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
Jan 17, 2023
Jan 17, 2023
11 min
Moses's demands of Pharaoh, in God's name: "Let my people go, that they may worship Me." What kind of ethical imperative is contained in this phrase? What kind of freedom were the Israelites seeking, and what does it have to do with building a better society?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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 10, 2023
Jan 10, 2023
46 min
In this week's parashah we meet Moses for the first time. I talk with Rabbi Ilyse Glickman about Moses as a reluctant leader. Plus, we talk about congregational life, embodied practice, and how Judaism borrows and lends ideas and practices.
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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 3, 2023
Jan 3, 2023
12 min
In a portion that is about death, legacy, and the passing on of tradition, Jacob momentarily doesn't recognize his grandchildren. What does this incident teach us about our own Jewish identity?
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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.
Dec 20, 2022
Dec 20, 2022
13 min
We explore the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt. What exactly is he up to - and do our intentions matter vis-a-vis the ends that our actions bring?
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
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.
Dec 13, 2022
Dec 13, 2022
11 min
Joseph seems to keep finding his way of out hard spots, over and over. Is there something about the way he believes and/or acts that makes that possible?
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our new 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.
Dec 6, 2022
Dec 6, 2022
11 min
In a watershed moment in Torah, the patriarch Jacob wrestles with... whom? We'll talk about who the commentators think Jacob is wrestling with, and what it has to do with our own ongoing journey of becoming.
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our new 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.
Nov 29, 2022
Nov 29, 2022
42 min
Vayetze tells the story of Jacob - his journey to Aram, his business dealings, his family life. This week I talk with Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, Founder of Sinai and Synapses, about the phenomenon of lying and dishonesty: why it's so prevalent in the Torah portion, how it plays into our political culture, and how it is born out of human nature. We also talk about his work at the intersection of science and religion.
To access Rabbi Mitelman's work at Sinai and Synapses: https://sinaiandsynapses.org/
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Nov 22, 2022
Nov 22, 2022
10 min
Toldot is the story of Isaac. Poor, passive, nebbishy Isaac. And yet, the parashah describes him re-digging the wells of his father Abraham: a powerful metaphor for receiving and renewing traditions, and passing them on to the next generation.
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Nov 15, 2022
Nov 15, 2022
12 min
This parashah tells stories about some of the most important women in the Torah. But does it really tell their stories? We explore a new perspective on Sarah and Rebekah.
LINKS & INFO:
For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/.
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Nov 8, 2022
Nov 8, 2022
11 min
In Vayera we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Far from the common understanding, the Rabbis see it as a warning about the danger of a government that subverts both truth and justice.
LINKS & INFO:
For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/.
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.