The story of the death of Sarah and Abraham is also a story about their children, and how we are all family. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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 or monthly contribution). To join the Seven Minute Torah...

Abraham's argument with God over the residents of Sodom and Gomorrah is actually a message - an eminently relevant message - about seeing the humanity in each person. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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...

A prominent feature of this week's Torah portion is the name changes of Abraham and Sarah. We discuss the meaning of their names, and what it means to have a name. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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 or...

The story of Noah's flood begins with a world "filled with lawless violence." With a nod to Donniel Hartman and the "For Heaven's Sake" podcast, we look at how this might apply to Israel's current moment. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for per-episode contribution) OR...

In the wake of last weekend's horrific acts of terror, and in the midst of a mounting crisis in Israel, I talk to poet Alden Solovy about life in Jerusalem, about Bereshit, and about how words can uncover layers of meaning and connection. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit either www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah (for...

In his final blessing to the people of Israel, Moses leaves us with a message for moving forward. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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 or monthly contribution). To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook...

The Torah's penultimate parashah is a poem about covenant, fidelity, adversity and growth. A perfect message for the High Holy Days, and for every day. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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 or monthly...

Moses dies at the age of 120. In this episode, we explore the meaning of that "age" in Jewish tradition and Jewish life. Turns out it may not be about age after all. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. 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...

This week's Torah portion describes a ritual that, according to the Rabbis, must be recited in Hebrew. But what if not everyone knows Hebrew? We look at a Talmudic text and a Hasidic story about the importance of praying both in Hebrew and in words that we can understand. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit...

In a parsha packed of laws, a series of statements about not "mixing" things (seeds, animals, materials) leads to a discussion about our responsibility to safeguard the world. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook...

This week's parashah is about various kinds of leaders in ancient Israel. It's also about the way Judaism is constantly evolving - and our ongoing responsibility to find new meanings in ancient traditions. (An encore of our 2022 podcast for Shoftim.) --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

This parashah describes the dietary laws - what Jews traditionally may and may not eat. We'll talk about a liberal Jewish approach to keeping kosher. (An encore of our 2022 podcast on Re'eh) --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute...

An encore presentation of last year's popular episode about Judaism and the earth. This week's parashah, Ekev, contains the middle paragraph of the Shema - a challenging passage that speaks of God as Source of "reward and punishment." Should this passage be in our prayerbook? How might we read it through modern eyes. Turns it out can also be read as an ecological text. ---- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning...

When Moses repeats the Ten Commandments, he makes some changes - including to the wording around Shabbat. His changes teach us something very important about the reason(s) for Shabbat, and what we're supposed to learn from it. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

As the book of Deuteronomy opens, Moses retells some of the stories of the Israelites' desert wanderings - but with major changes. We explore why he changes the story, and we explore the possible origins of Deuteronomy in the religious reform of King Josiah centuries later. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit...

As the Israelites are about to cross over into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuven and Gad step forward and say that they've decided to stay where they are. What happens next teaches us a lot about what it is to be a Jew in diaspora but still care about - and have a stake in - the land of Israel. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this...

Among other things, parashat Pinchas lists the festivals - and the sacrifices associated with them. We talk about how the Rabbis crafted a Judaism of ritual and prayer out of a sacrifice-based system, and what it shows us about Judaism's capacity to evolve. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah...

The ritual of the Red Heifer is perhaps the most obscure, confusing practice in the entire Torah. In this episode we talk about whether Jewish rituals need reasons - and how that debate plays out traditionally and in liberal Judaism. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

Korach's argument seems like a reasonable one: all of the people are holy. So why does his movement/rebellion end so badly? We take a look at what the Rabbis have to say about where Korach went wrong. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven...

In Sh'lach Lecha, the scouts - and the people of Israel - are punished for not having a wide enough view to see their power and their responsibility. I talk with Rabbi Andy Kahn, editor of The Sacred Earth (CCAR Press, 2023) about how this relates to the climate crisis and the current moment. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast,...

I talk with Rabbi Zoe Klein, author of Candle Feather Wooden Spoon. We find some interesting tidbits hidden in this week's parashah, and then go on to talk about the power of story in Torah and in Jewish life. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join...

The Torah requires the isolation of certain people afflicted with ailments. How does Jewish tradition weigh that against the human need for community and support. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group:...

The Torah commands that "all your males shall appear" before God on Shavuot. Why does it exclude women from participating in this part (but not other parts) of the holiday celebration? What are we supposed to do with it as modern, egalitarian Jews? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support the production of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

As we begin a new book of the Torah, I talk with Rabbi Judith Siegal about what it is to wander in the wilderness, and why those "in between places" open us up for creativity. We also talk about the post-covid moment in Jewish life, about Jewish camp, and much more! --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or...

The Torah's institution of the sabbatical year teaches a lesson about stewardship vs. ownership - which contradicts our society's consumer values AND might help me eat slower. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/. To support this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group:...