Pardes from Jerusalem

How we can have hard conversations that lead to growth and renewed relationship, as opposed to anger and distance? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Pardes Faculty member Sefi Kraut, one of Pardes's lead educators for Mahloket Matters. The Mahloket Matters methodology combines social psychology with the rich Jewish textual tradition of deeply engaging with conflicti...

How can we connect with the Godliness within ourselves? In this week's Parsha Podcast, our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, is joined by Pardes faculty member Yischa Smith to discuss the failure of the spies sent ahead of the tribes of Israel. Together, we will examine how their failure reflects the inability of the Jewish people to trust the Godliness within themselves. What are the potential conflic...

Imagine being on a journey filled with excitement and hope, only to have it quickly derailed. That's exactly what happens in this week's parsha. What causes this sudden shift, and what can we learn from it? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Michael Hattin for a deep dive into Parshat Beha'alotecha. Together, we will explore the transitions and unexpected turns...

What threats and opportunities can their be found in the concept of vows as presented through Judaism? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Daniel Reifman for an exploration of this week’s parsha. Together, we will explore the power of vows as an avenue for building a more individualized and fulfilling spiritual life. On the flipside, we will also examine why the...

Can pluralism and individuality enhance our sense of a shared framework and obligation to one another? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Jonathan Leener, Pardes North America Faculty Associate, for an exploration of this week's parsha. Together, we will learn how this text, which describes in great detail how the Jewish people organized themselves in the deser...

How do the restrictions and limitations of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years shape our understanding of power, ownership, and social responsibility? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Elchanan Miller for an exploration of the relevance of these ideas from the perspective of a modern Israel struggling to build a society where members feel may strong and empowered...

How do build a community that is both coherent and inclusive? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash for a discussion on the tragic episode of the blasphemer, and how the search for inclusion can include the pain of being left out. Together we will examine Moshe's role as a leader and think about own leadership today through the eyes of in...

How do we balance a sense of reverence and our desire for closeness with the Divine? In this week's episode of the Pardes Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash for a discussion on boundaries and intimacy in our relationships with God and others. Join them for an exploration of this week's parsha and gain wisdom that can help guide and inspire us in our...

How do we make sense of Divine reward and punishment in our complex world? In this week's episode of the Pardes Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Dean Emeritus Dr. David I. Bernstein for a discussion on theodicy, free will, and living in an uncertain and unjust world. Join them for an exploration of this week's parsha and gain wisdom that can help guide and inspire us in our lives...

Is there a reason behind the laws of keeping kosher? Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits as they tackle this question, exploring the various explanations for these laws and unpacking Rabbi Elisha's personal theory. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits - Pardes Faculty  

Passover is all about telling the story of the Exodus, but that wasn't always the case. How did the central ritual of Passover shift over time from the paschal sacrifice to the ritual of storytelling? In this special episode of the Pardes Parsha Podcast, join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Daniel Reifman on a journey of discovering the meaning of Passover in Jewish history and in our lives today....

So much of Sefer Vayikra (the Book of Leviticus) is steeped in concepts that are foreign to us today - the temple cult, the offering of sacrifices - that it's de rigueur to assume we won't understand or care very much about this set of Torah portions. But Elisha Ancselovits, in a havruta of guiding questions from Aviva Lauer, gives us a whole new take on why the Korban Shlamim - the peace offering...

The Sanctuary's washbasin came from mirrors donated by the Israelite women. Yet, Rashi's comment raises some doubts that Moses had regarding the propriety of using these mirrors, items that are generally used for feminine beautification. This opens a discussion of the place of sexuality in the Tabernacle. Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Elhanan Miller - Pardes Faculty

Are we too judgmental towards Ahron? Join Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld in an exploration of the weekly parsha as they examine the tragic life of Moses's brother Ahron. Credits: Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld - Pardes North America Faculty

Rabbi Elisha Anscelovitz and Yiscah Smith discuss the historical roots of Purim as an agricultural holiday while drawing from the Hasidic masters to help us find deeper meaning to the holiday. Credits - Rabbi Elisha Anscelovitz and Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty  

This podcast is in memory of Arlene Ruby Harel z”l upon the occasion of her first yahrzeit. Arlene’s welcoming, free-spirited nature, warmth, authenticity, candor, humor and openness is missed deeply by all of us who were privileged to work with her, connect with her, and learn from her wisdom. In this week's episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Daniel Reifman discuss the building of the Taber...

Parshat Mishpatim tells us that we should distance ourselves from lying. Join Pardes faculty members Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose for an exploration of why human beings lie, similarities between the Torah and Hammurabi's Code, and Divine compassion. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose and Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty

In Yitro, we see Moses learn that it takes more to be a public religious leader than simply being a person of faith. How does Moses learn to be a person who has experienced faith on a personal level bring it out and share it with others? Join Brent and Ziva as they explore the deeper values and ideas of this week's Torah portion. Credits: Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva R. Hassenfeld - Parde...

In this week's parsha podcast, Rabbis Amirit Rosen and Elisha Anscelovitz discuss Shirat Hayam, the Song of the Sea, and the importance of taking pauses in life. Credits: Rabbi Amirit Rosen and Rabbi Elisha Anscelovits - Pardes Faculty

Alex Israel and Sefi Kraut discuss the concept of the New Moon and the notion of time: the freedom to take control of our own time, the calendar as a nation-building tool, the challenge of procrastination, and the gift of spiritual renewal. Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Sefi Kraut - Pardes Faculty  

The parsha opens with the names of God, and that sets the stage for the revelation which comes through the plagues. This podcast touches how this dynamic expresses a deeper layer in the whole relationship between Creator and creation as it asks - what's in a name? Credits: Rabbi Mike Feuer - Pardes Faculty  

Join Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld as they discuss the first parsha of Shemot and explore the topic of Miriam the Prophetess as a young girl. Credits: Professor Ziva R. Hassenfeld and Rabbi Brent Spodek

Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Nechama Goldman Barash talk about contrasts in the parsha, control or lack thereof in our lives, and the power of a blessing. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash - Pardes Faculty

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 8 - One Candle, Then Another, Then Another Featuring Rabbi Brent Spodek Transitioning into a new month and praying for renewal and growth, bright as a fully lit Hanukiah. Music...

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 7* - Deborah and Judith: How Our Heroines Harmonize Across a Millennium Featuring Aviva Lauer Who was Judith and what does she have to do with Hanukah? And if we listen closely,...