What is the issue with wearing a tie? Do you have to wear socks? Is it better to be big or small according to תורה? Why did the רבי stop יחידות? What is the point of a רבי why can’t we just serve ה׳? What is in Area 51? Does the Vatican have anything of ours? If antis and mishechistim both want to do what the רבי wants why do they always fight, and who is correct? Why do the לויים need to do the סדר on פסח if they weren’t part of the slavery? Can someone buy a seltzer for your teacher and mark it down by my cousins name? Can I listen to a song with an AI woman voice? Is a song made up by AI considered none jewish music? Why did Chabad lose its traits?

In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we hear intimate, firsthand memories of the early days of Postville and extraordinary stories surrounding the life and passing of the Rebbe’s mother, Rebbetzin Chana.Our Guest: Featuring Rabbi Vogel, a former Postville teacher and alumnus who shares vivid eyewitness accounts of Crown Heights history and key moments with the Rebbe. Key Takeaways: Unbelievable Kibbud Em: Discover how the Rebbe visited his mother daily for 20 minutes, carefully straightening chairs when leaving so he would never turn his back to her.Eyewitness to History: Hear dramatic moments from the day of Rebbetzin Chana's passing, including the Rebbe sitting on the floor of the van beside his mother and insisting on guarding her home.The Cemetery Incident: The detailed story of how the Rebbe personally pushed back crowds at the Levaya to ensure a plastic sheet containing blood was properly buried.Blessings on the Table: How the Rebbe stood on a table before Yom Kippur to repeat his annual blessing to the Bochurim so that everyone could hear clearly. Call to Action: If you enjoyed these inspiring historical reflections, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow alumni and friends!

Questions: How can we kill כנען? Can you use saliva for מים אחרונים? How does ר״י and ר״מ fit ? What is the difference between a שתוי and a שיכור? Why is 42 the answer of life? Why is it hard to wake up on time? Should there be cameras in the mikva? Why do we still die if אדם did תשובה? How do I become chasidic? Concepts: כנען מים אחרונים מחלוקת חזקיה ור אבהו בגמרא פסחים שתויי 🍷/שיכור רביעית יין 🍷 42 Sleep 🛌 Sleep apnea Cameras 🎥 אדם הראשון תשובה דרשות הר״ן חסידיש משפיע

In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we are joined by Chaim Kudan, an alumnus originally from Albany, New York, who shares his journey from the immersive atmosphere of Postville to his current dual roles in prison advocacy and communal leadership.Key highlights of this episode include: Advocacy for the Incarcerated: Chaim discusses his impactful work with the Aleph Institute, where he advocates for individuals in the federal prison system. He provides a fascinating look into how he helps inmates secure kosher food, access Tefillin, and navigate the challenges of the "whole chain of command" within the Bureau of Prisons.Shlichus in the Snow: Moving from the fourth floor of a Crown Heights apartment to the mountains, Chaim describes his current mission in Truckee, California. Located near Lake Tahoe, Chaim shares what it’s like to run a Chabad house in an area defined by pine trees and heavy snowfall rather than palm trees and sunshine.The Postville Transformation: Chaim reflects on how Postville was his first truly "immersive" and "authentic" Yeshiva experience. He shares a lasting lesson from a Farbrengen with Rabbi Gabriel Levin that instilled in him a lifelong commitment to saying Karbonus every morning.Advice for the Modern Bochur: Offering practical wisdom for current students, Chaim emphasizes that mornings are the most important part of the day and that one must "grab the day by its beard" to be successful. He also makes a strong case for the necessity of physical exercise for mental and spiritual health.Finding Greatness in Low Points: Chaim shares a powerful Dvar Torah based on his Bar Mitzvah Parsha, explaining why Moshe breaking the Luchos—traditionally seen as a low point—was actually his "crowning accomplishment" because it prioritized his love for the Jewish people over all else. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation that touches on professional advocacy, the power of a disciplined morning routine, and the value of internal growth over a simple change of scenery

