5780 — Matot-Masei: The Long Walk to Freedom

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5780 — Matot-Masei: The Long Walk to Freedom

FromPardes from Jerusalem

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20 minutes

Released:

Jul 14, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

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Parshiot Matot-Masei includes a long list of place names that trace the wanderings of the Children of Israel through the Sinai wilderness on their way to the Land of Israel. Is this simply a geographical-historical recording of the physical journey… Read the rest
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Released:

Jul 14, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

This podcast features a weekly parsha commentary from one of the faculty members or guest lecturers at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem.

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5780 — BeHa’alotecha: Cultivating the Jewish spiritual practice of humility: What is humility? Why is it important? What is its power? Based on a teaching from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in his article, "Humility," in Covenant and Conversation, Parshat BeHa'Alotecha, 5768/2008, where he compares Moshe Rabeinu's responses to two diffe... by Pardes from Jerusalem
29 min listen
5780 — Chukat: Action vs. Intent: Human Domain vs. The Godly Realm: There is no Talmud on Tractate Parah, the Mishnah tractate which deals with the red heifer ceremony. What did the Babylonian rabbis learn from this temple ritual in the course of other discussions? In this podcast, by Pardes from Jerusalem
29 min listen
5780 — Parshat Behar Bechukotai – Living with Compassion in a Competitive Society: Unemployed, and with a bleak economic forecast, many people we know have experienced a blow to their self-esteem, and a dampening of their ability to imagine how they will regain their financial and emotional footing. by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Matot-Masei: The Long Walk to Freedom: Parshiot Matot-Masei includes a long list of place names that trace the wanderings of the Children of Israel through the Sinai wilderness on their way to the Land of Israel. Is this simply a geographical-historical recording of the physical journey to ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Yom Hazikaron and Yom Haatzmaut: The Beginning of the Flowering of our Redemption: Praying for the State of Israel: Jews have been praying for the governments of the countries they lived in since the time of the Babylonian exile. Yet the founding of a Jewish and democratic state presents a radically different relationship between the State and its citizens, by Pardes from Jerusalem
32 min listen
5780 — Re’eh: Was there ever an Ir Nidahat or Subverted City?: In this podcast we will look at the moral complexity behind the command to utterly annihilate an Israelite city proven to be idolatrous. The debate around the practical application of this passage results in some interesting textual comparisons to othe... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Korach: The Blossoming Staff of Aharon: In parshat Korach, the leadership of Moshe and Aharon is seriously challenged by the rebellion of Korach. Although Korach and his followers are defeated, the discontent of the Israelites lingers until the sign of the blossoming staff. In this podcast, by Pardes from Jerusalem
19 min listen
5781 — Ha’Azinu: Cultivating the Spiritual Practice of Remembering: Moving away from feeling distant from the Divine Presence - the Shechina - towards sensing closeness to Her. Why do we in fact feel distant, feel far, feel disconnected at times? And why do we sense closeness and connection at other times? by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Ki Tavo: Cultivating the spiritual practice of Walking In His Ways: Parashat Ki Tavo contains the command, found in Devarim 28:9: “And you shall walk in His ways.” The Rambam counts this as one of the 613 mitzvot, and explains that it charges us “to resemble Him according to our capacity. by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Shavuot: From Sefirat HaOmer to Revelation: How the Rabbis Read Biblical Texts: What part do human beings play in the revelation of Torah in the world? How do the Rabbis see their role as interpreters of Biblical text? The Torah says to count the omer from the day after the Shabbat yet the Rabbis rule that we count from the day af... by Pardes from Jerusalem
19 min listen
5780 — Balak: How to Stop a Plague. And at what cost?: The end of parsha Balak presents three attempts to end a plague. The divergent approaches of Moses and Pinchas reflect different priorities, each essential for our consideration in modern times. Download the Source Sheet by Pardes from Jerusalem
24 min listen
5780 — Parshat Naso: Uncovering the Sotah: In this podcast we will read the Biblical text and compare it with the rabbinic text in the tractate Sotah in order to highlight some significant differences between the rabbinic interpretation and Torah portion. by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
Terumah 5781: Shabbat Zachor, the Mitzvah of Genocide: The obligation to destroy Amalek and their descendants, which is read of Zachor, is one of the most problematic commandments in the bible. See how medieval commentators explained it away and how modern commentators honed even this difficult mitzva for ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5781 — Lech Lecha: Why is Avraham Really Chosen?: Avraham is both the Idol Smasher and the Harbinger of Justice and Righteousness. The Torah tells us explicitly why Avraham was chosen in Genesis 18:18-19, and the rabbis tell a story intended to explain what qualified him for the job. by Pardes from Jerusalem
