Pardes From Jerusalem

Why does Moshe mix harsh rebuke with a profound sense of hope in his final speech? In this episode, Tzvi Hirschfield and Tovah Leah Nachmani delve into Parashat Va'etchanan and into the complex layers of Moshe’s final message, where deep love for the people intertwines with stern rebukes. They explore how Moshe uses the powerful imagery of fire at Mount Sinai, the retelling of the Ten Commandments, and the enduring words of the Shema Yisrael to create a narrative that is both cautionary and hopeful. Through their discussion, they uncover how Moshe's words serve not only as warnings but as a timeless guide for resilience, responsibility, and enduring hope. Tovah Leah Nachmani – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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 on the brink of entering the land of Canaan. They discuss the fascinating detail of Og, the giant king, and what his story teaches us about overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Their conversation focuses on the importance of internal resilience and the dangers of both underestimating and overestimating challenges. They also examine modern applications of these lessons, focusing on the critical need for unity and the creation of a coherent, connected society in Israel and the diaspora. Rabbi Haim Shalom – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

What happens when a collective seeks fulfillment outside the promised land? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris delve into the intriguing narrative of the two and a half tribes—Reuven, Gad, and half of Menashe—who choose to settle outside the land of Canaan after the Israelite conquests. They discuss the implications of their decision, Moshe's reaction, and the broader themes of individual fulfillment versus communal responsibility. Through thoughtful analysis and modern applications, they emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong, interconnected Jewish identity regardless of geographic location. Rabbi Leon Morris – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

What drives someone to take extreme action in the name of faith? In this week's episode Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield unravel the gripping narrative of Parsha Pinchas. Join them as they dive into a tale where zealotry clashes with idolatry and explore the bold and controversial actions of Pinchas amidst the Israelites' turmoil. Their conversation also examines modern applications of these lessons, focusing on the tension between individual passion and communal responsibility. Rabbi Dr. Howard Markose – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How do we navigate the complexities of being a unique people while integrating into the modern world? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Avi Spodek and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into Parsha Balak, highlighting the themes of identity, isolation, and the perception of the Jewish people by outsiders. They discuss the narrative of Bilaam's blessings and curses, emphasizing the concept of being a "nation that dwells alone." The conversation examines the modern implications of these lessons, focusing on the balance between maintaining a unique identity and integrating into the broader world, the political isolation of Israel, and the challenges faced by Jews globally. Credits: Rabbi Avi Spodek – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Why does a ritual meant to purify others render the priest impure? In this week’s episode, join Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Dr. Daniel Reifman  as they delve into the perplexing ritual of the red heifer, emphasizing the paradox where the act of purifying others renders the priest impure. They examines the distinctions between rational and irrational laws in Jewish tradition, exploring how these concepts have been understood and interpreted throughout history.  Credits: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How do we navigate leadership challenges and personal ambition in times of crisis? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer delve into Parsha Korach, exploring leadership and rebellion within the context of the Jewish people's journey through the desert. They discuss the motivations behind Korach's uprising, the dynamics of leadership as portrayed in the Torah, and the harsh consequences faced by the rebels. Together they examine modern applications of these lessons, focusing on individuality, collective responsibility, and the importance of choosing wise counsel. Credits: Aviva Lauer – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

What do you do when reality falls short of high expectations? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into the Parsha of Shlach, highlighting the challenges and disappointments faced by the Jewish people on the brink of entering the Promised Land. They discuss the mission of the spies, the people's reaction to their report, and the consequences of their lack of faith. They explore how high expectations can clash with reality and what lessons we can draw for our own lives. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How do ancient trumpets teach us about modern journeys and transitions? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Rafael Polisuk delve into Parshat Behalotcha, highlighting the themes of journey and transition within the Torah portion. They discuss the creation and use of silver trumpets to signal movements and gatherings, emphasizing the deeper metaphysical and spiritual meanings behind these sounds. Credits: Rabbi Rafael Polisuk – Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How does our unique role strengthen the Jewish communities?  In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hatton delve into Parshat Naso, highlighting the importance of each person's contributions to the community. They discuss how the counting of the Jewish people and repetitive sacrifices emphasize individual roles while promoting communal unity. The conversation also examines modern applications of these lessons, focusing on individuality and collective responsibility.

How does the Jewish people's journey through the desert shape our approach to Torah? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield explore the theme of openness in Torah study, using the wilderness in the Midbar as a metaphor for the mindset required. Drawing from the Midrash and personal experiences, they explore the concept of being "hefker" or ownerless, and allowing Torah to guide us without preconceived notions. Credits: Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty

Can we approach the Torah as a rational guide for living wisely while allowing space for genuine emotional and spiritual experiences? In this week's episode, Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into the concept of reward and punishment. Elisha offers an intriguing interpretation - rather than God actively intervening, the Torah provides wisdom about how our behaviors yield consequences in the natural order of things. They'll take us on an exploration of the balance between the rational understanding of cause-and-effect with the emotional yearning for divine involvement and control. Credits: Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Why is Mount Sinai mentioned in connection with the laws of Shmitta (Sabbatical year) and Yovel (Jubilee year)? In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rachel Friedrichs delve into the profound significance of this week's Torah portion of Behar opening with a reference to Mount Sinai. Together, we'll explore the contrast between the communal revelation of Sinai and the private revelations within the Mishkan (the Tabernacle), analyzing the connection between these agricultural laws governing humanity's relationship with the Land and the transcendent experience of Sinai. Our discussion will also touch on the role of educators in engaging both the highly motivated and the disengaged, as well as Israel's potential as a center for the Jewish world. Credits: Rachel Friedrichs - Pardes Faculty and  Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

How do we approach texts in our traditions that seem to discriminate against or exclude certain groups of people? In this thought-provoking discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom wrestle with the disqualification of kohanim (priests) with physical deformities or disabilities from serving in the Temple. We'll explore how to reconcile such texts with modern values of inclusion while examining the evolving rabbinical perspectives on disability as a social construct. Ultimately, our discussion calls on us to embrace the struggle with difficult traditional texts as an opportunity to renew and deepen our spiritual philosophies. Credits: Rabbi Haim Shalom - Pardes Faculty and Director of Israel Studies Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

In a world rife with conflict and oversimplified narratives about "the other," how can we embody true holiness by cultivating empathy, humility, and deeper human connection? Rabbi Brent Spodek joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a thought-provoking discussion exploring the Torah's call in Parshat Kedoshim to "be holy." Brent denounces the insidious habit of gossip that denies people the dignity of authoring their own stories. Instead, he argues argue for a stance of curiosity - resisting easy judgments and really listening in order to understand the complex realities others face, even amid fraught situations like the Israel-Iran tensions. By embracing this aspirational ethic, perhaps we can create the fertile ground for holiness to take root in our divisive world. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem Rabbi Brent Spodek - Pardes North America Faculty and Host of Good Jewish Lover

How can the Jewish people maintain a sense of unity and connection as a nation despite geographical separation and divergent experiences between the Diaspora and Israel? In this week's episode, Rabba Shani Gross joins us from afar for a discussion on the Torah portion's emphasis on centralized worship, linking it to the biblical story of the 2.5 tribes who settled outside the Land of Israel and built their own altar. Together, they explore the need for open dialogue in order to "witness" one another's perspectives and find a path toward sustaining mutual understanding. Credits Rabba Shani Gross - Pardes North America Faculty and Senior Director of Education Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Can we transform the "bread of affliction" into the "bread of redemption" this Passover?" Yiscah Smith returns this week with a call for us to see ourselves ("l'rot atzmo") as leaving spiritual enslavement each Passover. Drawing from the Piazner Rebbe and Rav Kook, Yiscah illuminates how painful self-examination can allow for divine blessings and personal redemption to emerge. Grappling with the role of suffering, Yiscah shares a powerful lens for experiencing this holiday's liberating spirit, even amidst darkness. Join us for this timely discussion imbued with hope on Pardes from Jerusalem. Credits: Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora. In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condition as merely a punishment. Drawing from insightful Jewish sources, he illuminates the possibility that tzara'at may in fact be a divine wake-up call - an opportunity for spiritual growth and course-correction, rather than simply a curse. Grappling with timeless questions of suffering and meaning, we'll explore this compelling perspective. Credits: Rabbi Jon Leener - Pardes North America Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem  

How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives? In this week's parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to highlight how these laws, though initially perplexing, offer profound insights into human behavior and ethics. By engaging critically with religious practice and moral conduct, listeners are encouraged to navigate the complexities of tradition and personal understanding. Credits: Rabbi Michael Hattin - Pardes Faculty Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

In this week’s episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh. Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy draws a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, both occurring at crucial moments meant to elevate the spiritual consciousness of the Jewish people. Delving into these tragic events, we’re invited to contemplate profound questions: How do we grapple with our failures when we aren’t sure where we went wrong? Amidst the uncertainty and discord, are we able to chart a path towards growth and improvement? Credits: Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy - Pardes Faculty, Director of the Year Program and Rosh Beit Midrash Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem