Richmond Jewish Learning Experience

Beshalach: Sota Stream 06.02.2025 58:03 ↓

What is the symbolism behind the bitter waters of Marah?

Va'era: Plagues, Politics, and Pedagogy 23.01.2025 47:47 ↓

Why did the rabbis suggest the plague of frogs was brought about through one frog? What political effects did the plagues have?

Shemot: What Was Moshe's Real Name? 16.01.2025 54:20 ↓

Did Moshe's mother give him a name? Why does the Torah use the name given by Pharaoh's daughter?

Vayechi: Why THESE Stories? 09.01.2025 57:22 ↓

Bereshit is a curated series of stories about our ancestors. Why did God choose to tell these to us? (recorded 1/9/2025)

Vayigash: Numbers in Tanach - Was Mitt Romney a Gilgul of Yaakov? 02.01.2025 47:01 ↓

There is some fuzzy math in the Torah's counting of Yaakov's family. How are we supposed to understand the Torah's usage of numbers?

Did Avraham Keep the Torah? 01.01.2025 1:07:42 ↓

The rabbis in the midrash and Talmud assume that the patriarchs kept the Torah. What are we supposed to make of that?

What Can't We Pray For? 25.12.2024 1:02:34 ↓

Are there things we can't pray for? What does that tell us about the nature of prayer?

Vayishlach: Yaakov's House for God 12.12.2024 52:26 ↓

In last week's parsha, Yaakov vowed to make a house for God. Why didn't he?

Summary of Yaakov: Dreamer or Doubter? 05.12.2024 14:00 ↓

Summary of Yaakov: Dreamer or Doubter?

Vayetze - Yaakov: Doubter or Dreamer? 05.12.2024 53:14 ↓

What was Yaakov dreaming about and why? Is his response appropriate?

Toldot: Was Esav Such a Bad Guy 29.11.2024 54:05 ↓

Does the Torah describe Esav as a villain? Why do chazal?

Future Tents: Circumcision, Motherhood, and the Destruction of Sodom 14.11.2024 53:43 ↓

The Torah tells of Abraham and the angels, his negotiation with God, and the destruction of Sodom without a single paragraph break. Is it all really just one story?

SUMMARY Lech Lecha shiur 07.11.2024 17:35 ↓

Summary of "Abraham's Biblical Doppelgangers". Source sheet: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/602169.23?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en

Abraham's Biblical Doppelgangers 07.11.2024 45:51 ↓

We discuss the midrash about Abraham destroying his father's idols and getting thrown into a fire. Where did the rabbis get it from? (recorded 11/06/2024)

Bereshit and Noach: Man's Place in the World 31.10.2024 59:02 ↓

The Torah vs. Ancient Near Eastern creation and flood stories. Does God care about humans? (recorded on 10/30/2024)

Shemini Atzeret and Bereshit: God's Tough Goodbye 22.10.2024 11:47 ↓

What does the midrash mean when it says that Shemini Atzeret is about Hashem having a hard time saying goodbye to us? The significance of the number 8. (recorded on 10/22/2024)

Yom Kippur: The atonement of Isaiah 58 10.10.2024 47:12 ↓

What is atonement? Why does the haftarah talk about eating on Yom Kippur? (recorded on 10/10/24)

Nitzavim-Vayelech: What's with Hakhel? 27.09.2024 48:09 ↓

What is the meaning behind the mitzvah of Hakhel? (Recorded on 9/24/2024)

Ki Tavo SUMMARY 19.09.2024 12:24 ↓

A quick summary of the parsha class for Ki Tavo. (recorded 9/19/2024)

Ki Tavo: Why Moshe's Speech Ends in a Tithe 19.09.2024 56:23 ↓

What is the significance of the mitzvot of the first fruits and giving ten percent to the poor? Why does Moshe end his speech with these two mitzvot in particular? (recorded on 9/18/2024)

Ki Tetze: Is All Fair in Love and War? 12.09.2024 55:43 ↓

Why does the Torah "permit" אשת יפת תואר (marrying a captive woman)? Dedicated to the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. (recorded on 9/11/2024)

Shoftim: The Relevance of Egla Arufa 05.09.2024 56:13 ↓

Understanding the Egla Arufa in light of current events. Dedicated to the memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin. (recorded on 9/4/2024)

Re'eh: Avraham's Vindication? 29.08.2024 53:49 ↓

What does Re'eh tell us about Avraham's behavior at the Akeida? Where is there room for human emotion in Judaism? (recorded on 8/28/2024)

Ekev: Manna, Moaning, and Mitzvot 22.08.2024 49:48 ↓

This parsha gives a sympathetic retelling of the episodes with the Manna. It also connects the Manna with mitzvah observance. Why? (recorded 8/21/24)

Defining Deuteronomy: To Review or Repeat? 15.08.2024 52:38 ↓

Why is the book of Devarim such a bad review of the Torah? What's the point? (recorded on 8/14/2024)