Around the Calendar with Drisha

Purim 5773: ”Thoughts on Megillat Esther” with Rabbi David Silber 12.12.2023 4:38 ↓

David Silber shares his insights on Megillat Esther.

Purim 5773: ”Esther, Queen of Persia or Jewish Queen?” (4/4) with Dr. Aaron Koller 12.12.2023 24:24 ↓

Becoming a covenantal people involves choosing who will be in the group and who will be out. Not surprisingly this results in an interest in group boundaries and anxiety about blurring those lines.

Purim 5773: ”Esther, Queen of Persia or Jewish Queen?” (3/4) with Dr. Aaron Koller 12.12.2023 56:30 ↓

Becoming a covenantal people involves choosing who will be in the group and who will be out. Not surprisingly this results in an interest in group boundaries and anxiety about blurring those lines.

Purim 5773: ”Esther, Queen of Persia or Jewish Queen?” (2/4) with Dr. Aaron Koller 12.12.2023 56:55 ↓

Becoming a covenantal people involves choosing who will be in the group and who will be out. Not surprisingly this results in an interest in group boundaries and anxiety about blurring those lines.

Purim 5773: ”Esther, Queen of Persia or Jewish Queen?” (1/4) with Dr. Aaron Koller 12.12.2023 51:22 ↓

Becoming a covenantal people involves choosing who will be in the group and who will be out. Not surprisingly this results in an interest in group boundaries and anxiety about blurring those lines.

High Holidays 5773: ”The Surprising Origin of Tashlikh: A Journey into History, Halakhah and Minhag” with Rabbi Nati Helfgot 12.12.2023 1:11:10 ↓

This podcast examines the historical/halakhic sources of the extremely popular custom of tashlikh on Rosh Hashana. It explores the various permutations that led to the development of the contemporary custom and its underlying symbolisms.

Sukkot 5773: ”Themes of Sukkot” with Rabbi David Silber 12.12.2023 1:24:30 ↓

We will look at the major themes of the holiday of Sukkot.

Rosh HaShanah 5773: ”Themes of Rosh Hashana” with Rabbi David Silber 12.12.2023 1:29:22 ↓

What does the Torah’s very limited description of Rosh Hashana teach us? Through textual comparison and rabbinic literature much can be inferred about the holiday and its traditions.

High Holidays 5773: ””To pray with transgressors”: Sin and Repentance in Medieval Ashkenaz” with Dr. Rachel Furst 12.12.2023 1:29:43 ↓

The High Holiday service traditionally commences with an authorization for the community members to pray with the transgressors in their midst. What are the origins of this medieval custom and what is its significance today?

Pesach 5772: ”A Passover Message” with Rabbi David Silber 12.12.2023 3:33 ↓

David Silber shares his insights on the Seder and the Holiday of Passover. Chag Sameach!

Chanukkah 5772: ”Chanukkah: The Fire of Renewal and Hope” with Rabbi David Silber 11.12.2023 4:39 ↓

An exploration of Channukah's connections to the holiday of Sukkot, the Temple Service, and sacred space.

Yom Kippur 5772: ”Prayers of Yom Kippur” with Rabi David Silber 11.12.2023 1:25:30 ↓

We say more prayers on Yom Kippur than on any other day on the Jewish calendar. We will discuss several unique features in the prayers of Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur 5772: ””The whole world is inside and I am outside”: Midrashic Reflections on Erev Yom Kippur” with Dyonna Ginsburg 11.12.2023 1:06:58 ↓

This podcast discusses some of the midrashim which look at events that occurred on Erev Yom Kippur.

High Holidays 5772: ”Understanding the Mitzvah of Shofar in Tanakh and Halakhah” with Rabbi Nati Helfgot 11.12.2023 1:19:05 ↓

This podcast examines biblical and rabbinic sources to uncover the underlying themes and purposes that the Torah and subsequent halakhic development saw in this central ritual of Rosh Hashana that continues to play such a critical role in our understanding of the High Holidays.

Rosh HaShanah 5772: ”Prayers of Rosh Hashana” with Rabbi David Silber 11.12.2023 1:23:19 ↓

We will discuss the prayers of Rosh Hashana.

Rosh HaShanah 5772: ”Making Sense Out of Musaf: Using Tanakh to Explain Our Rosh Hashana Makhzor” with Rabbi Menachem Leibtag 11.12.2023 1:20:55 ↓

It can be difficult enough just to follow the prayer service on Rosh Hashana, let alone to understand what is going on in the Makhzor. We will explain the basic biblical concepts that lay behind our special High Holiday prayers, focusing primarily on the structure and basic themes of the lengthy Musaf service.

Pesach 5770: ”Songs of the Seder” with Dr. David Arnow 11.12.2023 1:42:11 ↓

For many, the songs of the seder are among the evening's true highlights. We will explore the midrashic relationships between the seder and song and focus on the roots and interpretation of three songs: Dayyenu, Echad MiYode'a, and Chad Gadya.