We start the fourth and penultimate book of the Torah... "Numbers," or, in Hebrew, Bamidbar (which translates to "In the Desert," not "Numbers"). What is the significance of the desert and why is this book named after it? We talk about the theme of this book (Aaron's suggestion: it's about failure) and how the grandeur and pageantry described in this week's Torah portion may have some dark foreshadowing hiding beneath the surface, all while working in references to Maimonides, Freud, and Leon...

Bamidbar: Welcome to the Desert of the Real

"The Portion" is a podcast where Aaron Roller, a curious Orthodox Jew, sits down with his brother-in-law, Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld, to discuss the portion of the Torah that is read each week by Jews around the world. The conversation is informal and friendly, but not afraid to delve into the wealth of Jewish wisdom and interpretation. Guests may join to offer their takes on the portion as well.

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In this episode, we are together again and talking about the Sin of the Golden Calf. Was is the id of the Jewish people run amok with their leader missing? Or was it a more high-minded decision that went off the rails? Join us for the discussion.

Ki Tisa: Worse Than A Slippery Slope

A quick solo show on the important of consistency.

Tetzaveh: Eternal Flame

This week's Torah portion reads like a complicated set of building specs, as G-d presents Moshe with the instructions for building the Tabernacle. We talk about what it means for the Israelites to engage in a construction project following the splitting of the sea and the revelation at Sinai.

Trumah: Let's Build Something Together

In Mishpatim, the Torah seems to take a dramatic turn from narrative into a detailed discussion of Jewish law. How do we explain this change? And how should we think about the way that the word mishpatim is used in Genesis vs. the way it's used in this week's parsha? Join us for the discussion.

Mishpatim: What is Justice?

Something strange about the week's Torah portion, Yitro, is that the greatest divine revelation in human history is preceded by a seemingly unrelated story about Moshe delegating authority and setting up multi-tier courts. On this episode, Aaron wonders why he's so bad at delegating and Rabbi Bienenfeld delves into the details of what makes good leadership. Check it out.

Bamidbar: Welcome to the Desert of the Real

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