Seven Minute Torah

In his final blessing to the people of Israel, Moses leaves us with a message for moving forward. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/sup...

The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem about covenant, fidelity, adversity and growth. A perfect message for the High Holy Days, and for every day. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (f...

Moses dies at the age of 120. In this episode, we explore the meaning of that "age" in Jewish tradition and Jewish life. Turns out it may not be about age after all. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/seven...

This week's Torah portion describes a ritual that, according to the Rabbis, must be recited in Hebrew. But what if not everyone knows Hebrew? We look at a Talmudic text and a Hasidic story about the importance of praying both in Hebrew and in words that we can understand. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunitie...

In a parsha packed of laws, a series of statements about not "mixing" things (seeds, animals, materials) leads to a discussion about our responsibility to safeguard the world. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/se...

This week's parashah is about various kinds of leaders in ancient Israel. It's also about the way Judaism is constantly evolving - and our ongoing responsibility to find new meanings in ancient traditions. (An encore of our 2022 podcast for Shoftim.) --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok...

This parashah describes the dietary laws - what Jews traditionally may and may not eat. We'll talk about a liberal Jewish approach to keeping kosher. (An encore of our 2022 podcast on Re'eh) --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit www...

An encore presentation of last year's popular episode about Judaism and the earth. This week's parashah, Ekev, contains the middle paragraph of the Shema - a challenging passage that speaks of God as Source of "reward and punishment." Should this passage be in our prayerbook? How might we read it through modern eyes. Turns it out can also be read as an ecological text. ---- Seven Minute Torah is a...

When Moses repeats the Ten Commandments, he makes some changes - including to the wording around Shabbat. His changes teach us something very important about the reason(s) for Shabbat, and what we're supposed to learn from it. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the p...

As the book of Deuteronomy opens, Moses retells some of the stories of the Israelites' desert wanderings - but with major changes. We explore why he changes the story, and we explore the possible origins of Deuteronomy in the religious reform of King Josiah centuries later. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunit...

As the Israelites are about to cross over into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuven and Gad step forward and say that they've decided to stay where they are. What happens next teaches us a lot about what it is to be a Jew in diaspora but still care about - and have a stake in - the land of Israel. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups o...

Among other things, parashat Pinchas lists the festivals - and the sacrifices associated with them. We talk about how the Rabbis crafted a Judaism of ritual and prayer out of a sacrifice-based system, and what it shows us about Judaism's capacity to evolve. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https:/...

The ritual of the Red Heifer is perhaps the most obscure, confusing practice in the entire Torah. In this episode we talk about whether Jewish rituals need reasons - and how that debate plays out traditionally and in liberal Judaism. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To suppor...

Korach's argument seems like a reasonable one: all of the people are holy. So why does his movement/rebellion end so badly? We take a look at what the Rabbis have to say about where Korach went wrong. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast,...

In Sh'lach Lecha, the scouts - and the people of Israel - are punished for not having a wide enough view to see their power and their responsibility. I talk with Rabbi Andy Kahn, editor of The Sacred Earth (CCAR Press, 2023) about how this relates to the climate crisis and the current moment. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other...

I talk with Rabbi Zoe Klein, author of Candle Feather Wooden Spoon. We find some interesting tidbits hidden in this week's parashah, and then go on to talk about the power of story in Torah and in Jewish life. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this...

The Torah requires the isolation of certain people afflicted with ailments. How does Jewish tradition weigh that against the human need for community and support. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetora...

The Torah commands that "all your males shall appear" before God on Shavuot. Why does it exclude women from participating in this part (but not other parts) of the holiday celebration? What are we supposed to do with it as modern, egalitarian Jews? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.o...

As we begin a new book of the Torah, I talk with Rabbi Judith Siegal about what it is to wander in the wilderness, and why those "in between places" open us up for creativity. We also talk about the post-covid moment in Jewish life, about Jewish camp, and much more! --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go t...

The Torah's institution of the sabbatical year teaches a lesson about stewardship vs. ownership - which contradicts our society's consumer values AND might help me eat slower. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

In a strange passage, the Torah requires the worshipper to eat the entire Thanks Offering in one day. We'll explore what the commentators have to say about that, and why they think it's about our capacity for gratitude and community. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To suppor...

This double portion starts off being about the priests and ends up being about how we are all responsible to strive for holiness in the world. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok...

This week's double portion is about leprosy. We turn to a story in the Talmud about a "leper messiah," with a message about being empowered to repair the world. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or ht...

Aaron witnesses the deaths of his two sons and is silent. But is he really? What can we learn from Aaron about activism in the face of loss? What does the current moment of gun violence in America call for? -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laas...

The parashah for this week tells of the aftermath of the Golden Calf and the renewal of the covenant. What does that have to do with celebrating Pesach?? -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/ . To become a supporter of this podcast, visi...