Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast

Why does the Torah use language and motifs that have some similar parallels to ancient epics like Gilgamesh and the Odyssey? Adina Sternberg joins the podcast to explore how Parashat Noach speaks to its original audience in a familiar cultural dialect—only to radically subvert its pagan messaging towards one God who acts with moral judgement and also compassion towards the world He created. We also dive into the poignant human story after the Flood: examining shame, vulnerability, and what happens when an icon falls. From Ham’s angry exposure of his father to Shem and Yafet’s compassionate cover, we unpack how we ought to respond when those we look up to fail us.

How do we find fresh meaning in a text as well-trodden and familiar as Bereishit? In this episode, Rabbanit Shani Tarragin joins us to discuss the art of re-reading Genesis. Drawing from her upcoming book on Megillat Esther, Shani uncovers how the Megilla maintains a rich, intertextual dialogue with all of Tanakh—and how looking backward through the lens of Esther can unlock hidden layers, recurring literary threads, and vibrant new depth in the opening chapters of the Torah.

Dedicated by Debbie Niderberg in memory of her beloved father, Barry Morris, z"l. An extraordinary father who showered his family with unconditional love and wisdom, he was a judge by profession and temperament and a natural educator who imbued us with a love for Torah and learning.A devoted community leader for decades in Teaneck NJ, Torah learning, adult education, and community service were core values for him.

After five years, our host Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble shares a parting message before we begin a new season of Matan Torah.

Stay tuned for a new season beginning with Parshat Breishit!

This is the final episode of our Haftarah series, the last prophecy of comfort that brings us to a new year.

This week we sat down with Rabbanit Malke Bina, president and founder of Matan, to study Yeshayahu 61, a prophecy of comfort which encourages the nation to change its clothes and name as a sign of its renewed identity. We explore the challenges implicit in finding comfort after loss and the ways God encourages the nation to trust Him that they will never be left again.

This week's episode has been sponsored in honor of Rabbi Ed and Bobbie Winter's 61st wedding anniversary by their children and grandchildren. Bobbie and Ed are strong supporters of Matan and women's Torah learning. Mazal tov to them on reaching this amazing milestone, and may they continue to enjoy their family and deepen their Torah learning for many years to come.

This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Jennifer Raskas, we discuss the many ways this chapter (Yeshayahu 60) parallels the future redemption with our weekly taste of it on Shabbat. We also discuss the ways R. Shlomo Albabetz reworks many of these themes into his famous composition Lecha Dodi, sung as Shabbat arrives.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

This conversation with Rabbanit Shani Taragin mines the year's shortest Haftarah for insight into Yeshayahu's complex and meaningful set of female imagery describing the people's relationship with God.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

This week's conversation with Dr. Yael Ziegler explores the parallels between this week's prophecy of comfort and earlier, painful images from the book of Eicha that Yeshayahu flips on their head. The prophet also reminds his listeners that God can bring redemption with the same strong arm He used to take us out of Egypt.

This episode has been sponsored in honor of the birthday celebration of Dr. Maurice Brygel of Melbourne, Australia.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

In this conversation between Rabbanit Oshra Koren and Rabbanit Karen Miller Jackson, they discuss the different images of comfort in the prophecy from Yeshayahu 44-45, with a particular emphasis on the building of Israel and the central role it plays in these words of comfort and the nation's identity.

Today’s podcast is dedicated to Ashley Brygel, from Melbourne Australia, by his family in honor of his birthday.

In this dynamic conversation with Dr. Elana Stein Hain, we explore the evocative images utilized by the prophet in this week's Haftarah (Yeshayahu 49-51). We flesh out how they are used to describe the depths of Tzion's feeling of abandonment and the ways God promises to bring us back to the land and remain His nation.

This year the Matan Podcast is studying the weekly Haftarah reading.

This week begins the seven prophecies of comfort chosen from Yeshayahu 40-66, which stretch all the way until Rosh Hashanah.

This conversation between Dr. Tanya White and Rabbanit Rachelli Sprecher Fraenkel explores the literal and existential concept of comfort when relating to the Jewish people and to God Himself. What does it look like to have hope after tragedy? What comforts the weary? Our hosts study this famous prophecy in search of responses to these questions.

This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.