The Parasha with Rabbi Dweck

In this episode, we explore the figure of the Nazir in Parashat Naso and the Torah’s nuanced approach to spirituality and physicality. We discuss the balance between restraint and engagement, showing how Judaism promotes sanctity not through withdrawal from the world, but through full, mindful participation in it.

This year we go straight to the very end of the parasha. It closes with a warning to protect the lives of the Kehat family who are tasked with transporting the vessels of the holy of holies. They must not see the dismantling and packing of the vessels! Lest they die.

In this episode we explore this peculiar command and the essential principles we learn from it for our lives.

The book of Vayikra ends with hard warnings against Israel should they walk with God with indifference. He too will be indifferent to them and the world will feel as though it is turning on them. Subsequently there is an intriguing mitzvah presented that deals with what's called "Temura" or "exchange". Prohibiting one from attempting to exchange an animal that was given to God for an offering with a different animal whether it be better or worse.

In this episode we examine the problem with that and how fear and the need for control underlies it, as well as why it is related to the issue of indifference.

This parasha speaks of the restrictions for Kohanim (priests of Israel) in terms of the prohibition to come in contact with dead bodies, the prohibitions on marriage with certain women, and the restrictions on which kohanim can perform the Temple Service.

There are a lot of restrictions. In this episode we discuss restriction as boundary and why they are so important in our lives.

In this episode, we explore the twin parashot of Ahare Mot and Kedoshim and the Torah’s vision of holiness not as separation from the world, but as meaningful engagement within it. From the Temple service of Yom Kippur that allowed the Kohen Gadol to enter past God's most inner boundaries to the ethical demands of everyday life, and the boundaries we set for ourselves and those that we must respect with others. We consider what it means to be a unique, unrepeatable individual in society and how important it is to see others that way.

*This class is a recording from 2022*

In this episode, we delve into the spiritual meaning of tsara’at, traditionally misunderstood as a physical disease but described by the Torah as a divine response to moral failings—especially leshon hara (negative speech). We explore how careless or harmful speech reflects a distorted inner vision and undermines both community and self.

Looking at what it means to be kadosh. The importance of identity and the ease of holding boundaries when that is clear and present.

In this episode that opens the book of Vayikra, we focus on the book's (and parasha's) first word. Famously it is spelled with a small alef in Hebrew. We explore the difference between the word with and without the alef and how central it is to our lives and our service of God and His world.

Pekude closes the book of Exodus and seems a bit anticlimactic. After epic narratives of plagues, splitting sea, and miracles galore, we are left with...accounts. A virtual spreadsheet of materials used in the construction of the Mishkan. In this episode we explore we this is where the great book of Exodus closes and what we might learn from it for our own lives.

Moses has returned with new tablets after shattering the first pair. He has negotiated not only forgiveness for the Children of Israel after the Golden Calf debacle, he has also made an agreement with God that He would dwell amongst the people. So Moses presents the Mishkan project and asks for the people to contribute to it. But this is no ordinary project, it will create the circumstances for God's presence to dwell amongst the people. They will need to bring their very souls, not just their gold and silver. In this episode we explore the nature of this giving and what it entails.