Laymen Learn Torah

Humans get all of the chances in the world, and Joy and Sylia count the ways. But, alas, Hashem decides they all need to go and Noah is the blank slate. After a long hiatus, they're finally back to (almost) finish up the first book of the Torah!

Get a riveting play-by-play of the world's first murder! Sylia and Joy dissect Cain's anger problems and lack of perspective. Sylia controvercially presents Cain as a sympathetic figure and Joy is intrigued but not super convinced.

More dramatic than Abel's killing is the story of Cain's death...you don't want to miss this absurd account!

Let us know what you think in the comments!

They're BACK! Joy and Sylia return to tackle the ORIGINAL SIN (SIN...Sin...sin), though Joy does scandalously suggest that maybe Paradaise was meant to be lost all along! Punishments are given out. Humanity and snakes become mortal enemies. Adam might sheepishly have been standing by Chava's side as she tasted the forbidden fruit. It's just a good time all around. Join us for episode 22, and let us know what you think in the comments!

Thank you to the fans who urged us to continue on this journey!

Shoutout to Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik for his ingenius interpretation of Bereshit 1 and 2! In this week's episode, Joy and Sylia continue with their philosophical ponderings about the implications of the two contradicting creation stories.

They also tackle the topic of shabbat and the forbidden trees, and to lead us up to the juiceier sides of Adam and Eve.

Joy and Sylia finally overcome their imposter syndrome and begin to tackle one of the toughest parts of the Torah: CREATION (cue echo.)

In this episode, the duo try on many hats: physicists, anthropologists, marine biologists, and most importantly, Torah commentators. Because it's their Torah, too!

Sylia and Joy get serious for once and really dig into the meat of what makes us the children of Yisrael.

Is it our thing for shepherds?

Is it our strange connection with the land of Canaan?

Is it our disregard for birth order?

Is it our ability to procreate and fill the land in whatever environment we find ourselves in? Decide with us!

PLUS, find out if you have joined the ranks of the 10/7 conservatievs!

In this episode, Joy and Sylia feel the feels as Yosef reveals himself to his brothers, and finally reunites with his father, Yaakob. They also discover that not all Pharaohs are created the same (this one happens to be really adorable), and Israelites begin to fulfill the prophecy from Brit ben HaBetarim.

PLUS, Joy's secret identity is revealed!

Yosef navigates a strange and unexpected reunion with his brothers, who are unaware that the vizier before them is the very brother they (maybe?) sold to strangers and left to die. He messes with their heads a little bit, though Joy and Sylia disagree to what extent these games are laced with revenge. Okay, fine, he does cry a lot. So maybe he's not so bad after all.

PLUS, Yaakov learns absolutely NOTHING at all about the consequences of favoring one son over all the others.

Pharaoh wakes up from his Inception-worthy dream and he needs an interpretation STAT. Yosef does some God-sanctioned fortunetelling and makes his way to a position as the right-hand man of the Pharaoh (but not before a good bath and shave session.)

Joy and Sylia discuss how Yosef's Jewish identity is essential to his success in Egypt, and how surprisingly receptive this Pharaoh is to God's unlikely prophet!