Candidate Everyone

A speech in memory of my mother

The first three blessings of the Amidah shatter the wall between man and G-d. This podcast shows you how Hashem Him/Herself gives us the tools to reach out not just once, but many times a day. Consider these ideas as you pray - especially if you are leading the communal repetition of the prayer.  Thank you for listening...  For more of my writing, explore my divrai Torah and books.   Note: the name of G-d was recorded while I was davening privately and I received Rabbinic permission to use it in this context.  Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash 

This is a recording of my 28th Annual Yom Kippur Greeting.

Feel the Shofar's touch, and add to your experience of the Rosh Hashana prayers.

This is my first attempt at a meditation. It might be too complex - not leaving enough up to the mind of the listener to decode and fill in. Let me know how it feels/impacts.

Are you interested in exploring Godly Meditation? It is intended to help you to follow in the path of the Creator and thus lead a life of greater fulfillment.   Photo by GreenForce Staffing on Unsplash 

Is there mental illness in the Torah/Bible? Does the text hint at causes and solutions? This podcast reveals the beginnings of new answers to these questions. Over the coming months and years, I expect these initial concepts to yield fruit that will enable a fundamentally new and powerful appreciation for the lessons of the Torah. Please, have a listen, share your feedback, and let me know what you think!   Photo by Steffen Lemmerzahl on Unsplash

The Torah's meaning is not meant to be obscure to us. Even the Chukim are not meant to be difficult to understand. In this episode, I argue that it is all quite simple and we can grasp it - today.

What is my mission?

Why do we bother with the Seder? Is it just about preserving our people? Or is there something more?   Image By Gilabrand at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12468657

How can we reach towards holiness in a world so full of loss, slavery and destruction?   Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash

It might seem nonsensical in our modern age, but Tazria provides a beautiful illustration of the positive potential of shame.   Photo by @felipepelaquim on Unsplash

Are the Jewish people defined by oppression? Are we meant to be defined by oppression? Listen to find out more.

What can we Torah tell us about fashion? And what can fashion tell us about Torah? More, it turns out, that you might think...

What do Kissing and Korbanot have in common? They're both gross, and they can both express true love...   Photo by Strvnge Films on Unsplash

Purim, Vayikra & Ukraine: the future is ours to determine   Photo by Ganna Aibetova on Unsplash

A Tetzaveh Short Story

Every year, for the past 27 years, I've written a Yom Kippur Greeting. My greeting for this year is recorded here. For the text, visit http://www.josephcox.com/yk27.   Image from Steven Weeks on Unsplash 

This is a discussion about Yom Kippur, the Akeidah and the challenges of the divine perspective. It is dedicated to the memory of Bettye Jean Hylton.   Photo by Louis Maniquet on Unsplash

My speech in shul for Rosh Hashana 5782 (2021).

Unity, freedom and Torah

I'm recording this just as reports of mass casualties pour in from Kabul Airport.   Same image policy as last time.

An unscripted episode on moral obligation and entanglements. Let me know what you think!   Photo is from Unsplash - I'm not sure the photographer would want to be associated with this podcast given the present climate, so I used it based on Unsplash terms, without securing any permissions (or in this case, credit).

Before WWII we had Kindertransport. Today British soldiers just watch as mothers try to throw their infant children over the razorwire fences...

This week is an experiment in storytelling. Tell me (honestly, please) what you think. Are you intrigued? Do you want to hear more? Is it gripping or annoying. Did I overdo or undo parts of it. etc... Thanks!   The Music and Sound Effects (with an exception or two created by me) are from Artlist.io. The image is by Bowcek Josemar on Unsplash

In this week's dvar Torah I discuss the legacy of Serach and how it explains the Torah reading of Pinchas. Photo by Robert Bye on Unsplash

Chapter Two of City on the Heights.

Chapter One of the City on the Heights

In this episode, I walk through the parables of Bilaam to understand his amazing powers of spiritual manipulation.'   Photo by Daniel Fazio on Unsplash

This Torah reading tells the story of the people's reemergence into the world - and the place they are meant to occupy in that world.   Photo by Alex He on Unsplash

I learned a lot writing this week's dvar Torah. It was surprising and rewarding. After finishing it, I dedicated it to the memory of my friend, Tzvi Epstein. He died months ago, but as you'll see he lives on in this Torah reading.   Please, take the time to read or listen - I think you too will find it a rewarding trip through the Torah.   Shabbat Shalom!   Joseph Cox Photo by Vera De on Unsplash 

I think this week's Torah portion is about a fundamental question: are Jews grasshoppers or trees? Hit play to learn more!   Photo by Timothy Dykes on Unsplash

History's warnings (and history's opportunities) in the pursuit of Middle East peace.

This episode explores the lessons of Menucha and Ta'avah - comfort and the human impulse to undermine it.   Photo by Elisa Stone on Unsplash

This episode explores the Torah's obsession with family and what it can teach us today. I also explain Sotah. Note, this is an explanation of Sotah, not an argument for Sotah. Also, when I refer to Torah, I'm referring strictly to the emphasis in Chumash - not the broader oral Torah.   Photo by Lavi Perchik on Unsplash 

This is a story I wrote a few years ago for Shavuot.    Photo from Vitalie Sitnic on Unsplash

This week's podcast has both a dvar Torah on Bamidbar and the lessons of war *and* a reading of an op-ed I wrote about the riots in Israel.

In this podcast, I use the parshiot of Behar-Bechukotai to explore the boundaries of responsibility and trust. This was inspired by a week of conversation about the tragedy at Mount Meron.   Photo by Wolfgang Hasselmann on Unsplash

In this episode we wade into the challenges presented by these Torah readings. At the end, to lighten the mood, I read one of my stories :)

This week I share a speech I had the honor of giving in my synagogue. I also add a bit more material on related subjects.   Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash

This episode analyzes - through story and commodity pricing - the meaning of the omer, kashrut and the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. 

This week's (brief) Dvar Torah focuses on what *we* can learn from the role of the Kohanim.

Ever wonder why the offerings in Vayikra/Leviticus are what they are? Well this episode might just answer your questions...

The face of G-d, a divine river, foreshadowing and more! Dip into the ancillary parts of this Torah portion to discover how and why the relationship of the Jewish people and G-d is fundamentally transformed.

This episode is about Ki Tisa. It is also the speech I delivered the Shabbat before my mother passed away.   p.s. I'll probably issue another episode later in the week - there are elements of the parsha that I want to fill in.

Are the messages of Purim still relevant in a Jewish world that is no longer in exile? To find out, let's contrast the geopolitical messages of the Megillah and the Torah portion of Tetzaveh – this week’s reading.

The Mishkan may seem dry to you, but for me it is one of the most interesting parts of the Torah. There is just so much going on. This year I take it further - much further - than I ever have before. I think you'll enjoy listening, I certainly enjoyed thinking, writing and recording!

This week, I use a core section of the Nicomacean ethics to understand the complexities of Parshat Mishpatim.

Was the giving of the Ten Commandments a highlight of Jewish history- or a letdown? This episode explores both ideas.

This week, I look at the crossing of the sea from both the Egyptian and Jewish perspective. Photo by Robin Canfield on Unsplash