Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast

This week Rabbanit Shani Taragin and Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg sit down to discuss the second Haftarah of Ruin from Yirmiyahu 2. After an attempt to chronologically place this prophecy, our hosts discuss what could have been done better during the period of Yoshiyahu's reform, why this was not enough in the eyes of the prophet Yirmiyahu, and how this relates to our current national challenges....

This week, the Jewish world begins reading a special series of ten Haftarot: 3 prophecies of RUIN read before Tisha b'Av and 7 prophecies of COMFORT read afterward. All of these prophecies will be explored and featured on the podcast this summer with a wonderful lineup of guests. These episodes are available on Youtube with special high-quality video content filmed in the Matan Bet Midrash. This w...

This week we explore the Haftarah from the book of Micah with R. Yaakov Beasly who authored a commentary on Micah in the Maggid Studies inTanakh Series. This conversation explores the time period in which Micah lived, the complexity and tragedy of the Assyrian invasions of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, and what unique message Micah tried to offer the Southern Kingdom during a devastating bib...

This conversation with Rachel Sharansky Danziger explores the story of Yiftach's career read in this week's Haftarah, and the way his childhood story influences the dangerous choices he makes later on as leader. We also explore several 'daughter' stories in the book of Shoftim and what they reflect about that period of biblical history. This week's episode has been sponsored by the Feinblum family...

In this week's conversation with Tanakh scholar and master teacher R. Hayyim Angel, we discuss Shmuel's harsh rejection of kingship expressed in the Haftarah choice and why even God's approval of the people's request cannot convince him otherwise. This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Karen Miller Jackson, we discuss the spy story in the book of Yehoshua, read as this week's Haftarah, and why Rachav is the inspiring 'other' archetype of Israelite society. This week's episode has been dedicated by Debby Sondheim in loving memory of her late husband Fred Distenfeld, Ephraim Uri ben Menachem Mani and Esther

This week's episode with Dr. Ayelet Hoffman Libson explores the parsha's depiction of the nation in transition--between the idyllic depiction in the first ten chapters of the book and the series of complaints that follow. Our guest offers a novel and moving interpretation of this narrative flow. This week we temporarily returned to parsha study, because the Haftarah is read from Zecharya 2-4 which...

In this conversation with Yael Liebowitz we explore the motif of the 'barren woman' which features in this week's haftarah as well as what Shimshon's unusual character can teach us about our national destiny. This episode has been sponsored by Chava Mann. This year the Matan Podcast is studying the weekly Haftarah.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, we explore the Haftarah read the day before Rosh Chodesh: the story of David's absence from Shaul's Rosh Chodesh meal and Yehonatan's confirmation that David must flee from Shaul in order to remain alive (I Shmuel 20). This moment of crisis becomes the surprising birthplace of David's next life chapter. This year The Matan Podcast is explo...

This week we sit down with Dr. Elana Stein Hain to explore the way Yirmiyahu elaborates upon and adds layers of theological nuance to the concept of divinely bestowed blessings and curses. We touch upon the idea of national and individual retribution and the way Yirmiyahu tried to fight the dominant beliefs of his time. This episode has been sponsored in memory of Notah David ben Yerachmiel on his...

This week we shift focus from the Haftorah to the parsha which mentions the mitzvah of counting the Omer and the holiday of Shavuot. Through the prism of these mitzvot and with the insights of Dr. Tanya White, we explore what has happened to our people during the recent war with Iran and where we might go from here. Links Mentioned in This Conversation: Movie with R. Medan and R. Granot: https://w...

In this conversation, Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg helps us understand the role played by the concept of 'Kiddush Hashem' in both the Ashkenazic and Sephardic Haftarah selections. Both prophecies of rebuke remind the people that their reputation must be earned, but that redemption can come whether or not they are worthy. This week's episode has been sponsored by Talia K Sanford in celebration of a...

The usual Haftarah read for this week's double parsha is from II Melachim, but it is replaced with the special reading for Shabbat Rosh Chodesh (Yeshayahu 66). Our host, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble, opens up this episode with a short message regarding that reading after which follows a rebroadcast of a beautiful conversation with R. Alex Israel on this week's parsha and usual Haftorah reading from II...

