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 May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
In a strange passage, the Torah requires the worshipper to eat the entire Thanks Offering in one day. We'll explore what the commentators have to say about that, and why they think it's about our capacity for gratitude and community.
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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/.
For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
This double portion starts off being about the priests and ends up being about how we are all responsible to strive for holiness in the world.
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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/.
For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
This week's double portion is about leprosy. We turn to a story in the Talmud about a "leper messiah," with a message about being empowered to repair the world.
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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 become a supporter 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 Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Aaron witnesses the deaths of his two sons and is silent. But is he really? What can we learn from Aaron about activism in the face of loss? What does the current moment of gun violence in America call for?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter 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 Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
The parashah for this week tells of the aftermath of the Golden Calf and the renewal of the covenant. What does that have to do with celebrating Pesach??
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
What does the Torah's description of ancient priestly duties tell us about the responsibility of leaders to listen to and represent their own people?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Vayikra is all about the details of animal sacrifice in the ancient Tabernacle. In this episode, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg gives us a new and meaningful way to understand this parashah - as being about the affirmation of life.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
Wednesday Mar 15, 2023
In this week's episode I talk with Rabbi Barbara AB Symons, editor of Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah, about the connection between the Torah portion and the Haftarah (prophetic reading), and about finding inspiring prophetic voices in modern Judaism.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
Tuesday Mar 07, 2023
The Torah says that Moses can "see God's back." What does that mean?? We explore it with the help of Rashi and Maimonides, and talk about the ways we experience God in the world.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
Tuesday Feb 28, 2023
What does the clothing of the ancient High Priest have to do with building a more just society? In this episode I share thoughts about my recent trip to Israel and especially my experience supporting the Women of the Wall, and relate it to the Torah portion.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.