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
Mar 18, 2025
Mar 18, 2025
13 min
In challenging times, Jews turn to study not only for comfort and connection, but also to empower ourselves. In this episode, Rabbi Streiffer talks about how our Jewish learning can be an act of empowerment and resistance when those in power attempt to control information and actions.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Feb 25, 2025
Feb 25, 2025
12 min
In the Torah, God commands the people to "build me a sanctuary." But goes God really need a house? Who is the Mishkan really for? We look at some ancient midrash, and also compare to modern, liberal Jewish ways of thinking about ritual.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Feb 7, 2025
Feb 7, 2025
13 min
As the Torah tells the story of the Exodus, it sends a strong message that redemption is not only about moving to the geographic Promised Land, but also about moving toward a more just society and a repaired world. This is why the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza is completely anathema to Jewish teaching.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Jan 28, 2025
Jan 28, 2025
9 min
Should priests and rabbis have something to say about policy? Is it the role of ministers and imams to speak on matters of politics and partisanship? Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores questions about religion and politics, ethics and responsibilities, through progressive Jewish eyes.
You can also read this article on JTA.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Jan 7, 2025
Jan 7, 2025
10 min
Jacob's blessing of his grandchildren also invokes the names of his grandparents. It is a reminder that we are links in a chain of tradition. And that we are responsible both to be aware of the blessings of the past and to commit ourselves to a better future.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Dec 18, 2024
Dec 18, 2024
12 min
Joseph seems to keep finding his way of out hard spots, over and over. Is there something about the way he believes and/or acts that makes that possible?
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Dec 10, 2024
Dec 10, 2024
11 min
Why does Jacob change the name of Rachel's youngest son from Ben-Oni (child of sorrow) to Binyamin (child of strength)? Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores the Torah's message about finding strength in our pain and sorrow.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Dec 3, 2024
Dec 3, 2024
15 min
This week we explore the emotional lives of Rachel and Sara and how they cope with family and societal expectations. Reading a modern Midrash from Hagit Bartov, we explore her suggestion about "opening up" our picture of what family and identity "should" look like.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Nov 19, 2024
Nov 19, 2024
14 min
Why did Rebekah fall off her camel when she met Isaac? Is that even what really happened? And what does that have to do with marriage, partnership, and misogyny? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores some Midrash on Rebekah and Isaac, painting two parallel pictures of what the matriarch and patriarch mean for Jewish life today.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.
Nov 13, 2024
Nov 13, 2024
14 min
This week's Torah portion contains two stories - the incident of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the incident of Hagar and Ishmael - that teach important Jewish values about justice and about the way we are supposed to relate to neighboring peoples. In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer speaks about the ideas that come out of these narratives, and about how they relate to Jewish life and to Israel today.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org.