In this conversation, leading educator R. Yitzchak Etshalom delves into this week's Haftorah (II Shmuel 6), which chronicles King David's dramatic attempt to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. Together, we examine the tragic root of Uzza’s error, the nuances of David’s character throughout the journey, and the complex tension in his relationship with Michal. This episode is sponsored in memory of Deanna...

In honor of the Haftorah read on Shabbat parshat chol hamoed from Yechezkel 37, we are rebroadcasting episode 248 with Rabbanit Shani Taragin from earlier this year, which explored this prophecy as the Haftorah of Parshat Vayigash. Yechezkel 37 describes the grafting of two branches representing the Northern (Yosef) kingdom of Israel and the Southern (Judah) Kingdom. This prophecy of comfort still...

This week's Haftorah from Malachi 3 has been chosen for its connection to Shabbat Hagadol and the upcoming Pesach holiday. In this episode with Dr. Chana Shacham Rosby, we discuss the unique features of the Haftorah and the role of Eliyahu in Malachi's prophecy and in Jewish tradition. Link to Dr. Shacham Rosby's article in Segula Magazinr: file:///C:/Users/yehod/Downloads/ShachamRosby2023Elijah%2...

In this conversation with Rabbanit Anne Gordon, we explore Yeshayahu's rebuke to the people for their unworthy sacrifices and unworthy behavior. We revisit themes such as redemption without repentance and discuss their unique formulation in this Haftorah in light of the current war with Iran. To order your copy of the Matan Az-Nashir Haggadah, visit the SHVILLI website: https://www.shvillicenter.o...

In this conversation with Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash we discuss the contradictions and changes in Yechezkel's futuristic Temple vision from the Torah's accounts of the Temple from this week's Haftorah. We explore the ways commentators throughout the generations have grappled with this issue. This episode has been sponsored in memory of David Shmuel ben Yitzchak. This year the Matan Podcast is...

In this conversation with Michal Porat, we explore the unique and moving concepts of comfort expressed in Yechezkel 36, the special haftorah chosen for Parshat Para. We discuss the relationship between this prophecy and the purification rite of the red heifer which is read as the maftir reading and we also explore the power and limits of repentance. This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the wee...

What if Megillat Esther is not the most hidden book in Tanakh, but the most brilliantly written one? Secrets of the Scroll--a series produced for this Purim and hosted by Rabbanit Shani Taragin--presents the book of Esther as a text written in code. A story where God is hidden, miracles are quiet, and redemption unfolds through courage, strategy, and deep biblical memory. This is not a surface lev...

In this conversation with Rabbanit Mali Brofsky, we study the Haftorah of Shabbat Zachor which recounts Shaul's loss of the monarchy in I Shmuel 15 in the war against Amalek. We explore the significance of Shaul's error in this narrative alongside the ideal nature of Israelite monarchy. This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Michael Rainsbury, head of Lifelong Learning at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS), we discuss King Shlomo's leadership style as expressed through the building of the Mikdash (Temple). Shlomo's reign, perhaps the pinnacle of the monarchical period, also underscores the interpersonal and spiritual challenges of national expansion and power. This year the Matan Podc...

In this episode with Rabbi Yaakov Beasly, we explore the fascinating text of this week's Haftorah describing the unusual childhood of the Judean king Yoash and his attempt to physically restore the Temple. The conversation highlights the tragedy of disillusionment with spiritual leadership and reminds us how challenging it is to change intergenerational patterns. This week's episode is dedicated i...

In this conversation with Yael Leibowitz, we discuss Yeshayahu's theophany in the Haftorah within the broader context of prophecy and its function as an intermediary between God and the nation of Israel. We also discuss the geopolitical backdrop of the second half of the Ashkenazi Haftorah and how it relates to our modern reality. This parsha's podcast is dedicated to the recovery of Phyllis Hecht...

In this conversation with Tamar Weissman, we explore the narrative and prose renditions of Devorah's story in Shoftim 4-5, read as this week's Haftorah. We discuss the uniqueness of the enemy and the uniqueness of Devorah as the national leader during this critical period of history. This week's episode has been sponsored by Rabbi Michael and Jeri Laxmeter for the Refuah Shleimah of their granddau...