Seven Minute Torah

A Yom Kippur reflection with Rabbi Micah Streiffer -- exploring a Talmudic story, the book of Jonah, and the lessons of a gourd plant. What does Jewish tradition really teach about forgiveness, and how can seeing the humanity in others move us toward healing? --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

How can we respond when the world feels chaotic—when society seems to be unraveling around us? Join Rabbi Micah Streiffer in exploring what Torah teaches about finding responsibility and purpose in challenging times. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

One of Judaism’s most famous teachings is that every person is created B’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. But what does that really mean for how we see and treat each other, especially those who have done wrong? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer digs into a surprising Torah passage and rabbinic midrash to explore dignity, justice, and the limits (or lack thereof) of seeing the divine in every human being. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

This week’s Torah portion is full of laws—about food, tithes, debts, sacrifice. Hard to relate to? Maybe. But beneath the rules lies a profound truth: the Shema’s declaration that God is Oneness. What happens when we see the divine not as a distant lawgiver, but as the sacred unity that connects us to everything and everyone? --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

As two and a half tribes choose to settle outside the Promised Land, Moses asks: Will your siblings go to war while you stay here? This week's Torah portion raises timeless questions about what we owe each other as Jews—especially across distance, disagreement, and diaspora. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores ancient texts, modern Israel-diaspora dynamics, and the Talmudic idea that all Israel are guarantors for one another. What does that really mean in 2025—and what happens when we stay silent? --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

How do we respond when the Torah condones violent extremism? How might our response shape our own Jewish lives, not to mention our relationship with Israel? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer argues for the importance of acknowledging when extremism is present, rather than trying to explain it away. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

What does a donkey have to do with your soul? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores stories from Midrash and Torah about donkeys - and how they teach people about our ethical and spiritual responsibilities. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Korach is not just a rebel. He's the embodiment of what the prayerbook calls "the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth." The Torah comes to remind us that we have a lot left to learn - even from people we disagree with. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Many of us know very little about the biblical figure of Caleb. But he is a model of positivity, faith, and believing in what's possible - even when the world around you doesn't. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores some midrash about Caleb, and asks what we can learn for the bleak world we're living in. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Far from being threatened by others, Moses acts in a way that upholds the rights of others to speak their minds. In that sense, this Torah portion portrays him as the opposite of an authoritarian ruler. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

In this week's haftarah, the prophet Amos contradicts the Torah portion! How can he tell us we're not so special when the Torah called us kedoshim - holy? It's in that juxtaposition of ideas that the true essence of Judaism is found. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

In this week's Torah portion, a moment of celebration and creation turns tragic. What is the relationship between creation and suffering? We look at some midrash and try to understand how these two very human experiences can coexist. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

In a deeply divided society, Jewish tradition has some advice for how to be with each other: actually listen. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores texts from Torah and Talmud that teach us about community and about recognizing one another's unique gifts. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/laasok.org/support/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahinfo@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

The kind of society that you have matters. That's the message under the surface of this dry, number-filled Torah portion. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores how an accounting of silver half-shekels translates into a message about the worth of human beings and justice in society. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

In challenging times, Jews turn to study not only for comfort and connection, but also to empower ourselves. In this episode, Rabbi Streiffer talks about how our Jewish learning can be an act of empowerment and resistance when those in power attempt to control information and actions. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

In the Torah, God commands the people to "build me a sanctuary." But goes God really need a house? Who is the Mishkan really for? We look at some ancient midrash, and also compare to modern, liberal Jewish ways of thinking about ritual. --------------------------------- https://laasok.org/www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

As the Torah tells the story of the Exodus, it sends a strong message that redemption is not only about moving to the geographic Promised Land, but also about moving toward a more just society and a repaired world. This is why the idea of forcibly relocating Palestinians from Gaza is completely anathema to Jewish teaching. --------------------------------- www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/https://laasok.org/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Should priests and rabbis have something to say about policy? Is it the role of ministers and imams to speak on matters of politics and partisanship? Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores questions about religion and politics, ethics and responsibilities, through progressive Jewish eyes. You can also read this article on JTA. --------------------------------- www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/https://laasok.org/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Jacob's blessing of his grandchildren also invokes the names of his grandparents. It is a reminder that we are links in a chain of tradition. And that we are responsible both to be aware of the blessings of the past and to commit ourselves to a better future. --------------------------------- www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/https://laasok.org/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org

Joseph seems to keep finding his way of out hard spots, over and over. Is there something about the way he believes and/or acts that makes that possible? --------------------------------- www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorahhttps://laasok.org/support/https://laasok.org/info@laasok.org,micah@laasok.org