:01:05 Our second “97” property in a row
00:03:22 Recapping The Fifth Element
00:06:01 The Jewish concept of messiah
00:08:40 Isaiah 7:14
00:10:22 The perfect being
00:14:11 Creating from destruction
00:16:29 War vs Love
00:19:11 RDY’s Messianic Theology
00:23:22 Bringing about the messiah
00:26:27 Questions of the heavenly court
00:29:21 The name of the messiah
00:34:48 Childlike wonder and trash
00:38:10 Barak’s favorite afikomen
00:39:18 How would you imagine a saved world?
00:40:16 Any final points

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July 3, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 58 - X-Men Again Again …with Guest Host Joel Swedlove

In this episode, our guest host, Joel Swedlove, leads our team through a quote quote from a rabbi with a funny name name. We discuss the ever popular X-Men ‘97 animated series that recently completed and explore the similarities and differences in how we watched it. Not just because it’s a different show, but because we are different people than when we first saw it. You’re not gonna wanna miss this one, bub!

00:04:30 Joel keeps us on track
00:05:03 Put out the Bat SigNal
00:05:57 Starting with a quote quote from a rabbi with a funny name name
00:09:33 X-Men ‘97
00:13:32 Reboots, sequels, and requels
00:17:25 Knowing every character or story arc ahead of time
00:23:45 MCU’s struggles with completionist homework
00:26:33 Keeping Magneto’s impactful Jewish background
00:29:25 The timeless X-Men story
00:32:27 Fun fact about Menachem Begin’s X-men connection
00:35:10 There is nuance between good and bad
00:44:16 The X-Men will return

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-58-x-men-again-again

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