After Yosef correctly interprets Pharaoh's dreams, Pharaoh rewards him with power and responsibility. However, Pharaoh makes it very clear to Yosef that though Yosef will have the power to make decisions, Pharaoh will retain the title of King. In this week's episode we explore this scene in greater detail and consider the implications of Pharaoh's decision on society today.

Parashat Vayeishev opens with the statement "Vayeishev Yaakov", or "Jacob settled," followed by the story of Yosef and his brothers. In his robust commentary on the two opening verses, Rashi cites a midrash that Yaakov wished to settle in shalvah, or tranquility, but was prevented from doing because of the dramatic story of Yosef and his brothers. In this week's episode we delve deeper into this midrash and consider what this midrash teaches us about rest and self care. 

This week's parsha tells the deeply painful, and ethically challenging, story of Dinah. In this week's episode we will examine two common understandings of exactly what happened to Dinah, and the ramifications of these two explanations have on our understanding of sexual assault and punishment. 

Please be advised that this episode discusses sexual violence and rape, and may be difficult for victims and survivors of sexual assault. If you are a victim of sexual assault and need help there are many resources available, including here https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline. 

In this week's parsha Yaakov finds refuge in the home of his uncle Lavan. Over the course of his time in Lavan's home, Yaakov slowly learns that Lavan is not actually a generous paternal figure but rather someone who seeks to profit off of Yaakov's work and cheat him out of money he deserves. In this week's episode we explore Lavan's character in greater detail and what he can teach us about living an honest life.

Parashat Toldot is the first in a series of parshiyot that tell the story of Yaakov's life. Yaakov's character becomes more cunning and daring as our parsha progresses, culminating in his appearing before his father dressed as Esav and stealing the blessings. In this episode we consider the different approaches to Yaakov's actions in our religious tradition and what they can teach us about sin, vindictiveness, and forgiveness. 

At the end of this week's parsha Avraham marries a woman named Keturah. Rash cites a midrash that Keturah is actually Hagar, and not a new person. In this week's episode we explore the ramifications of this midrash on Avraham's life, and what this explanation can teach us about regret and resolution. 

Both Avraham and Sarah are told that Sarah will have a biological child. They both react with laughter, צחוק. And yet, God reprimands Sarah for her laughter but not Avraham. In this week's episode we will analyze the difference between Avraham and Sarah's reaction, and what this can teach us about how we approach challenging scenarios and mediate conflict.

In the beginning of Chapter 15 of Breishit Avraham expresses his frustration to God over not having any biological children. God assures Avraham that he will indeed have biological children, and in verse 6 the scene concludes with a short verse that is difficult to translate. In this episode we discuss the possible translations of this verse, and what this verse teaches us about how to live a life of trust in God.

Though his story is one of the most famous stories in the Torah, we know remarkably little about Noach. In this episode we analyze his father Lamech's naming of him and consider what exactly made Noach worthy of saving humanity. 

The two creation stories in Bereishit have challenged rabbis and scholars for millenia. In this episode we discuss the content and structure of these two stories, and explore what they can teach us about the role of humanity in the world.