When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, with the younger sibling receiving the greater blessing. The final example of this appears at Ya'akov's deathbed, where he blesses his descendants and uses his dominant hand to bless Ephraim, the younger of his two grandchildren.

In this week's episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Aviva Lauer for an examination of this strange reversal. Together, they examine the Torah's perspective on meritocracy, and discuss the difficult balance between needing structural hierarchies and creating conditions that allow each of us to shine in our own manner.

Credits: Aviva Lauer and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty

Vayehi 5784: An Inherited Meritocracy?

Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and guests each week for a thoughtful and engaging podcast discussion of the weekly Torah portion. Each week, Zvi will be joined by a guest for a deep dive into the text, unraveling the wisdom nestled within each Torah portion, exploring its timeless relevance, and uncovering contemporary insights.  Whether you’re a seasoned Torah scholar, an inquisitive seeker of knowledge, or simply someone looking for inspiration and wisdom, Pardes from Jerusalem provides you with thought-provoking conversations, invaluable lessons for personal growth, and deeper insight into Jewish texts.  Tune into this Pardes podcast for a creative, personal and brave journey as Zvi and guests leave no stone unturned in seeking to bring out meaning and significance from each Torah portion.

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Can we transform the "bread of affliction" into the "bread of redemption" this Passover?"

Yiscah Smith returns this week with a call for us to see ourselves ("l'rot atzmo") as leaving spiritual enslavement each Passover. Drawing from the Piazner Rebbe and Rav Kook, Yiscah illuminates how painful self-examination can allow for divine blessings and personal redemption to emerge. Grappling with the role of suffering, Yiscah shares a powerful lens for experiencing this holiday's liberating spirit, even amidst darkness.

Join us for this timely discussion imbued with hope on Pardes from Jerusalem.

Credits:
Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Pesach 5784: Unearthing Personal Freedom

Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora.
In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condition as merely a punishment. Drawing from insightful Jewish sources, he illuminates the possibility that tzara'at may in fact be a divine wake-up call - an opportunity for spiritual growth and course-correction, rather than simply a curse. Grappling with timeless questions of suffering and meaning, we'll explore this compelling perspective.
Credits:
Rabbi Jon Leener - Pardes North America Faculty
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

 

Metzora 5784: Transforming Curses into Blessings

How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives?

In this week's parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to highlight how these laws, though initially perplexing, offer profound insights into human behavior and ethics. By engaging critically with religious practice and moral conduct, listeners are encouraged to navigate the complexities of tradition and personal understanding.

Credits:
Rabbi Michael Hattin - Pardes Faculty
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Tazria 5784: Reimagining Ritual Purity

In this week’s episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh.

Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy draws a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, both occurring at crucial moments meant to elevate the spiritual consciousness of the Jewish people. Delving into these tragic events, we’re invited to contemplate profound questions: How do we grapple with our failures when we aren’t sure where we went wrong? Amidst the uncertainty and discord, are we able to chart a path towards growth and improvement?

Credits:
Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy - Pardes Faculty, Director of the Year Program and Rosh Beit Midrash
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Shemini 5784: Going Beyond Our Mistakes

Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us this week for an investigation of the eternal flame that burned upon the altar.

Contemplating the balance between the passion of the burning fire and the steadfastness of its daily lighting, Zvi and Nechama ask how we may infuse our own religious practices with both regularity and inspiration. As we discuss the altar upon which sacrifices were meant to be made, we'll also reflect on the sacrifices being made today by the youth of Israel during this time of conflict and the profound impact it has had on us.

Credits:
Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash - Pardes Faculty
Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Vayehi 5784: An Inherited Meritocracy?

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