Pardes from Jerusalem

This podcast is sponsored by Suzana and Alan Caro in memory of Avi West z"l. A brilliant educator and master teacher, Avi touched the lives of thousands of Jews in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. His breadth of knowledge spanned the entire Jewish canon as well as popular culture. His caring, sense of humor, and ability to inspire fellow educators completely changed the nature of Jewish presc...

In this week's parsha, Moshe recalls several events and presents for us what many consider to be one of the foundational texts of Judaism, the Shema. Join Yiscah Smith as she discusses the parsha and some of the fundamental values and tenets of our faith presented in the Shema. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin and Yiscah Smith – Pardes Faculty  

Rabbi Michael Hattin discusses Devarim with Rabbi Alex Israel, exploring the question of repetition in Deuteronomy. The Rabbis called Devarim "Mishneh Torah" - the Repetition of the Torah. How is the retelling different to the original? Is Moses manipulating the truth? Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Michael Hattin – Pardes Faculty  

How do we distribute scant resources in a needy world? Are wealthy societies obligated to share their fundamental resources with more impoverished societies in need? This podcast takes us to a challenging passage in Nedarim which draws its prooftext from the mitzva of the Levite cities in chapter 35. If my city has water and yours does not, am I obligated to provide for you? The discussion moves t...

This podcast is dedicated to Shlomo Berlin, Shlomo Ben Rachel v’Shimon - שלמה בן רחל ושמעון, with prayers for a refuah shelaymah from Rabbi Hayim Herring and Terri Krivosha. Nechama Goldman Barash and Alex Israel discuss Parashat Matot and the notion of vows or oaths touching on questions of loyalty, accountability, religious grandstanding, and the strength of verbal commitments. What is a vow? Wh...

Parashat Balak: The Outsider's View Description: Parashat Balak narrates the strange tale of a foreign seer who is hired to curse the Israelites but is compelled by God to bless them. What is this story doing in the Torah? It transpires entirely in a foreign royal court, and until the final lines of the parsha, Israel is mere object not subject. In this podcast, Zvi Hirschfield and Alex Israel dis...

Heroism is a precious quality, and one strong enough to change the world. Here is the story of the Israeli mission to free hostages on Entebbe, perhaps the most heroic mission of its time. At its heart lies a person who in many ways embodies the qualities of his generation - Yoni Netanyahu.

Parashat Chukat: Moses. The Hand and the Word Description: In our parsha we read the episode of "Moses' Sin" in which Moses hits the rock instead of speaking to it. In this podcast, Pardes faculty Alex Israel and Gila Fine discuss the tension in Moses' life between his hands, the role of action, and his mouth, the realm of speech. The discussion moves to the perils of social media and the precisio...

Parashat Korach 5782: Was it all Negative? Description: In this podcast, we explore the mixed motivations behind Korach's challenge to Moshe and Aaron's leadership. Can one be driven by ego and still mix in a valid claim? Was Korach's claim that "all the people are holy" easily dismissed? We also discuss the ways in which challenging authority and healthy mahloket (disagreement) are part of our cu...

Parashat Shelach Lecha 5782: Slandering Israel Description: The story of people who toured Israel and emerged with a negative assessment of the Land of Israel. Is criticism of Israel legitimate or is it a sin? Join Pardes faculty member Rabbi Alex Israel and Israel education guru Jonny Ariel as they discuss the biblical and contemporary implications of our parasha. Download Source Sheet Please let...

Parashat Behaalotecha 5782: The Power of Inclusion Description: An exploration of the narratives about Pesach Sheni and the naming of the 70 elders and Eldad and Medad. Two stories that combine Law and Narrative, also portray the value of initiative on the part of the people and the importance of including multiple voices. Sources: Numbers 9:1-14; Numbers 11:10-30 Please let us know your comments...

Parashat Naso/Shavuot 5782: Har Sinai - the First Beit Midrash Description: What was the Torah that the Israelites actually heard and learned? Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Cred...

