Pardes from Jerusalem

In this week’s episode, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek calls into the studio to speak with our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, about one of the most challenging days of the year, Yom Kippur, and the story of Yonah. Why would Yonah … Read the rest The post Yom Kippur 5784: Expanding Our Compassion first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Yom Kippur 5784: Expanding Our Compassion at Elmad Online Learning.

This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David Bernstein in memory of Ricki's parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z”l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families which perished … Read the rest The post Rosh Hashana 5784: A Day of Caring Judgement first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Rosh Hashana 5784: A Day of Caring Judgement at Elmad Online Learning.

Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to discuss this week’s double-parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech and how the Torah teaches us to live within the tension of accepting imperfections while striving to always improve ourselves. As the Children of Israel stand poised … Read the rest The post Nitzavim-Vayelech 5783: A Covenantal Relationship first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Nitzavim-Vayelech 5783: A Covenantal Relationship at Elmad Online Learning.

Zvi is joined this week by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, who shares with us her insights into connecting our personal story to the story of the Jewish people, and doing so can give us the gift of gratitude and generosity.  … Read the rest The post Ki Tavo 5783: How Do I Tell Our Story? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Tavo 5783: How Do I Tell Our Story? at Elmad Online Learning.

In this week’s episode, Zvi is joined by Yiscah Smith for a discussion of the mitzvah of “sending away the mother bird,” and how the Talmudic rejection of finding reasons for the commandment became an invitation for Hasidic thinkers to … Read the rest The post Ki Tetze 5783: It Starts From Below first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Tetze 5783: It Starts From Below at Elmad Online Learning.

What are the three kinds of leadership the Torah requires the Jewish people to create when they become Sovereign in their own Land? What are their roles and the potential dangers inherent in the powers they hold? In this week’s … Read the rest The post Shoftim 5783: Navigating the Dynamics of Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shoftim 5783: Navigating the Dynamics of Leadership at Elmad Online Learning.

Zvi is joined across the ocean with Pardes North America faculty member Rabbi Brent Spodek, host of Good Jewish Lover, to discuss the weekly parsha. Brent discusses our tendency to lean on core negative images, failing to see ourselves as … Read the rest The post Re'eh 5783: Growth is Possible first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Re’eh 5783: Growth is Possible at Elmad Online Learning.

Are we truly able to be aware of and appreciate the blessings in our lives? This week, Zvi is joined in the Pardes from Jerusalem studio by Rabbi Michael Hattin. Michael shares with us how Parshat Ekev teaches us about … Read the rest The post Ekev 5783: Pathways to Gratitude first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ekev 5783: Pathways to Gratitude at Elmad Online Learning.

Join Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joined Zvi in the studio to discuss his personal journey on a path to Jewish practice. Listen in as Leon combines insight into the text with the practice of tefillin, to show us how … Read the rest The post VaEtchanan 5783: The Embodiment of Love first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading VaEtchanan 5783: The Embodiment of Love at Elmad Online Learning.

How are we able to live in the past, future and present all at the same time? Aviva Lauer, Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, joined Zvi to discuss Devarim and Moshe’s opening speech for the final book … Read the rest The post Devarim 5783: Listening Between the Lines first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Devarim 5783: Listening Between the Lines at Elmad Online Learning.

In this week's episode, Zvi is joined by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy for an exploration of Matot and Massei, discussing the challenging tale of the tribes who chose not to settle in the land of Israel. Meesh offers us different … Read the rest The post Matot-Massei: The Boundary Lines of the Jewish People first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Matot-Massei: The Boundary Lines of the Jewish People at Elmad Online Learning.

In this week's episode, Zvi is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash in an exploration of Parshat Pinchas and the story of the Daughters of Zelophehad. Zvi and Nechama discuss the transformative role of the Daughters of Zelophehad in creating … Read the rest The post Pinchas 5783: Finding Their Voice first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pinchas 5783: Finding Their Voice at Elmad Online Learning.

In what ways might we find deeper meaning to our parsha through an examination of the haftarah? In this week’s podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Amirit Rosen to discuss one of the wildest stories of the Torah, … Read the rest The post Balak 5783: The View from the Inside first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Balak 5783: The View from the Inside at Elmad Online Learning.

How is it possible for a relationship to be strengthened through conflict? In this week’s podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Brent Spodek, Pardes North America faculty member and host of Good Jewish Lover. Together, they discuss the … Read the rest The post Chukat 5783: Loving Conflict first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Chukat 5783: Loving Conflict at Elmad Online Learning.

How we can have hard conversations that lead to growth and renewed relationship, as opposed to anger and distance? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Pardes Faculty member Sefi Kraut, one of Pardes’s lead educators … Read the rest The post Korach 5783: Was a Different Conversation Possible? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Korach 5783: Was a Different Conversation Possible? at Elmad Online Learning.

How can we connect with the Godliness within ourselves? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, is joined by Pardes faculty member Yischa Smith to discuss the failure of the spies sent ahead of the tribes of … Read the rest The post Shelach 5783: Real Self-Confidence is Born in Faith first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shelach 5783: Real Self-Confidence is Born in Faith at Elmad Online Learning.

Imagine being on a journey filled with excitement and hope, only to have it quickly derailed. That’s exactly what happens in this week’s parsha. What causes this sudden shift, and what can we learn from it? In this week’s Parsha … Read the rest The post Beha'alotecha 5783: Moving Forward or Running Away first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beha’alotecha 5783: Moving Forward or Running Away at Elmad Online Learning.

What threats and opportunities can their be found in the concept of vows as presented through Judaism? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Daniel Reifman for an exploration of this week's parsha. Together, we … Read the rest The post Naso 5783: I Promise to Be My Best Self first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Naso 5783: I Promise to Be My Best Self at Elmad Online Learning.

Can pluralism and individuality enhance our sense of a shared framework and obligation to one another? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Jonathan Leener, Pardes North America Faculty Associate, for an exploration of this … Read the rest The post Bamidbar 5783: A Different Flag for Each Tribe first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Bamidbar 5783: A Different Flag for Each Tribe at Elmad Online Learning.

How do the restrictions and limitations of the Sabbatical and Jubilee years shape our understanding of power, ownership, and social responsibility? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Elchanan Miller for an exploration of the … Read the rest The post Behar – Bechukotai 5783: The Boundaries of Love first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Behar – Bechukotai 5783: The Boundaries of Love at Elmad Online Learning.

How do build a community that is both coherent and inclusive? In this week’s Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash for a discussion on the tragic episode of the blasphemer, and how the search … Read the rest The post Emor 5783: The Power and Pain of Exclusion first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Emor 5783: The Power and Pain of Exclusion at Elmad Online Learning.

How do we balance a sense of reverence and our desire for closeness with the Divine? In this week’s episode of the Pardes Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash for a discussion on boundaries … Read the rest The post Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783: Boundaries and Making Space for the Other first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Acharei Mot – Kedoshim 5783: Boundaries and Making Space for the Other at Elmad Online Learning.

How do we make sense of Divine reward and punishment in our complex world? In this week’s episode of the Pardes Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Dean Emeritus Dr. David I. Bernstein for a discussion on theodicy, … Read the rest The post Tazria-Metzora 5783: Uncertainty & Divine Providence first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Tazria-Metzora 5783: Uncertainty & Divine Providence at Elmad Online Learning.

Is there a reason behind the laws of keeping kosher? Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits as they tackle this question, exploring the various explanations for these laws and unpacking Rabbi Elisha’s personal theory. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield … Read the rest The post Shemini 5783: What's the Deal with Kashrut? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shemini 5783: What’s the Deal with Kashrut? at Elmad Online Learning.

Passover is all about telling the story of the Exodus, but that wasn’t always the case. How did the central ritual of Passover shift over time from the paschal sacrifice to the ritual of storytelling? In this special episode of … Read the rest The post Pesach 5783: The Repackaging of Passover – How Pesach Became a Holiday of Storytelling first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Pesach 5783: The Repackaging of Passover – How Pesach Became a Holiday of Storytelling at Elmad Online Learning.

So much of Sefer Vayikra (the Book of Leviticus) is steeped in concepts that are foreign to us today – the temple cult, the offering of sacrifices – that it’s de rigueur to assume we won’t understand or care very … Read the rest The post Vayikra 5783: What Do We Do With a Book Full of Animal Sacrifice? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayikra 5783: What Do We Do With a Book Full of Animal Sacrifice? at Elmad Online Learning.

The Sanctuary’s washbasin came from mirrors donated by the Israelite women. Yet, Rashi’s comment raises some doubts that Moses had regarding the propriety of using these mirrors, items that are generally used for feminine beautification. This opens a discussion of … Read the rest The post Vayakhel-Pekudei 5783: The Washbasin – Sanctuary and Sexuality first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayakhel-Pekudei 5783: The Washbasin – Sanctuary and Sexuality at Elmad Online Learning.

