Torah of the Earth

FromSeven Minute Torah

Start listening View podcast show

Torah of the Earth

FromSeven Minute Torah

ratings:

Length:

7 minutes

Released:

May 15, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

Judaism encourages us to build a relationship of connection and respect with the earth. A 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer.

Released:

May 15, 2020

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

Making modern meaning from ancient texts! Each week Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses the weekly Torah portion in about 7 to 10 minutes, through liberal Jewish eyes. We weave together philosophy, spirituality, tradition, and social justice - and derive meaning for today‘s life from our sacred sources. Longer episodes include a bonus interview with leading rabbis and Jewish thought leaders. With questions or comments, please contact me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

Skip carousel

Shoftim: Justice Shall You Pursue: What does the Torah portion teach about government and the responsibilities of leaders? An appropriate parashah for the week of the political conventions. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Rosh Hashanah: 3 Torah Portions in 7 Minutes!: Family, continuity, repentance, and appreciation. These are the themes of #RoshHashanah. Join us as we explore the holiday's 3 Torah portions in only 7 minutes. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Chukat: Fear, Hope, and Why Generosity Makes the Difference: Acting toward others with generosity and kindness actually helps us become more hopeful and optimistic. A 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Naso: Facing Racism in Society: What guidance does Judaism have to offer the conversation about racism in our society? A 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion. by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
Torah of the Earth: Judaism encourages us to build a relationship of connection and respect with the earth. A 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer. by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
B'midbar: Together in the Wilderness: The desert is a symbol for times of uncertainty. What can we learn from this week's Torah portion, and from the famous story of Nachshon, about community during the pandemic. A seven-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiff... by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Korach: Of Firepans and Confederate Statues: The Torah teaches about the importance of remembering and learning from our past - not preserving it. A 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Chayei Sarah: Life and Death and Legacy: Chayei Sarah is a Torah portion about death. So why does its title only mention life?? by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
Ekev: When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Why do bad things happen to good people? Can it be explained, and are we even asking the right question? by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
Torah and Cheesecake: What is Shavuot?: What do ice cream and Jewish learning have to do with one another? A 7-minute explanation of Shavuot, Judaism festival of thankfulness, tradition, and sweet treats. by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
Masei: Together on the Journey: This week's Torah portion teaches about what it is to be on a journey, and how much we need each other along the way. Relevent to Covid, and to pretty much everything else we do in life. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Re'eh: It's not yours! The power of generosity.: How a mindset of stewardship and generosity can help cultivate happiness. a 7-minute exploration of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer. by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
B'haalotcha: Anti-Racism Advice from Torah: An exploration of this week's Torah portion (as always, in 7 minutes) and what it has to say about racism. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Yitro: Our Own Sinai Moments: Did God hand down 10 Commandments on stone tablets at Mount Sinai? When we stop reading the Torah so literally, we can see that it is actually about us and our own lives. #Judaism #Torah #TenCommandments #JewishPodcast by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Vayikra: Of Temples, Prayers, and Pandemics: A conversation with Rabbi Joel Simon of Congregation Schaarei Zedek in Tampa, Florida, about sacrifice and prayer, how the synagogue saved Judaism, and what it all has to do with Covid. #JewishLearning #Covid19 #Judaism #Rabbi #TorahPortion #ParashatHa... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
Va'etchanan: On the Doorposts of the Sky: Deep thoughts about holiness, awe, and the oneness of the universe - that came to me at 4 am. by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
Toldot: How (Not) To Disagree: This week's Torah portion teaches about how to disagree respectfully. We could learn a thing or two for our own lives and our political system. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Emor: The Corners of Your Face/Field: The Torah's strange prohibition against shaving the corners of your face is an opportunity to talk about holiness and about the relationship between ritual and ethics. #Judaism #Podcasts #JewishLearning #SocialJustice by Seven Minute Torah
9 min listen
Bereishit: Our Responsibility to the Earth: Did you know that the Torah tells two different, contradictory stories about the origin of the earth? Together they remind us that we are responsible to take care of this planet. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Shlach: The Transformative Power of Growth Mindset: How believing that it is possible to learn and grow can transform a person's - or a country's - abilities. A 7-minute explanation of the weekly Torah portion with Rabbi Micah Streiffer. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Ki Tetze: Because You Were Slaves: The measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. #Justice by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Sh'mot: Power for Power's Sake: The Torah warns us about leaders who seek power simply for the sake of being in power, without regard for the good of the people. And it holds up Moses as an example of a different kind of lawmaker. #Torah #Judaism #CapitolRiots by Seven Minute Torah
7 min listen
B'shallach: Taking the long way to the Promised Land: The Torah says that the Israelites took the long route through the wilderness to the Promised Land. A perfect metaphor for our own journeys. #Torah #Podcast #Judaism #Transformation #BestSelf #Wellness by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Ki Tisa: The Only Thing We Have to Fear....: The story of the Golden Calf is a story of the dangers of acting out of fear. Our fears can bring out the worst in us, but they can also impel us to be our best. We quote the research of Dr. Kelly McGonigal about stress and wellness. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Vayakhel-Pekudei: Holy Space and Holy Actions: Is the sanctuary holy because God is there, or is it the other way around? (Hint: it's about what YOU do.) Plus, a brief explanation of some of the intricacies of the Jewish calendar. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Lech Lecha: Children of Abraham: This week's parashah introduces Abraham, the first Jew. But who is Abraham anyway?? Come hear an ancient story about the beginning of the #Jewish journey, and how it is still shaping our way of life. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
D'varim: The Book of Words: 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?... by Seven Minute Torah
37 min listen
Vayera: Let every voice be heard; let every vote be counted: In this week's #Torah portion, the strange and challenging story of Sodom and Gomorrah teaches us that a just society is one that hears the voices of its citizens. #socialjustice #counteveryvote by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Vay'chi: Looking Backwards and Ahead: With the death of Jacob and the end of the book of Genesis, the Torah teaches about legacy, learning, and resilience. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen
Sukkot: "You shall dwell in booths...": How does hanging out in a sukkah teach us about #gratitude and about #socialjustice? Come explore the week's Torah portion in just 7 minutes. by Seven Minute Torah
8 min listen

More Episodes from Seven Minute Torah

Skip carousel

Who Is My Neighbor? (Kedoshim): The Torah commands: "Love your neighbor as yourself?" But who is the neighbor that I'm commanded the love? The answer is not straightforward. In fact, it's one of the great debates of Judaism. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
Yom Kippur in May?? (Achrei Mot - encore): Sacrifice? Demons? A scapegoat?? This parashah describes the strange, levitical practices of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. What meaning is there to be found for modern Jewish life in this ancient, priestly ritual? --------------------------------... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Lessons from Leprosy (Metzora): How often do we dehumanize or ostracize people who are suffering from disease, poverty, mental health challenges, etc? This week we focus on some Midrash surrounding how you're supposed to treat people afflicted with leprosy. The Rabbis find some sur... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
The Healing Power of Presence (Tazria - encore): Tazria is about scaly skin disease and priestly diagnosis. But when we examine it through the Rabbis' eyes, it is about our responsibility to each other in times of suffering. We explore a story from the Talmud that helps drive home that idea. -----... by Seven Minute Torah
10 min listen
Don't eat that! Or do... it's up to you (Sh'mini): Sh'mini outlines the laws of kashrut - which animals traditionally may and may not be eaten in Judaism. How does liberal Judaism approach the rules and traditions around keeping kosher in modern Jewish life? --------------------------------- Seven Mi... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
We Need Each Other (Tzav): In this portion we find an obscure rule about the thanksgiving offering: it must be eaten on the day that it is offered. Turns out there is an important lesson there about our need for community. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah i... by Seven Minute Torah
10 min listen
Does God Hear our Prayers... and Does it Matter?? (Vayikra): This week's Torah portion is about sacrifice in the ancient Jewish Temple. It's a good opportunity for us to talk about the purpose(s) of prayer, and about how we can relate to prayer if we're not sure that God is on the other end listening. --------... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Building a Sanctuary; Building a World (P'kudei): The book of Exodus ends with the completion of the Mishkan - the portable sanctuary in the desert. Why do the Rabbis compare the creation of the Mishkan with the creation of the entire world? --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a ... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
A Good Name (Vayak'hel): In this episode we explore a Midrash on the Torah portion, in which the Rabbis talk about what it means to have a "good name." --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/s... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Xenophobia and the Golden Calf (Ki Tisa): A midrash blames the Golden Calf incident on the "mixed multitude" that accompanied the Israelites in the desert. What can we learn from it about acceptance and xenophobia in Jewish life? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support t... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Do You Have a Shirt That You Really Love? (T'tzaveh): This Torah portion is about clothes: colors, fabrics, hems, designs - the details of the priestly clothing. We talk about why the Torah goes into such a meticulous description, and what it has to do with our own spiritual lives. (Plus I sing for you!... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
Planting Seeds of Hope (Terumah): In the midst of a tedious Torah portion, the Rabbis tell a story that connects the building of the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary in the wilderness) with an audacious act of hope by Jacob 400 years earlier. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of ... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
An Eye for an Eye?? (Mishpatim): We explore one of the Torah's most infamous laws - the "eye for an eye" passage in Exodus 21 - to discovery what it's REALLY about, and what it says about the imperative for building a just society. We also briefly explore how this law undergirds Jew... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Recapturing the Silenced Voices (Yitro - A Conversation with Rabbi Dalia Marx): We are traditionally taught that we ALL stood together at Sinai. And yet the Torah reveals that certain people and certain voices were excluded from that pivotal moment. I talk with Rabbi Dalia Marx about finding and recapturing those silenced voices... by Seven Minute Torah
