Seven Minute Torah

Apr 16 2024 43
Seven Minute Torah Podcast artwork

Making modern meaning from ancient texts! Each week Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses the weekly Torah portion in about 7 to 10 minutes, through liberal Jewish eyes. We weave together philosophy, spirituality, tradition, and social justice - and derive meaning for today‘s life from our sacred sources. Longer episodes include a bonus interview with leading rabbis and Jewish thought leaders. With questions or comments, please contact me at [email protected].

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Lessons from Leprosy (Metzora)

Apr 16 2024 13 mins  
How often do we dehumanize or ostracize people who are suffering from disease, poverty, mental health challenges, etc? This week we focus on some Midrash surrounding how you're supposed to treat people afflicted with leprosy. The Rabbis find some surprising and affirming messages embedded in this strange Torah portion. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a produ

The Healing Power of Presence (Tazria - encore)

Apr 09 2024 10 mins  
Tazria is about scaly skin disease and priestly diagnosis. But when we examine it through the Rabbis' eyes, it is about our responsibility to each other in times of suffering. We explore a story from the Talmud that helps drive home that idea. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.

Don't eat that! Or do... it's up to you (Sh'mini)

Apr 02 2024 13 mins  
Sh'mini outlines the laws of kashrut - which animals traditionally may and may not be eaten in Judaism. How does liberal Judaism approach the rules and traditions around keeping kosher in modern Jewish life? --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for pe

We Need Each Other (Tzav)

Mar 26 2024 10 mins  
In this portion we find an obscure rule about the thanksgiving offering: it must be eaten on the day that it is offered. Turns out there is an important lesson there about our need for community. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode co

Does God Hear our Prayers... and Does it Matter?? (Vayikra)

Mar 19 2024 12 mins  
This week's Torah portion is about sacrifice in the ancient Jewish Temple. It's a good opportunity for us to talk about the purpose(s) of prayer, and about how we can relate to prayer if we're not sure that God is on the other end listening. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.pa

Building a Sanctuary; Building a World (P'kudei)

Mar 12 2024 10 mins  
The book of Exodus ends with the completion of the Mishkan - the portable sanctuary in the desert. Why do the Rabbis compare the creation of the Mishkan with the creation of the entire world? --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contri

A Good Name (Vayak'hel)

Mar 05 2024 12 mins  
In this episode we explore a Midrash on the Torah portion, in which the Rabbis talk about what it means to have a "good name." --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/support/ (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution).

Xenophobia and the Golden Calf (Ki Tisa)

Feb 27 2024 12 mins  
A midrash blames the Golden Calf incident on the "mixed multitude" that accompanied the Israelites in the desert. What can we learn from it about acceptance and xenophobia in Jewish life? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR https://laasok.org/supp

Do You Have a Shirt That You Really Love? (T'tzaveh)

Feb 21 2024 10 mins  
This Torah portion is about clothes: colors, fabrics, hems, designs - the details of the priestly clothing. We talk about why the Torah goes into such a meticulous description, and what it has to do with our own spiritual lives. (Plus I sing for you!) --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminut

Planting Seeds of Hope (Terumah)

Feb 13 2024 11 mins  
In the midst of a tedious Torah portion, the Rabbis tell a story that connects the building of the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary in the wilderness) with an audacious act of hope by Jacob 400 years earlier. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR htt