In this conversation with Rabbanit Mali Brofsky, we study the Haftorah of Shabbat Zachor which recounts Shaul's loss of the monarchy in I Shmuel 15 in the war against Amalek. We explore the significance of Shaul's error in this narrative alongside the ideal nature of Israelite monarchy.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Michael Rainsbury, head of Lifelong Learning at the London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS), we discuss King Shlomo's leadership style as expressed through the building of the Mikdash (Temple). Shlomo's reign, perhaps the pinnacle of the monarchical period, also underscores the interpersonal and spiritual challenges of national expansion and power.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this episode with Rabbi Yaakov Beasly, we explore the fascinating text of this week's Haftorah describing the unusual childhood of the Judean king Yoash and his attempt to physically restore the Temple. The conversation highlights the tragedy of disillusionment with spiritual leadership and reminds us how challenging it is to change intergenerational patterns.

This week's episode is dedicated in memory of Vera Perlman and Leeba bat Yitzchak Meyer.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Yael Leibowitz, we discuss Yeshayahu's theophany in the Haftorah within the broader context of prophecy and its function as an intermediary between God and the nation of Israel. We also discuss the geopolitical backdrop of the second half of the Ashkenazi Haftorah and how it relates to our modern reality.

This parsha's podcast is dedicated to the recovery of Phyllis Hecht by her friends who love and admire her.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Tamar Weissman, we explore the narrative and prose renditions of Devorah's story in Shoftim 4-5, read as this week's Haftorah. We discuss the uniqueness of the enemy and the uniqueness of Devorah as the national leader during this critical period of history.

This week's episode has been sponsored by Rabbi Michael and Jeri Laxmeter for the Refuah Shleimah of their granddaughter Avigayil Sara bat Shaina Ahrona. This episode has also been dedicated in memory of Yitzchak Chaim Hacohen ben Yaakov and Chaya by his grandchildren in honor of his yartzeit.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Professor Tova Ganzel, we discuss the differences between Yechezkel and Yirmiyahu's prophetic styles and how it can be observed in their prophecies of doom to the Egyptian empire which serves as this week's Haftorah. Professor Ganzel emphasizes the importance of understanding a prophecy's timing in order to properly understand its message.

This week's episode has been sponsored by Rabbi Michael and Jeri Laxmeter for the Refuah Shleimah of their granddaughter Avigayil Sara bat Shaina Ahrona.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Dr. Yael Ziegler, we discuss the possible goals of prophecies directed at other nations, a common genre utilized by most of Israel's major prophets. This week's Haftorah is lifted from Yechezkel's prophecies against Egypt, predicting the downfall of the kingdom by Babylonian hands.

This week's episode has been sponsored by Rabbi Michael and Jeri Laxmeter for the Refuah Shleimah of their granddaughter Avigayil Sara bat Shaina Ahrona.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with Adina Blaustein, who has a forthcoming book on the weekly Haftorah, she walks us through how the Haftorah intertext highlights elements of the parsha in a different light and how we can read the parsha differently in light of the chosen Haftorah. We discuss the Sephardi and Ashkenazi Haftorah for Parshat Shemot.

This week's episode has been sponsored by Rabbi Michael and Jeri Laxmeter for the Refuah Shleimah of their granddaughter Avigayil Sara bat Shaina Ahrona.

This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this conversation with R. Zvi Grumet, we study the final requests of Yaakov in this week's parsha and those of King David in the Haftorah. David, seeking to ensure the security of Shlomo's monarchy, asks his son to complete three tasks of unfinished business for David. We explore the backstory of those requests and what they reflect about David's character.

This week’s episode has been sponsored for the 10th yartzheit of Nathan Werdiger by his daughters Michelle Feiglin and Debbie Nossbaum.

Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek! We continue our Haftorah study with the book of Shemot.

In this moving conversation with Rabbanit Shani Taragin, we study this week's Haftorah from Yechezkel 37 which describes the grafting of two branches representing the Northern (Yosef) and Southern (Judah) Kingdoms of Israel. This vision, part of Yechezkel's prophecies of comfort, becomes a chilling window into our current moment in which we are still figuring out how to work together and develop the spiritual tenor of the State of Israel.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Toby and David Curwin in memory of David’s father, Dr. Richard Curwin z”l, in honor of his upcoming yahrzeit.

This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.