Lost in the Wilderness

Daniel and Karl reach the end of their own personal Exodus by finishing off Chapter 40 and drinking champagne. Then they reflect on the journey and answer a listener question. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl are joined by Hattie Koher, a Methodist youth pastor and old college friend of Daniel's for an episode that's all about the ephod. In addition to talking about priestly bling, we also get into a discussions of wealth and religion, the meaning of ordination, and whether its ethical to use blue snails for dye. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Karl and Daniel are joined by Shira Berkowitz of Central Reform Congregation in Saint Louis for a discussion of feminism, justice work, and lots and lots of instructions on how to build the tabernacle! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Karl and Daniel are joined by Cantor Joshua Finkel of Shir Hadesh Reconstructionist Community in Saint Louis. Which is a relief because, frankly, Ch. 37 of Exodus is more tedious repetition of what we've read before. So we spend about ten minutes reading it and the rest of time on the history of the different branches of Judaism (orthodox, conservative, reform, and reconstructionist) and the future of Christianity. Plus, both Daniel and Josh chant the text for us! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The great Robert Alter describes Chapter 36 as the greatest example of extravagant repetition in the entire book of Exodus. That doesn't mean that it can't be fun! Karl and Daniel use this opportunity to talk about repetition in religious life, and about how a call to justice might work in accordance with a pacific spirituality that seeks to hold things lightly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Is Judaism a religion or a people? What does identity mean, and how many can we have and still be coherent? Is it better to be consumerist or materialist? And what lengths will Daniel go to in order to ensure a good night's sleep? Join us as we dive into all these questions and more in our discussion of Ch. 35 of Exodus! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After a month long hiatus, we return to dig deep into chapter 34 of Exodus.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We recorded a podcast last week, but then a terrible technical snafu took it away from us.  And I'll be gone next week, and Daniel will be moving the following week.  So we'll be on a brief hiatus until mid-June.  -Karl See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week we finally take a deep dive into Daniel's favorite rabbi, the 12th c. Spanish philosopher Maimonides, also known as Rambam.  Which means that we get super philosophical, talking about God and nature and the limits of human knowledge.  Oh, and also about Moses and ch. 33 of Exodus.  Plus one really terrible butt joke (because we only like to pretend that we're smart).   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At last, we have come to the much anticipated Ch. 32, when God sends Moses down the mountain to break up a wild party and, more importantly, stop the chosen people from worshipping idols.  Hot stuff!  And Daniel has provided four and a half pages of midrash to go with it! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Exodus 31 is great for artists and crafts people, and great for people who just need a day of rest!  Karl and Daniel spend about thirty minutes talking about the first seventeen verses, and then thirty minutes talking about verse 18 alone!  That's one great verse.  Plus, Daniel tells the joke that gives our episode it's name. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl are joined by Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp as we delve into Ch. 30, learn that Gehenna isn't just a suburb of Columbus, reflect on giving and justice, and consider the ethics of counting people. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl go deep into the weeds of ordination rituals for the High Priest as they read Exodus 30.  Along the way, they throw in some thoughts about Jerusalem Syndrome, the sad life of Schmuel the Ephod Cleaner, and the religious call to assist in the completion of creation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl are joined by Rabbi Daniel Vaisrub, and many things are revealed about Judaism that Karl never knew.  Such as the apocalyptic hope that the third temple will descend from on high and that the ephod might just look like the costume of a French princess.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ch. 27 of Exodus is all about the tabernacle (what a surprise, given that it's been the theme of the last few weeks).  But Karl and Daniel find a way to talk about sin, and the way that both Judaism and Christianity are reinterpreting the concept of sin in terms of modernism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl are joined by members of Saint Andrew's, Evanston as they discuss Ch. 26, a chapter mostly composed of instructions for building the tabernacle.  And yet somehow they manage to wander into discussions of unicorn creation myths and when to take a bathroom break in the middle of synagogue services.  Who says that cubits can't be fun! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Acolytes and Altar Guild members, rejoice!  We have now gotten to the part of Exodus that deals with liturgy, describing all of the wonderful implementa of the tabernacle with glittering adjectives (mostly because everything is gold plated).  Daniel and Karl let their inner liturgists off the leash and get so metaphysical that it's almost psychedelic.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Okay, it's a weird title, but we sure amused ourselves as we talked about Exodus 24, in which Moses and friends are somehow back at the foot of the mountain and about to go up it for the first time, even though Moses has been at the top of Mt. Sinai for the last four chapters.  You can see why we got a little wacky.  Enjoy! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl record live in front of an audience at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati.  