The Vision Behind the Teaching
Rabbi Shmuel Zev Juravel of South Fallsburg, New York, noticed a troubling pattern: many adults who were ehrliche Yidden (sincere, observant Jews) lacked basic knowledge in Hilchos Shabbos and other fundamental Torah concepts. He strongly believed that had they been taught these things in an easy and applicable manner when they were children, they would have had a much easier time learning and keeping Halachos as adults.
This observation became the driving force behind his life's work: making complex Halachos accessible and memorable through engaging stories and clear explanations.
The Teaching Method
Rabbi Juravel's genius lies in his ability to take complex ideas and transform them through entertaining stories into deep-rooted lessons that will remain with children (and their parents) for years to come. As one parent noted: “My children sit together for hours at a time listening to the CDs and drinking in the Torah.”
A key feature of Rabbi Juravel's approach is making Halachos immediately applicable. For example, in the “Falsely Accused” comic book, a character is commanded by a police officer to bend his glasses back into shape on Shabbos, but he refuses because it would be Makeh B'patish. This scenario provides children with an easy-to-remember application of an often misunderstood Melacha.
It is a known fact that Halachos learned through a story or parable are easier to remember. That, along with the excitement of engaging storytelling, creates long-lasting effects on the listener's knowledge of Hilchos Shabbos.
Every project begins with contacting various rabbonim to find out their most commonly asked questions or misconceptions. From there, Rabbi Juravel crafts stories to address these topics. No CD on Halacha is released without first getting haskomos (endorsements) on the entire content from numerous rabbonim. The dedication to accuracy means listeners can trust that what they're learning is correct according to Halacha.
“Whatever messages I hope to give over, I try to give myself. When Rav Dovid Lebowitz was giving a mussar shmuess in yeshiva, he used to say, 'I'm talking to myself. If anyone wants to listen, they can.' I feel the same way. I'm talking to myself, and my listeners and I are growing together.”
— Rabbi Shmuel Zev Juravel
Subjects Covered in Teachings
Comprehensive coverage of all 39 categories of creative work prohibited on Shabbos, taught through engaging stories that make complex laws memorable.
Teaching the distinctions between Shabbos and Yom Tov, what is permitted on holidays, and the reasoning behind these laws.
Covering basar b'chalav (meat and milk), ta'aruvos (mixtures), bittul b'rov, bishul b'shishim, nat bar nat, libun kal v'chamur, and practical kitchen scenarios.
Stories covering every single Parsha in the Torah, bringing the weekly portion to life and making it relatable to children.
Ahavas Yisrael, Ahavas Chaveirim, Kibbud Av Va'eim, Tzedakah, Tefillah, Simcha, Shmiras Halashon, and more.
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succos, Chanukah, Purim, Pesach, Shavuos, Tisha B'Av, and more—each holiday explored through stories.
Impact on Torah Education
It's no secret that Rabbi Juravel's CDs have had a tremendous effect on our youth and their Torah knowledge over the past few decades. Most frum young adults today can say that they can trace many of their yedios (knowledge) in Hilchos Shabbos or the Parshiyos Hashavua to Rabbi Juravel in some way or other.
His many CDs and books over the years have had a tremendous impact on children's understanding of the fundamentals of Yiddishkeit. This is largely due to the warmth that he instills into every story and Halacha, but more importantly, his ability to clearly explain complex Halachos in a manner that any child can understand and learn from.
A yungerman recently called, exclaiming, “I just heard the CD and learned more Yoreh Deah in one hour than in the last fifteen years!”
Not Just for Children
While designed primarily for children, Rabbi Juravel has a large adult audience as well. Many parents listen with their children, and numerous adults enjoy relaxing with Rabbi Juravel's CDs. The Kashrus series in particular has caught the attention of more adults than previous releases.
Adults ask: “Why should only the kinderlach know when we say bittul b'rov and bishul b'shishim? What nat bar nat means? What is libun kal v'chamur?” Even adults will benefit tremendously from these works, as noted in the haskomos from leading Poskim.
Current & Upcoming Projects
Featured on Matzav.com and 24Six, bringing weekly Torah insights to a broader audience.
Watch LecturesA new series going through Sefer Chofetz Chaim and elucidating each Halacha in story form.
Teaching the laws of blessings through the same innovative story-based approach.
Content on joy in life, developed for adult listeners. “There are so many problems in the world nowadays – we need to hang on to simcha.”
Explore Rabbi Juravel's complete catalog of Torah educational materials.