The Tisch with Rabbi Michael Knopf

The Hebrew prophets inspired some of the most stirring, challenging, and influential books of the Bible. Their teachings left an indelible mark on both Judaism and Christianity. But do we really know them? The prophets are both familiar and misunderstood, ubiquitous and mysterious. Join Rabbi Michael Knopf (Temple Beth-El) and Reverend Hollie Woodruff (Seventh Street […]

The Hebrew prophets inspired some of the most stirring, challenging, and influential books of the Bible. Their teachings left an indelible mark on both Judaism and Christianity. But do we really know them? The prophets are both familiar and misunderstood, ubiquitous and mysterious. Join Rabbi Michael Knopf (Temple Beth-El) and Reverend Hollie Woodruff (Seventh Street […]

In front of a live audience at one of the nation’s most historic Episcopal churches, Rabbi Knopf gives an introduction to the biblical Prophets, exploring their message, meaning, and enduring relevance. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Many think of the prayerbook as a litany of statements and declarations. Yet the liturgy of the High Holy Days also poses questions. “When will You rule in Zion?” and “Where is the place of God’s presence?” are among the many questions we will ask — and that will be asked of us — during […]

Continuing their discussion of rabbinic interpretations of the Garden of Eden story in midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf and his students discuss the man’s role in the story, and the reasons for the woman eating the fruit. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, […]

Rabbi Knopf and his students continue their discussion of rabbinic interpretations of the Garden of Eden story in midrash Genesis Rabbah. This episode delves into the enigmatic character of the snake. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf discusses the Book of Job and Judaism with an audience of adult Christian students from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

As Rabbi Knopf continues his exploration of rabbinic interpretation of the Garden of Eden story, a discussion about sexual intimacy and the motivations of the story’s serpent. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf continues his exploration of rabbinic legends on the Garden of Eden story, this time examining parallels between the Adam and Eve, Golden Calf, and Canaanite War stories. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf continues his study of Midrash Genesis Rabbah’s discussion of the Garden of Eden. In this episode, Rabbi Knopf and his students talk about the origins of humanity, and the first commandments God gives to human beings. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google […]

Continuing his exploration of midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf and his students discuss whether there are appropriate limits to human knowledge, free will vs. determinism, and the origins of humanity. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your choice!

Rabbi Knopf continues a conversation about Midrash Genesis Rabbah’s interpretation of the Garden of Eden story. This week, we discuss what kind of tree the Tree of Knowledge was, and why it matters. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your […]

Rabbi Knopf continues his exploration of midrash Genesis Rabbah, exploring such questions as the size and function of the Tree of Life, the theological problem of evil, and the stubborn persistence of antisemitism. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, RSS, it’s your […]

Rabbi Knopf discusses the relationship between the first human being in the Garden of Eden and the Holy Ark in the Temple, the possibility of Adam and Eve’s sin being a moral crime, and the apostasy of disparaging other human beings. How do you listen to Tisch? You have a lot of options you know? […]

Rabbi Knopf discusses the meaning of God’s “placing” Adam in the Garden of Eden, diving into issues of predestination, human freedom, and humanity’s relationship with the rest of creation. *Please note that while this is episode three of this series, the first two sessions were not recorded for podcast. How do you listen to Tisch? […]

Rabbi Knopf discusses what was created first, human beings or the Garden of Eden, and in so doing discusses the nature of time and space, as well as free will and determinism. *Please note that while this is episode three of this series, the first two sessions were not recorded for podcast. How do you […]

Join us for Part Two of Rabbi Knopf’s Essentials of Judaism: Midieval Jewish History Class. The Middle Ages were a formative and tumultuous period in Jewish history, characterized by violent confrontations, colorful characters, dynamic cultural formation, and timeless scholarlship. Rabbi Knopf offers a rich overview of this critical and complex era. How do you listen […]

Join us for Part One of Rabbi Knopf’s Essentials of Judaism: Midieval Jewish History Class. The Middle Ages were a formative and tumultuous period in Jewish history, characterized by violent confrontations, colorful characters, dynamic cultural formation, and timeless scholarlship. Rabbi Knopf offers a rich overview of this critical and complex era. How do you listen […]

Rabbi Knopf gives an introduction to the Jewish conception of God and theology.

In this episode of The JCast Journey, host Darone Ruskay returns for his semi-annual request for support. Have you been listening to JCast Network podcasts for days, weeks, months, years? Well as we say, podcasts are free to listen to, but not free to produce. Darone discusses some the cost of keeping the network afloat, and […]

Continuing his study of Chapter 2 of Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf unpacks a strange story involving the sage Ben Zoma.

Rabbi Knopf begins chapter two of Genesis Rabbah, discussing the state of the world at the beginning of creation, and what our past can predict about our future.

In commemoration of completing his pre-Passover study of the Mishnah’s Tractate Avot, Rabbi Knopf teaches about the rabbinic conception of how piety is related to how one thinks of his or her property.

Continuing his ongoing study of midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf discuss a peculiar use in Genesis’ opening verse of the Torah’s most common word.

Continuing his study of midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf discusses topics ranging from blasphemy to God’s humility to the advent of the Messianic era.

Continuing his study of Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf explores how the creation story demonstrates God’s leadership skills, and what we might learn from God’s example.

Continuing his exploration of Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf discusses the concept of a “Law Given to Moses at Mt. Sinai,” and the need for a Torah that is rooted in the past but perpetually innovative.

Continuing his study of Midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf explores why the Torah begins with the letter “bet” rather than the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, “aleph.”

Continuing in his study of midrash Genesis Rabbah, Rabbi Knopf explores what building materials (if any) God used to create the world.      

Heaven and hell, good and evil, the messiah. What did God create at the beginning of time that the Bible doesn’t explicitly mention? Join Rabbi Knopf as he explores the ancient midrash’s explanations.

How do we talk about Creation without arrogance? Is any attempt to discuss the mysterious inherently presumptuous? Is it rebellious? What do we make of the Torah’s silence on the mechanics of Creation, and what may or may not have existed before God created the world? Join Rabbi Knopf as we explore these and other […]

What did God create before creating the world, and why did God create the world in the first place?

According to the Midrash, God created some things, and determined to create yet more things, before creating the world. Join Rabbi Knopf to explore what those things things were, and why God started with them.

When did God create angels? And, if God is one, how is there so much diversity within creation? Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his midrash students discuss these and other ancient rabbinic questions.

Why does the Torah begin with the creation of the world, and not with the first commandment? And is there such a thing as “intelligent design?” Join Rabbi Knopf as he and his midrash students discuss these and other ancient rabbinic questions.    

Join Rabbi Knopf on a journey through the collection of rabbinic commentary on the Bible known as Midrash Rabbah. This week, Rabbi Knopf continues to explore the first midrash of Genesis Rabbah, which discusses how God used the Torah to help create the world.    

Join Rabbi Knopf on a journey through the collection of rabbinic commentary on the Bible known as Midrash Rabbah. In this session, we begin to explore the first midrash on Genesis.

On the Shabbat immediately following the death of one of Rabbi Knopf’s rebbes, Rabbi Sholom Brodt, founder and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo in Jerusalem, Rabbi Knopf shares some singing and learning in his honor.  

Part Two of a teaching where Rabbi Knopf explores the texts, traditions, and history that informs a Jewish view on the modern American plague of mass incarceration.

Part One of a teaching where Rabbi Knopf explores the texts, traditions, and history that informs a Jewish view on the modern American plague of mass incarceration.

Rabbi Knopf provides an overview about the meaning and message of the Book of Malachi.

As the debate over US immigration policy rages in Washington, and as congregations across the country debate becoming sanctuaries to protect undocumented immigrants, Rabbi Knopf explores the texts, traditions, and history that informs Judaism’s view on immigration. This is part three of a three part session given by Rabbi Knopf.