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
Nov 1, 2022
Nov 1, 2022
9 min
Abraham and Sarah are more than characters in a book. They are archetypes for our lives as Jews and as humans.
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.
Oct 26, 2022
Oct 26, 2022
41 min
This week's podcast is a conversation with Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov about the "nameless people" in Noach and throughout the Torah. What does it mean to know the name - and see the perspective - of another?
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.
Oct 18, 2022
Oct 18, 2022
15 min
As we begin season 4 of Seven Minute Torah, we explore the idea that humans are created "in the image of God." What does the Torah mean by this, and what does it mean for our own lives?
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.
Oct 11, 2022
Oct 11, 2022
14 min
The death of Moses is the end of the Torah...but is it really an ending? Completing this year's Torah cycle prepares us to continue our learning - and to start it all over again.
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.
Oct 4, 2022
Oct 4, 2022
9 min
The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem about covenant, fidelity, adversity and growth. A perfect message for the High Holy Days, and for every day.
Sep 28, 2022
Sep 28, 2022
11 min
As Moses prepares for his own death, he is commanded to write down the Torah. Handing it to the Israelites, he hands us a tradition of writing and study that is still alive today.
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.
Sep 20, 2022
Sep 20, 2022
11 min
What does it mean when we say that we all stood at Sinai? This week's Torah portion - and the Rabbinic texts that comment on it - teach that Judaism belongs to all of the Jewish people in every generation.
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.
Sep 14, 2022
Sep 14, 2022
10 min
In Ki Tavo the Israelites are commanded to bring their "first fruits" as an offering to God. The words they recite during that ritual are a reminder of how our past shapes us, and how we shape the future.
Sep 6, 2022
Sep 6, 2022
11 min
In a parashah full of laws, an unexpected commandment about eggs, birds, and nests presents an opportunity to talk about the values behind our choices and actions. We will explore the mitzvah of the "mother bird" through the eyes of two medieval commentators, and discover what values they believe sit behind it.
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.
Aug 30, 2022
Aug 30, 2022
12 min
This week's parashah is about various kinds of leaders in ancient Israel. It's also about the way Judaism is constantly evolving - and our ongoing responsibility to find new meanings in ancient traditions.
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.