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 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.
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
Tuesday Jan 31, 2023
As the people are about to cross the Red Sea, God rebukes Moses for standing and praying for too long instead of taking steps forward. We relate this to the epidemic of gun violence in the United States and talk about what kind of leadership is needed in this moment.
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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.
To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green.
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.
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
In Bo, the Israelites finally make their way out of Egypt! And Moses commands us to "Remember" - to keep talking about the Exodus on a regular basis. Why is this event so important? Why do we invoke the Exodus so constantly in Jewish life?
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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.
To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green.
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.
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Moses's demands of Pharaoh, in God's name: "Let my people go, that they may worship Me." What kind of ethical imperative is contained in this phrase? What kind of freedom were the Israelites seeking, and what does it have to do with building a better society?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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.
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
Tuesday Jan 10, 2023
In this week's parashah we meet Moses for the first time. I talk with Rabbi Ilyse Glickman about Moses as a reluctant leader. Plus, we talk about congregational life, embodied practice, and how Judaism borrows and lends ideas and practices.
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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.
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
In a portion that is about death, legacy, and the passing on of tradition, Jacob momentarily doesn't recognize his grandchildren. What does this incident teach us about our own Jewish identity?
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/.
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.
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
We explore the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt. What exactly is he up to - and do our intentions matter vis-a-vis the ends that our actions bring?
Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.
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.
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
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?
To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
For more information on our new 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.