Pardes From Jerusalem

The Book of Samuel I Episode 7: The Ideal Judge Podcast Overview: The old corrupt order has been swept away. Shmuel now emerges as a true judge in Israel, highlighting what real religious/political leadership can accomplish. (Samuel I 6:19-7:17) Download … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: The Ideal Judge first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: The Ideal Judge at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 6: The Philistines Chastened Podcast Overview: The pagan Philistines believe that by capturing the ark, they have prevailed against the God of Israel. But He soon makes it clear that while His ways are … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: The Philistines Chastened first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: The Philistines Chastened at Elmad Online Learning.

In this podcast, we will look at the controversy of Korah which was not for the sake of heaven but for his own private interests and the ongoing disagreements between the sages Hillel and Shamai which were considered to be… Read the rest The post Korach 5781: For the sake of heaven first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Korach 5781: For the sake of heaven at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 5: The Israelite Defeated Podcast Overview: Initially defeated in battle by the Philistines, the Israelites bring the ark of the covenant to the fray. But its mere presence will not grant them victory. The … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: Chapter 5 – The Israelite Defeated first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: Chapter 5 – The Israelite Defeated at Elmad Online Learning.

Critical thinking is the hallmark of our tradition. Overly critical thinking that leads to pessimism, on the other hand, can lead us down a path of demoralization and destruction. What was the failed leadership of the leaders who were sent… Read the rest The post Shelach 5781 – Fixing our Broken Compasses first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shelach 5781 – Fixing our Broken Compasses at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 4: Shmuel’s Coming of Age Podcast Overview: Eli the high priest is young Shmuel’s mentor and guide. But now the word of God comes to Shmuel directly, sidelining old and blind Eli in the … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: Chapter 4 – Shmuel’s Coming of Age first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: Chapter 4 – Shmuel’s Coming of Age at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 3: The Crimes of the Priests Podcast Overview: Chana’s piety stands in direct contrast to the officiating priests at Shilo, Chofni and Pinchas the sons of Eli. These two abuse their power and exalted … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: Chapter 3 – The Crimes of the Priests first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: Chapter 3 – The Crimes of the Priests at Elmad Online Learning.

How does one rise to the occasion and do what needs to be done? How does one know when to lovingly detach from a situation because you have done what you can do? A Rashi that is deceptively unremarkable yields… Read the rest The post Beha’alotecha 5781 – A Time To Step Up and a Time to Step Down first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beha’alotecha 5781 – A Time To Step Up and a Time to Step Down at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 2: Chana’s Triumph Podcast Overview: Our book begins by introducing us to the fraught family dynamics of Elkana and his two wives, Penina and Chana. Chana, childless and desperate, teaches us about hope and … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: Chapter 2 – Chana’s Triumph first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: Chapter 2 – Chana’s Triumph at Elmad Online Learning.

The Book of Samuel I Episode 1: Introduction – The Backdrop of the Book of Judges Podcast Overview: In order to appreciate the opening chapters of the book of Samuel, we must first consider the backdrop of the book of … Read the rest The post Crises & Kings: Episode 1/Introduction – The Backdrop of the Book of Judges first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Crises & Kings: Episode 1/Introduction – The Backdrop of the Book of Judges at Elmad Online Learning.

Parashat Naso contains a variety of topics, including the Birkat Kohanim, the priestly blessing. While at first glance, the life of a Kohen, priest, is a life of glamour and elite status, when one delves a bit deeper into the… Read the rest The post Naso 5781 – Birkat Kohanim: A Life of Service first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Naso 5781 – Birkat Kohanim: A Life of Service at Elmad Online Learning.

Parashat Bamidbar is always read around Shavuot time. What is the connection? And what is the eternal message that emerges from the long census and mapping that fills our parasha? The answer is connected to the flags. Sources: Bamidbar 2:1-2 … Read the rest The post Bamidbar and Shavuot 5781: Flags, Identity and Perfection first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Bamidbar and Shavuot 5781: Flags, Identity and Perfection at Elmad Online Learning.

What is the connection between the three mitzvot of Shmittah, Yovel and Reebeet in Parashat Behar and tranquility of the heart? How important is letting go, relaxing one’s grip and releasing in cultivating this sought after and yearned for the… Read the rest The post Behar Bechukotai 5781 – Cultivating Tranquility and Calmness of the Heart first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Behar Bechukotai 5781 – Cultivating Tranquility and Calmness of the Heart at Elmad Online Learning.

The opening line of our Parasha has been interpreted as a key to effective and sensitive education. We shall study several readings of this verse to extract some useful and thought-provoking guidelines as to how we might all become more… Read the rest The post Emor 5781 – We Can all Educate first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Emor 5781 – We Can all Educate at Elmad Online Learning.

This was originally posted on Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith. From Yiscah: “The first ordained female Orthodox rabbi post-shoah. A voice of change that the world needs to hear. Her calling brings spiritual awareness to others, encouragement and … Read the rest The post PFJ Special: Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith – Episode 38: In Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading PFJ Special: Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith – Episode 38: In Conversation with Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson at Elmad Online Learning.

The parshiyot of Acharei Mot and Kedoshim contain much disparate material but both sections conclude with a similar description of the holiness of the land of Canaan. In this podcast, we consider the nature of this holiness and how the… Read the rest The post Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5781: The Holiness of the Land first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Acharei Mot-Kedoshim 5781: The Holiness of the Land at Elmad Online Learning.