Making modern meaning from ancient texts! Each week Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses the weekly Torah portion in about 7 to 10 minutes, through liberal Jewish eyes. We weave together philosophy, spirituality, tradition, and social justice - and derive meaning for today‘s life from our sacred sources. Longer episodes include a bonus interview with leading rabbis and Jewish thought leaders. With questions or comments, please contact me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 21, 2024
Wednesday Aug 21, 2024
Rabbi Shai Held is one of the most important thinkers in modern Jewish life. President and Dean of the Hadar Institute, he is a theologian, rabbi, educator, and author. In this interview, he joins Rabbi Micah Streiffer to talk about the Torah's command to love the stranger, and about the broader idea that Judaism is about love.
Rabbi Held's latest book is Judaism is About Love.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
In this portion, Moses faces the prospect of his own death. The Midrash paints a picture of him as a leader who both struggles with own mortality and cares deeply about the welfare of the people he leads. We explore these messages, comparing them with contemporary events.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Korach claims that "all the people are holy," but his actions seem to be less about the people and more about his own interests. In that sense, he reminds us of some politicians we know today.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
Tuesday Jun 25, 2024
The Torah's famous story of the "scouts" is a pivotal moment - the beginning of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But what did the scouts do wrong? We take a look at a Midrash that suggests that, in part, it was because they made assumptions about what the people of the land were thinking about them. We talk about the cognitive distortion of "mind reading" and how it harms our well-being, our relationships, and our world.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
This parashah tells about a strange incident in which two Israelites prophesy "illicitly." Moses's reaction to them teaches something important about leadership and listening. (Encore from 2022.)
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
Tuesday Jun 11, 2024
A midrash says that the Torah is "one" but has seventy faces. We explore how Jewish life sits at the intersection of unity and pluralism.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
Wednesday Jun 05, 2024
In this interview episode, Micah talks with Rabbi Mark Washofsky about B'midbar, the opening parsha of the book of Numbers. They discuss the census in the desert, why it takes place and what it says about Jewish life. And they go on to talk about a variety of related topics around Reform Judaism and halakhah (Jewish law).
Rabbi Washofsky is the author of Reading Reform Responsa.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Is Jewish life supposed to be lived in the land of Israel? Can you live a fulfilling and meaningful life in diaspora? How do we, as liberal Jews, relate to the traditional Jewish notion of "exile?" We explore some midrash on the topic.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Wednesday May 15, 2024
Wednesday May 15, 2024
In this week's Torah portion, God asks the people to provide a Ner Tamid - an eternal light - in the sanctuary. But does God need a light? And by extension, does God need our rituals and prayers? We look at some midrash and explore the question: Who are our rituals for?
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com
Thursday May 09, 2024
Thursday May 09, 2024
The Torah commands: "Love your neighbor as yourself?" But who is the neighbor that I'm commanded the love? The answer is not straightforward. In fact, it's one of the great debates of Judaism.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
- To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
- Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com