Seven Minute Torah

The final portion of the Torah ends with a message about the ongoing journey of learning.

The Torah portion for Sukkot describes Moses "seeing God's back." What does the Torah mean by that?? We get an answer from the 12th century philosopher Maimonides - and it's perfect for Sukkot!

The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem that gives a stylized version of the Israelites' history with God. It has a lot to teach us about covenant, about parent-child relationships, and about unconditional love.

Rabbi Streiffer's sermon from Rosh Hashanah morning 5782. About the ways that life calls us to think deeply about our values and our choices and how they align with each other.

This week's parashah is about standing ("nitzavim") together. In our interview with Rabbi Jesse Paikin, he points out a powerful message about responsibility to others and the need to think beyond ourselves.

This week's parashah describes the ancient practice of bringing First Fruits to the Temple. It's a ritual that still resonates today - especially in terms of building gratitude and the responsibility to provide for the less fortunate.

The measure of a society is in how it treats its most vulnerable. (Encore presentation.)

Shoftim is the Torah's portion about leadership. This week I talk with author and journalist Anya Kamenetz about different modes of information, how to assess leaders, and the centrality of social justice. Plus, in the bonus interview: children in the pandemic, resiliency in hard times, and making Jewish practice meaningful.

How a mindset of stewardship and generosity can help cultivate happiness. (Encore presentation.)

A conversation with Rabbi Miri Gold: we talk about the (ancient and modern) Jewish connection to the land of Israel, about ecology and the rhythms of Jewish life. Plus, in the bonus interview - the growth of non-Orthodox Judaism in the Jewish state; Israeli baseball in the Olympics; gratitude rituals and more!