The book of Bereishit, filled with the themes of covenant and birthright, tells the story of the progenitors of the Jewish people. Among the many characters we meet in the book are pairs of siblings of which one gets chosen as the inheritor of the covenant, while the other is subject to a different fate. Why was it that these forefathers were forced to choose only one of their children to continue the line of the Jewish people, and what does the Torah teach us about making such choices? In...

What does the Torah teach us about encountering grief? As we mourn the tragedies of October 7, Ilana Gleicher-Bloom and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield explore Avraham and Yitzchak's response to the passing of Sarah. How does Avraham mourn for his wife, and why is it that he does not interact with his own son in such a vital moment? Meanwhile, Yitzchak looks to comfort from an unexpected source. What can we learn from this week's Torah portion about the models of mourning, and how could they apply...

Do we allow our pursuit of spirituality to get in the way of true divine connection? In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield discuss Parshat Vayera through the lens of human and divine connection. When the three strangers arrive at Avraham's tent, we find Avram in the midst of a deep spiritual moment, yet he immediately shifting to greet the new arrivals. Did Avraham dismiss God and that spiritual moment, or did he bring God with him? If the...

This episode is sponsored by Jeff and Alissa Hurok in honor of their dear friends and family who have engaged with and enhanced Jeff’s Torah study and have encouraged his participation with Pardes. Judy Klitsner joins us in the studio for a profound journey through the book of Bereishit and Parshat Lech Lecha, unraveling the intricate relationship between the individual and society. From the creation narrative to the Tower of Babel, we explore the delicate balance of particularism and...

Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage. Disclaimer: This episode was recorded before October 7 and touches on the themes of destruction and loss, good and evil, and how communities might react in times of crisis. We want to acknowledge that these themes may resonate differently in light of the current situation in Israel.  In this week's episode,...

Dedicated to the healing of those who were injured, to the memory of those who lost their lives, and with hopes and prayers for the rescue of all those who are being held hostage. Including an opening message from Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris. In this week's episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, we begin the cycle anew with a return visit from Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, Aviva Lauer. Starting with the end of Deuteronomy and moving their way to Bereishit, Aviva...

"Never again did there arise in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom God singled out, face to face..." Rabbi Amirit Rosen joins Zvi in the studio to discuss the final words of the Torah, the last words of Moses to the Jewish people. Amirit teaches us how the Torah ends by reminding us of one of the darkest moments in the Exodus, that of the Golden Calf and the shattering of the first tablets. This reminder of darkness, however, is not meant to leave us in darkness, rather, Amirit teaches us,...

Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to explore the multifaceted holiday of Sukkot. From its dual nature balancing community and individual perspectives to its fusion of agricultural and historical significance, Sukkot seemingly weaves together separate messages. Join Michael and Zvi as they dissect this duality, searching for unifying themes and delving into the deeper meanings behind Sukkot's diverse aspects. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

In this week's episode, Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek calls into the studio to speak with our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, about one of the most challenging days of the year, Yom Kippur, and the story of Yonah. Why would Yonah be so upset that his prophecies were heard? Was it that Yonah possibly lacked empathy and compassion for the people of Nineveh due to knowledge of their upcoming role in the destruction of Israel? Is it possible for us to extend our own compassion towards those we dislike,...

This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and David Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z"l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families which perished in the Shoah. What motivates us to make changes in our lives? Tovah Leah Nachmani joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield in the Pardes from Jerusalem studio this week to discuss Rosh Hashana and the call to change our lives. Often, we...

Rabbi Michael Hattin returns to the studio to discuss this week's double-parsha, Nitzavim-Vayelech and how the Torah teaches us to live within the tension of accepting imperfections while striving to always improve ourselves. As the Children of Israel stand poised to enter the Land of Israel, the Covenant between them and God is reaffirmed, yet there is an underlying anxiety in Moshe's speech. Did Moshe know that they would fail, that upon entering a land devoid of monotheism the people...

Zvi is joined this week by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy, who shares with us her insights into connecting our personal story to the story of the Jewish people, and doing so can give us the gift of gratitude and generosity.  The conversation also delves into the topic of how our physical connection to the land can serve as a doorway to a more powerful spiritual connection. Read this week's parsha here. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

In this week's episode, Zvi is joined by Yiscah Smith for a discussion of the mitzvah of "sending away the mother bird," and how the Talmudic rejection of finding reasons for the commandment became an invitation for Hasidic thinkers to explore even deeper. While we started with this example, our conversation broadened out to a wider on the topic of finding the balance between external authority and structure, and internal coherence and connection. Credits: Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi...

