Best Shabbat Observance Podcasts (2025)

101
Elul: High Holiday Foreplay 38:22

Play Pause

6d ago38:22

38:22

Buckle up, sports fans, it’s synagogue pre-season—a.k.a. Elul, the Hebrew month of spiritual preparation directly before the High Holidays. It's somehow both a marathon and a sprint for observant Jews and their leaders: synagogue staff, rabbis and cantors prepare to go into overdrive writing sermons, leading prayers, facilitating spiritual experien…

1
How can anyone be certain of anything happening in Israel? 28:00

19d ago28:00

28:00

Depending on which side of the political spectrum you're on, and which media outlets you trust, you perspective of what's happening in Israel and Gaza will be extremely different. And chances are, regardless of which stance you take, you're missing critical pieces of information. For our rabbi podcasters, who have dedicated their lives to knowledge…

1
The Jewish Angle: Is it ‘lashon hara’ to make fun of the Coldplay Jumbotron couple? 35:09

1M ago35:09

35:09

We're taking some time off to recharge this summer and prepare for new projects at The CJN. Instead of a new episode, we're bringing you another podcast from The CJN: The Jewish Angle, hosted by former Bonjour Chai host and current opinion editor at The CJN, Phoebe Maltz-Bovy. Avi Finegold is her guest. Not in Heaven will be back soon—stay tuned. T…

1
18. Lighting Shabbos Candles When You Are A Guest 19:11

1M ago19:11

19:11

If you're staying at someone else’s home or a hotel, do you still light Shabbos candles? And if you do… should you make a bracha? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic layers of being an ore’ach—a guest—and whether lighting in someone else’s space fulfills the mitzvah of hadlakat nerot. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, the Shulchan Aruch, the Rema, an…

1
17. Neon Shabbos Lights 23:20

1M ago23:20

23:20

Can Shabbos candles be electric? What about fluorescent bulbs or LED lights? Rav Shlomo Katz dives into the halachic and spiritual criteria for fulfilling the mitzvah of Hadlakat Nerot. What qualifies as a kosher Shabbos light, and why?By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
16. Do We Light Before Blessing on the Candle？ 15:37

1M ago15:37

15:37

There’s a beautiful dance at candle-lighting time, but who leads first: the flame or the blessing? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the two primary minhagim surrounding the order of lighting Shabbos candles and reciting the bracha. Why do some light first and others bless first? What’s the deeper reasoning behind each approach? And how does this moment whi…

1
15. How Many Candles Do I Light？ 15:01

1M ago15:01

15:01

Is one candle enough, or should you light one for every member of your household? Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic foundations and evolving customs behind Shabbos candle lighting. From the Mishnah in Bameh Madlikin to the teachings of Peninei Halakha, we look at how oil, wicks, and even Shalom Bayis all play a part in the flame. We also unpack…

1
14. Why Are Women The Ones Who Light The Shabbos Candles？ 18:04

1M ago18:04

18:04

Why is the mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles traditionally given to women, and where should the candles be lit? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha the deeper reason behind women’s role in lighting Shabbos candles, and the practical halachos that come with it.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
13. Lighting Shabbos Candles 10:00

1M ago10:00

10:00

Where did the mitzvah of lighting Shabbos candles come from? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the origins and halachic purpose of this cherished obligation. More than just a tradition, lighting candles brings shalom bayit, oneg, and kavod Shabbat into the home, transforming the atmosphere and marking the sacred transition from week…

1
12. Can You Daven Mincha After Accepting Shabbos? 28:10

1M ago28:10

28:10

What happens if you accept Shabbos early, but haven’t davened Mincha yet? Can you still pray a weekday Mincha after taking on Tosefet Shabbos? Rav Shlomo Katz walks us through the dance between Torah law and rabbinic law, intention and obligation, personal timing and communal practice. From the flickering candles of Friday afternoon to the timing o…

1
11. My Word Means Something 23:02

1M ago23:02

23:02

What is the proper way to acknowledge Tosefet Shabbat and actually make it real? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha how taking in Shabbos early isn’t just about lighting candles or watching the clock. It’s about intention, declaration, and honoring the power of your own word. Because when you say, “It’s Shabbos now,” it becomes Shabbos. An…

1
10. Tosefes Shabbos 21:00

1M ago21:00

21:00

Is adding onto Shabbos a luxury or an obligation? Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the mitzvah of Tosefes Shabbos—extending the boundaries of holiness by welcoming Shabbos in early and saying goodbye a little later. We explore the halachic sources behind this practice and uncover its deeper meaning: how a few extra minutes can tran…

1
9. When Does Shabbos Begin？ 27:24

1M ago27:24

27:24

The moment Shabbos begins isn’t as simple as sunset. Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the halachic weight of twilight—bein hashmashot—and how it shapes the way we welcome in the holy day. We explore how this in-between time carries deep significance, both legally and spiritually. Because knowing when Shabbos begins helps us know ho…

1
8. Irrigation System, Shabbos Clocks & Cruises 35:55

1M ago35:55

35:55

When it comes to Shabbos clocks, going on cruises, & even watering your garden, the world of Halacha provides for us a beautiful way of honoring Shabbos.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
7. A Holy Friday Afternoon 21:29

1M ago21:29

21:29

Rav Shlomo Katz learns from Peninei Halakha about the do’s and don’ts of Erev Shabbat: what we should avoid in the final hours before candle lighting, and what we’re meant to embrace. Because how we transition into Shabbos sets the tone for everything that follows. When approached with intention, even the busiest Erev Shabbat becomes part of the ho…

1
6. Last Minute Preparations 16:11

1M ago16:11

16:11

Rav Shlomo Katz continues learning Peninei Halakha and covers the halachot and practical guidelines around last-minute preparations for Shabbos—what’s permitted, what to be careful with, and how to enter Shabbos with presence, even when time is short.By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
5. Borrowing Money for My Oneg Shabbos 19:17

1M ago19:17

19:17

How far should you go to honor Shabbos? I Rav Shlomo Katz explores the halachic and emotional tension between wanting to give Shabbos everything and being honest about our financial reality. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, the Rambam, and the words of Chazal, we learn when borrowing for Oneg Shabbos is a mitzvah, and when it crosses the line into fal…

1
4. Keeping Shabbos by Preparing for Shabbos 33:19

1M ago33:19

33:19

If Shabbos is a taste of Gan Eden, why does Friday afternoon so often feel like Gehinom? Rav Shlomo Katz explores how proper preparation is not just helpful, it’s halacha. Drawing from Peninei Halakha, we learn how getting ready for Shabbos is part of keeping Shabbos itself, and how small shifts during the week can bring peace, presence, and joy in…

1
3. A Day for Soul Expression 23:01

1M ago23:01

23:01

Why do our Sages consider Shabbos to be a taste of the World to Come? Because on Shabbos, the soul finally gets to speak. In this episode, Rav Shlomo Katz learns through Peninei Halakha to uncover how Shabbos gives voice to the neshama—a day when we pause the noise, the chase, and the pressure, and make space for what’s eternal. Shabbos is about re…

1
2. Remembering Shabbos During the Week 29:42

1M ago29:42

29:42

Shabbos doesn’t start on Friday night. It starts on Sunday. Rav Shlomo Katz learns through Peninei Halakha to show how the mitzvah of “Zachor et Yom HaShabbat”—remembering Shabbos—actually applies to every day of the week. Whether it’s how we speak, plan, shop, or prepare, each day draws meaning from the Shabbos it leads to. With insights from the …

1
1. Am I A Zachor Or Shamor Type Of Jew？ 40:03

1M ago40:03

40:03

Do I keep Shabbos or am I just making sure that I don't mechalel Shabbos?By Rav Shlomo Katz

1
Brave Jew World: The future of Judaism and AI, feat. David Zvi Kalman 53:15

1M ago53:15

53:15

David Zvi Kalman, a research fellow at the Hartman Institute and Sinai and Synapses, is one of the foremost thinkers looking at the intersection of artificial intelligence and Jewish life. While many in the Jewish community worry about destruction of past traditions, Kalman looks to the future. He looks at what could be the next big transformation …

1
The great Cholent debate + Grok's wild antisemitism 49:13

2M ago49:13

49:13

It’s a brave new world out there for the Jews. Over the past two weeks, we've seen a series of stories published showing the ways new technologies are affecting Jewish life, from bot armies to A.I.-generated memes to racist Elmo to chatbots who think their surname is Hitler. But are any of these technologies creating new avenues for Jewish living (…

1
Small-tent Judaism: The way of the future? 37:54

2M ago37:54

37:54

Jewish congregations and institutions—particularly non-Orthodox ones—often focus on how they can be more appealing and accessible to the growing number of Jews who feel like religion isn't for them. This has resulted in "big tent Judaism", which may have swung the door open for the masses—but has it also diluted Jewish spaces and expertise? Recentl…

1
UJA, JNF, ADL, CIJA... TTYL? 41:58

2M ago41:58

41:58

Over the last century, North American Jews have poured untold millions of dollars into an alphabet soup of legacy institutions: UJA, CIJA, ADL, JNF, et al. And yet, after 19 months of rising antisemitism—while Canadian and American Jewish communities feel like they're free-falling through a crisis—many have been asking, "What have we been giving al…

1
Rabba Yedida and the taxonomy of orthodoxy 46:13

2M ago46:13

46:13

In 2013, Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold, one of the first graduates of Yeshivat Maharat—a trailblazing institution in the Orthodox world that ordains women clergy leaders—became the first Maharat hired as clergy at an Orthodox synagogue, Montreal’s 175-year-old Congregation Shaar Hashomayim. Fast forward more than a decade to June 2025, and Yedida Eise…

1
Shabbat-observant Jews: Keep your phone on for war updates, or stay religiously offline? 45:20

3M ago45:20

45:20

Observing Shabbat is one of the most important markers of religious Jewish identity and defining rhythms for religious communal Jewish life. It’s one of the 10 commandments, alongside not murdering people. When the Talmud gives an example of the ultimate religious transgression, it doesn't say eating a BLT—the example is public desecration of the s…

1
Debating the World Zionist Congress: Should Diaspora Jews get a say in Israeli affairs? 39:14

3M ago39:14

39:14

Have you heard of the World Zionist Congress before? Until relatively recently, a lot of people hadn't—including two hosts of The CJN's Not in Heaven podcast. Yet, perhaps owing to the impact of Oct. 7 and the wide-reaching effects of the Israeli government's actions on the Jewish Diaspora, Jews around the world have found themselves not only sudde…

1
How to speak to your kids about the Washington murders 37:16

3M ago37:16

37:16

The world feels increasingly unsafe for Jews. Digital spaces are riddled with antisemitic rhetoric. Israel recently issued a travel warning for Jews visiting Canada. And, last week, threats turned real when Elias Rodriguez allegedly shot and killed two Israeli embassy staffers outside the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., shouting about a free Pal…

1
Are denominations still relevant? 43:50

3M ago43:50

43:50

Recently, Congregation Dorshei Emet—the only Reconstructionist synagogue in Quebec, and the oldest in Canada—took a major vote on whether to secede from the official Reconstructing Judaism movement. A microcosm of the province in which it resides, the "remain" faction won. But the results could not mask the increasing schism, which, in turn, has re…

1
1 in 3 Canadian Jews have a non-Jewish spouse. What does that mean for the country's Jewish future? 37:56

4M ago37:56

37:56

A new study on Canadian Jewry was recently published by Robert Brym and Rhonda Lenton in Canadian Jewish Studies, an academic journal out of York University. The numbers show that intermarriage is no longer as rare as it used to be in Canada, with 30 percent of Canadian Jews marrying outside their faith. Some key takeaways: younger Jews are more li…

1
Burlesque Shabbat and kosher omakase: Is this really the future of Judaism? 40:07

4M ago40:07

40:07

Mainstream Jewish communal leaders have, for ages, been talking about "skewing younger" with programming. But none of them would dare come near Sinners' Shabbat, a sexy, raunchy burlesque show, ripe with bondage ropes, leather skirts, cleavage and kippot and queer couples. Helmed by Tova Sterling, a chef and influencer in New York City, the ev…

1
How do we memorialize events when we're still living through them? 48:10

4M ago48:10

48:10

Most Jewish holidays date back thousands of years. We commemorate the time when an ancient Persian with a triangle hat tried to kill the Jews, when the Maccabees rededicated the temple in Jerusalem, when we escaped slavery in Egypt and the seas parted ways. But in the past century, Jews have added three new holidays, all of which fall in the span o…

1
Should rabbis politicize the pulpit? 35:16

4M ago35:16

35:16

It's election season in Canada, with a record-breaking 7.3 million voters having already cast their ballots ahead of April 28. And between Passover seders and weekly Shabbat sermons, there's been no shortage of opportunities for Jewish communal leaders to weigh in on federal affairs during this high-stakes election cycle. But should they? An Israel…

1
The Fourth Annual Great Canadian Seder 59:40

5M ago59:40

59:40

It's that time of year again, when all of us at Bonjour Chai reach out to noteworthy, interesting, prominent Canadian Jews to share their thoughts, stories and memories of Passover. This is the fourth annual Great Canadian Seder, featuring political musings on national borders, Donald Trump and Israeli hostages; nostalgia for a bygone Canada; and o…

1
Conscious Uncoupling 28:24

5M ago28:24

28:24

Quick editorial announcement: after four years of weekly shows this will be the final regular episode of Bonjour Chai. After Passover, this podcast feed will be relaunching as Not in Heaven, a series focusing on the future of Jewish communal life in Canada and beyond. Avi Finegold will remain as host, and he'll be joined by a panel of bright, funny…

1
Hasid or Hipster? 36:02

6M ago36:02

36:02

For years, Heeb was the Jewish hipster's answer to _Vice—_an early 2000s-era counter-cultural protest in print form, dripping with satirical comedy and anti-establishment sentiment. Sometimes, the editorial team would push the envelop too far—the magazine was famously criticized for publishing photos of Roseanne Barr dressed as Adolf Hitler, holdin…

