What is a bad jew? What does it take to not be one? Is it anti-Semitic to say? Or is it just a phrase that Jews use to cruelly judge one another? Chaz Volk, a newly observant Jew, shares that the greatest way to embrace your identity is to question everything. And we mean EVERYTHING! Chaz questions the Torah, law, politics, standards, communities and even G-d itself in this confrontational and edgy show.
About Chaz:
Chaz Volk grew up in Thousand Oaks, California where he began Torah studies until he was Bar Mitzva'ed at Temple Etz Chaim. From a young age, he was very aware of his uniqueness and how he was the token-Jew outside of Jewish settings. In middle school, Chaz experienced his first taste of antisemitism which brought him closer to his identity, despite his adversaries' wishes. Later, he'd attend San Francisco State University, where he'd get deeply involved at SF Hillel as a volunteer and intern. SFSU's social climate and its perspective on Jews and Zionism became clear from an early point. He'd later become the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit known today as Volk v. CSU Board of Trustees. In this class action case, Chaz Volk and his representation won. Since then, Chaz has proudly immersed himself in his identity and partaken in communities across southern California. Most recently, Chaz's emotional awakening occurred on an organized trip to Israel. There he adopted new practices that he instilled in his lifestyle to this day. Today, he's a volunteer and frequent of Aish HaTorah's programming and plans to use this show to promote their programs, events, and resources along with valuable Jewish teachings.
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What is a bad jew? What does it take to not be one? Is it anti-Semitic to say? Or is it just a phrase that Jews use to cruelly judge one another? Chaz Volk, a newly observant Jew, shares that the greatest way to embrace your identity is to question everything. And we mean EVERYTHING! Chaz questions the Torah, law, politics, standards, communities and even G-d itself in this confrontational and edgy show.
About Chaz:
Chaz Volk grew up in Thousand Oaks, California where he began Torah studies until he was Bar Mitzva'ed at Temple Etz Chaim. From a young age, he was very aware of his uniqueness and how he was the token-Jew outside of Jewish settings. In middle school, Chaz experienced his first taste of antisemitism which brought him closer to his identity, despite his adversaries' wishes. Later, he'd attend San Francisco State University, where he'd get deeply involved at SF Hillel as a volunteer and intern. SFSU's social climate and its perspective on Jews and Zionism became clear from an early point. He'd later become the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit known today as Volk v. CSU Board of Trustees. In this class action case, Chaz Volk and his representation won. Since then, Chaz has proudly immersed himself in his identity and partaken in communities across southern California. Most recently, Chaz's emotional awakening occurred on an organized trip to Israel. There he adopted new practices that he instilled in his lifestyle to this day. Today, he's a volunteer and frequent of Aish HaTorah's programming and plans to use this show to promote their programs, events, and resources along with valuable Jewish teachings.
Want to engage with our online WhatsApp community?
Email: BadJewPod@gmail.com
Brand partnership: BadJewPod@gmail.com
IG: @badjewpod
TikTok: @badjewpod
How familiar are you with Torah? It's an important question because a lot of people simply remember the grand journey Moses takes and how he leads the people to Israel, and boom! You have the Torah. But it's so much more. In fact, outside of the 5 books of Moses you have The Talmud and Kabbalah and you have Pirkei Avot and you have this thing called Oral Torah versus Written Torah. Somewhere within the wide scope of what's considered Torah, you'll come across this book and wonder what's so special about this guy named Zohar.
The mysteries and wisdom of The Zohar is well known and studied by Rabbi Natan Halevy. His precise and detailed work has been a lifetime achievement passed down from generation to generation within his family. Rabbi Halevy teaches Chaz Volk, host of Bad Jew, the depths, teachings, and relevance of this essential piece in Jewish literature.
00:00 Introduction
07:13 Oral Torah
10:04 Essential teachings
14:53 The power in reading
19:04 Zohar predicts cell phone addiction
22:30 Connection to Israel, Torah, and God deeply
24:39 Balancing study with life's responsibilities is challenging.
28:08 Alleviating depression, spreading holiness.
32:42 God's existence is fundamental
33:41 Practicing mystical teachings today
About Rabbi Natan Halevy:
I grew up in Los Angeles, and with my parents and siblings, attended Kahal Joseph where I had my Bar Mitzvah in 1994. As the child of Iraqi parents, I have a powerful sense of the strong culture and traditon I come from. In 2005 I received my Rabbinical ordination from Rabbi Yitchak Yaroslavsky at Yeshivat Tomchei Tmimim in Israel. I then served as an assistant Rabbi in Chabad of Great Neck, NY before I returned to Los Angeles in 2008. I love studying all facets of Torah—from the Bible to the Talmud to the inner parts of Torah. I also have knowledge of many other modalities and philosophies that I feel may support us as Jews and people in this modern day and age. My wife Bracha and our children – Yosef Hayim, Menucha, Menachem, Noam, and Shimon – are very happy to be working with the wonderful Kahal Joseph community.
Contact Rabbi Natan Halevy:
RabbiHaLevy@KahalJoseph.org
IG @kahaljoseph
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE SPONSOR OF THIS EPISODE:
JEWISH BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS OF LOS ANGELES!
Become a big today! JBBBSLA.org/mentorship
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Bad Jew
What is a bad jew? What does it take to not be one? Is it anti-Semitic to say? Or is it just a phrase that Jews use to cruelly judge one another? Chaz Volk, a newly observant Jew, shares that the greatest way to embrace your identity is to question everything. And we mean EVERYTHING! Chaz questions the Torah, law, politics, standards, communities and even G-d itself in this confrontational and edgy show.
About Chaz:
Chaz Volk grew up in Thousand Oaks, California where he began Torah studies until he was Bar Mitzva'ed at Temple Etz Chaim. From a young age, he was very aware of his uniqueness and how he was the token-Jew outside of Jewish settings. In middle school, Chaz experienced his first taste of antisemitism which brought him closer to his identity, despite his adversaries' wishes. Later, he'd attend San Francisco State University, where he'd get deeply involved at SF Hillel as a volunteer and intern. SFSU's social climate and its perspective on Jews and Zionism became clear from an early point. He'd later become the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit known today as Volk v. CSU Board of Trustees. In this class action case, Chaz Volk and his representation won. Since then, Chaz has proudly immersed himself in his identity and partaken in communities across southern California. Most recently, Chaz's emotional awakening occurred on an organized trip to Israel. There he adopted new practices that he instilled in his lifestyle to this day. Today, he's a volunteer and frequent of Aish HaTorah's programming and plans to use this show to promote their programs, events, and resources along with valuable Jewish teachings.
Want to engage with our online WhatsApp community?
Email: BadJewPod@gmail.com
Brand partnership: BadJewPod@gmail.com
IG: @badjewpod
TikTok: @badjewpod
