The Reddit forum r/Judaism is the world's largest anonymous Jewish community.  If you know the internet, and you've ever been in a comment section, you might think this faceless space would be cesspool of crazies, haters and pedants. And it sure would be if it weren’t for a handful of committed moderators: our guests in The Zal. We ask what it takes to maintain a forum whose mandate includes everything from complex legal clarification to Jewish feelings of loneliness to baby-Yoda Purim costumes. Together, we (try to) define anonymity, and ways to prevent its pitfalls while promoting its p ..read more

Tamir Goodman is the only basketball player in history to play at a D1 level while fully observing Shabbat. It’s a story that includes shocks, setbacks and lots of uplifting moments. Glancing at the Wikipedia version of Tamir’s story would lead most to exclaim “Yoshke! This guy sacrificed a lot to keep Shabbat!” But this isn’t how Tamir sees it. Shabbat kept him. The ups and downs of Tamir’s path were received with a sage-like equanimity which he attributes to wearing G-d’s jersey. Videos: Tamir's background; and the 1999 SNL skit with Jerry Seinfeld playing the "Jewish Michael ..read more

In the long list of liturgical “I’m Sorrys” Jews recite on Yom Kippur, there's one which continues with: “for the sin... of a confused heart.” But to the modern ear, confusion sounds like a pretty plausible excuse, not a mea culpa? Dovid and Adam are joined in The Zal by Nthenya from Kenya - comedian, screenwriter and actor. Don't miss her soon-to-be-released special “Domesticate Me." Music: A bit of shofar from the Yamma Ensemble. The inimitable Richard Poon sings "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne, Itzhak Perlman plays klezmer with The Klezmatics, and the ..read more

Can I replace my Rabbi with artificial intelligence? Do convenience and (the illusion of) privacy outweigh the power of the human touch? Will AI officiate weddings?  For now, Dovid will keep his job because he can lift chairs — still, the AI Age is upon us. Once-complex questions are being answered with algorithmic ease. But should all questions be answered by the soul-free machine? (And where does this "should" even come from?) In this episode, IBM 7094 gives speech a try (1961), Arthur C. Clark discusses "the future" (1964), and we hear some first words from an Arti ..read more

Nissim Black doesn't just ignore the haters, he studies them. The legendary musician knows there are people who see him as just another fad, an Orthodox Jewish rapper, a token intersection — but he's in it for the duration, batteries charged. Keep your New Year’s resolution of entering The Zal more often and come get a taste of Nissim's music. Plus: excerpts of other contemporary rappers from religious circles and, purportedly, the first rap track ever recorded. Nissim shares joy and loss and connections between his life, his art, and his community with big hats. Music from Matisyahu,&nbs ..read more

During times of crisis, weary eyes look for guidance. Is our eyesight just getting worse or has the nature of leadership really changed? Are we just crusty curmudgeons or are leaders not what they used to be?  Gotta be both. So: what do we do in this vacuum of guidance — should we be speaking more, or shutting up? This episode dedicated to our friend Dex Carvey, a creator of so much gone so much too soon. Some of Dex's fingerprints: this early stage comic-book series; opened for Dana Carvey's Netflix special (won't hear Dex, but he's entitled to 10% of all laughs); idea beh ..read more

During times crisis, weary eyes look toward inspiring leaders. Are we just crusty curmudgeons or are leaders not what they used to be? If we’re right, are poor followers to blame? When no leaders are stepping forward, does the obligation to lead fall on everyone? If yes, for all topics? On all forms of media? Thank you Zusha Band for the music. This episode is dedicated to Dex Carvey. Sweet dreaming ..read more

People are putting up and ripping down signs about hostages and casualties of war. People filming people filming, people losing jobs. We have a lot of questions. What consequences constitute "cancellation"? Is silencing a form of speech? What does the first amendment have to say about all of this? (And yes, cards on the table — we've got a lot more questions than answers.) We should probably ask, too: posting and ripping and firing and yelling... does any of it ever move the needle? Music: Naseer Shamma's solo oud from Baghdad in the intro, and Trace Adkins' "Help Me U ..read more

The war in Israel has shifted, or at least recast, certain political alliances - especially for progressive Jews. There was a tacit understanding in the minds of many, that if I march for your cause, you'll march for mine. Many of those who would march arm-in-arm for other humanitarian causes have discovered a newfound silence - or even taken up ranks on the anti-Israel side. And vice versa. In this episode we discuss: false binaries vs. that famous poem and pragmatic support vs. creepy motives. If this discussion is nothing else - it is a pretty solid (if we may say so) attempt at civilit ..read more

It feels both sad and true that it took this October's tragedies to rouse a oneness among Jews that would be a dream at times of peace. All too often, it's an outside threat that lumps us together as “the Jews.” In this episode, we talk about that lump. We talk about beards. Episode 40 was recorded in the good ol' days of a few weeks ago, before we were swallowed up. When we could whimsically dissect our differences with that constant belief: they don’t ultimately matter. We’ll be recording something soon that doesn't pretend the outside world doesn't exist — but in the meantime, here's a coup ..read more