Parashat Bamidbar 5782: Heavenly Jerusalem, Earthly Jerusalem. A Shiur for Jerusalem Day and Bamidbar Description: In Celebration of Jerusalem Day, we study Psalm 122 and its dreamy depiction of an ancient Jerusalem pilgrimage. We reflect on the makom (place/space) and complexity of today's Jerusalem and connect this to our parasha - Bamidbar. Download Source Sheet Please let us know your comments...

Parashat Bechukotai 5782: Ancient Metaphors and Contemporary Realism Description: This podcast focuses on understanding the blessings and curses in this week's parasha with Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information...

Parashat Behar 5782: The Economy of Spirituality Description: This special podcast features Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair. Join us to hear our discussion of how the Sabbatical and Jubilee years described in parashat Behar are providing the spiritual values which are meant to inform our economic lives. Rav Yedidya Sinclair is a scholar and educator who work as a consultant in environmental and social comp...

Parashat Emor 5782: The Jewish Year Cycle, Emor-Style Description: While the Torah lists our holidays several times throughout the five books, there is something special about the way it's done in this week's parasha. Find out what that is by listening to Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer discuss everything from Sukkot to Yom HaAtzmaut in this week's Pardes from Jerusalem. Vayikra 23:33-43 Please le...

Parashat Kedoshim 5782: "Be Holy!" How? Description: The Torah instructs the Jewish people to "Be Holy!" But how might that be performed? In this podcast, Alex Israel discusses three approaches to this question, considering the question of withdrawal from and engagement with regular life and living. This podcast was originally published in 2019. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your co...

Parashat Metzora 5782: Sitting Alone Outside the Camp Description: On the 7th day of Pesach, we commemorate the people of Israel's successful traversal of the Sea of Reeds. While the moment was exceptional, even eliciting an epic song, we must consider the unusual build-up in order to appreciate its true import. We will turn to the commentary of R. Avraham Ibn Ezra for guidance. Download the Sourc...

Pesach 5782: Three Keys to Freedom - Three Features of the Seder Description: What are the key elements of free life? This podcast identifies three features of the Exodus, also manifested in the Seder rituals, and proposes that these can serve as building blocks for constructing a Jewish future. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us...

Parashat Metzora 5782: Sitting Alone Outside the Camp Description: The graphic description in the Torah of tzaraat, leprosy, leaves modern readers alienated and baffled. Can moral flaws truly manifest physically? Aesthetics and ethics mix in this week's reading, where immoral behavior is seen by our rabbis as contagious. While the general public is encouraged to stay away from the leper, his outcr...

Parashat Tazria 5782: Selective Memory; Choosing Productive Narratives This podcast episode is sponsored by Pardes alum Graham Hoffman in honor of his parents, teachers, and role models Rabbi Richard and Rebbitzen Debra Zussman. Description: Why bring a sin offering after giving birth? The Gemara suggests that is all about forgetting. Parashat HaChodesh, on the other hand, is all about remembering...

Parashat Tzav 5782: Pushing Ourselves By-the-By Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits - Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Adam...

Parashat Vayikra 5782: Calling. Listening. Giving. Description: This week, Rabbi Alex Israel discusses some of Rashi's opening remarks to Vayikra highlighting some critical spiritual messages for our fast-paced world. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. F...

Parashat Pekudei 5782: The Eyes Have it - The Divine as Israel's Tour Guide Description: As we bring the Book of Shemot - Exodus - to a close in this week's Parasha, Parashat Pekudei, we conclude the final chapter with a description of the functions of the cloud and fire as the Israelites wander in the Wilderness. Are these two apparitions the only providers of guidance to the Children of Israel?...

Parashat Vayakhel 5782: Repairing Even the Worst Ruptures Description: Even after warning against all forms of constructive creativity in the Ten Commandments, the Torah explicitly warns now against using fire on Shabbat. Legal ramifications aside, the prohibition against fire cautions us about the tendency of our hottest emotion - anger - to burn through our most precious relationships. How do th...