Pardes from Jerusalem

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...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 1: Resurrection and Rosh Hashana: Multivalent Perspectives on the Binding of Isaac Description: There is no story as rich and complex, as troubling and inspiring, as Akedat Yitzchak, the binding of Isaac which is the Torah reading for the second Morning of Rosh Hashana. Akedat Yitzhak is a great story precisely because there are so many ways of understandin...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 2: Rosh Hashana: Power of Choice Description: In this special Pardes from Jerusalem podcast for Rosh Hashana, Nechama Goldman Barash explores both ancient and modern sources that reflect on the power of choice and its effect on our relationship with one another and God. This podcast was generously sponsored by Max Wasserman in honor of his daughters, Maya a...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 3: Days of Awe-some or Awe-ful Description: The High Holy Days are also known as the Days of Awe which can be awesome, or awful. Here is a look at how to tie the work of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot together into an approach to building a world whose horizon is big enough to hold our dreams. Credits Host: Mike Feuer - Mike Feuer teaches Striving for...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 4: Death and Life: The Meaning of Yom Kippur According to the Rabbis Description: What is the link between afflicting one’s soul on Yom Kippur and the day being the ultimate Shabbat? What do the Rabbis think are basic human needs? Why is the value of preserving life taught in the laws of Yom Kippur? In this podcast we will analyze some of the main of the mi...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 5: Yom Kippur: Hilchot Teshuva Description: In this special shiur for Yom Kippur, Rabbi Meir Schweiger discusses Hilchot Teshuva, the laws of Teshuva. Credits Host: Meir Schweiger - Meir teaches Chumash, Parshat HaShavua, Mishna, Talmud, Halakha, Siddur and Interpersonal Relations at Pardes. To learn more with Meir, click here. Producer: Amira Mintz-Morgent...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 6: Yom Kippur: Insights on The Book of Jonah Description: Sefer Yona, the book of Jonah, is read at the Mincha service of Yom Kippur day. In this podcast, Rabbi Michael Hattin considers some ancient explanations for Yona’s reluctance to undertake his fateful mission to the people of Nineveh and what messages the book might hold for us. Credits Host: Michael...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 7: Yom Kippur: The Repentance of Nineveh Description: Sefer Yona, the book of Jonah, is read at the Mincha service of Yom Kippur day. In this podcast, Rabbi Alex Israel delves into repentance by examining the repentance of the city of Nineveh. Credits Host: Alex Israel - Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Tanakh at Pardes. To learn more with him, click here. Produce...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 8: Yom Kippur: Those who Believe in Sin, Please Stand Up Description: In a class given at Pardes Jerusalem as part of the Community Education Program, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield looks at why we fast on Yom Kippur. Fasting is one of the most widely kept Mitzvot, but what exactly are the reasons for it. Credits Host: Zvi Hirschfield - Zvi teaches Talmud, Halakha a...

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 9: Why do we fast on Yom Kippur Description: Rabbi Howard Markose discusses Yom Kippur looking at how we relate to sin in the 21st century. Credits Host: Howard Markose - Howard Markose teaches Bible and Biblical Hebrew at Pardes. To learn more with Howard, click here. Producer: Amira Mintz-Morgenthau Podcast Editor: Evan Feist

Greatest Hits: The High Holidays Episode 10: Yom Kippur: Making it Meaningful Description: In this episode of Yom Kippur – Making it Meaningful podcast Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by PCJE faculty, Sefi Kraut, and PCJE’s Director of Digital Content, Reuven Margrett. Together they uncover the deeper meaning of Yom Kippur. Credits Host: Zvi Hirschfield, Sefi Kraut, & Reuven Margrett - Zvi teaches...

The Book of Samuel I Episode 27: Shaul's Bitter End Podcast Overview: In this final battle Shaul dies, but as the noble king of Israel. (Samuel I 31:1-13) 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 podcasts will also be a...

This Rosh Hashanah podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z"l, each a sole survivor of large families which perished in the Shoah. Nitzavim/Rosh Hashana 5782 - One thing I have asked of HaShem... The spiritual practice of becoming at home with oneself and of sensing inner harmony, alignment and equanimity. Cultivating this pra...

The Book of Samuel I Episode 26: David's Triumph Podcast Overview: Sent home by the Philistines, David and his men discover that Ziklag has been sacked by the Amalekites. How will David regroup? (Samuel I 29:1-30:31) 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...

The Book of Samuel I Episode 25: Shaul and the Witch of En Dor Podcast Overview: As the Philistines mass for battle, Shaul becomes desperate. God will not respond to his entreaties, so instead, he reaches out to the spirit of dead Shmuel. (Samuel I 28:1-25) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepare the primary material from...

The Book of Samuel I Episode 24: David and Shaul's Final Encounter Podcast Overview: In an encounter very reminiscent of chapter 24, David and Shaul meet for a final time. Now, though, David will make it clear that Shaul has been manipulated by unscrupulous men. (Samuel I 26:1 - 27:12) Download Source Sheet A special note to the listener: In general, listeners are encouraged to independently prepa...

The Book of Samuel I Episode 23: Avigayil's Intervention Podcast Overview: David is saved from spilling blood through the heroic intervention of a wise woman - Avigayil. (Samuel I 25:1 - 44) 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....

Ki Tetze 5781 - Remember Amalek This parasha presents us with seventy-four mitzvot - the most of any weekly reading. The last lines appear to be a return of a taste of narrative, but they open up for us a fundamental understanding of the book of Devarim. Here is a fresh look at the command to remember Amalek. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write us to us at elmad@...