Seven Minute Torah
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 rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.
Episodes
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.
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Korach claims that "all the people are holy," but his actions seem to be less about the people and more about his own interests. In that sense, he reminds us of some politicians we know today.
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- 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 http...
The Torah's famous story of the "scouts" is a pivotal moment - the beginning of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But what did the scouts do wrong? We take a look at a Midrash that suggests that, in part, it was because they made assumptions about what the people of the land were thinking about them. We talk about the cognitive distortion of "mind reading" and how it harms our well-being, our relationships, and our world...
This parashah tells about a strange incident in which two Israelites prophesy "illicitly." Moses's reaction to them teaches something important about leadership and listening. (Encore from 2022.)
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- 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 h...
A midrash says that the Torah is "one" but has seventy faces. We explore how Jewish life sits at the intersection of unity and pluralism.
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- 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 ...
In this interview episode, Micah talks with Rabbi Mark Washofsky about B'midbar, the opening parsha of the book of Numbers. They discuss the census in the desert, why it takes place and what it says about Jewish life. And they go on to talk about a variety of related topics around Reform Judaism and halakhah (Jewish law).
Rabbi Washofsky is the author of Reading Reform Responsa.
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Is Jewish life supposed to be lived in the land of Israel? Can you live a fulfilling and meaningful life in diaspora? How do we, as liberal Jews, relate to the traditional Jewish notion of "exile?" We explore some midrash on the topic.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutet...
In this week's Torah portion, God asks the people to provide a Ner Tamid - an eternal light - in the sanctuary. But does God need a light? And by extension, does God need our rituals and prayers? We look at some midrash and explore the question: Who are our rituals for?
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The Torah commands: "Love your neighbor as yourself?" But who is the neighbor that I'm commanded the love? The answer is not straightforward. In fact, it's one of the great debates of Judaism.
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- 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 http...
Sacrifice? Demons? A scapegoat?? This parashah describes the strange, levitical practices of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. What meaning is there to be found for modern Jewish life in this ancient, priestly ritual?
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-epis...
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.
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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.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sev...
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?
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- 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...
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.
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- 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 h...
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.
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- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenm...
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?
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- 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...
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."
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- 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).
- For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups...
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?
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- 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 ...
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!)
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- 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:...
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.
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- 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-laasok/ (for a one-time...
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