Seven Minute Torah

The Torah's command to care for the widow, orphan, and stranger sits at the base of a rich Jewish theology of compassion, kindness, and social justice. I am joined by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, author and activist, to talk about why the ethical and the ritual can't be teased apart, and how the world benefits from a Jewish approach to social justice.

R' Shmuly's Social Justice Commentaries can be found here and here.

Yitro is about the Torah portion about Mount Sinai. I am joined by Rabbi Oren Hayon to discuss the Ten Commandments, and why they represent a unique, dialogue-based framework for encountering God and encountering fellow human beings. We also reflect on the events in Colleyville, Texas, and the heroic acts of Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker.

In this parashah, the Torah tells the story of the parting of the Red Sea. And the Rabbis tell the story of the brave person who made that miracle possible.

This week's portion tells the story of the Exodus. It also tells about the importance of telling the story, and of asking questions as a mode of learning. Let's talk about why Judaism has placed questioning & curiosity at the centre of ritual and memory.

Why could Moses see the possibility of freedom when none of the other Israelite slaves could? How do you find hope, and a wider perspective, in the midst of the narrow places.

The opening of the book is Exodus is the origin story of Moses...but it's also the story of the women in his life. In this episode I am joined by Rabbi Sally Priesand, North America's first woman rabbi, to discuss the women who make Moses's story possible - and to celebrate 50 years of women's rabbinical ordination.

The final parashah of Genesis is about death, life, and legacy. Ephraim and Menashe receive a blessing from their grandfather Jacob. In a sense, we get to be living expressions of the values of those who came before us.

The Joseph story is ultimately a story about forgiveness and about relationships.

Among other things, Joseph is the first "Diaspora Jew." How does his story in this week's parashah mirror and inspire Jewish life today?

This week's parashah tells the story of Joseph and the "coat of many colours." What is the secret of Joseph's incredible resilience?  Listen in for Rabbi Streiffer's take.