After an impassioned speech from Yehuda, Yosef dramatically reveals his identity, and it is finally his chance to unleash his years of pent up anger and frustration on his brothers. However, Yosef chooses a different approach and calmly demonstrates to… Read the rest

The post Vayigash 5781: Seeing Things in a New Light first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Vayigash 5781: Seeing Things in a New Light at Elmad Online Learning.

In a challenging comment at the end of last week’s Torah reading, the Midrash condemns Joseph for putting his faith in human assistance rather than turning directly to God. We pose the question: Does faith entail an abandonment of human… Read the rest

The post Miketz 5781: Human Effort and Faith in God. A Contradiction in Terms? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Miketz 5781: Human Effort and Faith in God. A Contradiction in Terms? at Elmad Online Learning.

The conflict between Yoseph and Yehudah runs like a seam across the entire history of Israel.  At times Yoseph gains the upper hand, and at times Yehudah prevails, but the schism always resurfaces. In Tractate Sukkah 52 a-b, our sages… Read the rest

The post VaYeshev 5781: Yoseph & Yehudah – Healing a Rift Extending Across History and within the Individual Self first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading VaYeshev 5781: Yoseph & Yehudah – Healing a Rift Extending Across History and within the Individual Self at Elmad Online Learning.

This podcast examines the story of Hanukah as told in the Book of Maccabeus as a classic example of clash of civilizations and identity groups that ends in a violent civil war.   The question is are there alternatives?  Is it… Read the rest

The post Hanukah 5781: Between Civil War and Nonviolent Demonstrations: How Best to Respond to Discriminatory Decrees? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

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This was originally posted on Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith. From Yiscah: “Nechama Goldman Barash is a role model for spiritual authentic living, a dedicated Torah scholar and educator specializing in matters of gender and Jewish law AND … Read the rest

The post Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith – Episode 32: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.

Continue reading Authentic Jewish Living with Yiscah Smith – Episode 32: Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash at Elmad Online Learning.