Pardes from Jerusalem

By Pardes Institute of Jewish StudiesReligion & Spirituality Education Judaism

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Typical duration
30 min
per episode

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Pardes from Jerusalem episodes

October 15, 2025 Bereshit 5786: Creation and Connection
What does the creation story teach us about our partnership with God?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Bereshit and what the creation story reveals about humanity’s relationship with God. They discuss how rain, prayer, and work symbolize dependence, gratitude, and partnership—and how the Torah calls us to balance effort with humility. Drawing on Midrash and Talmud, they contrast Rabbi Eliezer’s demand for precision with Rabbi Akiva’s compassion, uncovering a vision of creation grounded in divine presence, responsibility, and grace.
36 min
October 05, 2025 Sukkot 5786: Holding the Tension
What does it mean to choose obligation?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore the layered meanings of Sukkot—its joy, its duality, and its challenge. They discuss the beauty and symbolism of the sukkah and lulav while grappling with women’s exemption from these mitzvot and what it means to choose obligation.
34 min
September 28, 2025 Ha’azinu 5786: Forgiveness and Its Limits
What does it take for forgiveness to be real?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Ha’azinu and the themes of Yom Kippur through the lens of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They examine the Talmudic teaching that while Yom Kippur atones for sins between humans and God, it does not cover wrongs between people until forgiveness is sought and granted. Through stories of failed and successful reconciliations, they reflect on what it truly means to apologize, to forgive, and to let go—for the sake of others and for ourselves.
39 min
September 21, 2025 Vayelech 5785: Writing Torah, Living Torah
What does it mean to write Torah for ourselves today?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Vayelech . Join them as they discuss Moshe’s completion of the Torah, the mitzvah for every Jew to write a Sefer Torah, and the once-in-seven-years gathering of Hakhel as a reenactment of Sinai. The conversation explores how Torah is transmitted—through text, learning, and lived experience—and what it means to receive Torah anew in every generation.
33 min
September 14, 2025 Netzavim 5785: Tears of Hope
How do the tears of our ancestors guide our prayers today?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Shalhevet Cahana prepare for Rosh Hashanah through the lens of Parshat Netzavim and the holiday’s Torah readings. They explore the sound of the shofar as both coronation and weeping, and how the Torah highlights the tears of women—Sarah, Chana, and Rachel—as models of prayer. Against the backdrop of October 7 and its aftermath, they ask what it means to cry in a way that leads to resilience, protest, and hope.

This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and Dr. David I. Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z”l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families which perished in the Shoah.
37 min
September 07, 2025 Ki Tavo 5785: Gratitude and Hope
How can gratitude transform even the darkest moments into growth?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler explore Parshat Ki Tavo and its message of gratitude, resilience, and meaning. From the mitzvah of bringing first fruits to Isaiah’s words of consolation, they discuss how Torah helps us face trauma, despair, and anger with hope.
38 min
August 31, 2025 Ki Teitze 5785: War and Morality
Do our moral obligations change when we go to war?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Ki Teitzei and its surprising focus on the ethics of war. From the command to remember Amalek to laws about captives, newlyweds, and the holiness of the military camp, they show how the Torah insists that moral and spiritual responsibilities do not disappear in times of conflict. Even in war, Jewish law demands restraint, humanity, and awareness of God’s presence.

This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in honor of all Israelis who have endured so much since October 7, 2023. May the coming year bring peace and harmony to their lives.
37 min
August 24, 2025 Shoftim 5785: Justice and Responsibility
When tragedy strikes, what does true responsibility look like?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Sefi Kraut explore Parshat Shoftim and the strange ritual of the eglah arufah—the ceremony performed when a murder goes unsolved. They discuss how Torah refuses to let society shrug off responsibility, insisting that leaders confront tragedy publicly. Drawing on rabbinic debate, they explore two visions of communal accountability: law and order versus meeting basic human needs, raising timeless questions about how justice is pursued and society protects the vulnerable.
This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in memory of her very dear friend, Carolyn Mandel, Chana Rafaela bat Avraham v’Sara, who gave so much to her adopted homeland.
46 min
August 17, 2025 Re'eh 5785: Seeing the Sacred
What does it mean to see each moment as either a blessing or a curse?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Re’eh and Moshe’s call to “see” the blessing and the curse. They discuss how Torah frames life as a series of choices, not only in mitzvot but in how we perceive each moment. Drawing on Hasidic and spiritual practice, Yiscah teaches that every action—whether shopping in the shuk or giving tzedakah—can become an invitation to connect with God, if we choose to see it that way.
38 min
August 10, 2025 Eikev 5785: Living the Land
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Eikev and the deep connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. They discuss Moshe’s cautionary tales, the role of the land as both a blessing and a barometer of the nation’s spiritual life, and the tension between its material abundance and spiritual responsibility. The conversation asks what it means to live in a place where divine presence and accountability are inescapable.

This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in honor of all the teachers and students she has learned from at Pardes—especially through the weekly Parsha podcast.

41 min

About Pardes from Jerusalem

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Pardes from Jerusalem features a weekly discussion using Torah, Talmud and other Jewish texts to explain themes from the weekly Torah portion. The Pardes faculty is featured each week. For more…