On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

Happy 2018! In our first episode of the secular new year, Rabbi Rick Jacobs welcomes guest host and friend Reverend Frederick A. Davie, Executive Vice President of Union Theological Seminary. Together, they discuss parashat Sh'mot and our individual capacity to drive change in the world. They wonder: What motivates us to take action – and what are the parameters for change?

Jacob's death, which takes place in parashat Va-y'chi, marks the end of an epoch in the life of the Jewish people. Discussing the final Torah portion in the book of Genesis – and the last we'll read in 2017 – Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores: What does it mean to live on after our time on earth has ended? What kind of legacy do we leave behind?

In the 100th episode of "On the Other Hand," Rabbi Jacobs discusses Joseph. Where would he be if he were alive today? And, was Joseph a good guy?

In this special Hanukkah episode of "On the Other Hand," Rabbi Jacobs discusses a passage in the Talmud that instructs Jews to place their hanukkiyot (Hanukkah menorahs) in their windows. What might this mean today, in a world where hate crimes are on the rise?

Joseph is young, brash, and full of dreams—and then he's sold into slavery. What's Joseph's legacy, and what can we learn from Joseph about growing up and becoming our best selves? In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs talks Parashat Vayeishev.

Sexual harassment and assault is an issue that dates all the way back to biblical times. For example, in Parashat Vayishlach, Dinah is assaulted by Shechem. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses the question: How can we use these texts to guide us toward healing, and a promise to do better?

Parashat Vayeitzei tells the story of Jacob's journey. But it's more than just the story of a journey: it's the story of a refugee and in a world with more than 60 million refugees, this story is as important as ever. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs talks of our responsibility as Jews to welcome refugees.

In Parshat Tol'dot, we read about the birth of twins Jacob and Esau. It's one of the Torah's more famous stories, and it has an important message about choosing one's path in life. Listen to this week's episode of On the Other Hand to hear what Rabbi Jacobs thinks Jacob and Esau can teach us today, and what they have in common with Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

In Parashat Chayei Sarah, which discusses the death of Sarah, one of the first things we learn is where and when she dies. This piece of information may seem small, but it actually tells us quite a bit about Sarah. Rabbi Rick Jacobs explains why, in this episode of On the Other Hand.

In Parashat Vayeira, Sarah pretends for the second time that she's Abraham's sister instead of his wife. Even though it may seem like an odd trend, there is, of course, something to learn from it. Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, give his take, in this episode of On the Other Hand.