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
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
As the Israelites are about to cross over into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuven and Gad step forward and say that they've decided to stay where they are. What happens next teaches us a lot about what it is to be a Jew in diaspora but still care about - and have a stake in - the land of Israel.
---
- 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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Among other things, parashat Pinchas lists the festivals - and the sacrifices associated with them. We talk about how the Rabbis crafted a Judaism of ritual and prayer out of a sacrifice-based system, and what it shows us about Judaism's capacity to evolve.
---
- 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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
The ritual of the Red Heifer is perhaps the most obscure, confusing practice in the entire Torah. In this episode we talk about whether Jewish rituals need reasons - and how that debate plays out traditionally and in liberal Judaism.
---
- 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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Korach's argument seems like a reasonable one: all of the people are holy. So why does his movement/rebellion end so badly? We take a look at what the Rabbis have to say about where Korach went wrong.
---
- 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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
In Sh'lach Lecha, the scouts - and the people of Israel - are punished for not having a wide enough view to see their power and their responsibility. I talk with Rabbi Andy Kahn, editor of The Sacred Earth (CCAR Press, 2023) about how this relates to the climate crisis and the 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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
I talk with Rabbi Zoe Klein, author of Candle Feather Wooden Spoon. We find some interesting tidbits hidden in this week's parashah, and then go on to talk about the power of story in Torah and in Jewish life.
---
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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
The Torah requires the isolation of certain people afflicted with ailments. How does Jewish tradition weigh that against the human need for community and support.
---
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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
The Torah commands that "all your males shall appear" before God on Shavuot. Why does it exclude women from participating in this part (but not other parts) of the holiday celebration? What are we supposed to do with it as modern, egalitarian Jews?
---
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 www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
As we begin a new book of the Torah, I talk with Rabbi Judith Siegal about what it is to wander in the wilderness, and why those "in between places" open us up for creativity.
We also talk about the post-covid moment in Jewish life, about Jewish camp, and much more!
---
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 this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday May 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
The Torah's institution of the sabbatical year teaches a lesson about stewardship vs. ownership - which contradicts our society's consumer values AND might help me eat slower.
---
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 this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.