The parsha's Haftorah is taken from the book of Hoshea, a fourteen-chapter work that opens the collection of 'Trei Asar.' Jewish philosophy professor Sam Lebens walks us through significant theological questions regarding the human experience of God as violent and loving, examining the text of the Haftorah and illuminating it through both Talmudic perspectives and modern theologians.

This week's episode has been sponsored in memory of Selwyn Feinblum, Shabtai Gedalia ben Yosef Tzvi, whose shloshim was this past week.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

This conversation with Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg explores the Haftorah from the book of Malachi, a short prophetic work from the early Second Temple period. The returnees have become jaded with a reality they perceive as lacking divine presence and the prophet rebukes their lackluster worship and subtly encourages them that while the presence of God may not have arrived in the expected guise, He still loves them. Malachi's messages are relevant now as ever.

This week’ episode has been sponsored in memory of R. Yitzchak Chaim Moshe ben Harav Binyamin Yaakov by his family.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

In this rich conversation with Torah scholar and Tanakh author Dr. Nechama Price, we explore the complex closing of David's life in this week's haftorah. How is his end both similar and different from Avraham's final chapter? How can we understand the motives of several secondary characters in this complex narrative? How does Divrei Ha-Yamim present these same events and how do we know which version is correct? A short conversation with Dr. Necham Price is always packed with insightful Torah-Enjoy!

This episode is sponsored by Barbara and Joel Rich in commemoration of Barbara’s father’s 13th yahrtzeit.

This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah, the prophetic portion read each week as a complement to the parsha.

In this beautiful conversation with Matan faculty member Rachel Sharansky Danziger, we discuss Elisha's encounter with two women in the Haftorah taken from II Melachim 4. We discuss the subtle theology laced throughout the two episodes as well as the different ways each woman responds to her distress. Both the impoverished woman and the woman from Shunem have what to teach us about the universal nature of struggle and how we can learn to help ourselves, with and without divine miracles.

This week's episode has been sponsored in memory of Rose Lubin who was killed defending Jerusalem two years ago from her family in Israel who miss her very much.

This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftorah.

This week's Haftorah returns to the beginning section of the second half of Yeshayahu with beloved Tanakh teacher and pedagogue R. Menachem Leibtag. Why do we find ourselves in Yeshayahu again and what does it have to do with Avraham's journey to Canaan? What is unique about the word 'eved' in Tanakh?

R. Liebtag's favorite Haftora pasuk is from Yirmiyahu 31:19, 'ha-ben yakir li Ephraim' which speaks about God's love for His child Ephraim (the people of Israel) and who He has mercy on. We were moved by this version of the hallmark melody, recorded by the family of Binyamin Schreiber z"l who died on the 23rd of Nissan, 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hXZwrw6TZE&list=RD6hXZwrw6TZE&start_radio=1

In this probing conversation with Dr. Elana Stein Hain about this week's Haftorah from Yeshayahu 54, we move from discussing the opening image of Jerusalem's surprising fertility to a deeply candid conversation about Yeshayahu's zero-sum theology.

What does the post-flood covenant reveal about God's stewarding of the world? How do these sections in Yeshayahu inform the way we process the challenges and salvations we are currently experiencing?

Dr. Elana's beloved song from Yeshayahu 14:3:

Shuvu El Hashem (sung by the women's bet midrash Migdal Oz):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHplOvvzxhQ&list=RDOHplOvvzxhQ&start_radio=1

This year the Matan Podcast is focusing its study on the weekly Haftorah, the prophetic portion selected as a complement to each week's parsha reading. We are thrilled to embark on this new journey with you, exploring fresh biblical texts and themes that promise to deepen and enrich our Torah learning together.

In this week’s conversation with Dr. Yael Ziegler, we uncover the mysterious origins of the Haftorah reading and delve into the prophetic words of Yeshayahu (42-43). Together we’ll consider the unique historical circumstances that shaped these chapters - both their tone and their profound message.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Simchat Torah Challenge, a Jewish communal project inspiring tens of thousands of Jews to read the weekly parsha. To join - free - visit simchattorahchallenge.org

In this heartfelt conversation with R. Dr. J.J. Schacter, we explore the way the Halacha defines the commandment to feel joy on Sukkot and by extension on all holidays. How can the Torah command us to feel? What does joy look like in the current moment?

Sources mentioned in the episode:

R. Amital's essay: https://www.etzion.org.il/en/philosophy/great-thinkers/harav-yehuda-amital/commitment-vs-connecting-current-crisis-our-youth

Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Option-Adversity-Building-Resilience-Finding/dp/1524732680

This episode has been dedicated by Debbie Niderberg in memory of her father Barry Morris z"l.

This conversation with Rabbanit Dr. Jennie Rosenfeld movingly addresses the preparations for Moshe's death at the end of the parsha. While he initially resists God's punishment, Moshe ends up taking an active role in his death both by physically bringing himself to the place of departure as well as preparing the nation for his absence.

This conversation weaves between the parsha, honest musings about life's toughest matters, and highlights where these themes show up in the High Holiday season.

This episode has been sponsored in honor of Debbie Nossbaum's birthday by her wonderful children. May she celebrate many more!

Ketiva v' Chatima tova!

This week's conversation with Rabbanit Rachel Weber Leshaw zooms in on the mitzvah of Hakhel and its unique educational philosophy. An exploration of biblical verses and their interpretation ends up creating candid conversation around the gifts and challenges of involving family in spiritual spaces.