A conversation about the lessons we can learn from Megillas Esther for our current times, walking through the doorways G-d calls us to, navigating responsibilities that we didn't sign up for, the synthesis of modern wisdom with Torah, differentiating between the sacred and unsacred, and how to begin developing a relationship with Torah study. 

Dr. Erica Brown is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University and the founding director of its Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. She previously served as the director of the Mayberg Center for Jewish Education and Leadership and an associate professor of curriculum and pedagogy at The George Washington University. Erica is the author or co-author of 15 books on leadership, the Hebrew Bible and spirituality. Erica has a daily podcast, “Take Your Soul to Work.” Her book Esther: Power, Fate and Fragility in Exile (Maggid) was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. Her latest book is Kohelet and the Search for Meaning (Maggid). She and her husband live in Maryland and have four children, another four through marriage, and six exquisite grandchildren. Explore more of her work at ericabrown.com.

Video episode is available on Youtube.

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Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

2:50 Welcome Dr. Erica Brown 

4:43 What We Can Learn from Megillas Esther 

10:10 How Can We Show Up Right Now?

12:58 A Relationship with G-d is Dynamic

15:10 Harnessing the Jewish Shift in the Diaspora 

18:00 The Power of Invitation

19:00 Developing a Personal Interest in Tanach

21:58 Bringing the Totality of Ourselves to the Text

23:10 The Story of Jonah: The Wishful Fantasy of Adulthood

24:45 When Your Responsibilities Feel Like Too Much 

27:58 Getting Guidance From Those Who Have Walked the Path

20:55 When You Didn't Sign Up for What Life is Asking of You

33:50 Asking for Help: Esther and Mordechai's Partnership 

35:05 The Mezuzah: Walking Through the Doorway With G-d

37:50 Bringing All Worlds of Wisdom to the Torah 

40:50 Filtering Out the Unholy

43:20 Will AI Change the Way We Study Torah?

47:10 Advice on Developing a Relationship with Torah Study