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
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
What does it mean when Jacob exclaims, "God is in this place and I did not know it!" How can we work to recognize, and bring, the Divine into the world during dark times?
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
The story of Isaac quarrelling with the Philistines over the digging of wells is a reminder that living in the land of Israel has always meant sharing the land and its resources, making space for multiple peoples and multiple stories.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
The story of the death of Sarah and Abraham is also a story about their children, and how we are all family.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Abraham's argument with God over the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah is actually a message - an eminently relevant message - about seeing the humanity in each person.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
A prominent feature of this week's Torah portion is the name changes of Abraham and Sarah. We discuss the meaning of their names, and what it means to have a name.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
The story of Noah's flood begins with a world "filled with lawless violence." With a nod to Donniel Hartman and the "For Heaven's Sake" podcast, we look at how this might apply to Israel's current moment.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday Oct 11, 2023
In the wake of last weekend's horrific acts of terror, and in the midst of a mounting crisis in Israel, I talk to poet Alden Solovy about life in Jerusalem, about Bereshit, and about how words can uncover layers of meaning and connection.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
Tuesday Oct 03, 2023
In his final blessing to the people of Israel, Moses leaves us with a message for moving forward.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem about covenant, fidelity, adversity and growth. A perfect message for the High Holy Days, and for every day.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Moses dies at the age of 120. In this episode, we explore the meaning of that "age" in Jewish tradition and Jewish life. Turns out it may not be about age after all.
---
- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or 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-laasok/ (for a one-time or monthly contribution).
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.