On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

Parashat R'eih includes that infamous line: "you shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk." Jewish tradition categorizes the mitzvah of not mixing milk with meat as one without specific reasoning, but many scholars think the reason is clear: we should eat with compassion. Rabbi Jacobs explores the importance of eating with compassion in this episode of On the Other Hand.

A chapter in Parashat Eikev reads, "when you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless." What does it mean to be satisfied, and what kind of power does a good meal have? Rabbi Jacobs explores this with Aliza Kline, Executive Director of OneTable, an organization that helps Millennials host and attend unique Shabbat dinners so they can make the most of Friday night.

Everybody has an opinion on whether politics should be brought to the pulpit, but according to Rabbi Jacobs, this debate was settled centuries ago. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses haftarot – what they are, why we read them, and what they have to say about politics.

Kol Yisrael translates to "all of Israel." In Parashat D'varim, when Moses speaks to kol Yisrael, he's not speaking to a divided Jewish people: he's speaking to them as one. It's fitting that this year, we read Parashat D'varim in the lead up to the Israeli Supreme Court's ruling on an egalitarian prayer space at the Kotel. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs describes what this agreement, the fallout, and the upcoming decision means for Reform Judaism.

The double portion of Parashat Matot-Mas'ei details the 42 stops that the Jewish people made on their journey from Egypt to the promised land. In light of this parashah, in this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs details the journey of the Reform Judaism, and the stops along the way that contributed to who we are today.

In Parashat Pinchas, Zelophehad's five daughters petition God. It's the first picture that the Torah provides of radical, essential challenging of the rules, and better yet, the challenging is done by women. What kind of significance does this hold? Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacob's take on it in this episode of On the Other Hand.

This week, Rabbi Jacobs welcomes singer/songwriter Neshama Carlebach. They discuss Parashat Balak¸ which songs speak to their souls, and what it's like to travel the world as a Jewish singer. Plus, she shares a melody about gratitude and moving forward from pain.

Parashat Chukat contains the commandment of the red heifer, and it's one that many people find puzzling. What should we think of the commandments that don't have an explanation? Listen to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism discuss what things may be worth letting go, and how we can keep Jewish life vibrant in the 21st century.

In this infamous parashah, Korach, a relative of Moses, argues with Moses, wondering why he can't be the leader of the Israelites instead. Disagreement can be sacred in the Jewish tradition, but when does that disagreement become self-serving? Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, discusses disagreement, divisiveness, and compromise, in this episode of On the Other Hand.

What does it mean to be on the fringes of Judaism? Does Judaism allow for creativity, allowing those on the fringe who want, to be brought toward the center? Is Judaism open to different forms of expression? In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs describes his take, and how it fits in to Parashat Sh'lach L'cha.