A Thought for the Week

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Join Rabbi Jay Kelman, the founding director of Torah in Motion, as he shares a thought about the weekly parsha.

Torah in Motion


    • Apr 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 91 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A Thought for the Week

    Shemini: In the Middle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 7:57


    Join as we discuss the central message of the Torah. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Pesach: A Code of Ethics

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 9:21


    Join as we discuss the ethical implications of the Exodus. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Tzav: A Bloody Shame

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 10:50


    Join as we discuss the various Biblical blood types and their Paschal implications. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    The Haggadah: Echoes of Egypt

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 60:28


    Join as we discuss the Haggadah shel Pesach offering insights that will hopefully make your seder more meaningful. This bonus episode of A Thought for the Week is sponsored anonymously by TanenbaumCHAT parents who are grateful for the Rabbis' and the teachers' commitment to the education of the communityCheck out last year's episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/21o0josgBsJiiRrRbBDelN?si=b0aa4e263efe423bPlease send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org.

    Vayikra: Time for a Break

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 12:53


    Join as we discuss the influence of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Torah study. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Pekudei: From Nisan to Nisan

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 11:54


    Join as we disuss the Biblical schedule on the first of Nisan. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Vayakhel: Return of the Covenant

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 11:54


    Join as we discuss how the "second" Mishkan differs from the first. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Purim: Gather Together

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2025 10:33


    Join as we discuss the challenge of unity in a time with limited persecution. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Ki Tisa: Perfect Timing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 9:29


    Join as we discuss the many links between Ki Tisa and Purim. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Tetzaveh: A Construction Project

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 9:11


    Join as we discuss the relationship between the Exodus and the Tabernacle. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Terumah: Time to Volunteer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 11:45


    Join as we discuss why involuntary religion is no religion at all. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Mishpatim: Saying What You Mean

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 12:48


    Join as we discuss why our Sages often reject the plain meaning of the Biblical text. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Yitro: Why Observe Mitzvot?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 12:28


    Join as we discuss how the people responded to the Ten Commandments. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Beshalach: Joseph Leads the Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 11:35


    Join as we discuss why Moshe had to look for Joseph's bones on the way out of Egypt.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org 

    Bo: Egyptian Exile

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 13:08


    Join as we discuss why our exile had to be in Egypt. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Va'eira: Stranger Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 15:06


    Join as we discuss gratitude and its role in the Exodus from Egypt. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Shemot: Joseph Who?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 11:13


    Join as we discuss what it is about Yosef that is worth remembering. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayechi: Jacob's Revenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 14:09


    Join as we discuss why Jacob didn't bless his children. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayigash: Joseph's Revenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 10:32


    Join as we discuss the tragic relationship between Joseph and his brothers. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Mikeitz: Internal Politics

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 27, 2024 13:31


    Join as we discuss how Joseph learns (the hard way) how to operate in the halls of power. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Chanukah: Ancient and Modern

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2024 10:45


    Join as we discuss why such a minor holiday is of such major importance.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayeshev: What a Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 11:07


    Join as we discuss the connections between the sale of Joseph and the episode of Judah and TamarSend any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayishlach: What's in a Name

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 13:56


    Join as we discuss the struggles of Yaakov. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayetze: Let Me Have It

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 10:50


    Join as we discuss the importance of saying "please."Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Toldot: Maybe It's Time To Sin?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 15:00


    Join as we discuss Yishmael, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yael and the history of Bnei Yisrael.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Chayei Sarah: Avraham's Eight Children

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 11:46


    Join as we discuss the 12 sons of Yishmael, Nachor and Yaakov.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Vayeira: Choosing Avraham

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 12:23


    Join as we discuss why Avraham wanted Yitzchak exposed to foreign ideas.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Lech Lecha: Brotherly Love

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2024 11:59


    Join as we discuss the relationship between the children of Terach. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Noach: The Unsung Heroes (Lemech and Terach Lead the Way)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 10:36


    Join as we discuss the crucial historic roles played by Lemech and Terach.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Breisheet: A Play on Words

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2024 13:04


    Join as we kick off our second year with a close reading of some key words at the beginning of the Torah. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Shemini Atzeret: The Rainy Season Begins

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 8:46


    Join as we discuss some of the reasons we read V'Zot Ha'Beracha on Shemini Atzeret. (They may not be what you think.) Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Sukkot: Judaism 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 12:33


    Join as we discuss why its not a good idea to steal a lulav.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Yom Kippur: Coming Together

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2024 11:41


    Join as we discuss how we draw close to God by drawing close to the Jewish people.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Rosh Hashana: A Very Strange Holiday

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 12:12


    Join as we discuss how the first day of the seventh month became the Rosh Hashanah we all know and love. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Nitzavim-Vayelech: The Simple Jew

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2024 9:01


    Join as we discuss Jewish destiny and its dependence on regular folks. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Ki Tavo: In the Garden of Eden

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 12:17


    Join as we discuss the connection between Adam, Eve, and the farmers in Israel.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Ki Teitzei: Time for Some Travel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 9:47


    Join as we discuss the parallel travel plans of Moav, Miriam, and Amalek.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Shoftim: A Perfect Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 14:30


    Join as we discuss the relationship between baseball and rabbinic authority.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Re'eh: Credit is Crucial

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 10:58


    Join as we discuss some early Rabbinic economic policies. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Eikev: What Makes G-d Mighty?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 7:39


    Join as we discuss our responsibilities to our communities and to society at large. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Va'etchanan: Above and Beyond

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 12:43


    Join as we discuss why it is not enough to follow the laws of the Torah. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Tisha B'av: Unrighteous Indignation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2024 11:31


    Join as we discuss how our sages approach history. Sign up for our live Tisha B'av programming here: https://torahinmotion.org/programs/e-tim-tisha-bav-5784 Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Devarim: Full Court Press

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 11:39


    Join as we discuss the relationship between land and freedom. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Mattot-Massei: Save the Date

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 10:13


    Join as we discuss why we are told the date that Aharon died.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Pinchas: The Wrong Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 7:11


    Join as we discuss extreme and moderate leaders. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Balak: Love is Blind

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 10:56


    Join as we discuss love, hate, and saddling your donkey. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Chukat: Nothing New Under the Sun

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 13:36


    Join as we discuss when two stories are really one.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Korach: That Was Really Dumb

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 9:46


    Join as we discuss the difficulty of putting the needs of the community ahead of one's own.Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Shelach: Scouts and Strangers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 10:05


    Join as we discuss the sin of the spies and missed opportunities. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Beha'alotcha: Down the Mountain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2024 10:01


    Please join as we discuss the beginning of the end of generation-one. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

    Nasso: Adultery isn't the Whole Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 9:35


    Join as we discuss a different way of looking at the Sotah episode. Send any questions, comments, or critiques to podcasts@torahinmotion.orgIf you would like to partner with us to create more thoughtful and accessible jewish content, visit torahinmotion.org/donate, or email us at info@torahinmotion.org.You can find more thoughtful Jewish content at torahinmotion.org

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