Pardes From Jerusalem

How may we be redeemed when we feel as if our spirits have been crushed? Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to discuss the idea of kotzer ruach, a crushed soul, and how Moshe faced resistance from those who could not believe that redemption was at hand. Bringing modern relevance to the redemption story, we'll unpack what it means to be kotzer ruach, and how we might break out of a state despair through the cultivation of hope and widening of imagination. Credits: Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

This week, we begin the book of Shemot and are introduced to Moshe. Yet, by the time Moshe takes up the mantle of leadership, he’s already in his later years, and his developmental years are practically skipped over. Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy joins us this week to examine those developmental years with three stories; Moshe’s smiting of the Egyptian slavemaster, his stepping in during a conflict among his own people, and his protection of the Midianite women and their flocks. Exploring these three stories, we gain insight into Moshe’s moral growth, his relationship with his own people, and his sense of justice for all. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, with the younger sibling receiving the greater blessing. The final example of this appears at Ya'akov's deathbed, where he blesses his descendants and uses his dominant hand to bless Ephraim, the younger of his two grandchildren. In this week's episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Aviva Lauer for an examination of this strange reversal. Together, they examine the Torah's perspective on meritocracy, and discuss the difficult balance between needing structural hierarchies and creating conditions that allow each of us to shine in our own manner. Credits: Aviva Lauer and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

Can the pains of the past be overcome, opening the way for relationships to heal and be redefined? In this week's parsha, we witness the emotional reunion between the sons of Israel, with Yosef revealing himself to the brothers who had once thrown him into a pit and, ignoring his pain and pleas, sold him into slavery. Rabba Shani Gross joined our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield to discuss the relationship between Yosef and his brothers, in particular Yehuda, and how the power of speech helped bridge the terrible divide within this family. The discussion turns to today, and how better communication and listening to one another may help heal some of the rifts within our own world. Credits: Rabba Shani Gross and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

What might Yosef's story, so full of pain yet hope, teach us about maintaining our own faith during difficult times? During these challenging times, many feel themselves torn between a desire to stand firmly in their Jewish identities and values and the feeling that they must hide their identity. In this week's parsha discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Jon Leener explore this familiar feeling through an examination of Yosef. Having experienced significant trauma and spent much of his life being unseen for who he truly is, Yosef ultimately takes responsibility for himself and reveals his true identity, allowing himself to be truly seen. What might we take from Yosef's example about staying hopeful even when we are at our lowest point? Credits: Rabbi Jon Leener and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

What can the mitzvah of yibum, Levirate marriage, teach us about making difficult decisions and personal growth? In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman unpack the complicated family dynamics of Yehudah, his sons, and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. As the only mitzvah in the Torah that allows one to "opt-out", Levirate marriage provides an opportunity to examine the Torah's perspective on making choices that lead to personal growth. With this in mind, Daniel and Zvi find new perspectives on the story of Yehuda, a character who develops in real-time. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman - Pardes Faculty

What can a fraught meeting between brothers teach us about our own instincts? The events of October 7 shattered the worldview for many of us, and can cause us to approach how we understand the Torah differently. In this week’s episode, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield unpack the emotionally charged reunion between Ya’akov and Esav and the fears that Ya’akov might have dealt with leading up to that moment. Credits: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

What might Ya'akov’s nocturnal revelation teach us about how to approach darkness? As we continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and yearn for better days ahead, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into what tools this week’s parsha might give us for getting through these difficult days. Together, they will explore how Ya'akov's divine encounter teaches us about the importance of maintaining routine spiritual practices, even amidst difficult and tragic periods. Sensitive to the difficulty of staying committed to such practices during dark times, Meesh and Zvi also examine the question of how we can maintain hope when fear and the uncertainty of night threatens to overwhelm us. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy - Pardes Faculty  

The book of Bereishit, filled with the themes of covenant and birthright, tells the story of the progenitors of the Jewish people. Among the many characters we meet in the book are pairs of siblings of which one gets chosen as the inheritor of the covenant, while the other is subject to a different fate. Why was it that these forefathers were forced to choose only one of their children to continue the line of the Jewish people, and what does the Torah teach us about making such choices? In Rabbi Haim Shalom’s debut appearance on Pardes from Jerusalem, we join him and host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield for an exploration of Yitzchak’s choice between Esav and Ya’akov, followed by discussion on what it means to be a chosen people. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom - Pardes Faculty  

What does the Torah teach us about encountering grief? As we mourn the tragedies of October 7, Ilana Gleicher-Bloom and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield explore Avraham and Yitzchak's response to the passing of Sarah. How does Avraham mourn for his wife, and why is it that he does not interact with his own son in such a vital moment? Meanwhile, Yitzchak looks to comfort from an unexpected source. What can we learn from this week's Torah portion about the models of mourning, and how could they apply to us today, when so many of us are feeling the pain of tragedy. Credits: Ilana Gleicher-Bloom and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty  

