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 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.
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Tuesday Feb 21, 2023
Terumah is about the building of the ancient sanctuary - the dwelling place of God. I share about my visit to the Kotel this week and how it reinforced the idea that God dwells not IN the holy space, but BETWEEN human beings.
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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
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/.
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
In our discussion of Mishpatim and its myriad laws, we talk about Jewish laws and rituals as reminders of our ethical responsibilities.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To learn more about our classes and study groups, visit laasok.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
Tuesday Feb 07, 2023
The people of Israel's experience at Sinai is followed immediately by a set of instructions about worship and sacrifice. There's a lesson in there about the connection between our experiences of radical amazement and our impulse for thanks and prayer.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/.
Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.