ParshaNut Podcast

Who were these princes that appear in this week's parsha to present tributes to the Tabernacle for their tribes? And how did they claim their titles? It turns out there is quite a backstory, but it must be carefully reconstructed from fragments spread out across the Torah.

The Book of Numbers, in Hebrew is called, "Bamidbar," or, "In the Desert." This week we explore the deeper meaning of that name with the help of a very, very old commentator: The Prophet Hosea.

This week, a deep dive into one wild and beautiful piece of commentary by the master, the great Rashi.

Some lines in the Torah just seem like dealbreakers. Like, what do we do with this:

For the Children of Israel are slaves to Me, they are My slaves. (Lev. 25:55)

Now what kind of God wants slaves? And is there any way of redeeming the religion after it declares a thing like this?  Our valiant commentators give it their best try!

This week we look at a different model for celebrating holidays - not the classic resting experience of Shabbat, but a more anxious kind of observance suggested by the lesser-known holiday, Shemini Atzeret. What could be the virtue of worry? Plenty, says 15th-century Italian commentator, Rabbi Ovadia Seforno.

Of all the forbidden idolatrous practices, the very worst is the Cult of Molech. For that god is to be pacified with child sacrifice. The Torah hates Molech, and anyone who dares to follow him is to be excommunicated forever! But there's one big problem with this law... Molech isn't the only one who asked for a child offering.

What is cultural judaism, exactly? So many Jews today identify as culturally Jewish, but would be hard-pressed to say exactly what they mean by that. Surprisingly, the Torah is also concerned with the question of cultural Judaism. A deep dive into one verse in this week's parsha reveals that, according to commentators, it isn't enough to just be religious; a Jew must also defend Jewish culture.

What's the connection between gossip and skin disease?

This week we explore how a condition in Leviticus often translated as 'leprosy' came to be understood as a punishment for speech crimes. Along the way, we compare 'textual' and 'conceptual' modes of Biblical interpretation.

The first person God created was a hermaphrodite.

I think that's all the preview you need for this one.

Something is wrong with the High Priest. He's seeing things. Are they visions from God, or demons from his past? 

This week we follow one of the greatest of the Medieval commentators, Moses Nachmanides, down a path of investigation that will reveal both the inner workings of Aaron the Priest, and the riches of parshanut.