The audience was amazing in contributing to our chevruta Bible study of chapter 23.  We took questions and heard from a variety of readers as we went.  Enjoy! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There's a whole lotta law going on in Chapter 22 of Exodus, but it leads Daniel and Karl into discussions of King David and the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the Babylonian Exile and, oh yeah, Exodus.  Join us! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're still at Mt. Sinai (after all, we just got there) and the law is getting more and more exact and elaborate.  This week it also becomes downright unpleasant, as we have to contemplate the fact that the Israelites are now enslaving each other, not to mention the sad fate of pre-teen girls in much of the ancient world.  Plus, ox goring.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are all those courthouse monuments and bulletin boards on the highway all about, anyway?  The Ten Commandments might form the basis of civil society in the west, or they might be a specific set of rules given to a specific group of people at a specific time, or they might be the Jews' great gift to the moral universe.  Or, possibly, all three.  And there are three hosts on this week's podcast, as Daniel and Karl are joined by the great Jane Gerdsen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

All right, we've finally arrived at Mount Sinai!  And it only took 19 chapters and 20 episodes.  As Daniel says, all the most famous midrashim speak to this moment of Exodus.  In our discussion, we touch on cultural appropriation, our legacy to future generations, and what exactly the Holy Spirit is.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Let's face it, Jethro must have been one of history's top five father-in-laws.  In Ch. 18 of Exodus, he visits Moses and shows him how to set-up a bureaucracy.  In our current context, this might seem like an odd thing to be admired for.  But can bureaucracies be good, even holy?  Karl and Daniel debate this contentious issue of our time.   SHOW NOTE: THIS WAS UPLOADED INCORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME.  APOLOGIES!  IT'S CORRECT NOW. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As they dive into ch. 17, Karl and Daniel talk about sin and evil, and the understanding of Amalek in Judaism.  How should we think about and treat our enemies?  How should we confront the evil in ourselves?  The rabbinic tradition has managed to wring some weighty questions out of a relatively short chapter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl ponder the culinary value of manna, read some excellent midrash, and talk about the Sabbath and ecology, all while dipping (pun intended) into Ch. 16 of Exodus. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by Cantor Cheryl Wunch, calling in from Toronto to sing portions of Chapter 15 of Exodus, answer all of Karl's questions about cantors in general, and reflect on (of course) the nature of God and humanity. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Israelites have finally gotten to the Reed Sea, the Pillar of Fire and the Pillar of Cloud are introduced into the story, and (oddly) Job makes a cameo appearance in the midrash.  What could be more fun than that?  Join Daniel and Karl as they discuss Exodus Chapter 15. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Daniel and Karl are joined again by Robin Holland for their investigation of Exodus 13.  Daniel gives us the lowdown on a lot of Jewish practice, including the use of tefillin (in English, phylacteries) in prayer.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Daniel and Karl discuss Exodus, Ch. 12, give an overview of the Documentary Hypothesis, delve deep into Jewish religious traditions, and give some grocery shopping advice! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by the great Phyllis Spiegel as they delve into Exodus, Ch. 11.  On the surface, Ch. 11 seems like a lot of throat-clearing for Ch. 12.  But it does, in fact, allow us to ask the most profound questions about God and society.  If you're interested in that kind of thing, this podcast is for you! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl delve into Jewish mysticism (and a little Christian mysticism, too) as they discuss Exodus Ch. 10. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl use Chapter 9 of Exodus as an opportunity to talk about idealism and realism, trauma and hope.  In particular, they discuss ideas articulated in Rabbi David Hartman's article "Auschwitz or Sinai?"   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Karl, Robin and Daniel delve into Exodus, Ch. 8, the plagues, the nature of good and evil, the nature of mercy and justice, and all the other large and intense questions, with a little midrashic humor thrown in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by Robin Holland for their discussion of Exodus Chapter 7.  The plagues begin!  There are magical battles between the Levite Bros. and Pharaoh!  And we get to ask questions about free will, systems of dominance, and the natural creation.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl are joined by Maggie Leidheiser-Stoddard to discuss Exodus Chapter 6, a chapter full of quarreling with God, insecurity about leadership, and lots and lots of genealogy.  We all ended up feeling sorry for Moses, and wondering why verses 26 and 27 go out of their way to assure us that it's the Moses and Aaron the descendants of Levi who were battling Pharaoh, not some other Moses and Aaron.  Were there a lot of Moses and Aaron's running around in the ancient world?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel and Karl dive into Chapter 5 and discuss the nature of God, the nature of social movements, the struggle for justice, and the tragedy of injustice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Karl and Daniel delve into Exodus, Ch. 4 and make many jokes about donkeys and circumcision. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week Karl and Daniel take on Exodus Ch. 1 for their Chevruta Bible Study.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.