2 Paleys on a Pod

I'll be honest, I really wasn't feeling it this week. I nearly skipped it. But this Podcast is a practice for me in showing up and doing the thing even when you don't want to. This episode gets raw and emotional at times, which I know listeners have come to expect. I've read reviews that mention how narcissistic I am, how mean I am to my father, and how my siblings are right to sta...

This week's Parsha seems a bit repetitive, but we learn about those who actually made the Tabernacle, according to Hashem's plan. B'nai Yisrael has been forgiven since building the Golden Calf (which Michael thinks was more like a "Summer Art Project") and now they must step up to build a beautiful place where Hashem may dwell among them. Let's dive in!

We're back from Purim with Parshat Ki Tisa, this being Michael's very favorite (IYKYK). While Moses is with God for 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites get worried he's not coming back, so they build a Golden Calf. God is pissed, but forgives them. We are in Boston this weekend for a family Bar Mitzvah. Mazal Tov, Theo Klots! Please enjoy this offering! If you feel called to contribute, you can...

Happy Purim! In this special bonus episode, you'll hear our thoughts on Megillat Esther, the scroll that we read each year on Purim. It's nice to have a holiday with a heroine, using her feminine wiles to save our people. Have a joyous, festive Purim, even in these troubling times!

Our friend Jonathan Ornstein, CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Krakow, joins us this week to discuss leadership, Zelensky, King Charles, Auschwitz, and of course, the Parsha , Tetzaveh ! This one is full of details like how to adorn the High Priest's breast plate and kill the sacrificial ram. Plus, find out what Jonathan really thought of the award-winning film, "A Real Pain," which took plac...

Briyah is in Queens and Michael is in Mexico. Sounds about right! Mexico is full of pyramids and magnificent colors. This week's Parsha is Terumah, in which Hashem tells Moses to gather donated materials from the Israelites so that they may build a Mishkan, a dwelling place for Hashem. At first, it seems this parsha is a bit boring because of all the details instruction. But actually it is filled...

The Torah takes a turn this week because Hashem gives us many laws to follow! Laws about slaves, festivals, treating strangers with kindness, and sacrificial offerings. It's all in here. Do you hate your in-laws? There's probably a law for that too. Come along for the ride as Michael and Briyah break down some of these mishpatim and why they matter. Also, check out Sunset Boulevard on Broa...

Briyah is back from Ceremony and she crossed the Red Sea! Michael explains another favorite parsha, Yitro, where the 10 Commandments are given to the Israelites. How does this play into our lives? This is a very special episode and please watch the video if you can! Blessings, Briyah and Michael

Briyah is getting ready to leave her new favorite place, Hollywood, Florida, and return to NYC. Michael is still in Budapest, with one good hip. What lessons does this parsha have for us? Why do some people want to stay enslaved as opposed to becoming free? Please enjoy this episode and there may even be a song in here!

It's Parshat Bo and Briyah and Michael are discussing darkness, surrender, trauma (of course) and other applicable themes. Pharaoh is back with his hardened heart and more plagues are underway. Thank you to a generous listener for sponsoring the podcast. If you're interested in being a sponsor, email briyahp@gmail.com.

Hashem tells Moses that he will take the Israelites out of Egypt. We learn of the first plagues, including blood and the frogs! How much can we take? Hostages, terrorism, natural disasters...but we have to be patient and trust that we will be taken out of Galus when the time is right. Briyah recommends looking into Family Constellations Therapy in order to heal what has been passed down through ge...

We are now in the book of Exodus as we make our way through the Parshas. Much has happened in our story as well as in real life. Will we have a hostage deal this week? Was it a sign that Briyah unexpectedly ran into her only relative in Sydney? We discuss. Thank you for listening!

In this parsha, the last in the book of Genesis, we say goodbye to our patriarch, Jacob. He makes his son Joseph vow not to let him be buried in Egypt because he wants to return to his homeland of Canaan. This week we have seen fires devastate homes and landmarks in California. The world feels like it's changing rapidly. We hope you enjoy this episode, which Michael recorded from the airport in Te...

