January 1, 2025
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 71 - The Wheel of New Years

The Wheel of Time turns, and we return with another episode for you. Did you know that Judaism celebrates four different new years? So, that means that American Jews celebrate 5 different New Years! And if you’re stuck in a time loop, the number is much higher than that! Join us as we celebrate and mark this time on our calendars. We share why time was invented, how we decide to mark time, and question the idea of time altogether!

00:01:48 Happy Four New Years!
00:06:52 The Wheel of Time Series
00:09:50 In A beginning
00:13:29 The observer’s anniversary versus the character’s anniversary experiences
00:14:29 Q’s Tapestry and other nerdy wheels of time
00:19:42 Spotify Wrapped and Steam winter sale
00:22:29 Nerd convention calendars
00:25:00 Paying attention to the other new years’
00:29:14 Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end
00:34:27 Why do we need time?
00:42:34 Remembering time and keeping time sacred

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December 18, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 70 - Torah Smash Jr.

There are some stories in Jewish tradition and history that put the children at the center of it all. Jacob and Esau as well as Joseph teach us some valuable lessons as adults. But aren’t children just meant to be sidekicks? And how old are the children of the Torah anyway? Let’s just hope that as they grow up, they’ve learned from the mistakes of their parents.

00:01:00 Jacob and Esau the adult children
00:03:13 Joseph the tattletale
00:06:35 Child character focused stories
00:12:11 Favorite child centered stories
00:17:43 Does having children in the story change the message?
00:19:19 Does younger age warrant more sympathy
00:24:05 Children are sidekicks, not heroes
00:26:47 In the Torah, age isn’t just a number
00:28:11 Replace an adult character with a child character
00:31:52 Carrying the sins of our parents
00:34:47 Closing thoughts on what we didn’t talk about

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December 4, 2024
Torah Smash! The Podcast for Nerdy Jews
Episode 69 - Die Hard is a Chanukah Movie …With Special Guest Arnon Shorr

Chanukah falls on Christmas Day this year, so what better way to celebrate this overlap than debating if the classic action film, Die Hard, is a Christmas movie or a Chanukkah movie? We review what makes a movie holiday specific, the subtle Chanukkah plotline, and the movie’s Jewish characters… one which may surprise you! Make sure that you cuddle on the couch with some latkes and gelt in the warm glow of your menorah, and say yippee-chai-yay to this (possibly) Chanukkah classic.

00:02:16 Popular Debate: Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie?
00:06:34 New Debate: Is Die Hard a Chanukah Movie?
00:06:55 What’s the right way to spell Hannukkahhh?
00:09:03 What does a film need in order to be a Chanukah movie?
00:13:52 Tha Chanukah Plot of Die Hard
00:17:04 The Jewish calendar of Die Hard
00:18:24 Challenging the premise of the holiday connection
00:28:18 Character and Actor connections
00:30:32 Die Hard’s Jewish Dad helps us get grounded
00:33:41 A critique of Christmas or culture?
00:37:50 Sergeant Al Powell’s Fan Theory
00:38:45 Final Chanukah notes
00:39:30 Other “Chanukah” movies

Share this episode with a friend: https://www.torahsmash.com/post/episode-69-die-hard-is-a-chanukah-movie

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