41 min listen
Making a Miracle (B'shallach - encore): In this parashah, the Torah tells the story of the parting of the Red Sea. The Rabbis tell the story of the brave person who made that miracle possible. In doing so, they turn the story on its head - they make it about OUR capacity for miracle-makin... by Seven Minute Torah
10 min listen
Fear Leads to the Dark Side (Bo): The story of Pharaoh and the plagues is a story of how fear leads us toward actions that don't reflect our best selves. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenm... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
Hardening Our Hearts (Va’era): The idea that God "hardened Pharaoh's heart" is a major theological conundrum. Does it mean there's no free will?? We explore what some of the commentators have said about this, and what it means for our own lives. --- Seven Minute Torah is a product... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
AND These are the Names (Sh’mot): As we start a new book of the Torah, why does it sound like we're right in the middle of something? We talk about the significance of this transitional moment for Jewish identity and continuity, and for both Jewish and Palestinian self-understanding.... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
Judah the Growing Hero (Miketz): One of the subtexts of the Joseph story is the ongoing growth of Judah, who increasingly demonstrates an ability to take responsibility and to care about the needs and well-being of others. This makes him a secondary "hero" of Joseph's story. --- Sev... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Envisioning a Better World (Vayeshev): Joseph's story is the story of how holding a vision of a better world helps us work toward a better 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:... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
Violence, Vengeance, and Voice in the Rape of Dinah (Vayishlach): The terrible story of the rape of Dinah, Jacob's daughter, teaches about cycles of violence and vengeance, and about how victims' voices can so easily be erased or ignored. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom... by Seven Minute Torah
15 min listen
Connection is an Act of Godliness (Vayetze): What does it mean when Jacob exclaims, "God is in this place and I did not know it!" How can we work to recognize, and bring, the Divine into the world during dark times? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom T... by Seven Minute Torah
12 min listen
Sharing The Land (Toldot): The story of Isaac quarrelling with the Philistines over the digging of wells is a reminder that living in the land of Israel has always meant sharing the land and its resources, making space for multiple peoples and multiple stories. --- Seven Minut... by Seven Minute Torah
13 min listen
The Abrahamic Family (Chayei Sarah): The story of the death of Sarah and Abraham is also a story about their children, and how we are all family. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https:... by Seven Minute Torah
14 min listen
Seeing Each Other’s Humanity (Vayera): Abraham's argument with God over the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah is actually a message - an eminently relevant message - about seeing the humanity in each person. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah... by Seven Minute Torah
16 min listen
What’s in a Name? (Lech Lecha): A prominent feature of this week's Torah portion is the name changes of Abraham and Sarah. We discuss the meaning of their names, and what it means to have a name. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah st... by Seven Minute Torah
13 min listen
The Earth Was Filled with Lawlessness (Noach): The story of Noah's flood begins with a world "filled with lawless violence." With a nod to Donniel Hartman and the "For Heaven's Sake" podcast, we look at how this might apply to Israel's current moment. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAA... by Seven Minute Torah
15 min listen
Chaos, Order, and Words (Bereshit - A Conversation with Alden Solovy): In the wake of last weekend's horrific acts of terror, and in the midst of a mounting crisis in Israel, I talk to poet Alden Solovy about life in Jerusalem, about Bereshit, and about how words can uncover layers of meaning and connection. --- Seven M... by Seven Minute Torah
44 min listen
A Final blessing (V’zot Ha’brachah): 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.or... by Seven Minute Torah
13 min listen
Adversity and Growth (Ha’azinu - encore): 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 ... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen

Related podcast episodes

Skip carousel

Looking Beyond Our Differences: Rabbi Rick Jacobs and Evan Traylor on Parashat Yitro, Torah portion read on 2/18/17 by On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah
9 min listen
Meditation for Peace 2007 — Grand Master Julie Scott: The Rosicrucian Day of Peace is held worldwide on the fourth Sunday of June each year. The beautiful Meditation for Peace ceremony, dedicated to the Rosicrucian ideals of peace and tolerance, brings our awareness to what each of us can do to create peace by Rosicrucian Podcasts
1 min listen
Chukat 5783: Loving Conflict: How is it possible for a relationship to be strengthened through conflict? - In this week's podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Brent Spodek, Pardes North America faculty member and host of Good Jewish Lover. Together, by Pardes from Jerusalem
37 min listen
Together We Can: The Power of Community - Panel: The Year of Hakhel celebrates getting together with our community. Enjoy this panel discussion with Rabbi Pinchas Taylor, Mrs. Michal OShman and Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, on the necessity of social and spiritual connectedness to promote mental wellness and create a more healthy and integrated life. Plus, take home practical tips to make your neighborhood into a community. Moderated by Rabbi Dovid Goldstein This session took place at the 17th annual National Jewish Retreat. For more information and to register for the next retreat, visit: Jretreat.com. by Judaism's Top Talks
49 min listen
Breaking Down Labels: Rabbi Rick Jacobs on Parashat Yitro , Torah Portion Read on 1/26/19 by On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah
12 min listen
#80 - Lessons of the Spinozian Legacy: In this episode we look at why Spinoza’s philosophy affected the Western world so deeply. We examine the fundamental differences between the way Judaism and Christianity respond to questions. And similarly we will examine the deep fundamental... by Jewish History Uncensored
44 min listen
Terumah: I, Thou, and God: This week's Torah portion is about the construction of the Tabernacle (the portable sanctuary in the desert). What does that have to do with relationships and with finding God in each other? Listen in for Rabbi Streiffer's take on the parashah. Click HER... by Seven Minute Torah
11 min listen
Meditation for Peace — Grand Master Julie Scott: The Rosicrucian Day of Peace is held worldwide on the fourth Sunday of June each year. The beautiful Meditation for Peace ceremony, dedicated to the Rosicrucian ideals of peace and tolerance, brings our awareness to what each of us can do to create peace by Rosicrucian Podcasts
1 min listen
Take One: Ketubot 7: In today's Talmud page, the strange language of Jewish weddings by Take One Daf Yomi
11 min listen
Within These Three Walls: Rabbi Rick Jacobs on Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot by On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah
13 min listen

Discover this podcast and so much more

Torah of the Earth

Torah of the Earth

Description

Titles in the series (100)

More Episodes from Seven Minute Torah

Related podcast episodes