Making modern meaning from ancient texts.! Each week Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses the weekly Torah portion in about 7 to 12 minutes, through liberal Jewish eyes. We weave together philosophy, spirituality, tradition, and social justice - and derive meaning for today‘s life from our sacred sources. Longer episodes include a bonus interview with leading rabbis and Jewish thought leaders.
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK, the liberal Beit Midrash (”House of Study”). Contact us at info@laasok.org with comments or questions.
Episodes
Mar 29, 2023
Mar 29, 2023
13 min
What does the Torah's description of ancient priestly duties tell us about the responsibility of leaders to listen to and represent their own people?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Mar 22, 2023
Mar 22, 2023
1hr 7 min
Vayikra is all about the details of animal sacrifice in the ancient Tabernacle. In this episode, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg gives us a new and meaningful way to understand this parashah - as being about the affirmation of life.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Mar 15, 2023
Mar 15, 2023
46 min
In this week's episode I talk with Rabbi Barbara AB Symons, editor of Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah, about the connection between the Torah portion and the Haftarah (prophetic reading), and about finding inspiring prophetic voices in modern Judaism.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Mar 7, 2023
Mar 7, 2023
14 min
The Torah says that Moses can "see God's back." What does that mean?? We explore it with the help of Rashi and Maimonides, and talk about the ways we experience God in the world.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Feb 28, 2023
Feb 28, 2023
16 min
What does the clothing of the ancient High Priest have to do with building a more just society? In this episode I share thoughts about my recent trip to Israel and especially my experience supporting the Women of the Wall, and relate it to the Torah portion.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Feb 21, 2023
Feb 21, 2023
11 min
Terumah is about the building of the ancient sanctuary - the dwelling place of God. I share about my visit to the Kotel this week and how it reinforced the idea that God dwells not IN the holy space, but BETWEEN human beings.
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To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Feb 14, 2023
Feb 14, 2023
12 min
In our discussion of Mishpatim and its myriad laws, we talk about Jewish laws and rituals as reminders of our ethical responsibilities.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To learn more about our classes and study groups, visit laasok.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Feb 7, 2023
Feb 7, 2023
10 min
The people of Israel's experience at Sinai is followed immediately by a set of instructions about worship and sacrifice. There's a lesson in there about the connection between our experiences of radical amazement and our impulse for thanks and prayer.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Jan 31, 2023
Jan 31, 2023
9 min
As the people are about to cross the Red Sea, God rebukes Moses for standing and praying for too long instead of taking steps forward. We relate this to the epidemic of gun violence in the United States and talk about what kind of leadership is needed in this moment.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green.
For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Jan 24, 2023
Jan 24, 2023
11 min
In Bo, the Israelites finally make their way out of Egypt! And Moses commands us to "Remember" - to keep talking about the Exodus on a regular basis. Why is this event so important? Why do we invoke the Exodus so constantly in Jewish life?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green.
For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.