By: Judy Klitsner As we approach our third Simchat Torah since our great catastrophe, a now familiar question arises: how can we celebrate? While this year is not quite as searingly painful as the first two — thankfully, we are…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Ecclesiastes, Jewish calendar, Simchat Torah, Sukkot
By: Rabbi Daniel Reifman The book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), traditionally read on Sukkot, is noteworthy for the way it ranks among both the most challenging and beloved books of Tanakh. The author introduces himself as “Koheleth son of David, king…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Ecclesiastes, Jewish calendar, Sukkot
By: Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) is easily one of the strangest books in the Bible. Proverbs tells us that wisdom leads to a good life. Deuteronomy insists that righteousness brings blessing. The Psalms assure us that the world,…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Ecclesiastes, Jewish calendar, Sukkot
By: Rabbi Daniel Reifman The book of Esther is famously distinctive for being only one of two biblical books which do not contain the name of God (Shir haShirim being the other). Commentators have often struggled with this curious phenomenon:…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Esther, Jewish calendar, Purim
What does it mean to see each moment as either a blessing or a curse? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Re’eh and Moshe’s call to “see” the blessing and the curse. They discuss how Torah…
Tanakh, Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), Re’eh
This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in honor of all the teachers and students she has learned from at Pardes—especially through the weekly Parsha podcast. Is living in the Land of Israel the greatest blessing—or the greatest…
Tanakh, Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), Eikev
What does Torah teach us about the possibility of starting over? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Wapner explore Parshat Va’etchanan through the unexpected appearance of the cities of refuge. They reflect on Moshe’s personal history as someone who…
Tanakh, Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), Va’etchanan
What does it mean to truly witness someone else’s pain? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman explore the Book of Eicha through the lens of bearing witness to tragedy. As Tisha B’Av approaches, they examine the…
Tanakh, Ketuvim (Writings), Lamentations, Jewish calendar, Tisha B’av
What defines Jewish belonging—land, Torah, or loyalty? In this episode, Parshat Matot-Masei sparks a rich conversation between Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash about the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and Menashe who ask to settle east of the Jordan…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Masei, Matot
What if Moshe couldn’t see that the people had already grown up? In this episode, Parshat Pinchas takes center stage as Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer delve into the powerful juxtaposition of two pivotal moments in Bamidbar 27: the bold…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Pinchas
Is Bilaam a villain—or a mirror? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Mike Feuer dive into Parshat Balak to explore the figure of Bilaam—an outsider prophet with powerful words and a dangerous gaze. They discuss what makes Bilaam a…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Balak
What did Moshe get wrong—and why was the consequence so severe? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tovah Leah Nachmani explore Parshat Chukat against the backdrop of Israel’s current war with Iran. They reflect on the mysterious sin of Moshe…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Chukat
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