32 min listen
5780 — Shelach: Tzitzit–A Model for a Rabbinic Sexual Ethic: The mitzvah of tzitzit commands the Jewish people not to lust after our hearts and eyes and to be holy. Through a Rabbinic story concerning a man, whose tzitzit smack some sense into him as he is about to bed a prostitute, by Pardes from Jerusalem
30 min listen
5780 — Parshat Bamidbar: The Theme of Passage: The midbar is both the name of the parsha as well as the setting for most of the narratives of the book of Numbers. While the word is often translated as "desert", we will discover that it means something else entirely, by Pardes from Jerusalem
28 min listen
5780 — Emor: A Blind, Toothless World: This podcast challenges traditionalists who believe "eye for an eye" always meant monetary compensation and liberals who believe that compensation is a rabbinic innovation. It does this using clues from the bible itself. Download the Source Sheet by Pardes from Jerusalem
25 min listen
5780 — Ki Tetze: The Mitzvah of the Roof Rail – Guarding Against a Fall: This week's parasha (Deuteronomy 21:10) introduces us to a Torah command with a seemingly obvious rationale. We will explore the interpretation of the Sefer HaChinuch who sees in this mitzvah a foundation principle: we are subject to laws of nature tha... by Pardes from Jerusalem
17 min listen
5780 — Pinchas: From Pinchas to the Police: What Does it Mean to Truly “Keep the Peace?”: What does it mean to "keep the peace" in society? Is it about enforcing the law and order of society in order to ensure against anarchy or is it about balancing between conflicting perspectives and needs of various members and groups of society, by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5780 — Devarim: What is in a name?: This week we begin a new book of the Torah, one which seems somehow different from the others. Devarim is also known a 'Mishne Torah,' meaning a repetition or retelling of what has come before. In this podcast, by Pardes from Jerusalem
24 min listen
5780 — Ekev: Bribing God–Not Such a Great Idea?: We hope that the Divine is on our side, especially when circumstances are far from optimal. How do we go about making sure that the Lord is with us in all of our earthly endeavors? In this podcast, Rabbi Howard Markose looks at one possible angle in ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
15 min listen
5780 — Shoftim: Shoftim v’Shotrim: Go together like a Horse and Carriage?: The juxtaposition of judges and police officers in the Torah is deliberate. What does this juxtaposition teach us about the inevitability of force in law? What do the rabbis have to say about recent calls to defund the police? Download Source Sheet by Pardes from Jerusalem
32 min listen
5780 — VaEtchanan: Committing to Love: In this podcast we will look at Shema as the affirmation of commitment to a loving relationship with God contingent about a structure of ritual, practice and belief that will be accessible to all Jews at any time and in any place. by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
Ki Tissa 5781: Parashat Parah – A tale of two cows: When put together, Ki Tissa and parashat Parah make a tale of two cows - the Golden Calf and the Red Heifer. This podcast explores what each can teach us about the power and problematics of objectification in relationships, by Pardes from Jerusalem
23 min listen
5781 — Rosh Hashana: A Very Narrow Bridge: Getting to the Other Side: This Rosh Hashanah podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat, each a sole survivor of large families which perished in the Shoah. This podcast compares the popular song "Kol Ha'olam ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5781 — Vayera: Life’s Concentric Circles: This week's parasha contrasts two acts of hospitality: Avraham welcomes three strangers to his tent at Elonei Mamrei, and Lot later welcomes two of them to his home in Sodom. Superficially, the episodes are similar but we will discover that in fact the... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5781 — Simhat Torah: Maimonides on How to Celebrate the Festivals: This podcast was first published in 2009, for Simhat Torah 5770. We hope you enjoy this replay. In this podcast, Rabbi Daniel Landes discusses Maimonides' teachings (Mishneh Torah, Rest on a Holiday 1) on how to properly celebrate the festivals. - by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
Yitro 5781: “Do Not Go Near a Woman”: But Didn’t We All Stand at Sinai?: Judith Plaskow challenged us to confront the disturbing warning issued by Moses to "the nation" at the foot of Mt. Sinai: "Do not go near a woman." Were women not included in revelation? In our brief time together, by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
VaYechi 5781 – Everything Follows the End: VaYechi is more than the end of the book of Genesis, it is the end of an era. The Torah tells us of the death of both Yaakov and Yosef in this parashah, and each has a lesson to offer before he goes. One can teach us how to give a blessing and the othe... by Pardes from Jerusalem
20 min listen
5781 — Noach: To Meat or Not To Meat: There are many points of connection between the story of creation and the story of the flood, and at least one significant difference. The permission given to Noach and his descendants to eat meat is the opening of a new chapter in the relationship bet... by Pardes from Jerusalem
21 min listen

