Devarim (Deuteronomy) | Elmad Online Learning Torah Podcasts, Online Jewish Learning: Recent Episodes
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
What does it take to build a society where justice is truly shared?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tani Cohen-Fraade explore Parshat Shoftim and the Torah’s vision for building a just society. Through judges, kings, priests, and prophets, they … Read the rest
The post Shoftim 5768: The Work of Justice first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What does it really mean to “see” God’s presence in everyday life?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Re’eh through Moshe’s opening command, “See.” Drawing on the Malbim, Hasidic thought, Rabbi Alan Lew, and the prophet … Read the rest
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What if our failures aren’t the end of the story—but the place where real growth begins?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Ekev and Moses’ surprisingly stern message to the Jewish people before they … Read the rest
The post Ekev 5786: Learning to Begin Again first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What if the deepest purpose of prayer isn’t to change God—but to change us?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Shmuel Rosenberg explore Parshat Va’etchanan through Moses’ heartfelt plea to enter the Land of Israel. Reflecting on unanswered prayer, … Read the rest
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How do we know when humility is helping us—and when it’s holding us back?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Devarim through the inner world of Moses as he prepares to say goodbye to the Jewish … Read the rest
The post Devarim 5786: The Burden of Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What does it take for forgiveness to be real?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Ha’azinu and the themes of Yom Kippur through the lens of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They examine the Talmudic … Read the rest
The post Ha’azinu 5786: Forgiveness and Its Limits first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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How do words of encouragement shape Joshua’s leadership and the future of the Jewish people?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Vayelech, focusing on the leadership transition from Moshe to Yehoshua. Join them and dive into … Read the rest
The post Nitzavim – Vayelich 5784: Empowering Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Raphael Polisuk delve into the covenant ceremony at Har Grizim and Har Eval in Parshat Ki Tavo. They explore how this moment of blessings and curses establishes a collective responsibility among the Jewish … Read the rest
The post Ki Tavo 5784: Collective Responsibility first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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How does the Torah guide us in creating balanced and just leadership?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Shoftim, delving into the Torah’s vision for leadership and governance. They discuss the various models of leadership … Read the rest
The post Shoftim 5784: Righteous Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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How do our perceptions, whether clear or confused, impact our understanding of Torah and our relationships?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Brent Chaim Spodek explore Parshat Re’eh, focusing on the intriguing and often perplexing laws of kashrut. They … Read the rest
The post Re’eh 5784: Kashrut and Spiritual Clarity first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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How can a single word in the Torah guide us toward deeper spiritual understanding?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yizcah Smith dive into Parshat Ekev, exploring the profound spiritual insights hidden within the word “Ekev.” They discuss how the … Read the rest
The post Ekev 5784: The Light in Every Mitzvah first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What can a giant teach us about overcoming obstacles and building a better society?
In this episode, Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom delve into the Parsha of Devarim, highlighting the significance of Moshe’s speeches as the Jewish people stand … Read the rest
The post Devarim 5784: Facing Giants first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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“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 … Read the rest
The post VeZot HaBracha 5784: A Growing and Expanding Torah first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post Nitzavim-Vayelech 5783: A Covenantal Relationship first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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. … Read the rest
The post Ki Tavo 5783: How Do I Tell Our Story? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post Ki Tetze 5783: It Starts From Below first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post Shoftim 5783: Navigating the Dynamics of Leadership first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Zvi is joined across the ocean with Pardes North America faculty member 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 … Read the rest
The post Re’eh 5783: Growth is Possible first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post Ekev 5783: Pathways to Gratitude first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post VaEtchanan 5783: The Embodiment of Love first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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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 … Read the rest
The post Devarim 5783: Listening Between the Lines first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Ha’azinu speaks of God as a parent, as the Being that created and formed us all. What implications does this fact have for our spirituality and consciousness? Yiscah Smith presents a teaching of the Hassidic master – the Piazecne Rabbe, … Read the rest
The post Ha’azinu 5783: Breathing God into Our Lives first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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How does the law of bikkurim (sacrifice of the first fruits) relate to the Exodus from Egypt? Why does the blessing from the farmer use the plural tense, and why would a farmer who had never experienced the Exodus need … Read the rest
The post Ki Tavo: History and Memory – The Declaration of the First Fruits first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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This week’s parsha depicts four modes of administration in ancient Israel. What are these four centers of societal leadership, and how do they interact? How does our parsha give us room to consider our own political climate? What does this … Read the rest
The post Shoftim: Judge, King, Priest, Prophet. first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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In this week’s Pardes Parsha Podcast, Aviva Lauer joins Rabbi Michael Hattin to discuss parashat Re’eh.
As the people of Israel prepare for their entry into the land of Israel, Moses teaches them that God will choose the place for … Read the rest
The post Parashat Re’eh: The Place that God Will Choose first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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This podcast is sponsored by Suzana and Alan Caro in memory of Avi West z”l. A brilliant educator and master teacher, Avi touched the lives of thousands of Jews in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. His breadth of knowledge spanned … Read the rest
The post Parashat Ekev: Yearning for a Challenge first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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In this week’s parsha, Moshe recalls several events and presents for us what many consider to be one of the foundational texts of Judaism, the Shema. Join Yiscah Smith as she discusses the parsha and some of the fundamental values … Read the rest
The post Parashat Va’etchanan: Striving for Unity first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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