Moses, Angels, and the Torah's Hidden Secret with Yaffa Epstein | Illuminating Torah 1 of 3

What does it really mean to receive the Torah — and is it actually designed for imperfect people? In this illuminating first installment of our special three-part Shavuot Torah series, Jewish Insights host Justin Pines sits down with Rabba Yaffa Epstein to explore two extraordinary stories from the Babylonian Talmud that reveal the behind-the-scenes drama of Moses ascending to receive the Torah at Sinai. From Moses' epic battle with the angels (Tractate Shabbat 88b–89a) to his humbling time-travel into Rabbi Akiva's study hall (Tractate Menachot 29b), these ancient stories carry a radical and deeply human message: the Torah was not given despiteour imperfections — it was given because of them. About Rabba Yaffa Epstein: Rabba Yaffa Epstein is Senior Scholar and Educator in Residence at the Jewish Education Project - https://www.jewishedproject.org/elevating-bold-ideas-jewish-education, with decades of experience as a teacher, scholar, and institutional leader. She previously served as Director of the Wexner Heritage Program, and as Director of Education, North America for the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, where she was also a faculty member. She has taught at Yeshivat Maharat and the Drisha Institute, and has partnered with organizations including the Jewish Federations of North America, UJA New York, the Covenant Foundation, Repair the World, and Hillel. A sought-after Scholar and Educator in Residence, she has lectured at Limmud events worldwide and created educational programming for communities across the denominational spectrum. Rabba Epstein holds Orthodox Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshivat Maharat and an additional private Orthodox Ordination from Rabbi Daniel Landes. She earned a Law Degree from Bar-Ilan University and studied Talmud at Hebrew University. In 2024, she received the prestigious Covenant Award for outstanding contributions to Jewish education. Her writing has appeared in the SAPIR Journal, the Jerusalem Post, and numerous Jewish publications.  Part 1 of 3 — Illuminating Torah: A Shavuot Series Don't miss the full series! Like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don't miss Parts 2 & 3.