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. With questions or comments, please contact me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Episodes
Friday May 14, 2021
Bamidbar: Lift Up the Heads
Friday May 14, 2021
Friday May 14, 2021
The parashah this week is about a census in the desert. What wisdom does it have for this terrible time of conflict and violence in Israel?
Thursday May 06, 2021
Behar-Bechukotai: The Sabbatical Year and Giving Up Control
Thursday May 06, 2021
Thursday May 06, 2021
The Biblical institution of Sabbatical and Jubilee year - in which the land lies fallow and all debts are forgiven - have a powerful lesson to teach about partnership and relationship, and what happens when we stop trying to control the world around us. An interview with Rabbi Michael Satz.
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Emor: The Corners of Your Face/Field
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
Thursday Apr 29, 2021
The Torah's strange prohibition against shaving the corners of your face is an opportunity to talk about holiness and about the relationship between ritual and ethics.
#Judaism #Podcasts #JewishLearning #SocialJustice
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: Love Your Neighbour As Yourself
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
An interview with Rabbi Evon Yakar of Lake Tahoe, California, about the ethical idea that sits at the centre (both literally and figuratively) of the Torah. Is there anything specifically Jewish about "Love your neighbour?" What does it mean to fulfil those words as a Jew?
#Judaism #JewishLearning #JewishPodcast #LoveYourNeighbour #BeingHuman
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Tazria-Metzora: A Ritual of Gratitude
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
Thursday Apr 15, 2021
The Torah's "ickiest" portion has a lot to teach about life and death, contagion and purity, and about gratitude.
#Gratitude #Torah #ParashatHaShavua #JewishPodcast #Judaism #JewishLearning
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Shemini: Making Mindful Choices
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
Thursday Apr 08, 2021
This week's parashah tells two very different stories: one about the death of two priests and one about the rules of keeping kosher. What do these mysterious accounts have to teach us about mindfulness and about thoughtful living?
#Judaism #JewishLearning #Podcast #Mindfulness #Kosher #Jewish
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Pesach: When a song is more than just a song
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
Thursday Apr 01, 2021
The Torah portion for the 7th day of Pesach is probably Judaism's oldest song. It has not only a beautiful melody but an important lesson to teach about gratitude and social justice.
#Passover #Pesach #Judaism #JewishLearning #SocialJustice #Justice #Rabbi
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Tzav: Why did the matzah cross the road?
Friday Mar 26, 2021
Friday Mar 26, 2021
This week's parashah teaches some surprising things about unleavened bread and about human nature. Pertinent to the Pesach holiday, and to our everyday lives. Plus, my best matzah jokes!
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Vayikra: Of Temples, Prayers, and Pandemics
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
Thursday Mar 18, 2021
A conversation with Rabbi Joel Simon of Congregation Schaarei Zedek in Tampa, Florida, about sacrifice and prayer, how the synagogue saved Judaism, and what it all has to do with Covid.
#JewishLearning #Covid19 #Judaism #Rabbi #TorahPortion #ParashatHashavua #JewishPrayer
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Vayakhel-Pekudei: Holy Space and Holy Actions
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Friday Mar 12, 2021
Is the sanctuary holy because God is there, or is it the other way around? (Hint: it's about what YOU do.) Plus, a brief explanation of some of the intricacies of the Jewish calendar.