1
Is Trump the New Achashverosh? 40:29

6M ago40:29

40:29

On March 13, nearly 100 protesters were arrested for storming Trump Tower in New York City. Their cause? Not government cuts, Medicaid, migrant rights or the cost of living. They were protesting in the name of Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old pro-Palestinian student who became a lead organizer of the campus protests at Columbia University last spring.…

1
Twin Peaks 39:51

6M ago39:51

39:51

Two antisemitism summits occurred this week: one hosted by the Anti-Defamation League in the United States, and the other by the federal government in Ottawa. And while, in both countries, there is an understanding that these sorts of summits and conferences rarely lead to change—is the alternative any better? As the world backslides into populist-…

1
Two Rights Make a Wrong 39:56

6M ago39:56

39:56

For decades, it has been broadly accepted in the Jewish community that Meir Kahane—founder of the Jewish Defense League, accused terrorist in Israel and the United States, ultra-nationalist character—is an extremist outlier whose ideas are decidedly not mainstream. And yet, because ultra-nationalism is in vogue again, perhaps it was only a matter o…

1
You Can't Spell TDSB Without BDS 45:36

7M ago45:36

45:36

Last week, the Toronto District School Board held two virtual meetings that lasted seven hours each. In those 14 hours, trustees were set to vote on whether to receive a report on antisemitism in the county's biggest public school system—a report that offered 32 recommendations for confronting and mitigating antisemitism in public schools. Once aga…

1
Serenity Now 43:51

7M ago43:51

43:51

Valentine's Day, for most people, is a day to celebrate love. For the more neurotic among us, we might be inclined to spend the day analytically dissecting our romantic lives and partnerships. There are conflicting truths about modern relationships: we have to accept that our partners are special, sacred and worth fighting for; and, at the same tim…

1
Gaza is the 52nd State 36:26

7M ago36:26

36:26

U.S. President Trump's threats of tariffs and making Canada a 51st state has sparked a resurgent nationalism across Canada. In progressive neighbourhoods, Canadian flags have replaced Palestinian ones; in Conservative messaging, federal leader Pierre Poilievre has stopped claiming Canada is "broken" and started defending it from our southern neighb…

1
Why Did the Nazi Cross the Road? 46:26

7M ago46:26

46:26

Last week, billionaire internet troll Elon Musk made headlines (including several at this publication) for making what appeared to be a Nazi salute at the inauguration of Donald Trump. When, in the following days, he was accused of being a Nazi by many people and organizations, he responded with a series of Nazi puns in a tweet, a la, "Some people …

1
Raise Your Hand if You Like Trump 50:49

7M ago50:49

50:49

Donald Trump has wasted no time in his first days as president of the United States in signing executive orders to enforce mass deportations, gender laws and American expansionism. And within this new Republican omnicause, support for Israel has become a mainstay. In the inauguration, Rabbi Ari Berman delivered a presidential blessing that took a s…

1
Deal or No Deal 25:19

8M ago25:19

25:19

The world is sitting in suspense in anticipation of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which would end the 15-month war that has devastated Gaza and caused mass protests worldwide. Will it happen Sunday, as planned? Will it be delayed until Monday? Will the whole thing fall through? What are the ramifications for the key political leaders i…

1
You Had Me at Goodbye 56:25

8M ago56:25

56:25

With Justin Trudeau's announced resignation as prime minister and Liberal leader this week, media pundits wasted no time in penning their reflections, looking back at nine years of how Trudeau changed the Canadian political landscape. One such pundit is Jonathan Kay, an editor at the online magazine Quillette, whose article, "Shame on Us for Ever B…

1
Freeland of Expression 43:04

9M ago43:04

43:04

This week's abrupt resignation of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland from cabinet has rocked the federal government. It happened the same day Sean Fraser, the minister of housing, infrastructure and communities, stepped down; both he and Freeland join a long and growing list of cabinet members and Liberal backbenchers either resigning their cabinet…

1
The Z Word 1:03:05

9M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

This week, the New Israel Fund of Canada, JSpace Canada and Canadian Friends of Peace Now released a survey of 588 Jewish Canadians that aimed to figure out the community's relationship to Israel. In short: it's complicated. The survey, managed by Leger, found that 94 percent of respondents agreed Israel "has the right to exist as a Jewish state"—y…

1
Pushy Pencils 28:59

9M ago28:59

28:59

The war between Israel and Hamas has claimed yet another casualty in the Canadian arts world: Broken Pencil, an independent magazine that has covered zine culture since 1995, has been shut down. Founder and publisher Hal Niedzviecki wrote on their website that "the values of the zine and small press community have shifted," adding that "the relentl…