Do we allow our pursuit of spirituality to get in the way of true divine connection? In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield discuss Parshat Vayera through the lens of human and divine connection. When the three strangers arrive at Avraham's tent, we find Avram in the midst of a deep spiritual moment, yet he immediately shifting to greet the new arrivals. Did Avraham dismiss God and that spiritual moment, or did he bring God with him? If the forefathers and foremothers are meant to be role models, what can learn from Avraham leaving that spiritual moment for the sake of other humans? At the end of the episode, Yiscah and Zvi also discuss the concept of light vs. darkness, an important topic in light of the current war in Israel. Credits: Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

This episode is sponsored by Jeff and Alissa Hurok in honor of their dear friends and family who have engaged with and enhanced Jeff’s Torah study and have encouraged his participation with Pardes. Judy Klitsner joins us in the studio for a profound journey through the book of Bereishit and Parshat Lech Lecha, unraveling the intricate relationship between the individual and society. From the creation narrative to the Tower of Babel, we explore the delicate balance of particularism and universalism, delving into the stories of Cain and Abel, the flood, and the tower's over-correction. The conversation reaches its zenith with a contemplative exploration of why God chose Avraham, and what his mission in the world may be when approached from the context of our earlier parshiot. Credits: Judy Klitsner and Rabbi Zvi Hirshfield - Pardes Faculty

Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before October 7 and touches on the themes of destruction and loss, good and evil, and how communities might react in times of crisis. We want to acknowledge that these themes may resonate differently in light of the current situation in Israel.  In this week's episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield welcomes two guests to the Pardes from Jerusalem studio, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and poet Yoni Hammer-Kossoy. How flawed of a figure was Noach? Why didn't he stand up and speak out? Together, we'll explore Parshat Noach on several layers, including poetry from Yoni's new book, The Book of Noah. Credits: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty, Yoni Hammer-Kossoy - Poet and Educator  

Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage. Including an opening message from Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris. In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, we begin the cycle anew with a return visit from Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, Aviva Lauer. Starting with the end of Deuteronomy and moving their way to Bereishit, Aviva and Zvi discuss the importance of rain in the Torah as a symbol of our relationship with God. Join Zvi and Aviva as they explore the Torah and the prayers of Shemini Atzeret in search of the symbolic meaning behind rain.

"Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom God singled out, face to face..." Rabbi Amirit Rosen joins Zvi in the studio to discuss the final words of the Torah, the last words of Moses to the Jewish people. Amirit teaches us how the Torah ends by reminding us of one of the darkest moments in the Exodus, that of the Golden Calf and the shattering of the first tablets. This reminder of darkness, however, is not meant to leave us in darkness, rather, Amirit teaches us, the Torah is giving us a message of how our understanding of Torah can and should change and how we must return to our own interpretations and to find new meaning within our religious journeys. Credits: Rabbi Amirit Rosen and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty  

Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to explore the multifaceted holiday of Sukkot. From its dual nature balancing community and individual perspectives to its fusion of agricultural and historical significance, Sukkot seemingly weaves together separate messages. Join Michael and Zvi as they dissect this duality, searching for unifying themes and delving into the deeper meanings behind Sukkot's diverse aspects. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

In this week's episode, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek calls into the studio to speak with our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, about one of the most challenging days of the year, Yom Kippur, and the story of Yonah. Why would Yonah be so upset that his prophecies were heard? Was it that Yonah possibly lacked empathy and compassion for the people of Nineveh due to knowledge of their upcoming role in the destruction of Israel? Is it possible for us to extend our own compassion towards those we dislike, and, on Yom Kippur of all days, can we extend that compassion towards ourselves as well? Credits: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David 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 which perished in the Shoah. What motivates us to make changes in our lives? Tovah Leah Nachmani joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield in the Pardes from Jerusalem studio this week to discuss Rosh Hashana and the call to change our lives. Often, we think of Rosh Hashana as a day of judgement, one that can cause us to feel nervous about ourselves and our future, but is there a way for us to approach it calmly with confidence? Together, we'll explore ways to approach the holiday and how we can prepare ourselves for it. Credits: Tovah Leah Nachmani and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to discuss this week's double-parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech and how the Torah teaches us to live within the tension of accepting imperfections while striving to always improve ourselves. As the Children of Israel stand poised to enter the Land of Israel, the Covenant between them and God is reaffirmed, yet there is an underlying anxiety in Moshe's speech. Did Moshe know that they would fail, that upon entering a land devoid of monotheism the people would sin? What positive messages can we glean from these Torah portions, and what can we learn about doing teshuva as we grow closer to Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

Zvi is joined this week by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, who shares with us her insights into connecting our personal story to the story of the Jewish people, and doing so can give us the gift of gratitude and generosity.  The conversation also delves into the topic of how our physical connection to the land can serve as a doorway to a more powerful spiritual connection. Read this week's parsha here. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield