Seven Minute Torah

Nov 06 2024 200 ep. 16 mins 63
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].

  Religion & Spirituality
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Standing Against Injustice (Lech Lecha)

Nov 06 2024 12 mins  
The midrash teaches us that Abraham is an idol smasher. Heschel teaches us that an idol is "any god concerned with me but not with you." In other words, Judaism says that injustice is idolatry, and that we must to stand up against injustice even when - especially when - it is the policy of our own government. This is an important message in the current political moment, as we look

Being Human (Bereshit)

Oct 22 2024 13 mins  
We mostly think of the story of Adam and Eve as a story about sin and punishment, but Rabbi Micah Streiffer wants to suggest that it is actually a story about what it means to be human. This episode is the beginning of season 6! --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sev

Why Moses Had to Die (V'zot Ha'Bracha)

Oct 15 2024 14 mins  
As we read the Torah's last portion, we ask about the death of Moses, and explore a Midrash about life and death, leadership and legacy. Chazak chazak v'nitchazeik! Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another! --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenmin

Wood Choppers, Water Drawers, and Undocumented Immigrants (Nitzavim - encore)

Sep 24 2024 10 mins  
This week's Torah portion suggests a framework for how to include those who live at the outskirts of society. A message of social justice and human dignity that speaks powerfully to our moment. --------------------------------- 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

Reclaiming T'fillin (Ki Tavo)

Sep 17 2024 13 mins  
In a strange passage of Talmud, the Rabbis imagine God putting on t'fillin. They tie it back to this week's Torah portion - to an image of God and the Jewish people "affirming" their covenant with each other. In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer will talk about this surprising image of the Divine, and why it just might help us reclaim t'fillin in liberal Judaism. ----------------

Who cares?? (Ki Tetze)

Sep 10 2024 13 mins  
As liberal Jews, what are we supposed to do with obscure, esoteric laws in the Torah that seem to have nothing to do with Jewish life today? This portion contains one of the Torah's most obscure laws: the prohibition against mixing wool and linen (shaatnez). Rabbi Micah Streiffer talks about the possible meanings behind it, and how to make modern meaning from a section like this. -

We Are All Responsible (Shoftim - A Conversation with Alden Solovy)

Sep 04 2024 46 mins  
Alden Solovy is a poet and a creator of beautiful modern liturgy. In this episode, he joins Rabbi Micah Streiffer to discuss the idea of communal responsibility (as expressed in an intensely strange event in this week's Torah portion), to talk about the ongoing events in Israel and Gaza, and to read some of his original meditations for the High Holy Days. Alden's newest book is Ent

Disagreeing with the Torah (Re'eh)

Aug 27 2024 12 mins  
The Torah makes a grand pronouncement: Israelites should distance themselves physically and spiritually from neighboring peoples so as not to be tempted to "follow their ways." But how does this sit with modern, progressive Jews who believe in interfaith dialogue? Isn't it important to learn about other religious and cultural groups? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores

Judaism is About Love (Ekev - A Conversation with Rabbi Shai Held)

Aug 21 2024 54 mins  
Rabbi Shai Held is one of the most important thinkers in modern Jewish life. President and Dean of the Hadar Institute, he is a theologian, rabbi, educator, and author. In this interview, he joins Rabbi Micah Streiffer to talk about the Torah's command to love the stranger, and about the broader idea that Judaism is about love. Rabbi Held's latest book is Judaism is About Love. ---

Knowing When to Step Aside (Pinchas)

Jul 23 2024 12 mins  
In this portion, Moses faces the prospect of his own death. The Midrash paints a picture of him as a leader who both struggles with own mortality and cares deeply about the welfare of the people he leads. We explore these messages, comparing them with contemporary events. --------------------------------- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of th