Pardes From Jerusalem

Why did the generation of miracles still fear the land ahead? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Shlach and the story of the spies. They examine the conflicting accounts, debate who bears responsibility for the … Read the rest The post Shlach 5785: Faith or Fear first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shlach 5785: Faith or Fear at Elmad Online Learning.

What does it mean to carry holiness with us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris explore Parshat Behaalotcha and the two cryptic verses about the Ark of the Covenant’s journey. They dive into why these verses are … Read the rest The post Beha’alotecha 5785: The Traveling Ark first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beha’alotecha 5785: The Traveling Ark at Elmad Online Learning.

Is tzara’at a spiritual punishment or a contagious disease? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Anscelovits dive into Parshat Naso to explore how Torah meets real life. With tzara’at as their starting point, they challenge mystical interpretations … Read the rest The post Naso 5785: Torah in Real Life first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Naso 5785: Torah in Real Life at Elmad Online Learning.

What does it really mean to join the Jewish people? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Brent Spodek explore the themes of Shavuot through the lens of Megillat Ruth and Jewish conversion. They examine what it means to join … Read the rest The post Shavuot 5785: Joining the Covenant first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shavuot 5785: Joining the Covenant at Elmad Online Learning.

Can ancient agricultural laws inspire modern spiritual renewal? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore the radical social and spiritual vision behind Parshat Behar-Behukotai. From Shemitah to Yovel, they unpack how the Torah’s sabbatical and … Read the rest The post Behar-Behukotai 5785: Resetting Society first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Behar-Behukotai 5785: Resetting Society at Elmad Online Learning.

Why are the kohanim held to a higher standard of holiness? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg explore Parshat Emor through the lens of the priestly role as a model for a future redeemed world. … Read the rest The post Emor 5785: Modeling Holiness first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Emor 5785: Modeling Holiness at Elmad Online Learning.

What does it mean to carry sin as a burden? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris delve into Parshat Acharei Mot and its detailed description of the Yom Kippur ritual, focusing on the symbolism of the scapegoat. … Read the rest The post Acharei Mot 5785: The Weight of Sin first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Acharei Mot 5785: The Weight of Sin at Elmad Online Learning.

How do life’s transitions invite spiritual renewal? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore the cycles of tumah (impurity) and taharah (purity) in Tazria-Metzora. They discuss how life experiences like birth, intimacy, and death naturally create … Read the rest The post Tazria-Metzora 5785: Cycles of Renewal first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Tazria-Metzora 5785: Cycles of Renewal at Elmad Online Learning.

Can legacy and memory transform the pain of loss into purpose? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash reflect on the tragedy of Nadav and Avihu in Parshat Shemini, exploring how the loss of Aaron’s sons … Read the rest The post Shemini 5785: Finding Meaning in Loss first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shemini 5785: Finding Meaning in Loss at Elmad Online Learning.

What does Pesach teach us about freedom, growth, and responsibility? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Dr. Irving (Yitz) Greenberg for a special conversation on Parshat Tzav, the sacrificial system, and the deeper messages of Pesach… Read the rest The post Tzav 5785: Pesach and the Covenant of Life first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Tzav 5785: Pesach and the Covenant of Life at Elmad Online Learning.

What can the cycle of giving teach us about our relationship with the Divine? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Leon Morris to explore the opening of Sefer Vayikra (Leviticus) and the relevance of the ancient sacrificial … Read the rest The post Vayikra 5785: Gift and Sacrifice first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayikra 5785: Gift and Sacrifice at Elmad Online Learning.

Why does the Torah spend so much time repeating the Mishkan’s details? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Rafael Polisuk explore Parshat Pekudei and its surprising focus on repetition and detail. They unpack the final verses of Sefer Shemot, … Read the rest The post Pekudei 5785: Living Torah first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pekudei 5785: Living Torah at Elmad Online Learning.

How do we create a Jewish community that honors different perspectives? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Ilana Gleicher-Bloom explore Parshat Vayakhel and its vision of community. They discuss how Moshe transforms Bnei Yisrael from a fragmented group into a … Read the rest The post Vayakhel 5785: Building a Diverse Mishkan first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayakhel 5785: Building a Diverse Mishkan at Elmad Online Learning.

Can true growth come from mistakes? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Ki Tisa and the dramatic episode of the Golden Calf. They examine why the Israelites fell so quickly after Sinai, the connection … Read the rest The post Ki Tisa 5785: From Failure to Renewal first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Tisa 5785: From Failure to Renewal at Elmad Online Learning.

What does the Torah actually mean by ‘wiping out Amalek’? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Anscelovits explore the Torah’s commandment to wipe out Amalek, examining its historical, practical, and ethical dimensions. As Purim approaches, they discuss … Read the rest The post Purim 5785: Understanding Amalek first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Purim 5785: Understanding Amalek at Elmad Online Learning.

This week’s episode is in memory of Beth Wasserman z”l and sponsored by her nephew and his family. Why does God command a physical space if God is everywhere? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Brent Spodek explore Parshat … Read the rest The post Terumah 5785: Building Sacred Space first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Terumah 5785: Building Sacred Space at Elmad Online Learning.

This podcast is sponsored in memory of Morris L. Kramer, a beloved friend and an ohev Yisrael How does the Torah balance law with compassion? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Mishpatim, examining its … Read the rest The post Mishpatim 5785: Law, Justice, and Compassion first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Mishpatim 5785: Law, Justice, and Compassion at Elmad Online Learning.

What does Yitro teach us about choosing Torah instead of receiving it by force? Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Yitro, highlighting the contrast between Amalek’s hostility and Yitro’s embrace of the Jewish people. They discuss Yitro’s journey … Read the rest The post Yitro 5785: Choosing Torah first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Yitro 5785: Choosing Torah at Elmad Online Learning.

Can we celebrate victory while holding onto pain? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Beshalach, focusing on the tension between triumph and uncertainty. They discuss Shirat HaYam as both a song of victory and … Read the rest The post Beshalach 5785: Triumph and Uncertainty first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beshalach 5785: Triumph and Uncertainty at Elmad Online Learning.

How can memory both guide and hinder us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rachel Goldberg-Polin explore Parshat Bo through the lens of memory, mahloket (disagreement), and the importance of constructive conflict. They discuss how memory can either ground or … Read the rest The post Bo 5785: The Power of Listening first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Bo 5785: The Power of Listening at Elmad Online Learning.