Bereishit (Genesis) | Elmad Online Learning Torah Podcasts, Online Jewish Learning: Recent Episodes
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
What does Jewish leadership demand in uncertain times?
In this episode, a conversation on Jewish leadership and communal responsibility explores how Torah values shape philanthropy and public life today. Zvi Hirschfield speaks with Pardes alumnus Marc Baker about moral vision, … Read the rest
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Who carries our collective memory when others forget?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Vayigash through the remarkable midrashic figure of Serach bat Asher. They trace how Serach becomes a guardian of memory—gently revealing … Read the rest
The post Vayigash 5768: The Power of Remembering first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Is Yosef testing his brothers—or struggling to reclaim his own identity?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Miketz through Yosef’s puzzling treatment of his brothers and the deeper questions it raises about anger, revenge, … Read the rest
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How does unresolved grief shape the choices we make—and the people we become?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Vayeshev through the lens of grief and the ways unresolved pain shapes Yaakov’s choices. They examine how … Read the rest
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Can confronting ourselves be the key to transformation?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler explore Parshat Vayishlach as a story of identity, fear, and the lifelong struggle to integrate competing parts of the self. They examine … Read the rest
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Can we truly change—or do we grow by struggling with who we already are?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Deborah Anstandig explore Parshat Vayetze through Yaakov’s twenty years in the house of Lavan—not as a tale of transformation, … Read the rest
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When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, with the younger sibling … Read the rest
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Can the pains of the past be overcome, opening the way for relationships to heal and be redefined?
In this week’s parsha, we witness the emotional reunion between the sons of Israel, with Yosef revealing himself to the brothers who … Read the rest
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What might Yosef’s story, so full of pain yet hope, teach us about maintaining our own faith during difficult times?
During these challenging times, many feel themselves torn between a desire to stand firmly in their Jewish identities and values … Read the rest
The post Miketz 5784: Being Seen for Who We Are first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What can the mitzvah of yibum, Levirate marriage, teach us about making difficult decisions and personal growth?
In this week’s episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman unpack the complicated family dynamics of … Read the rest
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What can a fraught meeting between brothers teach us about our own instincts?
The events of October 7 shattered the worldview for many of us, and can cause us to approach how we understand the Torah differently. In this week’s … Read the rest
The post Vayishlach 5784: Faith in Humanity vs. Survival first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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What might Ya’akov’s nocturnal revelation teach us about how to approach darkness?
As we continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and yearn for better days ahead, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into … Read the rest
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Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Nechama Goldman Barash talk about contrasts in the parsha, control or lack thereof in our lives, and the power of a blessing.
Credits:Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash – Pardes Faculty… Read the rest
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How do we connect the story of Yosef to Hanukah? Join Yiscah Smith and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield in an exploration of Yosef’s journey from a dreamer to an interpreter. In a parsha where we see Yosef hiding himself, what can … Read the rest
The post Miketz 5783: Discovering the Light Within first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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In this week’s parsha, we learn the story of Yosef and Potiphar’s wife, and the events leading up to Yoseph’s imprisonment. Just what happened between Yosef and Potiphar’s wife? Did Yosef desire her, and if so, did he actually give … Read the rest
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Yaakov returns from Lavan’s house to meet Esav, and he is petrified. Esav is coming with 400 men. Is he seething with hatred and violence, or has he possibly missed his brother and is instead coming to welcome him. The … Read the rest
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How can we understand the setting of this week’s parsha? What is this place that Ya’akov comes to, and why at nighttime? Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Daniel Reifman discuss the journey the journeys and travails of Ya’akov in this … Read the rest
The post Parashat Vayetze 5783: Our Heads and Our Hearts first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Credits: Judy Klitsner and Rabbi Elchanan Miller – Pardes Faculty
… Read the rest
The post Parashat Toldot 5783: Parental Favoritism first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Parashat Chayei Sarah and Preparing for Thanksgiving.
Credits: Tovah Leah Nachmani and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty
… Read the rest
The post Parashat Chayei Sarah 5783 – Where Would I Be Without You: Perks and Pitfalls of Gratitude first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Are we blinded by our reading of the text? When we read about characters that are often portrayed negatively, such as Ishmael, are we truly giving them a chance? And what about our heroes? Are we allowing figures, such as … Read the rest
The post Parashat Vayera 5783: Examining Our Own Narratives first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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In this week’s Torah portion, we examine a story that many today would consider jarring. How do we take the afflictions placed upon the Egyptians for Sarah’s kidnapping? Was Sarah a victim or Pharoah and patriarchy, or were the Egyptians … Read the rest
The post Parashat Lech Lecha 5783: The Beauty of Sarah first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Rabbis Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Elisha Ancselovits bring poetry, midrash, Talmud and a Nobel Prize winning economist into dialogue about how Noah and the 7 Noahide laws are relevant to our current climate crisis.
Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy and Rabbi … Read the rest
The post Parashat Noah 5783: Noah and the Climate Crisis, Then and Now first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.
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Bereishit takes us from Creation to God’s decision to destroy the world. From “Tov” – a world filled with good – to “Ra” – a world in which evil prevails.
How do we get there?
In this podcast, Alex Israel … Read the rest
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Parashat VaYechi 5782 – The Blessings of Rebuke
Description: There are things we have to hear and there are things we have to say. What enables us to receive words of critique with an open heart? What critical tips can … Read the rest
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Parashat Vayigash 5782 – Yoseph’s Legacy to Every Jew: Forgiveness
Description: There are moments that change the world. There is such a transformative moment in this week’s parasha. It happened when Yoseph finally revealed his identity to his brothers.
Download … Read the rest
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This podcast is sponsored by Rabbi Shalom and Shana Kantor on the occasion of their son Noam’s bar mitzvah. Mazal tov!
Parashat Miketz 5782 – Pharaoh’s Dreams and Their Fascinating Interpretation
Description: Pharaoh’s dream of seven cows and seven stalks … Read the rest
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Parashat Vayeshev 5782 – Why is Joseph Known as Joseph the Tzaddik?
Description: A Conversation About Potiphar’s Wife Through the Lens of Non-Consent – In this podcast, Pardes faculty members Alex Israel and Nechama Goldman Barash discuss the complex story … Read the rest
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