Seven Minute Torah

Lech Lecha tells the story of Abraham and Sarah's journey to the land of Israel. Turns out it's also about community and relationship.

A conversation with Dr. Mark Washofsky about the Seven Noachide laws. We touch on issues of universalism in Judaism, Natural Law, and what it means to be a society. In the bonus interview: the relationship between liberal Judaism and traditional Jewish law; what it means to make authentic Judaism choices; and why the Talmud belongs to all of us. For more information about the Solomon B. Freehof In...

The beginning of season 3! The Torah's opening parashah focuses, in part on Shabbat - on the very real need to take a break from technology and creation.

The final portion of the Torah ends with a message about the ongoing journey of learning.

The Torah portion for Sukkot describes Moses "seeing God's back." What does the Torah mean by that?? We get an answer from the 12th century philosopher Maimonides - and it's perfect for Sukkot!

The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem that gives a stylized version of the Israelites' history with God. It has a lot to teach us about covenant, about parent-child relationships, and about unconditional love.

Rabbi Streiffer's sermon from Rosh Hashanah morning 5782. About the ways that life calls us to think deeply about our values and our choices and how they align with each other.

This week's parashah is about standing ("nitzavim") together. In our interview with Rabbi Jesse Paikin, he points out a powerful message about responsibility to others and the need to think beyond ourselves.

This week's parashah describes the ancient practice of bringing First Fruits to the Temple. It's a ritual that still resonates today - especially in terms of building gratitude and the responsibility to provide for the less fortunate.

The measure of a society is in how it treats its most vulnerable. (Encore presentation.)

Shoftim is the Torah's portion about leadership. This week I talk with author and journalist Anya Kamenetz about different modes of information, how to assess leaders, and the centrality of social justice. Plus, in the bonus interview: children in the pandemic, resiliency in hard times, and making Jewish practice meaningful.

How a mindset of stewardship and generosity can help cultivate happiness. (Encore presentation.)

A conversation with Rabbi Miri Gold: we talk about the (ancient and modern) Jewish connection to the land of Israel, about ecology and the rhythms of Jewish life. Plus, in the bonus interview - the growth of non-Orthodox Judaism in the Jewish state; Israeli baseball in the Olympics; gratitude rituals and more!

This week we are joined by Rabbi Denise Eger, for conversation about the Shema, the concept of God's oneness, and what that means for our relationships with people. Plus: Social justice in Judaism, a groundbreaking new LGBTQ prayerbook, and more!

This episode is a conversation with Rabbi Ben Shalva.  D'varim is the beginning of Deuteronomy: the book of (Moses's) words. How does Moses's final act - an act of creating words - teach us about legacy, about memory, and about owning our own traditions? Plus, we talk about Jewish camp, about the place of mindfulness and yoga in Judaism, about books and more.

"What matters in life is not where you are, but who you have by your side." In this week's parashah we explore what it means to be on a journey, and what the pandemic has taught us about being on a journey together. (Encore presentation.)

A unpleasant incident in the desert reveals a deeper lesson about cultural integrity, racism, and how we maintain the rights of vulnerable and oppressed peoples. How does this relate to Canada's residential schools (and the United States' treatment of its indigenous and minority peoples)? What lessons are there to be learned here for life in the 21st century?

This week's parashah has it all: comedy, blessings and curses, and a talking donkey! In our conversation with Rabbi Karen Thomashow we discuss the place of parable and legend in the Torah, and what it means to find your authentic voice.  

This week's Torah portion describes a ritual that even the Rabbinic commentators can't explain! What does it teach us about the power of ritual and positive habit to bring goodness into our lives?

In this conversation with Rabbi Larry Englander, we talk about Korach's rebellion and about the difference between being holy and striving for holiness. Plus: rabbinic retirement, a new novel about Maimonides, and how secular Israeli music is making its way into Jewish religious life (and vice versa).

This week's parashah tells the story of the "meraglim" - the scouts whose job is to survey the Promised Land and report back to Moses and the Israelites. How does their report, and the rebellion that it causes, show a society at both its worst and its best. A lesson about the power of standing up for your beliefs and values.

In this conversation with Rabbi Emma Gottlieb, we discuss all the ways that Moses responds to change, adversity, and rebellion in the Sinai desert. How his (and our) capacity for leadership is built on support, compassion, and knowing when to ask for help. Plus, we talk about pioneering women rabbis, Judaism in South Africa, books and more!

A conversation with Rabbi Denise Handlarski about the very challenging "Sotah" section of the Torah. How ancient misogyny can teach us about modern Judaism and about feminism, and why sometimes the Torah is an example of what NOT to do. Plus, we talk to Rabbi Handlarski about humanism, online Judaism, intermarriage, and much more.

The parashah this week is about a census in the desert. What wisdom does it have for this terrible time of conflict and violence in Israel?

The Biblical institution of Sabbatical and Jubilee year - in which the land lies fallow and all debts are forgiven - have a powerful lesson to teach about partnership and relationship, and what happens when we stop trying to control the world around us. An interview with Rabbi Michael Satz.