Pardes From Jerusalem

Can we approach the Torah as a rational guide for living wisely while allowing space for genuine emotional and spiritual experiences? In this week's episode, Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into the concept of reward and punishment. Elisha offers an intriguing interpretation - rather than God actively intervening, the Torah provides wisdom about how our behaviors yield consequences in the natural order of things. They'll take us on an exploration of the balance between the rational understanding of cause-and-effect with the emotional yearning for divine involvement and control. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Why is Mount Sinai mentioned in connection with the laws of Shmitta (Sabbatical year) and Yovel (Jubilee year)? In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rachel Friedrichs delve into the profound significance of this week's Torah portion of Behar opening with a reference to Mount Sinai. Together, we'll explore the contrast between the communal revelation of Sinai and the private revelations within the Mishkan (the Tabernacle), analyzing the connection between these agricultural laws governing humanity's relationship with the Land and the transcendent experience of Sinai. Our discussion will also touch on the role of educators in engaging both the highly motivated and the disengaged, as well as Israel's potential as a center for the Jewish world. Credits: Rachel Friedrichs - Pardes Faculty and  Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How do we approach texts in our traditions that seem to discriminate against or exclude certain groups of people? In this thought-provoking discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom wrestle with the disqualification of kohanim (priests) with physical deformities or disabilities from serving in the Temple. We'll explore how to reconcile such texts with modern values of inclusion while examining the evolving rabbinical perspectives on disability as a social construct. Ultimately, our discussion calls on us to embrace the struggle with difficult traditional texts as an opportunity to renew and deepen our spiritual philosophies. Credits: Rabbi Haim Shalom - Pardes Faculty and Director of Israel Studies Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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 thought-provoking discussion exploring the Torah's call in Parshat Kedoshim to "be holy." Brent denounces the insidious habit of gossip that denies people the dignity of authoring their own stories. Instead, he argues argue for a stance of curiosity - resisting easy judgments and really listening in order to understand the complex realities others face, even amid fraught situations like the Israel-Iran tensions. By embracing this aspirational ethic, perhaps we can create the fertile ground for holiness to take root in our divisive world. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Brent Spodek - Pardes North America Faculty and Host of Good Jewish Lover

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 the Torah portion's emphasis on centralized worship, linking it to the biblical story of the 2.5 tribes who settled outside the Land of Israel and built their own altar. Together, they explore the need for open dialogue in order to "witness" one another's perspectives and find a path toward sustaining mutual understanding. Credits Rabba Shani Gross - Pardes North America Faculty and Senior Director of Education Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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. Drawing from the Piazner Rebbe and Rav Kook, Yiscah illuminates how painful self-examination can allow for divine blessings and personal redemption to emerge. Grappling with the role of suffering, Yiscah shares a powerful lens for experiencing this holiday's liberating spirit, even amidst darkness. Join us for this timely discussion imbued with hope on Pardes from Jerusalem. Credits: Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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 Metzora. In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condition as merely a punishment. Drawing from insightful Jewish sources, he illuminates the possibility that tzara'at may in fact be a divine wake-up call - an opportunity for spiritual growth and course-correction, rather than simply a curse. Grappling with timeless questions of suffering and meaning, we'll explore this compelling perspective. Credits: Rabbi Jon Leener - Pardes North America Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem  

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 highlight how these laws, though initially perplexing, offer profound insights into human behavior and ethics. By engaging critically with religious practice and moral conduct, listeners are encouraged to navigate the complexities of tradition and personal understanding. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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, both occurring at crucial moments meant to elevate the spiritual consciousness of the Jewish people. Delving into these tragic events, we’re invited to contemplate profound questions: How do we grapple with our failures when we aren’t sure where we went wrong? Amidst the uncertainty and discord, are we able to chart a path towards growth and improvement? Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy - Pardes Faculty, Director of the Year Program and Rosh Beit Midrash Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us this week for an investigation of the eternal flame that burned upon the altar. Contemplating the balance between the passion of the burning fire and the steadfastness of its daily lighting, Zvi and Nechama ask how we may infuse our own religious practices with both regularity and inspiration. As we discuss the altar upon which sacrifices were meant to be made, we'll also reflect on the sacrifices being made today by the youth of Israel during this time of conflict and the profound impact it has had on us. Credits: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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 the Jewish people of that era. Unraveling the layers of history and tradition, they ponder the intriguing question: Did the Jewish people substitute God with the mortal figure of King Achashverosh? Could the opulent court of the King have evolved into a contemporary Mishkan, a sacred space of worship and reverence? As the conversation unfolds, they invite listeners to contemplate the significance of placing God at the forefront of our lives and decision-making processes.

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 the Mishkan and its role in serving as both a physical structure for God's presence and a metaphor for the Jewish people's journey towards understanding their relationship with God. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Host of Pardes from Jerusalem and Pardes Faculty Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman - Pardes Faculty  

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. In both stories, the people give willingly and generously in order to build something together. How can these two stories help us understand what draws us to gather together, and how to do so in a manner that ensures we are building something with the proper intention. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Host of Pardes from Jerusalem and Pardes Faculty Ilana Gleicher-Bloom - PCJE Director of Experiential Education and Pardes Faculty

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 relationships. Our conversation will turn to the societal relationship within Israel, and the divide that we've seen occur within Israeli society, as we ask ourselves whether the response to October 7 has helped to heal and repair this divide. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Host and Pardes Faculty Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash - Pardes Faculty

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 intricate and beautiful garb solely to create the right atmosphere for religious service, or is it that a specific uniform has the power to transform the wearer? Together, we'll explore the various uniforms worn by contemporary Jewish groups, the role they play, and how they can both connect and separate us. Credits: Rabbi Daniel Reifman and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

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 portable temple (the Mishkan) to serve as God's house in the desert. How are we able to reconcile the idea of a physical home for God, when we believe that God is everywhere? Is it possible for us to fulfil our spiritual needs when they are in conflict with our rational perspectives? As we explore this conflict, we'll also look to how it relates to the idea of the physical Land of Israel as a holy land and homeland to the Jewish people. Credits: Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

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, asks us to consider what we can and should do when we believe that the institutions meant to defend our values have betrayed those very values. Reflecting on the protest movement that spread across Israel this past summer, Sefi reminds us that, while the protests may have paused due to the events of October 7th, those core divisions within Israeli society remain and that, in order for us to bridge these divisions, we must learn from our experiences and find a way to allow for debate in a healthy manner.

What is our responsibility to the rest of the world, and how might that impact the 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 covenantal moment of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. How does Yitro, and by contrast Amalek, offer competing models for how the Jewish people may interact with the outside world? Are we able to reconcile Jewish particularism with positive engagement with the rest of humanity? Credits: Tovah Leah Nachmani and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

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, how can we find the strength and resilience to make this choice and hold to our faith when facing immense difficulties? During our discussion, Yiscah challenges us take responsibility for how we perceive the world, and to fight to see goodness despite the darkness we may encounter. Credits: Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

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, is that enough for us to remain united as well? In this week's episode, Rafael Polisuk joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield for a deep dive into what united the children of Israel, and a discussion on the importance of building a shared future together. Credits: Rafael Polisuk and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty