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. Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK, the liberal Beit Midrash ("House of Study"). Contact us at info@laasok.org with comments or questions.
Episodes
Tuesday May 23, 2023
Tuesday May 23, 2023
The Torah commands that "all your males shall appear" before God on Shavuot. Why does it exclude women from participating in this part (but not other parts) of the holiday celebration? What are we supposed to do with it as modern, egalitarian Jews?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
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 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
As we begin a new book of the Torah, I talk with Rabbi Judith Siegal about what it is to wander in the wilderness, and why those "in between places" open us up for creativity.
We also talk about the post-covid moment in Jewish life, about Jewish camp, and much more!
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
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 09, 2023
Tuesday May 09, 2023
The Torah's institution of the sabbatical year teaches a lesson about stewardship vs. ownership - which contradicts our society's consumer values AND might help me eat slower.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
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 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
In a strange passage, the Torah requires the worshipper to eat the entire Thanks Offering in one day. We'll explore what the commentators have to say about that, and why they think it's about our capacity for gratitude and community.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
This double portion starts off being about the priests and ends up being about how we are all responsible to strive for holiness in the world.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
This week's double portion is about leprosy. We turn to a story in the Talmud about a "leper messiah," with a message about being empowered to repair the world.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Aaron witnesses the deaths of his two sons and is silent. But is he really? What can we learn from Aaron about activism in the face of loss? What does the current moment of gun violence in America call for?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
Tuesday Apr 04, 2023
The parashah for this week tells of the aftermath of the Golden Calf and the renewal of the covenant. What does that have to do with celebrating Pesach??
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
Wednesday Mar 29, 2023
What does the Torah's description of ancient priestly duties tell us about the responsibility of leaders to listen to and represent their own people?
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Wednesday Mar 22, 2023
Vayikra is all about the details of animal sacrifice in the ancient Tabernacle. In this episode, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg gives us a new and meaningful way to understand this parashah - as being about the affirmation of life.
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Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/.
To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah.
To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup
Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.