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Torah With Simcha!

Torah With Simcha!

By: Simcha Lefton
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Torah with Simcha begins at a shtender in a living room, with children gathered around.

That is where most of these conversations started — not in a studio, not in a classroom, but at home, around a text, asking the questions that never get old. Who are we? What do we owe each other? What does it mean to live well?

Torah with Simcha brings those conversations to you. Each episode explores a passage, concept, or story from Torah — unpacked through teaching, discussion, and storytelling that brings the ancient world to life. Because the best way to understand a text is often through the stories that surround it.

Whether you are a lifelong learner, just beginning your Jewish journey, or simply someone searching for meaning — you are welcome here. No background required. Just an open mind and a willingness to listen.

Topics include weekly parsha, Jewish law and ethics, Talmudic stories, holiday observance, and the timeless questions that connect ancient wisdom to everyday life — told through the art of story.

New episodes released regularly.

Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com

Support the show: spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha

Presented for educational and spiritual purposes — with meaning.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/torah-with-simcha--4985090/support.Copyright Simcha Lefton Judaism Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • False Witnesses Exposed: The Torah's Stunning Chiddush on Eidim Zomemim

    False Witnesses Exposed: The Torah's Stunning Chiddush on Eidim Zomemim
    Jun 3 2026
    What happens when two witnesses testify about a murder — and then other witnesses prove they couldn't have been there? In this shiur, we dive into the fascinating halacha of Eidim Zomemim, using a vivid example: Reuven and Shimon claim they saw Jack kill Jill on top of Mount Trashmore in Evanston — but Levi and Yehuda prove they were in Atlantic City that very day. The Torah's chiddush, rooted in a pasuk in Shmos and unpacked through the Gemara's darshanim, is striking: not only is the original testimony nullified, but the witnesses themselves become pasul retroactively — disqualified as edim, not just disbelieved. Why does the Torah tell us to believe the latter witnesses over the former, even without logical reason to do so? The answer will change how you think about eidus forever.

    Timestamps:
    0:00 - Introduction & announcements
    0:45 - Introducing the sugya: What is Eidim Zomemim?
    1:30 - The Jack and Jill case: Reuven and Shimon testify in Beis Din
    3:00 - Setting the scene: Mount Trashmore, August 13th, the Chicago Beis Din
    4:15 - Levi and Yehuda's hazamah: "You were with us in Atlantic City"
    5:30 - The core question: Are Reuven and Shimon pasul only from now, or retroactively?
    6:30 - The Torah's chiddush: why we believe the latter witnesses (Gezeiras HaKasov)
    8:00 - The pasuk from Shmos (23:1) — Rav Aryeh Kaplan's Living Torah translation
    9:15 - The Gemara's darshan: edim convicted of sheker become pasul l'eidus entirely
    10:45 - The stunning conclusion: they're not just disbelieved — they are eidei sheker
    11:45 - Summary and closing thoughts

    #torahlearning #jewishpodcast #talmud #halacha #eidimzomemim #hazamah #falswitnesses #jewishlaw #shiur #dafyomi #mishnahtorah #rambam #gemara #beitdin #torahwithsimcha #jewishwisdom #orthodoxjewish #parshaweek #torahclass #jewishlife

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/torah-with-simcha--4985090/support.

    Torah with Simcha is produced by Kol Simcha Productions.
    New episodes released regularly — exploring Torah, Jewish thought, and the wisdom that connects ancient text to everyday life.
    Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com
    Content is shared for educational, spiritual, and inspirational purposes. Sources are cited to the best of our ability. If you find an error or have a question about a source, please email kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com and we will look into it promptly.
    Support the show — exclusive bonus content available to subscribers for just $2/month at spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha
    Not affiliated with any synagogue, rabbinical organization, or academic institution. All Torah discussion is offered in the spirit of learning — with meaning.
    Show More Show Less
    13 mins
  • The Profound Impact of Bikur Cholim: Rewards, Risks, and Spiritual Transformation

    The Profound Impact of Bikur Cholim: Rewards, Risks, and Spiritual Transformation
    Jun 2 2026
    Episode Title: The Profound Impact of Bikur Cholim: Rewards, Risks, and Spiritual Transformation Timestamp Breakdown:
    • 00:00-01:07: Introduction to Bikur Cholim (visiting the sick) as one of six mitzvahs with benefits in this world and ultimate reward in the Next World (Olam Haba). Explanation of "Gamila's Chasadim" (acts of kindness) and the meaning of giving without expecting gratitude.
    • 01:07-02:12: The profound impact of Bikur Cholim on one's spiritual judgment. How it can tip the scales for someone with balanced merits and sins, transforming a "Beinani" (intermediate person) into a "Tzadik" (righteous person).
    • 02:12-03:18: Specific rewards for visiting the sick, including salvation from Gehennim (purgatory), a longer life, protection from enemies and evil inclination, honor, and true friends. The concept of "Mida K'neged Mida" (measure for measure) in these rewards.
    • 03:18-04:30: The severe consequences of neglecting Bikur Cholim, comparing it to bloodshed and idol worship. Unique opportunities and risks for professionals in healthcare settings who are constantly presented with this mitzvah. Summary of the episode's scope.
    • 04:30-04:47: Community and professional responsibility, an unresolved question about why Bikur Cholim uniquely impacts spiritual status, and open topics for future discussions.
    20 Hashtags:
    1. #BikurCholim
    2. #JewishMitzvah
    3. #ActsOfKindness
    4. #OlamHaba
    5. #SpiritualRewards
    6. #Tzedakah
    7. #MidaKnegedMida
    8. #Tzadik
    9. #Gehennim
    10. #Teshuva
    11. #HealthcareEthics
    12. #CommunityResponsibility
    13. #JewishLaw
    14. #KindnessMatters
    15. #NeglectConsequences
    16. #TorahStudy
    17. #Halacha
    18. #SpiritualGrowth
    19. #HumanitarianAid
    20. #JewishValues


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/torah-with-simcha--4985090/support.

    Torah with Simcha is produced by Kol Simcha Productions.
    New episodes released regularly — exploring Torah, Jewish thought, and the wisdom that connects ancient text to everyday life.
    Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com
    Content is shared for educational, spiritual, and inspirational purposes. Sources are cited to the best of our ability. If you find an error or have a question about a source, please email kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com and we will look into it promptly.
    Support the show — exclusive bonus content available to subscribers for just $2/month at spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha
    Not affiliated with any synagogue, rabbinical organization, or academic institution. All Torah discussion is offered in the spirit of learning — with meaning.
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Bikur Cholim: Exploring the Mitzvah and its Reward

    Bikur Cholim: Exploring the Mitzvah and its Reward
    Jun 2 2026
    Episode Title: Bikur Cholim: Exploring the Mitzvah and its Rewards Time-stamp Breakdowns:
    • 0:00 - 1:17: Introduction and Recap of Previous Parts (Sources, Rabbinic vs. Biblical, Reasons for the Mitzvah).
    • 1:17 - 2:29: When to Visit - Part 1 (Initial vs. Later Days of Illness).
    • 2:29 - 3:35: Visiting on Shabbat (Halachic Considerations and Contradictions).
    • 3:35 - 4:56: Rewards for Bikur Cholim: Introduction to Chazal's Teachings.
    • 4:56 - 6:18: Six Mitzvot with Rewards in This World (Achnasus Orchim, Bikur Cholim, Gimilus Chasadim).
    • 6:18 - 8:52: The Tosfos' Explanation: Reward in This World vs. Olam Haba (Balancing the Scale of Mitzvot).
    • 8:52 - 11:13: Hashem Tilting the Scale & Bikur Cholim's Impact on Being a "Tzadik Gamor."
    • 11:13 - 12:35: Pondering the "Tzadik Gamor" Aspect of Bikur Cholim.
    • 12:35 - 14:29: Saving from Gehenim (Rav's Teaching and Tehila Mem Aleph Baiz).
    • 14:29 - 15:45: Rewards in This World: Protection, Life, and Honor.
    • 15:45 - 17:07: Explanations from HaKoren Or: Three Purposes of Visiting (Teshuva, Needs, Honor).
    • 17:07 - 20:17: Mida K'neged Mida (Measure for Measure) in Bikur Cholim's Rewards (Teshuva, Honoring, Friendship).
    • 20:17 - 21:09: The Punishment for Neglecting Bikur Cholim (Similar to Spilling Blood).
    • 21:09 - 22:35: The Severity of Neglecting - Compared to Idolatry (Hiding Eyes from Tzedakah).
    • 22:35 - 24:06: Continuous Opportunity in Hospitals/Nursing Homes vs. Infrequent Visits.
    • 24:06 - 24:55: Reiteration of the Neglect's Severity.
    20 Hashtags:
    1. #BikurCholim
    2. #Mitzvah
    3. #JewishLaw
    4. #Halacha
    5. #Chazal
    6. #TorahStudy
    7. #OlamHaba
    8. #SpiritualGrowth
    9. #VisitingTheSick
    10. #TzadikGamor
    11. #Gehenim
    12. #MidaKnegedMida
    13. #Teshuva
    14. #GimilusChasadim
    15. #Hashem
    16. #Reward
    17. #Punishment
    18. #Chesed
    19. #RoshHashanah
    20. #JewishWisdom


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/torah-with-simcha--4985090/support.

    Torah with Simcha is produced by Kol Simcha Productions.
    New episodes released regularly — exploring Torah, Jewish thought, and the wisdom that connects ancient text to everyday life.
    Contact: kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com
    Content is shared for educational, spiritual, and inspirational purposes. Sources are cited to the best of our ability. If you find an error or have a question about a source, please email kolsimchaproductions@outlook.com and we will look into it promptly.
    Support the show — exclusive bonus content available to subscribers for just $2/month at spreaker.com/organization/kol-simcha
    Not affiliated with any synagogue, rabbinical organization, or academic institution. All Torah discussion is offered in the spirit of learning — with meaning.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
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