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Kedoshim 5784: Empathy in a Divided World: In a world rife with conflict and oversimplified narratives about "the other," how can we embody true holiness by cultivating empathy, humility, and deeper human connection? - Rabbi Brent Spodek joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a tho... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Acharei Mot 5784: A People Apart: How can the Jewish people maintain a sense of unity and connection as a nation despite geographical separation and divergent experiences between the Diaspora and Israel? In this week's episode, Rabba Shani Gross joins us from afar for a discussion on ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Pesach 5784: Unearthing Personal Freedom: Can we transform the "bread of affliction" into the "bread of redemption" this Passover?" - Yiscah Smith returns this week with a call for us to see ourselves ("l'rot atzmo") as leaving spiritual enslavement each Passover. by Pardes from Jerusalem
42 min listen
Metzora 5784: Transforming Curses into Blessings: Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of... by Pardes from Jerusalem
32 min listen
Tazria 5784: Reimagining Ritual Purity: How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives? - In this week's parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to hig... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Shemini 5784: Going Beyond Our Mistakes: In this week’s episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh. - Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy draws a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, by Pardes from Jerusalem
32 min listen
Tzav 5784: In the Shadow of Failure: In this week's episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh. - Joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash, we'll draw a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of ... by Pardes from Jerusalem
39 min listen
Vayikra/Purim 5784: For God or King?: Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week as he delves deep into the rich theological tapestry of Purim alongside Rafael Polisuk. Together, they explore the intricate messages woven into the fabric of the holiday and the profound challenges encountered by t... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Pekudei 5784: Constructing Connection: In what way does the Mishkan (Tabernacle) serve as a metaphor for organizing one's relationship with God, oneself, and others? - This week, we're joined by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman for a discussion of the meticulous detailing of the construction of th... by Pardes from Jerusalem
29 min listen
Vayakhel 5784: Gathering With Intention: What is it that makes us join together with different groups? - Over the past two parshiot, we've seen two gatherings, one in which the people gathered to create the Golden Calf, and another in which they gathered to build the Mishkan. by Pardes from Jerusalem
30 min listen
Ki Tisa 5784: The Inevitable Collapse: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us to share her take on this week's parsha, and the infamous story of the Golden Calf. We'll discuss how this event can serve as an example of the inevitable moments of collapse and the repair that follows in all r... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Tetzave 5784: The Biblical Fashion Show: Do the clothes we wear define us? - Rabbi Daniel Reifman joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a discussion on the priestly vestments as described in this week's parsha in precise detail. Does the Torah teach us to create such an intricat... by Pardes from Jerusalem
30 min listen
Terumah 5784: God Everywhere, Yet Somewhere?: Can we find value in tangible expressions or experiences of spirituality, even if they challenge our rational view of the world? - Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to explore the challenges raised by the commandment to build a por... by Pardes from Jerusalem
30 min listen
Mishpatim 5784: Toward a Healthy Society: This week's parsha is primarily concerned with laws meant to order and structure our interactions and society, including a prohibition against cursing judges and the king. In light of this prohibition, Sefi Kraut, Pardes Director of Mahloket Matters, by Pardes from Jerusalem
