Pardes From Jerusalem

This podcast is sponsored by Suzana and Alan Caro in memory of Avi West z"l. A brilliant educator and master teacher, Avi touched the lives of thousands of Jews in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. His breadth of knowledge spanned the entire Jewish canon as well as popular culture. His caring, sense of humor, and ability to inspire fellow educators completely changed the nature of Jewish preschool through adult education. May his memory be for a blessing, and his teachings continue to bring a smile to everybody. Rabbi Elhanan Miller and Rabbi Michael Hattin discuss Parashat Ekev and the challenge of living in Israel. Why is it that Rashi describes the land of Israel as an easier place to live in comparison to Egypt, a land blossoming from the waters of the Nile? Credits: Rabbi Michael and Rabbi Elhanan Miller – Pardes Faculty  

In this week's parsha, Moshe recalls several events and presents for us what many consider to be one of the foundational texts of Judaism, the Shema. Join Yiscah Smith as she discusses the parsha and some of the fundamental values and tenets of our faith presented in the Shema. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin and Yiscah Smith – Pardes Faculty  

Rabbi Michael Hattin discusses Devarim with Rabbi Alex Israel, exploring the question of repetition in Deuteronomy. The Rabbis called Devarim "Mishneh Torah" - the Repetition of the Torah. How is the retelling different to the original? Is Moses manipulating the truth? Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Michael Hattin – Pardes Faculty  

How do we distribute scant resources in a needy world? Are wealthy societies obligated to share their fundamental resources with more impoverished societies in need? This podcast takes us to a challenging passage in Nedarim which draws its prooftext from the mitzva of the Levite cities in chapter 35. If my city has water and yours does not, am I obligated to provide for you? The discussion moves to questions of equity, charity and justice in Jerusalem. Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer Kossoy – Pardes Faculty  

This podcast is dedicated to Shlomo Berlin, Shlomo Ben Rachel v’Shimon - שלמה בן רחל ושמעון, with prayers for a refuah shelaymah from Rabbi Hayim Herring and Terri Krivosha. Nechama Goldman Barash and Alex Israel discuss Parashat Matot and the notion of vows or oaths touching on questions of loyalty, accountability, religious grandstanding, and the strength of verbal commitments. What is a vow? Why would a person create independently formulated obligations? Are vows legitimate? What is a good vow and what is an inappropriate vow? And how does this relate to stories such as Jephtah, as well as the vow taken by the Tribes of Gad and Reuben in Numbers 32? Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty  

Parashat Balak: The Outsider's View Description: Parashat Balak narrates the strange tale of a foreign seer who is hired to curse the Israelites but is compelled by God to bless them. What is this story doing in the Torah? It transpires entirely in a foreign royal court, and until the final lines of the parsha, Israel is mere object not subject. In this podcast, Zvi Hirschfield and Alex Israel discuss the role of the visual in this narrative, the perspective of the outsider rather than the insider, as well as the phrase, "They are a people who dwell alone"; Is it a blessing or a curse? The podcast ends with a few reflections on Rabbi Sacks' view of engagement versus insularity, Jewish involvement or seclusion? Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty Note: Israel is currently ahead in its reading of the weekly parsha. If you are outside of Israel and would like to learn along with your synagogue's reading, please visit last week's podcast.  

Heroism is a precious quality, and one strong enough to change the world. Here is the story of the Israeli mission to free hostages on Entebbe, perhaps the most heroic mission of its time. At its heart lies a person who in many ways embodies the qualities of his generation - Yoni Netanyahu.

Parashat Chukat: Moses. The Hand and the Word Description: In our parsha we read the episode of "Moses' Sin" in which Moses hits the rock instead of speaking to it. In this podcast, Pardes faculty Alex Israel and Gila Fine discuss the tension in Moses' life between his hands, the role of action, and his mouth, the realm of speech. The discussion moves to the perils of social media and the precision of language in the Talmud. Credits: Rabbi Alex Israel and Gila Fine - Pardes Faculty Note: Israel is currently ahead in its reading of the weekly parsha. If you are outside of Israel and would like to learn along with your synagogue's reading, please visit last week's podcast.  