What are the three kinds of leadership the Torah requires the Jewish people to create when they become Sovereign in their own Land? What are their roles and the potential dangers inherent in the powers they hold? In this week's Torah Talk, Zvi is joined by Tovah Leah Nachmani to discuss Parshat Shoftim's profound insights into the complexities and potential pitfalls of leadership. We will examine the various leadership roles presented in this parsha, their responsibilities, and the...

Zvi is joined from across the ocean with Pardes North America faculty associate Rabbi Brent Spodek, host of Good Jewish Lover, to discuss the weekly parsha. Brent discusses our tendency to lean on core negative images, failing to see ourselves as part of the picture and not acknowledging our partner's imperfect efforts. How do we break this tendency, retaining a belief that we are both inherently good and inherently flawed? Credits: Rabbi Brent Spodek and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes...

Are we truly able to be aware of and appreciate the blessings in our lives? This week, Zvi is joined in the Pardes from Jerusalem studio by Rabbi Michael Hattin. Michael shares with us how Parshat Ekev teaches us about abundance, awareness, and gratitude.  Together, we explore the obstacles facing each of us in cultivating greater appreciation and awareness of the blessings in our lives, and how the Torah both anticipated this challenge and offers tools for overcoming it. Read this...

Join Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joined Zvi in the studio to discuss his personal journey on a path to Jewish practice. Listen in as Leon combines insight into the text with the practice of tefillin, to show us how we can make obligation and mitzvot into a language of love. Read this week's parsha here. Credits: Rabbi Leon Morris, President of Pardes, and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How are we able to live in the past, future and present all at the same time? Aviva Lauer, Director of the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators, joined Zvi to discuss Devarim and Moshe's opening speech for the final book of the Tanakh. Aviva shares how, if read carefully, we could learn from Moshe's speech exactly how we could simultaneously manage to live in the past, present, and future, and how this ability is so essential for us in this day and age. Read this week's parsha...

In this week’s episode, Zvi is joined by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy for an exploration of Matot and Massei, discussing the challenging tale of the tribes who chose not to settle in the land of Israel. Meesh offers us different interpretations for the motivation guiding the tribes' decision to not cross the Jordan and helps us in understanding Moshe's response. With these interpretations in mind, we look to modern Jewish life, discussing how it is possible for Jews who have chosen to...

In this week’s episode, Zvi is joined by Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash in an exploration of Parshat Pinchas and the story of the Daughters of Zelophehad. Zvi and Nechama discuss the transformative role of the Daughters of Zelophehad in creating a space for women’s voices, and seeking justice and their rightful place in the Land of Israel. Nechama also shares with us who she sees as contemporary Daughters of Zelophehad and how they have inspired her. Read this week’s parsha...

In what ways might we find deeper meaning to our parsha through an examination of the haftarah? In this week's podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Amirit Rosen to discuss one of the wildest stories of the Torah, containing a talking donkey and a wizard. Together, they expand the story through an analysis of the parsha's haftarah, the prophecies of Micah, exploring how Micah's message of comfort and challenge to the Jewish people could be considered both an interpretation and...

How is it possible for a relationship to be strengthened through conflict? In this week's podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Brent Spodek, Pardes North America faculty member and host of Good Jewish Lover. Together, they discuss the Rabbini Derash and it's description of how healthy conflict can actually build and enhance a loving relationship. Brent shares his personal and professional wisdom with us all, exploring how we can engage with one another in both an honest and...

How we can have hard conversations that lead to growth and renewed relationship, as opposed to anger and distance? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Pardes Faculty member Sefi Kraut, one of Pardes's lead educators for Mahloket Matters. The Mahloket Matters methodology combines social psychology with the rich Jewish textual tradition of deeply engaging with conflicting opinions in order to learn. This curriculum helps provide learners with the motivation to...

How can we connect with the Godliness within ourselves? In this week's Parsha Podcast, our host, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield, is joined by Pardes faculty member Yischa Smith to discuss the failure of the spies sent ahead of the tribes of Israel. Together, we will examine how their failure reflects the inability of the Jewish people to trust the Godliness within themselves. What are the potential conflicts that may be found between trusting the authentic self and the authority of a transcendent...

Imagine being on a journey filled with excitement and hope, only to have it quickly derailed. That's exactly what happens in this week's parsha. What causes this sudden shift, and what can we learn from it? In this week's Parsha Podcast, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Michael Hattin for a deep dive into Parshat Beha'alotecha. Together, we will explore the transitions and unexpected turns in this week's parsha and discuss the importance of staying true to our values and mission...