This week's parsha, Vayigash (and he drew near), begins with a passionate exchange between two bothers, Joseph and Judah. Joseph reveals himself to his brothers after trying to forget his ancestral home. Briyah is currently in her ancestral home of Melbourne, Australia. It is a complex place for her and her time began with a rocky start, but she felt guided to return and face whatever comes her wa...

What pit are you still trapped in? This Parsha is full of questions to reflect upon as we continue to follow Joseph on his journey. Now he's high up in Egypt as a result of his God-given ability to interpret dreams correctly. His own brothers don't even recognize him when they come to get food during the famine. If you listen until the end, you'll get a special Chanukah song from us! May your ligh...

We are back with this week's Torah portion, Vayeshev. Joseph is having all sorts of dreams and his perceived arrogance along with their father's favoritism of him infuriates his siblings who sell him into slavery. We talk about the implications of sibling rivalry and what we can learn from and about this story.

This week we are talking about the parsha, Vayishlach, which means "he sent." There's more turmoil for Jacob as he returns to Canaan and has to face his twin brother Esau for the first time in 20 years. He is so scared of Esau that he sends messengers to find out what's going on over there. Then Jacob wrestles with an angel and is transformed by it. We hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for li...

What an interesting parsha! Full of deceit, tests of loyalty, marrying the wrong daughter, stealing of idols, sister rivalry and a lot of biblical names that Briyah would like to see make a comeback. Zebulun, anyone? What else did we think? Tune in to find out.

In this week's Torah Portion, Toledot (Generations), Rebekah commits "relationship arson" when she tells her son Jacob to steal the first born blessing from his twin brother Esau. Jacob lies to his father Isaac by pretending to be Esau. He ends up being one of our great forefathers while we know little of Esau. What does all this mean? Was Rebekah acting on divine prophecy from God, or did she med...

This week, Briyah and Michael discuss the Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, about the life of our matriarch who lived until age 127 and gave birth to her son Isaac at 90. So at 41, Briyah is still very much in the game! Michael is back in Budapest after a visit to Poland and Briyah is soon off to New Zealand (said with a Kiwi accent) and then Australia (pronounced 'Straya with an Aussie accent). Happy...

We talk to our longtime friend, Jay Michaelson, who wears many hats as a writer, journalist, lawyer, professor and rabbi. He was Michael’s student at Columbia University in the late 80s and Briyah’s Hebrew School teacher in the late 90s. We hope you enjoy this riveting, fast paced conversation about the recent election, the rise of nationalism, and yes, psychedelics. Jay will lead a Jewish meditat...

This week, Briyah and Michael discuss the film, "A Real Pain," which they found very relatable. The story follows two cousins who go to Poland to learn more about their family history. But they really learn about each other. How does this connect to this week's parsha, Lech Lecha? The name means to "go forth" and that's what these cousins do. Today is election day and we both pray our nation finds...

Briyah and Michael reflect on their Yom Kippur experiences as they prepare for Sukkot. What are we dreaming of for this new year? Michael wants a home in the Berkshires and Briyah wants a seat at the table with the visionaries of her generation. And a house on the ocean. And a life partner. If you speak it, Hashem will hear it! We also talk about what it means to have a "fawn" response to trauma a...

On this first anniversary of October 7th, Briyah and Michael sit with difficult uncertainties for our people. In these days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we ask, what have we learned this year? Briyah attended an interfaith event and shares parts of the moving stories she heard. Michael is recovering well from his hip surgery in a high rise Manhattan apartment and we were grateful to recor...

Briyah just returned from the fantastic Green Shoe Foundation in Oklahoma. Bad news is her rental car was plummeted by hail. Good news is she received incredible healing and will now totally be able to re-parent herself after all the Mother Hunger (read the book)! Briyah and Michael talk about what this all has to do with teshuvah (repentance) and the New Year. Chag Sameach to everyone and we wish...