Seven Minute Torah

What does the Torah's description of ancient priestly duties tell us about the responsibility of leaders to listen to and represent their own people? -- 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, visit ww...

Vayikra is all about the details of animal sacrifice in the ancient Tabernacle. In this episode, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg gives us a new and meaningful way to understand this parashah - as being about the affirmation of life. -- 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...

In this week's episode I talk with Rabbi Barbara AB Symons, editor of Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah , about the connection between the Torah portion and the Haftarah (prophetic reading), and about finding inspiring prophetic voices in modern Judaism.   -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportuniti...

The Torah says that Moses can "see God's back." What does that mean?? We explore it with the help of Rashi and Maimonides, and talk about the ways we experience God in the world. -- 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 suppor...

What does the clothing of the ancient High Priest have to do with building a more just society? In this episode I share thoughts about my recent trip to Israel and especially my experience supporting the Women of the Wall, and relate it to the Torah portion. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an in...

Terumah is about the building of the ancient sanctuary - the dwelling place of God. I share about my visit to the Kotel this week and how it reinforced the idea that God dwells not IN the holy space, but BETWEEN human beings. -- To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutet...

In our discussion of Mishpatim and its myriad laws, we talk about Jewish laws and rituals as reminders of our ethical responsibilities. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To learn more about our classes and study groups, visit laasok.org . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminu...

The people of Israel's experience at Sinai is followed immediately by a set of instructions about worship and sacrifice. There's a lesson in there about the connection between our experiences of radical amazement and our impulse for thanks and prayer. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . For more infor...

As the people are about to cross the Red Sea, God rebukes Moses for standing and praying for too long instead of taking steps forward. We relate this to the epidemic of gun violence in the United States and talk about what kind of leadership is needed in this moment.   --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetor...

In Bo, the Israelites finally make their way out of Egypt! And Moses commands us to "Remember" - to keep talking about the Exodus on a regular basis. Why is this event so important? Why do we invoke the Exodus so constantly in Jewish life? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . To register for our upcom...

Moses's demands of Pharaoh, in God's name: "Let my people go, that they may worship Me." What kind of ethical imperative is contained in this phrase? What kind of freedom were the Israelites seeking, and what does it have to do with building a better society? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK . To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok....

In this week's parashah we meet Moses for the first time. I talk with Rabbi Ilyse Glickman about Moses as a reluctant leader. Plus, we talk about congregational life, embodied practice, and how Judaism borrows and lends ideas and practices.   Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK . To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings...

In a portion that is about death, legacy, and the passing on of tradition, Jacob momentarily doesn't recognize his grandchildren. What does this incident teach us about our own Jewish identity? Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK . To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/ . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit...

We explore the story of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt. What exactly is he up to - and do our intentions matter vis-a-vis the ends that our actions bring? Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK . To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/ . Join our Faceboo...

Joseph seems to keep finding his way of out hard spots, over and over. Is there something about the way he believes and/or acts that makes that possible? To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/ . Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenm...

In a watershed moment in Torah, the patriarch Jacob wrestles with... whom? We'll talk about who the commentators think Jacob is wrestling with, and what it has to do with our own ongoing journey of becoming. To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/ . Join our...

Vayetze tells the story of Jacob - his journey to Aram, his business dealings, his family life. This week I talk with Rabbi Geoff Mitelman, Founder of Sinai and Synapses, about the phenomenon of lying and dishonesty: why it's so prevalent in the Torah portion, how it plays into our political culture, and how it is born out of human nature. We also talk about his work at the intersection of science...

Toldot is the story of Isaac. Poor, passive, nebbishy Isaac. And yet, the parashah describes him re-digging the wells of his father Abraham: a powerful metaphor for receiving and renewing traditions, and passing them on to the next generation. To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https:/...

This parashah tells stories about some of the most important women in the Torah. But does it really tell their stories? We explore a new perspective on Sarah and Rebekah. LINKS & INFO: For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . Join our Facebook group:...

In Vayera we read the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Far from the common understanding, the Rabbis see it as a warning about the danger of a government that subverts both truth and justice. LINKS & INFO: For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenmi...

Abraham and Sarah are more than characters in a book. They are archetypes for our lives as Jews and as humans. LINKS & INFO: For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Quest...

This week's podcast is a conversation with Rabbi Emily Losben-Ostrov about the "nameless people" in Noach and throughout the Torah. What does it mean to know the name - and see the perspective - of another? LINKS & INFO: For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenmi...

As we begin season 4 of Seven Minute Torah, we explore the idea that humans are created "in the image of God." What does the Torah mean by this, and what does it mean for our own lives? For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . Join our Facebook group...

The death of Moses is the end of the Torah...but is it really an ending? Completing this year's Torah cycle prepares us to continue our learning - and to start it all over again. For more information on our new Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://micahstreiffer.com/torah-study/ . To become a supporter of Seven Minute Torah, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah . Join our Facebook group: https...

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.