Making modern meaning from ancient texts! Each week Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses the weekly Torah portion in about 7 to 10 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
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Lech Lecha: All the Souls They Had Made
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Wednesday Oct 13, 2021
Lech Lecha tells the story of Abraham and Sarah's journey to the land of Israel. Turns out it's also about community and relationship.
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Noach: The Seven Noachide Laws (A Conversation with Rabbi Mark Washofsky)
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
Tuesday Oct 05, 2021
A conversation with Dr. Mark Washofsky about the Seven Noachide laws. We touch on issues of universalism in Judaism, Natural Law, and what it means to be a society.
In the bonus interview: the relationship between liberal Judaism and traditional Jewish law; what it means to make authentic Judaism choices; and why the Talmud belongs to all of us.
For more information about the Solomon B. Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah, visit freehofinstitute.org.
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Bereshit: Take A Break
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
Thursday Sep 30, 2021
The beginning of season 3! The Torah's opening parashah focuses, in part on Shabbat - on the very real need to take a break from technology and creation.
Monday Sep 27, 2021
V‘Zot Ha‘Brachah: Turn It Again
Monday Sep 27, 2021
Monday Sep 27, 2021
The final portion of the Torah ends with a message about the ongoing journey of learning.
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
Sukkot: Seeing God‘s Back
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
Thursday Sep 23, 2021
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!
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Ha‘azinu: Unconditional Love
Friday Sep 17, 2021
Friday Sep 17, 2021
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.
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Rosh Hashanah: Ayeka - Where Are You?
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
Tuesday Sep 07, 2021
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.
Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
Nitzavim: Don‘t Bless Yourself (A Conversation with Rabbi Jesse Paikin)
Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
Tuesday Aug 31, 2021
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.
Tuesday Aug 24, 2021
Ki Tavo: First Fruits
Tuesday Aug 24, 2021
Tuesday Aug 24, 2021
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.
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Ki Tetze: Because You Were Slaves (encore)
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
Tuesday Aug 17, 2021
The measure of a society is in how it treats its most vulnerable. (Encore presentation.)