Seven Minute Torah

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 https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

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 https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

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: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

In a strange passage, the Torah requires the worshipper to eat the entire Thanks Offering in one day. We'll explore what the commentators have to say about that, and why they think it's about our capacity for gratitude and community. --- 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/. For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

This double portion starts off being about the priests and ends up being about how we are all responsible to strive for holiness in 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 this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. For information about the upcoming Pirke Avot study group, visit https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#pirke. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

This week's double portion is about leprosy. We turn to a story in the Talmud about a "leper messiah," with a message about being empowered to repair 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 become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

Aaron witnesses the deaths of his two sons and is silent. But is he really? What can we learn from Aaron about activism in the face of loss? What does the current moment of gun violence in America call for? -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah or https://laasok.org/support-laasok/. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Comments or questions? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

The parashah for this week tells of the aftermath of the Golden Calf and the renewal of the covenant. What does that have to do with celebrating Pesach?? -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

What does the Torah's description of ancient priestly duties tell us about the responsibility of leaders to listen to and represent their own people? -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

Vayikra is all about the details of animal sacrifice in the ancient Tabernacle. In this episode, Rabbi Yitz Greenberg gives us a new and meaningful way to understand this parashah - as being about the affirmation of life. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

In this week's episode I talk with Rabbi Barbara AB Symons, editor of Prophetic Voices: Renewing and Reimagining Haftarah, about the connection between the Torah portion and the Haftarah (prophetic reading), and about finding inspiring prophetic voices in modern Judaism. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

The Torah says that Moses can "see God's back." What does that mean?? We explore it with the help of Rashi and Maimonides, and talk about the ways we experience God in the world. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

What does the clothing of the ancient High Priest have to do with building a more just society? In this episode I share thoughts about my recent trip to Israel and especially my experience supporting the Women of the Wall, and relate it to the Torah portion. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

Terumah is about the building of the ancient sanctuary - the dwelling place of God. I share about my visit to the Kotel this week and how it reinforced the idea that God dwells not IN the holy space, but BETWEEN human beings. -- To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To join the Seven Minute Torah Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups or other learning opportunities (all in an inclusive, egalitarian environment) go to https://laasok.org/. Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

In our discussion of Mishpatim and its myriad laws, we talk about Jewish laws and rituals as reminders of our ethical responsibilities. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To learn more about our classes and study groups, visit laasok.org. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

The people of Israel's experience at Sinai is followed immediately by a set of instructions about worship and sacrifice. There's a lesson in there about the connection between our experiences of radical amazement and our impulse for thanks and prayer. -- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

As the people are about to cross the Red Sea, God rebukes Moses for standing and praying for too long instead of taking steps forward. We relate this to the epidemic of gun violence in the United States and talk about what kind of leadership is needed in this moment. --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green. For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

In Bo, the Israelites finally make their way out of Egypt! And Moses commands us to "Remember" - to keep talking about the Exodus on a regular basis. Why is this event so important? Why do we invoke the Exodus so constantly in Jewish life? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK.org. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. To register for our upcoming free class on Judaism and the Environment, go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/#green. For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

Moses's demands of Pharaoh, in God's name: "Let my people go, that they may worship Me." What kind of ethical imperative is contained in this phrase? What kind of freedom were the Israelites seeking, and what does it have to do with building a better society? --- Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.

In this week's parashah we meet Moses for the first time. I talk with Rabbi Ilyse Glickman about Moses as a reluctant leader. Plus, we talk about congregational life, embodied practice, and how Judaism borrows and lends ideas and practices. Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. To register for our upcoming class on "Radical Jewish Views of God" go to https://laasok.org/current-offerings/. To become a supporter of this podcast, visit www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah. For more information on our weekly Zoom Torah study groups, go to https://laasok.org/torah-study/. Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sevenminutetorahgroup Questions or comments? Email me at rabbistreiffer@gmail.com.