33 min listen
Yitro 5783: Thinking Outside Ourselves: What is our responsibility to the rest of the world, and how might that impact image that we want to project to humanity at large? - Tovah Leah Nachmani joins us in the studio this week to discuss Yitro, an outsider whose story appears alongside the c... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Beshalach 5784: Choosing Faith: Dive on in as Yiscah Smith joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield to discuss the story of the Red Sea, reminding us that we had to first jump into the water before it would split. - Can we view faith as a concious choice, rather than a reaction? If so, by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Bo 5784: Building a Shared Future: On the cusp of leaving Egypt, the children of Israel are told that they must remember the Exodus. For over 2,000 years, this commandment to remember the past has helped the Jewish people remain connected to their history as a people. Yet, by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Va’era 5784: Cultivating Hope, Awaiting Salvation: How may we be redeemed when we feel as if our spirits have been crushed? - Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to discuss the idea of kotzer ruach, a crushed soul, and how Moshe faced resistance from those who could not believe that redemption was at... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Shemot 5784: Moshe’s Moral Development: This week, we begin the book of Shemot and are introduced to Moshe. Yet, by the time Moshe takes up the mantle of leadership, he’s already in his later years, and his developmental years are practically skipped over. - Rabbi Dr. by Pardes from Jerusalem
42 min listen
Vayehi 5784: An Inherited Meritocracy?: When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, by Pardes from Jerusalem
28 min listen
Vayigash 5784: Overcoming Pain as a Family: Can the pains of the past be overcome, opening the way for relationships to heal and be redefined? - In this week's parsha, we witness the emotional reunion between the sons of Israel, with Yosef revealing himself to the brothers who had once thrown h... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Miketz 5784: Being Seen for Who We Are: What might Yosef's story, so full of pain yet hope, teach us about maintaining our own faith during difficult times? - During these challenging times, many feel themselves torn between a desire to stand firmly in their Jewish identities and values and... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Vayishlach 5784: Faith in Humanity vs. Survival: What can a fraught meeting between brothers teach us about our own instincts? The events of October 7 shattered the worldview for many of us, and can cause us to approach how we understand the Torah differently. In this week’s episode, by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Vayetze 5784: Moving Forward Through Darkness: What might Ya'akov’s nocturnal struggle with the angel teach us about how to approach darkness? - As we continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and yearn for better days ahead, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Toldot 5784: The Challenge of Chosenness: The book of Bereishit, filled with the themes of covenant and birthright, tells the story of the progenitors of the Jewish people. Among the many characters we meet in the book are pairs of siblings of which one gets chosen as the inheritor of the cove... by Pardes from Jerusalem
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Chaye Sarah 5784: Ensuring the Future: What does the Torah teach us about encountering grief? - As we mourn the tragedies of October 7, Ilana Gleicher-Bloom and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield explore Avraham and Yitzchak's response to the passing of Sarah. How does Avraham mourn for his wife, by Pardes from Jerusalem
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5780 — Matot-Masei: The Long Walk to Freedom

5780 — Matot-Masei: The Long Walk to Freedom

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Pardes from Jerusalem