In this week's episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan, and Henry Esses are joined by Rav Menachem Leibtag to better understand the purpose of yetziat mitzrayim, discussing why God needed Paroh to kick the Jews out of Egypt and how that collective memory shapes us as a people.
Rav Menachem Leibtag is a teacher at Yeshivat Gush Etzion, Midreshet Lindenbaum, Shaalvim, and Matan. Read more of his essays on Parashat HaShavua on his website, tanach.org
In this week’s episode, Raymond Ashkenazie and Emma Dayan are joined by Rabbi Moish Kornblum to delve into the complexities of parental blessings in the Torah, focusing on the blessings given by Yaakov Avinu to his sons. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on the nature of blessings and their impact on personal growth.
Rav Moish is the Assistant Dean at Yeshiva Orayta and former congregational rabbi in Cape Town.
In this week’s episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Henry Esses, and Emma Dayan are joined by Rabbi Nathan Dweck to explore the motivation behind Yosef’s testing of his brothers. The discussion delves deeper into the emotional and psychological aspects of the narrative, examining how these themes are reflected in contemporary life.
Rabbi Nathan Dweck serves as High School Minyan Rabbi and Torah Programming Director at Congregation Beth Torah, Mashgiach Ruhani and Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshivah Middle School, Executive Director of Tebah Educational Services, and Rabbi of Congregation Berit Shalom.
In this week’s episode, Raymond, Ashkenazie, Henry Esses, and Emma Dayan are joined by Rav Yuda Drizen to explore the meaning of dreams in the Torah, how those dreams speak to our lived reality today, and how these ideas connect to the holiday of Hanukah.
In this week’s episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan and Henry Esses are joined by Rav Alex Israel to discuss the righteousness of Yosef in the face of temptation and the broader theme of sexuality and power throughout Sefer Bereshit.
Rabbi Alex Israel teaches Tanakh at Midreshet Lindenbaum, Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi, Matan Hasharon; and is faculty at the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. Read his Torah and listen to his podcasts at www.alexisrael.org
In this week’s episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan, and Henry Esses are joined by Ms. Talia Harcsztark to reflect on the pattern of the selected and rejected son that’s featured over and over again in Sefer Bereshit. What does it mean to be chosen? What are our responsibilities as the chosen people?
Ms. Harcsztark is the former Chair of the Tanakh department at the Yeshivah Flatbush, and she currently teaches at Pelech Girls High School in Jerusalem.
In this week's episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan and Henry Esses are joined by Rabbi Dr. Richard Hidary for an insightful exploration of Parashat Vayetse. Through a detailed analysis of the text, Rabbi Hidary discusses Yaakov's vow and its implications, offering a nuanced understanding of the relationship between faith and action.
Rabbi Hidary is an Associate Professor of Judaic studies at Yeshiva University and Rabbi at Sephardic Synagogue.
In this episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan, and Henry Esses sit down with Rabbi Joseph Dweck for a thoughtful discussion on Parashat Toledot. Through a close reading of the text, Rabbi Dweck explains the meaning of Yitzchak’s blessings to Yaakov and Esav, how those blessings relate to the Land of Israel, and what the Torah reveals about Esav’s character that ultimately leads to the loss of both the birthright and the blessing.
Rabbi Joseph Dweck is the former Rosh Yeshivah of Barkai Yeshivah and has served for the past decade as the Senior Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish Community of the United Kingdom. He is currently in the process of making Aliyah.
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In this episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan, and Henry Esses are joined by Rav Judah Dardik to explore the profound themes of loss and legacy in Parashat Haye Sarah. Through a thoughtful examination of the text, they discuss how Abraham's experiences offer timeless lessons on dealing with grief and the importance of passing on values to future generations.
Rabbi Judah Dardik is the Sgan Rosh Yeshiva and a Gemara R"am at Yeshivat Orayta, as well as Dean of the Orayta Center for Jewish Leadership and Engagement. Before making aliyah, he led Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland, California, for thirteen years. Rabbi Dardik lives in Gush Etzion with his wife Naomi and their six children, and enjoys hiking, winemaking, and roller hockey.
In this episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan, and Henry Esses are joined by Rabbi Ikey Tawil for a fresh interpretation of the famous story of the Akedah. Through a close reading of the text, Rabbi Tawil reveals how a deeper understanding of the peshat can resolve some of the story’s classic moral dilemmas.
Rabbi Ikey Tawil is the head Rabbi at Kol Israel Congregation, Mashgiach Ruchani at the Yeshivah of Flatbush Elementary School, and head of the SCA summer learning program.
In this episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan and Henry Esses are joined by Rabbi Albert Setton to explore the enigmatic figure of Malkitzedek in Parashat Lekh Lekha. Together, they examine his mysterious identity, his role in Avram’s journey, and the deeper meaning behind his brief yet powerful appearance. Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion on faith, purpose, and spiritual identity.
Rabbi Albert Setton serves as Rabbi of Congregation Magen David of West Deal, heads The Midrash Women's Division, and is the Rav Yeshivah of Yeshivat Barkai.
In this episode, Raymond Ashkenazie, Emma Dayan and Henry Esses are joined by Rav Yitzchak Blau to delve into Parashat Noah. We explore the emotional and spiritual challenges faced by Noah post-flood, discussing themes of trauma, survival, and the transition to Avraham's narrative. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the complexities of faith and humanity.
Rabbi Yitzchak Blau is a Rosh Yeshiva at Yeshivat Orayta and teaches at Midreshet Lindenbaum. He is an associate editor of Tradition and author of "Fresh Fruit and Vintage Wine: The Ethics and Wisdom of the Aggada." He resides in Alon Shevut with his family.
For the first episode of Season Two, Emma Dayan and Henry Esses sit down with Raymond Ashkenazie to explore Tzelem Elokim, the idea of being created in the image of God and its practical and religious implications.
Join us as we begin the journey of starting the Torah over again!
In this final episode of the season, Linda Cohen and Ronnie Hidary learn with Rabbi Ricky Hidary about how the tribe of Levi turned one of their character flaws into their greatest strength, which is hinted to in the parasha.
Ronnie Hidary and Linda Cohen interview Rabbi Ephraim Gabbai on a range of topics from the haftarah to Gedaliah which culminates in a message for the ages.
Rabbi Ralph Tawil (all the way from Israel!) shares with Linda Cohen and Ronnie Hidary the patterns and nuances in this week's parasha that emphasize the role and responsibility of the individual within the nation.
Ronnie Hidary interviews Ronald Benun on parallelism throughout the Torah as it relates to the Blessings and the Curses of this weeks parasha.
Linda Cohen and Ronnie Hidary interview Avi Garson, co-founder of The Habura and Tikvah Fellow, on how the countless mitzvot found in Parashat Ki Tetse are meant to form the structure of justice within our society.
Ronnie Hidary, Linda Cohen, and Robyn Beyda interview Rabbi Albert Setton on the laws of kings and how they apply today.
Ronnie Hidary and Linda Cohen interview Rabbi Dr. Richard Hidary, comparing and contrasting the first two paragraphs of Shema