Parsha in Progress

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Parsha in Progress is the latest podcast by Tablet Magazine. Perfect for anyone interested in the Bible, every other week hosts Rabbi Dov Linzer and author Abigail Pogrebin, an Orthodox rabbi and a Reform Jew, delve into a Biblical issue and story, and discuss how this ancient text takes on modern m…

Tablet Magazine

  • Sep 21, 2020 LATEST EPISODE
  • every other week NEW EPISODES
  • 11m AVG DURATION
  • 55 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from Parsha in Progress

Why Torah is Like the Rain (Ha'azinu): Ep. 54

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2020 11:29


This week, we conclude the full cycle of parshas with a candid reflection on the end of the podcast, and a consideration of what makes poetry a powerful vehicle for divine messages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Your Mouth and in Your Heart (Nitzavim): Ep. 53

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 7:50


This week, we discuss the poetic insistence of the Bible that every Jew should be able to feel ownership over the Torah's message. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wayward Sons and Kidnapped Women (Ki Tetzei): Ep. 52

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2020 11:05


This week, we have a lot of questions and few answers as we read some of the Bible's more unsettling passages, and consider what we could learn from situations we hope never actually happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Compassion Extra Credit? (Re'eh): Ep. 51

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2020 9:38


This week, we debate what it means to "not shut your heart" against the needy, and why compassion is no substitute for justice when it comes to righting social wrongs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Did God Keep Moses From Entering Israel? (Vaetchanan): Ep. 50

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 11:10


This week, we discuss the importance of Mount Sinai in collective Jewish memory, and why Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, even though he led the people out of Egypt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did God Break a Promise? Did We? (Maatot-Maasei): Ep. 49

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2020 9:51


This week, we discuss whether it was a betrayal to make the Exodus generation die in the desert, and debate whether their sin of doubting the goodness of the land earlier in the Bible is similar to Jews hesitant to move to Israel today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do we do when we see evil unpunished? (Balak), Ep: 48

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2020 11:59


This week, we consider whether one can ever take the law into their own hands, and the pitfalls of vigilante justice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Democracy Always the Divine Plan? (Korach): Ep. 47

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2020 10:08


This week, we look at the rebellion of Korach, who tried to oust Moses as leader by claiming he was no holier than the rest of the Israelites, and consider Moses' unique reaction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who deserves to be cut off? (Beha'alotcha): Ep. 46

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2020 11:24


This week, we look at one of the Bible's most severe punishments, that of being "cut off" from the people, and consider what actions today might separate someone from the Jewish community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Daily Call of Mount Sinai (Shavuot): Ep. 45

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2020 12:02


This week, we return to Mount Sinai to celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, and debate what it means to say that every day, Jews must recommit to the contract. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remembering the Individuals Among the Crowds (Bamidbar): Ep. 44

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2020 9:11


This week, we look through the seemingly endless lists of names, numbers, and detailed descriptions of camp formations in the desert, and ask why the Bible felt this information was so important for us to know.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Productivity Got Cancelled Biblically (Behar): Ep 43

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2020 10:11


This week, we consider the sacrifices that go alongside growth and renewal, and how the commandment to let the earth rest impacted Biblical society, with insights into how those same implications play out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should Jews be Holy, or Good? (Kedoshim): Ep. 42

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2020 10:23


This week we argue about whether ethical acts are equal to ritual ones, and if it’s more admirable to act because God commanded it, or because it’s simply the right thing to do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Biblical Demands Seem Cruel (Metzorah): Ep. 41

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2020 8:52


This week we revisit the rituals of reentry, and how the metzorah (expelling the infected) feels cruel, but maybe—especially in light of today’s pandemic—it was prescient. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Miracle of Jewish Survival (Tzav): Ep. 40

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2020 9:25


This week, we discuss the eternal flame lit in the Temple, and whether the miracle of Jewish endurance is a good reason to stay Jewish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Your Heart Moves You (and When It Doesn't) (Vayahel Pekudei): Ep 39

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2020 11:38


This week we discuss why the Israelites so freely donated their time and money to build the Tabernacle, and whether volunteer work is best focused on one's community or those outside it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Fashion Choices Be Holy? (Tetzaveh): Ep 38

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2020 9:39


This week we discuss the Bible's detailed descriptions of the High Priest vestments, and why clothing is such a powerful site of identity for many people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Doesn't Love the Stranger? (Mishpatim): Ep. 37

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 12:05


This week, we ask who really counts as the stranger and whether the answer upends the idea of compassion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Children Die By God’s Command. (Bo): Ep. 36

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2020 11:42


This week, we discuss the final plague of Egypt, and the impulse to provide bad answers to good questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is God a Show-Off? (Va'era): Ep. 35

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2020 9:40


This week, we discuss the purpose of the Ten Plagues, and why God didn’t expedite the whole Exodus-from-Egypt thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Take One from Tablet Magazine

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2020 23:00


Parsha in Progress is off this week, so instead we're introducing you to Take One, the new Daf Yomi podcast from Tablet Magazine hosted by Liel Leibovitz. As Jews around the world begin a new seven-and-a-half year cycle of Daf Yomi, reading the entire Talmud one page per day, Tablet Magazine's new podcast, Take One, will offer a brief and evocative daily read of the daf. We launch the cycle with a brief introduction to the Talmud at large before diving into the text with Tractate Berakhot, page 2, and a meditation on the meaning of time, why you might want to think twice before you Netflix and chill, and how all these rabbinic strictures can help us make sense of our modern, messy lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Should Leaders Cry? (Vayigash): Ep. 34

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2019 9:25


This week, we discuss why Joseph is the one who cries the hardest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do Dreams Tell Your Future? (Miketz): Ep. 33

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2019 12:11


This week, we discuss Pharaoh's odd visions and why dream interpretation was such a hot Biblical qualification for leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loved and Unloved Wives (Vayetzei): Ep. 32

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2019 11:07


This week, Dov and Abby discuss sibling rivalry, the pain of infertility, and whether or not Genesis would pass the Bechdel test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca’s Well of Kindness (Chayei Sarah): Ep. 31

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2019 10:20


This week, Dov and Abby discuss kindness, cruelty, camels, and the trait they think every marriage requires. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Are All Abraham (Lech Lecha): Ep. 30

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2019 11:05


This week, Dov and Abby wonder what it would mean if we all had the potential to be an Abraham, and how the divine promise of Israel lives on in Israeli politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wiping out Humanity — God’s Regret (Noach): Ep. 29

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2019 11:31


This week, Dov and Abby discuss why Noah is considered worthy enough to be the last man standing and the FIRST human to restart humanity. Why did God gave up on his own creation so fast, and how can Noah be called “righteous” when he didn’t protect anyone but himself?  At a time in this country when there’s so much talk about meanness versus compassion, whether we are good or evil— born mean or taught—it’s an ideal moment to revisit Noah’s selfishness, God’s exasperation, and the massive do-over of creation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

End of the Mountain (V'zot HaBracha): Ep. 28

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2019 11:31


This week, Dov and Abby reflect on the last parsha of the Torah, and the concluding message of Moses and the verses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can God Promise Sin? (Vayelech): Ep. 27

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2019 12:57


This week, Dov and Abby discuss God's insistence that the people of Israel will go astray when they enter the Promised Land, and consider the role of free will in sin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Fruits and Plaster (Ki Tavo): Ep. 26

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2019 10:02


This week, Dov and Abby consider the difference between requiring people to sacrifice their first fruits to God and requiring them to write out the Torah in public, as the Israelites prepare to enter the Land of Israel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kings and the Torah (Shoftim): Ep. 25

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2019 10:15


This week, Dov and Abby discuss the laws in the Bible regulating kingship, and what it means to be a moral leader. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does God Require Gratitude? (Eikev): Ep. 24

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2019 10:48


This week, Abby and Dov consider the biblical warning against pride and the importance of cultivating gratitude  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why The Bible Repeats Itself (Devarim): Ep. 23

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2019 11:49


This week, Dov and Abby discuss the strange features of the book of Deuteronomy, and the costs and benefits of retelling national stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Daughters Talk Back (Pinchas): Ep. 22

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2019 11:40


This week, Dov and Abby consider the five daughters of Zelophechad, who asked to be allowed to inherit their father’s land as daughters, and examine when pushing back on injustice reaps rewards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Water From A Rock (Chukat): Ep 21

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2019 12:11


This week, Dov and Abby discuss why exactly Moses was denied entry into the promised land, and whether he got enough recognition for his leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Where There Be Giants (Shlach): Ep. 20

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2019 11:59


This week, Dov and Abby consider whether reliance on divine miracles is risky or brave, by analyzing the different actions of the Israelite spies sent to investigate the land of Canaan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Sacred Texts Demand Sexist Acts (Naso): Ep. 19

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2019 11:31


This week, Dov and Abby disagree over whether unethical Bible passages should be reinterpreted, or disregarded, in modern times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Punishment Be Holy? (Bechukotai): Ep. 18

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2019 8:39


This week, Dov and Abby look at the list of punishments promised for violating God’s commandments, and question the value of religious activity motivated by fear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Does Charity Mean? (Emor): Ep. 17

Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2019 9:05


This week, Dov and Abby look at the Bible’s practical guides for giving to those in need, and considers how different ways of giving manifest today. You can email us at parshainprogress@tabletmag.com Find out more at http://tabletmag.com/parshainprogress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Offloading of Sins (Achrei Mot): Ep. 16

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2019 10:53


This week, Dov and Abby discuss the scapegoat who is sent to die for the sins of the people of Israel, and debate how the Torah can guide us in our own grappling with guilt and forgiveness. You can email us at parshainprogress@tabletmag.com Find out more at http://tabletmag.com/parshainprogress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broken Tablets (Passover Reading): Ep. 15

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2019 9:52


Are second chances always second best? This week, Dov and Abby consider the aftermath of the broken tablets, and how humans can be partners in our own destinies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Banishing the Sick (Tazria): Ep. 14

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2019 10:24


How do we understand biblical commands that seem cruel? This week, we discuss the Biblical response to physical ailments, focusing on the case of the "metzorah" who is diagnosed with a skin disease and then sent to live outside the community, isolated for seven days. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadav and Abihu (Shemini): Ep. 13

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2019 10:01


In this episode, Dov and Abby discuss the death of two sons of Aaron the High Priest, killed by divine fire for offering an unrequested "strange fire" on the altar, and consider why the zealous worship of God can often lead to death of people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Animal Sacrifices (Vayikra): Ep. 12

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2019 11:44


In this episode, Dov and Abby discuss the commandment to offer animal sacrifices, and consider the spiritual possibilities and detriments of sacrificial worship.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Golden Calf (Ki Tisa): Ep. 11

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2019 10:14


In this episode, Dov and Abby discuss the sin of the Golden Calf, and consider why the sin against God demanded such a harsh punishment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does God Need a House? (Terumah): Ep. 10

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2019 12:03


This episode discusses how it can be more difficult to connect with God in synagogue than, say, nature (which is how Dov feels), but also how the beauty and community of a synagogue makes it easier for some to be spiritually connected (how Abby feels). They also talk about the communal importance of the act of building a spiritual place, and why the process of a community coming together in a religious project can be just as meaningful as the end result. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ten Commandments (Yitro): Ep. 9

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2019 14:46


This week, we discuss the ten commandments and consider how this text became foundational to understanding the Jewish relationship to God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Crossing of the Red Sea (Beshalach): Ep. 8

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2019 11:01


This week we delve into the Song of the Sea, the Biblical poem which celebrates the drowning of the Egyptians and the Israelite exodus from Egypt, and whose central message has been reinterpreted throughout centuries of Jewish history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Early Life of Moses (Shemot): Ep. 7

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2018 12:26


This week we discuss leadership in action, looking at the early life of Moses and considering the challenges of cultivating fierce ideological commitment alongside a deep and personal concern for individuals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good, Evil, and the Riddle of Free Will (Vayechi): Ep 6

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2018 10:43


Parshat Vayechi: Are humans the instruments of God, or are we responsible for our own actions? This week, we’re discussing the moment when Joseph acknowledges the evil his brothers did to him while assuring them that God used their actions for good.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do Good Intentions Matter? (Vayeshev): Ep 5

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2018 7:04


This week on Parsha in Progress: Parshat Vayeshev—Do Good Intentions Matter? Abby and Rabbi Dov discuss the story of Joseph and his brothers.  Their conversation explores how to assess the role of Reuven, who attempted to save Joseph from death by suggesting the brothers throw him in a pit, but ultimately could not keep him from being taken into slavery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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