Modern Torah

The beginning of this week's Torah portion focuses on the ordination of Aaron and his sons and priests, who are commanded to isolate themselves in the Tabernacle for seven days. In a socially distanced world, what can we learn from their experience? I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradit...

Why does G-d call Moses, and then speak to Moses, in the opening line of Leviticus? I couldn't make it past the first line of this week's parsha without knowing why. What is the Torah trying to tell us with this repetition? I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradition, and each of us d...

This Shabbat we read two Torah portions, to keep us on track for the year, so we have two separate podcasts for March 19th. Looking at an ancient translation of the Torah we examine the question, what is holiness, and how do we connect with holiness? I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradition,...

In honor of HIAS's Refugee Solidarity Shabbat, an examination of this week's Torah portion, Parshat Vayakhel, as an object lesson for how leadership can help us accomplish even the most complex and holy of tasks.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around m...

I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradition, and each of us deserves the chance to find our own meaning in the text. Whether you’re studying Torah daily, or taking a moment to prepare for Shabbat, I hope you’ll make these ten minutes of Torah part of your week. You can learn more about me, and...