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Artwork for PopTorah

PopTorah

PopTorah
Taylor Swift
The Holdovers
Next Goal Wins
Paul Giamatti
Curb Your Enthusiasm
American Samoa National Football Team
Soccer
Mental Illness
Jon Stewart
Grief
Eras Tour
Morality and Ethics
The Fall Of the House Of Usher
Edgar Allan Poe
Opioid Epidemic
Pharmaceutical Industry
Wealth and Power
Purdue Pharma
Gothic Horror
Redemption

Welcome to PopTorah with Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky. Rabbis Michael Knopf and Jesse Olitzky are lifelong friends, pop culture fanboys, and lovers of all things Jewish. Join them every other week for a conversation about what’s going on in pop culture from a Jewish perspective and about Judaism through the lens of pop culture.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes155Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TV & FilmReligion & SpiritualityJudaism

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Artwork for PopTorah

Latest Episodes

In this episode of PopTorah, we break down Hulu’s Paradise — a gripping, twist-filled series about a so-called perfect society that quickly reveals its cracks. With full spoilers, we explore how Paradise wrestles with power, control, and the moral co... more

In this special Oscars episode of PopTorah, we dive into two of the most talked-about films of the year: Sinners and One Battle After Another. Both films wrestle with big questions about morality, power, violence, and the stories people tell to justi... more

In this episode of PopTorah, we dive into Marvel’s newest Disney+ series, “Wonder Man.” This isn’t just another superhero origin story. The show explores the tension between public image and inner truth, the seduction of fame, discovering your purpos... more

In this episode of PopTorah, Rabbis Knopf and Olitzky talk about Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, the HBO Max documentary celebrating Mel Brooks and a lifetime of unapologetic comedy. From The Producers to Blazing Saddles, Brooks never hid what he w... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman
Senior Associate Rabbi of Temple B'nai Jeshurun and co-founder of The Modern Jewish
Temple B'nai Jeshurun
Episode: Bringing ‘Nobody Wants This’ Before the Beit Din
Henry Bernstein
Bob Dylan enthusiast and podcaster
Songs of Experience, a Bob Dylan podcast
Episode: Knowing the ‘Complete Unknown’
Rabbi Talia Kaplan
Rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom and writer on religious topics
Congregation Beth Shalom
Episode: Who Wants ‘Nobody Wants This’?

Hosts

Rabbi Michael Knopf
Host of Pop Torah; longtime rabbi and cultural thinker who discusses Jewish life through media
Rabbi Jesse Olitzky
Co-host and cultural commentator who explores Judaism through pop culture and current media

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 26 ratings
  • Interesting mode of Torah study

    And exactly what I need after long workday. A proper mix of meaningful discourse and fun nonsense.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    troubledbridgeoverwater
    United Statesa year ago
  • For thinkers and pop culture enthusiasts

    Even if you haven’t seen the wide variety of programs and movies they discuss, the conversations are fascinating. Pop culture serves as a modern entry to age old philosophies found in biblical and rabbinic Torah. You don’t have to be observant or even media savvy to enjoy the discussions. This is a podcast for all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Deborahy2k
    United States6 years ago
  • Insightful and Fun

    I really enjoy this show. They bring an interesting perspective to pop culture.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JRR416
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the unique blend of Jewish learning and pop culture banter.
The conversations feel thoughtful yet accessible, even for non-observant listeners.
High-quality discussions make complex ideas approachable and engaging.

Top Judaism Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shadows, Light, and Stranger Things
Q: Did you believe that other characters were going to die?
Rabbi Knopf was pleasantly surprised that more people did not die, given the tension of the story.
The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’
Q: What do you think that Jewish tradition falls on this question of the subjectivity of good and evil?
It suggests that all humans are inherently evil but can choose good through their actions and environment.
The Good, The Bad, and The ‘Wicked’
Q: What jumps out to you?
The existence of wickedness and whether it's inherent or thrust upon individuals speaks to Jewish theological inquiry.
Special Episode — Israel at War
Q: Where were you when you heard about this and how did you hear about it?
Rabbi Olitzky shares that he glimpsed the news before going to shul and felt a routine heartbreak initially, but later grasped the extent of the tragedy over the day.
The Rabbis are (Still) Cray-Cray for Tay-Tay
Q: What do you think is the cause for that excitement and that obsession?
I would suggest that Taylor Swift is the most talented musician of the 21st century, not just because of her musical talents, but her combination of artistic expression and success.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About PopTorah

What is PopTorah about and what kind of topics does it cover?

PopTorah blends Jewish thought with pop culture through conversations between two rabbis who are lifelong friends and pop culture enthusiasts. Recent episodes commonly explore how humor, film, TV, and music intersect with Jewish identity, ethics, and communal life, often using films and series as springboards for philosophical and theological discussions. The show stands out for its warm, conversational style, accessible take on complex ideas, and a willingness to connect modern media to tradition in thoughtful, sometimes playful ways.

Where can I find podcast stats for PopTorah?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for PopTorah. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to PopTorah and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does PopTorah get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for PopTorah, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for PopTorah?

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How many subscribers and views does PopTorah have?

To see how many followers or subscribers PopTorah has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to PopTorah?

These podcasts share a similar audience with PopTorah:

1. Unholy: Two Jews on the News
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Pivot
4. MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

How many episodes of PopTorah are there?

PopTorah launched 7 years ago and published 155 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact PopTorah?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for PopTorah?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for PopTorah from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on PopTorah?

Recent guests on PopTorah include:

1. Rabbi Karen Glazer Perolman
2. Henry Bernstein
3. Rabbi Talia Kaplan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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