Pardes from Jerusalem

Parashat Vayetze 5782 - Ya'acov and the Stone Upon the Well Description: After securing the blessings, Ya'acov must flee the wrath of his brother Esav. Arriving at Charan, he encounters the shepherds and their flocks, and when he sees Rachel his cousin, he single-handedly rolls off the giant stone that sits upon the well in order to water her sheep. What might be the significance of his superhuman...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 37: The Rape of Tamar Podcast Overview: The consequences of David's crime now begin to play themselves out, with great destructive effect. (Samuel II 12:24-13:39) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning dynamic...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 36: David and Batsheva Part 2: The Punishment Podcast Overview: Natan the prophet pronounces God's harsh judgment against David. (Samuel II 11:16-12:23) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning dynamic. However,...

Parashat Toldot 5782 - But I Didn’t Do Anything Wrong Description: The podcast examines the different strategies that rabbis and others have used to lessen the moral issues of Jacob tricking Esau to get the birthright and tricking his father to get the blessing. It compares the post-biblical approach of excusing with the biblical approach of accusing. Verses: Genesis 25:23, Genesis 25:29-34, Genes...

The Book of Samuel II Crises & Kings Episode 35: David and Batsheva Part 1: The Crime Podcast Overview: David's glorious ascent is abruptly derailed by a crime that redefines him and his kingdom. (Samuel II 11:1-15) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a h...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 34: David's Victories Podcast Overview: David secures the realm by defeating all of the surrounding kingdoms that threaten it. He also keeps his pledge. (Samuel II 8:1-10:19) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta lear...

Parashat Chaye Sarah 5782 - Rivka: The Original Influencer Description: In Parashat Chaye Sarah, Avraham sends his servant Eliezer on a mission to find a spouse for his son Yitzchak. Avraham doesn't offer much in the way of criteria, but Eliezer devises a test of character to find a spouse worthy of Yitzchak. As we witness the encounter between Eliezer and Rivka, the reader notices many similariti...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 33: David's Desire to Build the Temple Podcast Overview: With his kingdom becoming secure, David expresses his wish to finally build the Temple. God, however, has other plans. (Samuel II 7:1-29) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferab...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 32: The Ark of the Covenant is Brought to Jerusalem Podcast Overview: Having established Jerusalem as his new capital, David relocates the ark to it. (Samuel II 6:1-23) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning d...

Parashat VaYera 5782: Human Sacrifice - Problematic or Profound? Description: Why would Avraham's 10th and final test be to participate in a cruel and despicable act of human sacrifice which blended him with the polythe,istic and immoral world that surrounded him? Is Avraham a madman or a hero? In what way does the test of the Akeda require us to rethink the way we serve God today? Is sacrifice go...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 31: Jerusalem, David's City Podcast Overview: In his first act as king over all of Israel, David conquers Jerusalem and makes it his capital. (Samuel II 5:1-25) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning dynamic....

The Book of Samuel II Episode 30: The Fall of the House of Shaul Podcast Overview: The last difficult obstacles to David becoming king are unexpectedly removed, even as David takes no active role. (Samuel II 3:2-4:12) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a...

This podcast is sponsored by Suzana and Alan Caro in honor of Rav Meir Schweiger, a master teacher who held up the tradition as a mirror to us to live an ethical and rich life of meaning. Parashat Lech Lecha 5782: Go To Yourself - Lech Lecha: Heeding the Still Small Voice Within Description: Cultivating the spiritual practice of Lech Lecha: moving away from one sense of self - the finite, ego-base...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 29: The Struggle Over Succession Podcast Overview: Shaul is dead but David will not become king over all of Israel immediately. (Samuel II 2:1-3:1) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning dynamic. However, the...

The Book of Samuel II Episode 28: David Receives the Tragic News Podcast Overview: Through an unlikely source, word reaches David that Shaul is dead and David laments. (Samuel II 1:1-27) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from one podcast to the next, preferably in a havruta learning dynamic. Howe...

This podcast is sponsored by Pardes Year Program alumnus Jason Gusdorf & Family in celebration of his new album, After the Seventh, inspired by his time at Pardes. After the Seventh will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and at jasongusdorf.hearnow.com on November 5th, 2021. Stay tuned after the episode to hear a brief message from Jason. Parashat Noach 5782: The Good Enough Hero Description:...

In this podcast, we will look at a series of midrashim that reflect on the irrationality of God's desire to create human beings and the enormous potential for connection and engagement with the Divine that exists inside of this very flawed creature known as Adam. Download the Source Sheet Source Sheet features Genesis 1:26-27 | Genesis 6:5-6. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the...

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah 5782: Meaningful Partners or Accidentally Attached? Podcast Overview: Together we will explore the origin of finishing the Torah reading cycle on Shemini Atzeret and how this practice reveals a deep meaning of Simchat Torah. We will also talk about the different ways we relate to the significance of Torah study in our lives and how this chag reveals a new and chal...

The Book of Samuel I & II Bonus Episode with Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Michael Hattin Episode 28: The Interview Podcast Overview: In this bonus episode, Rabbi Alex Israel, in conversation with Rabbi Michael Hattin, goes behind the scenes of Crises and Kings. Alex and Michael discuss highlights and challenges in the making of Samuel I and reveal an exclusive sneak peek at the end. A special note...

Sukkot 5782 - Sukkot and the Secret of Jewish Happiness Why is Sukkot described as the "Season of our Rejoicing"? What is the objective of sitting in the Sukka? What messages does it have to our technological and materialistic age? Download the Pardes Sukkot Holiday Companion Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write us to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Alex...

Parashat Ha'azinu 5782 - The Eternity of the Jewish People Moshe's words in this week's parasha contain both a sacred history of the Jewish people as well as a vision of their future, until the end of time. We will consider Nachmanides' interpretation of the matter, as he explores the special mission that God has given His people. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thou...

Yom Kippur 5782 - Who is the Hero of the Jonah Story? In this podcast, Aviva Lauer explores the Book of Jonah, read on the afternoon of Yom Kippur, in an effort to understand what message we are meant to take from it on this special day. Naming Jonah (under the influence of his midrashic mentor, Elijah the Prophet) the antihero of the story, as opposed to its hero, Lauer searches for the real hero...

Vayelech 5782/Shabbat Shuva - Who Would you Invite to Dinner? This class imagines an imaginary dinner between R. Zera (4th century CE) and Moses. How are these two figures similar? How are they different? And what can their differences teach us about authority and repentance? Truly, a tale of two leaders. (Devarim 31:1-2 / Shemot 4:10 / Devarim 31:27) Download the Source Sheet To learn more about...

Thank you for listening to Crises & Kings: The Book of Samuel I & II. Our first 27 episodes discussed at length the first book of Samuel. We will take a short break for the High Holidays 5782 and return after Sukkot. In the meantime you can listen to any episode you missed or subscribe to get the latest episodes of the Book of Samuel II. Please visit www.pardes.org.il/crises-kings.

This podcast is sponsored by Jeff and Alissa Hurok in honor of our dear friends and family who have engaged with and enhanced Jeff’s Torah study. Ki Tavo 5781 - Inscribe the Words Today In this podcast, the manner in which Moses creates continuity between past, present and future as he prepares the nation for the time in which he will no longer be with them is explored. In addition, a focus on whi...