Are we too judgmental towards Ahron? Join Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld in an exploration of the weekly parsha as they examine the tragic life of Moses’s brother Ahron. Credits: Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld – … Read the rest The post Ki Tisa 5783: Accepting Failure first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Tisa 5783: Accepting Failure at Elmad Online Learning.

Rabbi Elisha Anscelovitz and Yiscah Smith discuss the historical roots of Purim as an agricultural holiday while drawing from the Hasidic masters to help us find deeper meaning to the holiday. Credits – Rabbi Elisha Anscelovitz and Yiscah Smith – … Read the rest The post Purim 5783: Divinity Within a Blade of Grass first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Purim 5783: Divinity Within a Blade of Grass at Elmad Online Learning.

This podcast is in memory of Arlene Ruby Harel z”l upon the occasion of her first yahrzeit. Arlene's welcoming, free-spirited nature, warmth, authenticity, candor, humor and openness is missed deeply by all of us who were privileged to work with … Read the rest The post Terumah 5783: Knowing God first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Terumah 5783: Knowing God at Elmad Online Learning.

Parshat Mishpatim tells us that we should distance ourselves from lying. Join Pardes faculty members Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose for an exploration of why human beings lie, similarities between the Torah and Hammurabi’s Code, and Divine compassion.… Read the rest The post Mishpatim 5783: Why We Tell Lies first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Mishpatim 5783: Why We Tell Lies at Elmad Online Learning.

In Yitro, we see Moses learn that it takes more to be a public religious leader than simply being a person of faith. How does Moses learn to be a person who has experienced faith on a personal level bring … Read the rest The post Yitro 5783: Getting to the Beyond first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Yitro 5783: Getting to the Beyond at Elmad Online Learning.

In this week’s parsha podcast, Rabbis Amirit Rosen and Elisha Anscelovitz discuss Shirat Hayam, the Song of the Sea, and the importance of taking pauses in life. Credits: Rabbi Amirit Rosen and Rabbi Elisha Anscelovits – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest The post Beshalach 5783: The Sacred Pause first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beshalach 5783: The Sacred Pause at Elmad Online Learning.

Alex Israel and Sefi Kraut discuss the concept of the New Moon and the notion of time: the freedom to take control of our own time, the calendar as a nation-building tool, the challenge of procrastination, and the gift of … Read the rest The post Bo 5783: Taking Control of Time first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Bo 5783: Taking Control of Time at Elmad Online Learning.

The parsha opens with the names of God, and that sets the stage for the revelation which comes through the plagues. This podcast touches how this dynamic expresses a deeper layer in the whole relationship between Creator and creation as … Read the rest The post Vaera 5783: What's in a Name? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vaera 5783: What’s in a Name? at Elmad Online Learning.

Join Rabbi Brent Spodek and Professor Ziva Hassenfeld as they discuss the first parsha of Shemot and explore the topic of Miriam the Prophetess as a young girl. Credits: Professor Ziva R. Hassenfeld and Rabbi Brent Spodek… Read the rest The post Shemot 5783: The Child Miriam first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Shemot 5783: The Child Miriam at Elmad Online Learning.

Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Nechama Goldman Barash talk about contrasts in the parsha, control or lack thereof in our lives, and the power of a blessing. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest The post Vayehi 5783: What is in a Blessing? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Vayehi 5783: What is in a Blessing? at Elmad Online Learning.

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 8 – … Read the rest The post Hanukah 5783: One Candle, Then Another, Then Another first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Hanukah 5783: One Candle, Then Another, Then Another at Elmad Online Learning.

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 7* – … Read the rest The post Hanukah 5783: Deborah and Judith: How Our Heroines Harmonize Across a Millennium first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Hanukah 5783: Deborah and Judith: How Our Heroines Harmonize Across a Millennium at Elmad Online Learning.

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 6 – … Read the rest The post Hanukah 5783: Combatting Darkness first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Hanukah 5783: Combatting Darkness at Elmad Online Learning.

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 5 – … Read the rest The post Hanukah 5783: The Window or the Table: Spreading Light to Eradicate Hate first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Hanukah 5783: The Window or the Table: Spreading Light to Eradicate Hate at Elmad Online Learning.

During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 4 – … Read the rest The post Hanukah 5783: The Light of Hanukah: Let's Light Up the Streets! first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Hanukah 5783: The Light of Hanukah: Let’s Light Up the Streets! at Elmad Online Learning.