Parashat Korach 5782: Was it all Negative? Description: In this podcast, we explore the mixed motivations behind Korach's challenge to Moshe and Aaron's leadership. Can one be driven by ego and still mix in a valid claim? Was Korach's claim that "all the people are holy" easily dismissed? We also discuss the ways in which challenging authority and healthy mahloket (disagreement) are part of our culture yet sorely lacking in contemporary life. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Mike Feuer and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty  

Parashat Shelach Lecha 5782: Slandering Israel Description: The story of people who toured Israel and emerged with a negative assessment of the Land of Israel. Is criticism of Israel legitimate or is it a sin? Join Pardes faculty member Rabbi Alex Israel and Israel education guru Jonny Ariel as they discuss the biblical and contemporary implications of our parasha. Download Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Alex Israel and Jonny Ariel - Pardes Faculty and Guest Educator Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Behaalotecha 5782: The Power of Inclusion Description: An exploration of the narratives about Pesach Sheni and the naming of the 70 elders and Eldad and Medad. Two stories that combine Law and Narrative, also portray the value of initiative on the part of the people and the importance of including multiple voices. Sources: Numbers 9:1-14; Numbers 11:10-30 Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Naso/Shavuot 5782: Har Sinai - the First Beit Midrash Description: What was the Torah that the Israelites actually heard and learned? Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Leon Morris and Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Bamidbar 5782: Heavenly Jerusalem, Earthly Jerusalem. A Shiur for Jerusalem Day and Bamidbar Description: In Celebration of Jerusalem Day, we study Psalm 122 and its dreamy depiction of an ancient Jerusalem pilgrimage. We reflect on the makom (place/space) and complexity of today's Jerusalem and connect this to our parasha - Bamidbar. Download Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Alex Israel - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Bechukotai 5782: Ancient Metaphors and Contemporary Realism Description: This podcast focuses on understanding the blessings and curses in this week's parasha with Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose. Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose - Pardes Faculty Members Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Behar 5782: The Economy of Spirituality Description: This special podcast features Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair. Join us to hear our discussion of how the Sabbatical and Jubilee years described in parashat Behar are providing the spiritual values which are meant to inform our economic lives. Rav Yedidya Sinclair is a scholar and educator who work as a consultant in environmental and social compliance for high-tech companies. His translation and commentary on Rav Kook's "Sabbath of the Land" is published by Maggid Press. Vayikra 25:1-26:2 Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Yedidya Sinclair - Pardes Faculty Member and Guest Lecturer Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Emor 5782: The Jewish Year Cycle, Emor-Style Description: While the Torah lists our holidays several times throughout the five books, there is something special about the way it's done in this week's parasha. Find out what that is by listening to Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer discuss everything from Sukkot to Yom HaAtzmaut in this week's Pardes from Jerusalem. Vayikra 23:33-43 Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer - Pardes Faculty Members Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Kedoshim 5782: "Be Holy!" How? Description: The Torah instructs the Jewish people to "Be Holy!" But how might that be performed? In this podcast, Alex Israel discusses three approaches to this question, considering the question of withdrawal from and engagement with regular life and living. This podcast was originally published in 2019. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Alex Israel - Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Metzora 5782: Sitting Alone Outside the Camp Description: On the 7th day of Pesach, we commemorate the people of Israel's successful traversal of the Sea of Reeds. While the moment was exceptional, even eliciting an epic song, we must consider the unusual build-up in order to appreciate its true import. We will turn to the commentary of R. Avraham Ibn Ezra for guidance. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Michael Hattin - Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Pesach 5782: Three Keys to Freedom - Three Features of the Seder Description: What are the key elements of free life? This podcast identifies three features of the Exodus, also manifested in the Seder rituals, and proposes that these can serve as building blocks for constructing a Jewish future. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Alex Israel - Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer

Parashat Metzora 5782: Sitting Alone Outside the Camp Description: The graphic description in the Torah of tzaraat, leprosy, leaves modern readers alienated and baffled. Can moral flaws truly manifest physically? Aesthetics and ethics mix in this week's reading, where immoral behavior is seen by our rabbis as contagious. While the general public is encouraged to stay away from the leper, his outcry of "impure! impure!" can also be read as a call for help, empathy, and prayer. Download the Source Sheet Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about Pardes, visit our website www.pardes.org.il. Credits Rabbi Elhanan Miller - Pardes Faculty and Host for Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Adam Titcher – Lead Consultant and Producer