Pardes From Jerusalem

This week’s podcast is sponsored in memory of Dr. Jack Jaffe, Yaakov Zev ben Elchanon. Doctor, community leader, and fervent Zionist. Sponsored by his children, Ari and Marlyn, Reva and Sheldon, Leah and Simon, and Ezra and Marla, as well … Read the rest The post VaEra 5785: The Power of Mahloket first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading VaEra 5785: The Power of Mahloket at Elmad Online Learning.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Shemot, the beginning of the Book of Exodus, focusing on the spiritual and physical challenges of the Jewish people’s exile in Egypt. They discuss the transition from individual to communal … Read the rest The post Shemot 5785: Rediscovering the Divine first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shemot 5785: Rediscovering the Divine at Elmad Online Learning.

Are Jacob’s final words blessings, prophecies, or something else entirely? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash delve into Parshat Vayechi, focusing on Jacob’s final blessings to his sons. They explore the complex nature of these “blessings,” … Read the rest The post Vayechi 5785: Jacob’s Final Words first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayechi 5785: Jacob’s Final Words at Elmad Online Learning.

How does Yosef’s strategy with his brothers reveal his true intentions? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman discuss Yosef’s reunion with his brothers in Parshat Vayigash. They explore Judah’s role in repairing family bonds, Yosef’s intentions, … Read the rest The post Vayigash 5785: Forgiveness and Family first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayigash 5785: Forgiveness and Family at Elmad Online Learning.

How does Yosef’s ability to interpret dreams reflect his growth as a leader? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into Parshat Miketz, exploring Yosef’s extraordinary journey from the prison to Pharaoh’s court. They discuss the … Read the rest The post Miketz 5784: From Prison to Power first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Miketz 5784: From Prison to Power at Elmad Online Learning.

Could the animosity between Yosef and his brothers have been avoided through different choices? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Ilana Gleicher-Bloom delve into the complex family dynamics of Yaakov, Yosef, and his brothers in Parshat Vayeshev. They explore how … Read the rest The post Vayeshev 5785: Sibling Rivalry first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayeshev 5785: Sibling Rivalry at Elmad Online Learning.

What can Yaakov’s struggle teach us about the complexities of identity and faith? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin delve into Yaakov’s dramatic encounter with the mysterious “Ish” in Parshat Vayishlach. They explore themes of personal transformation, … Read the rest The post Vayishlach 5785: Wrestling with the Divine first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayishlach 5785: Wrestling with the Divine at Elmad Online Learning.

How does the Torah guide us to create sacred spaces in moments of transition and uncertainty? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Rafael Polisuk explore Yaakov’s profound journey in Parshat Vayetze. Together, they delve into Yaakov’s encounter with the … Read the rest The post Vayetze 5785: Finding the Makom first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayetze 5785: Finding the Makom at Elmad Online Learning.

What do Yitzchak’s blessings teach us about the balance of power between Yaakov and Esav? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits to unpack the intricate dynamics between Yaakov and Esav in Parshat Toldot. They … Read the rest The post Toldot 5785: Brothers in Balance first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Toldot 5785: Brothers in Balance at Elmad Online Learning.

Why are “supporting characters” so vital in Torah narratives? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Chayei Sarah, focusing on the remarkable qualities of Rivka and Eliezer. Rivka’s extraordinary acts of chesed (kindness) and Eliezer’s … Read the rest The post Chayei Sarah 5785: Chesed and Devotion first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Chayei Sarah 5785: Chesed and Devotion at Elmad Online Learning.

Why might kindness be perceived as weakness, and what does Avraham’s response teach us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris examine Avraham’s moral decisions in Parshat Vayera, focusing on the qualities that led to the downfall of … Read the rest The post Vayera 5785: Justice and Mercy first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayera 5785: Justice and Mercy at Elmad Online Learning.

What can Avraham’s journey teach us about finding inner light when surrounded by uncertainty? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Nechama Goldman Barash to delve into Parshat Lech Lecha. They discuss the complex dynamics between Sarai and … Read the rest The post Lech Lecha 5785: Light in the Darkness first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Lech Lecha 5785: Light in the Darkness at Elmad Online Learning.

How can we remain hopeful amid life’s turbulent “floodwaters”? In this week’s Parshat Noach episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Yiscah Smith to explore the relevance of Noah’s story and how, even amid overwhelming turmoil, one can find an “ark” … Read the rest The post Noach 5785: Navigating Stormy Waters first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Noach 5785: Navigating Stormy Waters at Elmad Online Learning.

This week’s podcast is sponsored by Simonne Abadee in celebration of the beginning of our creation, the new year, and a new reading of our Torah, offering the chance to engage anew in our learning. Ten years ago, Simonne came … Read the rest The post Beresheit 5785: Beginnings and Fractures first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beresheit 5785: Beginnings and Fractures at Elmad Online Learning.

How can embracing vulnerability lead to a deeper sense of joy during Sukkot? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into the paradox of Sukkot, exploring how vulnerability and joy are deeply intertwined in the festival. … Read the rest The post Sukkot 5785: Vulnerability and Joy first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Sukkot 5785: Vulnerability and Joy at Elmad Online Learning.

What role does vulnerability play in the Yom Kippur process of teshuvah? In this Yom Kippur-focused episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits explore how to approach this sacred day following a year marked by deep pain and loss. … Read the rest The post Yom Kippur 5785: Forgiveness and Growth first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Yom Kippur 5785: Forgiveness and Growth at Elmad Online Learning.

This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and Dr. David I. Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z”l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families … Read the rest The post Rosh Hashana 5785: Renewal in Challenging Times first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Rosh Hashana 5785: Renewal in Challenging Times at Elmad Online Learning.

How do words of encouragement shape Joshua’s leadership and the future of the Jewish people? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Vayelech, focusing on the leadership transition from Moshe to Yehoshua. Join them and dive into … Read the rest The post Nitzavim – Vayelich 5784: Empowering Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Nitzavim – Vayelich 5784: Empowering Leadership at Elmad Online Learning.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Raphael Polisuk delve into the covenant ceremony at Har Grizim and Har Eval in Parshat Ki Tavo. They explore how this moment of blessings and curses establishes a collective responsibility among the Jewish … Read the rest The post Ki Tavo 5784: Collective Responsibility first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Tavo 5784: Collective Responsibility at Elmad Online Learning.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore the mitzvah of Shiluach HaKen (sending away the mother bird) in Parshat Ki Teitzei. They discuss how this seemingly small commandment reflects deeper values of compassion and limits on consumption. … Read the rest The post Ki Teitzei 5784: Compassion and Limits first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Teitzei 5784: Compassion and Limits at Elmad Online Learning.