We are back with this week's Torah portion, Vayeshev. Joseph is having all sorts of dreams and his perceived arrogance along with their father's favoritism of him infuriates his siblings who sell him into slavery. We talk about the implications of sibling rivalry and what we can learn from and about this story.

This week we are talking about the parsha, Vayishlach, which means "he sent." There's more turmoil for Jacob as he returns to Canaan and has to face his twin brother Esau for the first time in 20 years. He is so scared of Esau that he sends messengers to find out what's going on over there. Then Jacob wrestles with an angel and is transformed by it. We hope you enjoy this episode and thanks for listening!

What an interesting parsha! Full of deceit, tests of loyalty, marrying the wrong daughter, stealing of idols, sister rivalry and a lot of biblical names that Briyah would like to see make a comeback. Zebulun, anyone? What else did we think? Tune in to find out.

In this week's Torah Portion, Toledot (Generations), Rebekah commits "relationship arson" when she tells her son Jacob to steal the first born blessing from his twin brother Esau. Jacob lies to his father Isaac by pretending to be Esau. He ends up being one of our great forefathers while we know little of Esau. What does all this mean? Was Rebekah acting on divine prophecy from God, or did she meddle and play favorites? It's Thanksgiving in the USA, but Briyah is in Auckland, New Zealand, and Michael is eating fish in some country called Malta. Maybe next year we will be reunited as a family, but if the Torah has taught us anything, well, only God knows. We also talk about the brilliant new documentary, Sabbath Queen, which Briyah was fortunate to see. If it’s playing near you, don’t miss it.

Enjoy your leftover turkey with a side of Toledot!

This week, Briyah and Michael discuss the Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, about the life of our matriarch who lived until age 127 and gave birth to her son Isaac at 90. So at 41, Briyah is still very much in the game! Michael is back in Budapest after a visit to Poland and Briyah is soon off to New Zealand (said with a Kiwi accent) and then Australia (pronounced 'Straya with an Aussie accent). Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We talk to our longtime friend, Jay Michaelson, who wears many hats as a writer, journalist, lawyer, professor and rabbi. He was Michael’s student at Columbia University in the late 80s and Briyah’s Hebrew School teacher in the late 90s. We hope you enjoy this riveting, fast paced conversation about the recent election, the rise of nationalism, and yes, psychedelics.

Jay will lead a Jewish meditation retreat December 23-27 at Isabella Freedman in the Berkshires. Check out his Substack, Both/And with Jay Michaelson.

This week, Briyah and Michael discuss the film, "A Real Pain," which they found very relatable. The story follows two cousins who go to Poland to learn more about their family history. But they really learn about each other. How does this connect to this week's parsha, Lech Lecha? The name means to "go forth" and that's what these cousins do. Today is election day and we both pray our nation finds peace and unity, no matter what the outcome is.

Briyah and Michael reflect on their Yom Kippur experiences as they prepare for Sukkot. What are we dreaming of for this new year? Michael wants a home in the Berkshires and Briyah wants a seat at the table with the visionaries of her generation. And a house on the ocean. And a life partner. If you speak it, Hashem will hear it! We also talk about what it means to have a "fawn" response to trauma and is that what is happening now as we navigate what it means to be Jewish in our current society? We hope you enjoy this episode and please rate and review.

On this first anniversary of October 7th, Briyah and Michael sit with difficult uncertainties for our people. In these days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we ask, what have we learned this year? Briyah attended an interfaith event and shares parts of the moving stories she heard. Michael is recovering well from his hip surgery in a high rise Manhattan apartment and we were grateful to record this in that space.

Briyah just returned from the fantastic Green Shoe Foundation in Oklahoma. Bad news is her rental car was plummeted by hail. Good news is she received incredible healing and will now totally be able to re-parent herself after all the Mother Hunger (read the book)! Briyah and Michael talk about what this all has to do with teshuvah (repentance) and the New Year. Chag Sameach to everyone and we wish you a meaningful holiday. Hopefully we have given you some themes to keep in mind.