Text Covered: Sefer HaTanya: Likkutei Amarim Perek 1 (Part 4) – From the AriZal's mapping of the four elements (Arba Yesodot: Eish, Mayim, Ruach, Offer) of the Nefesh HaBahamit and their nine negative Midos, through the innate good traits of Rachmanus and Gmilut Chassadim, to the concluding lines of Perek 1 analyzing Klipat Noga versus the three completely impure Klipot (Shalosh Klipot HaTmeiot).In this episode concluding Likkutei Amarim Perek 1, we examine how the Nefesh HaBahamit (Animal Soul) expresses itself through the four cosmic elements of Eish (Fire/Anger & Pride), Mayim (Water/Pleasure), Ruach (Air/Frivolity & Empty Talk), and Offer (Earth/Laziness & Depression). We discover why the Animal Soul of a Jew—originating from Klipat Noga—inherently possesses two natural good traits: Rachmanus (compassion) and Gmilut Chassadim (kindness), illustrated through the moving story of a WWII Jewish partisan who could not bring himself to act with cruelty. Finally, the shiur addresses the challenging conclusion of Perek 1, contrasting the translucent nature of Klipat Noga with the opaque nature of the three entirely impure Klipot, while exploring the Alter Rebbe's famous response during his imprisonment in Petersburg and the special status of Chassidei Umot HaOlam. Key Takeaways: The Blueprint of the Animal Soul (Arba Yesodot): The nine negative character traits (Midos) of the Nefesh HaBahamit stem directly from four physical and spiritual elements: Eish (Anger and Ga'avah), Mayim (Desire for Tanugim), Ruach (Frivolity, Leitzanus, and Dvorim Betelim), and Offer (Atzlut and Atzavut).Innate Goodness via Klipat Noga: Because a Jew's Nefesh HaBahamit derives from the translucent spiritual realm of Klipat Noga (a mixture of light and obscurity), every Jew naturally inherits two core virtues: Rachmanus (compassion) and Gmilut Chassadim (lovingkindness).Klipat Noga vs. Shalosh Klipot HaTmeiot: Unlike fully opaque Klipah which completely conceals Elokut, Klipat Noga can be elevated toward holiness, explaining the fundamental distinction in soul roots at the climax of Perek 1 as well as the unique soul-spark of Chassidei Umot HaOlam.

In this episode of the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, we sit down with Moshe Korf to discuss his journey from a "troubled bochur" to a successful professional and community member. Moshe shares his childhood roots in Delray Beach, Florida, and the pivotal moments that led him to Postville.Key highlights of this episode include: The Power of Environment: Moshe reflects on how a single summer camp experience without proper supervision led to a "cascading effect" on his religious observance, offering a cautionary tale about the importance of a supportive environment.The Cell Phone Saga: Moshe details his "low point" in Postville—clashing with Rabbi Levin over a hidden cell phone, which eventually led to his expulsion. He explains how this humbling experience became a major turning point, leading to a significant spiritual "aliyah" when he was eventually welcomed back.Yeshiva vs. College: Now working in construction project management, Moshe compares his academic experiences. He explains why the analytical thinking he developed through learning Gemara has been more valuable in the real world than his formal college education.Lessons in Tzedakah: Moshe shares why Tzedakah is his favorite mitzvah, drawing a fascinating parallel between Jewish law and neuroscience regarding how daily actions mold the brain and soul.Memories of Postville: From creating his own Sudoku puzzles to a legendary "heist" involving a borrowed projector, Moshe shares lighthearted stories of his time as a student. Join us for a candid conversation about resilience, the impact of honesty, and finding success by applying Yeshiva values to professional life

What does it look like to grow up in a remote Iowa town as it transforms into a bustling Jewish community—and then step up to help keep it afloat when crisis hits? Join us as Meir Simcha Rubashkin reveals the incredible, raw, and behind-the-scenes history of Postville, from hilarious early culture clashes to the intense aftermath of the 2008 federal raid.Our Guest: Meir Simcha Rubashkin grew up as one of the early pioneers of the Postville community. Years later, he stepped in to work the plant's kill floor and run the local kosher grocery during its most challenging times before starting his current path as a Chabad campus emissary in Oneonta, NY.Key Takeaways: The "Tarzan" Underwear Incident: A hilarious look at the early days of Postville and how a Rubashkin sibling set the record straight for local public school students about "Fruit of the Loom".The Bochurim Take Charge: The inside story of how Yeshiva students stepped up to address a lack of structure, leading directly to the hiring of a beloved new Rosh Yeshiva.Gutting Cows & FBI Visits: Meir Simcha's intense memories of working grueling shifts on the kill floor and running the community grocery store under the watchful eye of federal agents after the 2008 raid.The Cleveland Pizza Shop: The bizarre story of how a storage unit full of government-seized pizza parlor equipment brought the first made-to-order kosher pizza to Postville. Call to Action: If you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, please subscribe to the Postville Yeshiva Alumni Podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with fellow alumni!

What happens when an adult takes the law into their own hands to protect a child from a bully? Dive into a fascinating real-life Beis Din case that explores the Halachic limits of self-defense and parental authorityIn this Shiur, Rabbi Gavriel Levin breaks down a gripping case from the last 15 years involving a father who struck a community bully to defend his sonThe discussion navigates complex Halachic concepts, including Ovid Inish Dina L'nafshei (taking the law into one's own hands), the liability of Adam Muad L'olam (constant responsibility for damages), and the authority of modern Batei Din to enforce monetary penaltiesRabbi Levin also examines how pre-existing medical conditions affect liability and whether hitting someone on Shabbos provides a "loophole" for payment

Questions: How can the yiddin be chayuv gezaras kluyah if we are forever? Tzitzis touching your body applies in which material? Ball on Shabbos? Does a convert learn Torah in his mother’s stomach? Why do you sit in different spots for praying? Going across the see is there a difference in ותן ברכה/ טל? Is a man allowed to touch his unibrow? Is there a sicha about demanding good from hashem? A good question on Gemara ? Is there a problem with marrying and divorcing right after? Did the rebbe encourage Daf yomi? Why do a lot of Russians not have a bris? Can you take a question out of the box? Concepts: Ai on the rebbes Torah בגד המוכשר לציצית Undershirt פסקי תשובות This class is for intertanmaint only גר שנתגייר ביאור של החידא Learning Torah in our mothers stomach מקום קבוע לתפילה בקשת ותן טל ומטר איסור לא תלבש מתאווה לתפילתם של צדיקים Demanding from hashem המוציא מחבירו עליו הראיה Rabbi Kraz זנות אסור לאדם להינשא ע״מ לגרש דף יומי החוזרים של הרבי אגודת ישראל 🇮🇱 Culture

שאלות ותשובות Questions: Can you be a star gazer? And for a king to have stargazers? Are robatic prosthetics a problem on Shabbos? How much exercises do I need a day? Is candy considered food? Are you allowed to eat or drink before Shabbos? Are Mike and ikes kosher? Mivtzoim??? no farbrengens for shiur alef? How to express my desires..? Why do goyim have the pinch? Giving tzdakah while sleeping/drunk? Why no קווארטס in yeshivah? Are you able to bet online? Are you allowed to go fishing? Should a bochur skip shiur dalet? Why do polishers cry by ויפקד המלך? The blessing of hatov vihameitiv on wine? A question regarding monotery matters? Concepts: Astrology and astronomy Electricity on Shabbos Ask your doctor ביזיון אכילה טעימה לפני שקיעה בעש Beins קידוש אויף משקה Confectioners glaze Red80 משה פיינשטיין וד טעמים להתיר Farbrengens Purpose of the mashpiem GYE אתה לא מקשיב!!? גוים ויהודים ובחירה חופשית שכרותו של לוט שלימיל שלימזל נודניק אסמכתא /עוסק בישובו של עולם J b solovachik צער בעלי חיים