On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

After four years of bringing you a new episode nearly every week, this podcast is taking a little break. Listen to this episode to learn more about our hiatus and where to find us in the meantime.

Most of us today aren't tasked with wandering through the desert, like the ancient Israelites were... but we still find plenty to kvetch about! What if, instead of focusing on small annoyances, we turned to community-building and togetherness? This episode first aired in May 2018.

Parashat Naso, the longest of all the Torah portions, features a famous blessing – but what does it mean for us to bless one another? Is it a power reserved for clergy, or is it something any of us can do? In this episode, which first aired in May 2017, Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about what kind of actions constitute a blessing and who, exactly, we have the ability to bless.

Chag Sameach and welcome to a special Shavuot edition of On the Other Hand! On this week's holiday episode, Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about Ruth, her connection to this unique Jewish festival, and what her story of unity and bridge-building means for us as we celebrate Shavuot today.

Parashat Naso includes a passage about the sotah, the "errant woman" who is accused of adultery. It's a complex and problematic part of ancient Judaism, says Rabbi Rick Jacobs, so sometimes it's deliberately avoided. In this episode, though, which originally aired in June 2019, we deliberatly dive into figuring out what it means to us today.

The Torah commands us to take a census of the "whole Israelite community" – but who does the counting, and who, exactly, is counted? In this episode, which first aired in June 2019, Rabbi Rick Jacobs reflects on the Jewish community's chronic undercounting Jews of Color, as reported by a recent study. What does it mean to make equitable choices, and what will it take to truly count the entirety of our community?

How much do you care about the environment? Yourself? Other people? Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about our fundamental responsibility to care for God's earth and attend to the neediest among us. It's not a newfangled, 21st-century idea; it's literally what our age-old biblical text calls for. So how do we do it? (This episode originally aired in May 2017.)

In ancient times, crimes of blasphemy were punished by stoning - but what does it really mean today to blaspheme? Rabbi Rick Jacobs explains the biblical prohibition against Chilul HaShem, desecrating God's name, and talks about what we are called to do to combat it. (This episode originally aired in May 2019.)

Let's talk about love: Torah talks about three kinds of love - and in fact, the phrase "love the stranger" appears in the Torah 36 times. Why is it written so often? Who is "the stranger," anyway? And who might be the strangers in our own lives? In this episode, which originally aired in April 2017, Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about what it means to move from strangeness to equality to, finally, closeness and love.

For many Jews, Parashiyot Tazria and M'tzora are perhaps the most nerve-inducing of all the Torah portions. After all, none of us is exactly eager to discuss leprosy - or the fact that, in our ancient Jewish texts, illness is often seen as a metaphor for punishment for sin. In this episode, which originally aired in April 2017, Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about the very real, important lessons to come out of these two portions, including the reminder to us all to be careful with our speech - especially gossip.

Parashat Sh'mini tells of the deaths of two men who are though to have been punished for the sin was innovation - but today, don't we look at innovation as a positive thing? In this episode, originally released in March 2019, Rabbi Rick Jacobs says, "Innovators in Jewish life have always had serious pushback." Why? And what can we do about it? He encourages us to think about how we can continue to reboot and rekindle Jewish life.

Why is this Passover not like all other Passovers? How can we observe this festival meaningfully and connected to one another during this COVID-19 pandemic? How can we use Passover's plagues to inspire us to combat the literal and figurative plagues that infect humanity today? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs shares his insight and advice for making this year's Passover one that is unique yet equally fulfilling and hopeful. To learn more about how to plan creatively for this year's festivities, visit ReformJudaism.org/homeseder and URJ.org/covidresources.

Jewish wisdom says a child's Torah education should start with the Book of Leviticus. As we read its second portion, Parashat Tzav, we share an episode that first ran in 2018, just after a school shooting in Parkland, FL, killed 17 people and injured 17 more. Rabbi Rick Jacobs stresses the importance of fighting for and with our young people, raising up the Jewish teens who, amid tragedy, mobilized for gun violence prevention.

How can we find modern meaning in ancient rituals? From our "greatest hits" collection comes this episode from March 2019, featuring Rabbi Rick Jacobs in conversation with acclaimed author A.J. Jacobs, perhaps best known for his book The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally As Possible. Together, they talk Parashat Vayikra, the evolution of Jewish tradition, and adopting an attitude of gratitude.

Four years after launching our weekly Torah podcast, we're getting ready to shake things up a little! Exciting new changes are coming to On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah – so take a quick listen to this special announcement for a sneak peek of what to expect in the days and weeks to come.

In Vayak'heil-P'kudei, we see that God was so pleased with the Israelites' sacred space (the Tabernacle) that God's own presence descended upon them as they wandered through the desert. This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs is joined by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, NE who discusses how the Initiative came to be, how he co-created this "sacred space" with local Muslim and Christian leaders, and how our Reform congregations can do the same with other local faith communities.

What is the Jewish approach to anger? How do we deal with it in a way that's healthy? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores Parashah Ki Tisa and explores God's anger toward the Israelites for their idolatry as well as the impact that our own anger can have on ourselves.

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs takes a look at parashat T'tzaveh, in which the Israelites are commanded to create the ner tamid (eternal light) in the Tabernacle. He wonders: How is light symbolic in the Jewish tradition, and how can we best shine our own light toward others?

In this week's Parashah, the Israelites contribute whatever they can to Moses in order to help build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Join Rabbi Rick Jacobs and special guest Andrés Spokoiny (President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network - https://www.jfunders.org) as they discuss how we, similarly, can work together to build something sacred to benefit and support others for generations to come.

What does it mean to be "mindful," to truly slow down and pay attention to what's happening in our daily lives? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores this question through Parashat Misphatim when God beckons Moses to not only come up to a mountain, but to also "be" there.

In Parashat Yitro, we are instructed to honor our parents, in part so that we may live longer lives. Rabbi Rick Jacobs takes a look at this commandment and wonders: What does honoring our parents mean, especially as our parents grow older, or if our relationships with them are complicated?

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashat B'shalach and the powerful image of Aaron and Hur lifting Moses' hands as he grew weary. How can this story inspire us to lift our own hands in prayer and in strengthening one another, and how can we share leadership equitably the way our patriarchs did in this story?

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs takes a look at Parashat Bo and the behaviors of the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt. He asks how we can use this story's moral framework, and our Jewish texts to understand and contextualize the idea of reparations owed to the descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans in the United States today.

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashat Va'eira and reflects on the commonalities between revolutionary leaders like Moses and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and how important it is that we fight tirelessly against injustice.

This week, as we move into the book of Exodus, we transition from learning about Joseph to learning about another Jewish leader: Moses. Rabbi Rick Jacobs wonders what it means to be a Jewish leader, and how leaders like Joseph, Moses, and others can inspire us to lead and serve in our communities today.

In the closing portion of the book of Genesis, Joseph finds out his father is ill. Rabbi Jacobs, reflecting on his own experience with family illness, invites us to better understand what it means to "heal" others through our actions and our words, bringing us closer both to the Divine and to one another.

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs sits with Jeremy Fingerman, CEO of The Foundation for Jewish Camp, to discuss the impact and benefit that Jewish summer camp has on so many young people. They make a connection between Joseph's relationship with his brother Judah, from this week's Torah portion, and how that connects to the sense of growth that summer camp fosters.

As this week's Torah portion focuses on Joseph and his brothers, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses another band of "brothers," the Maccabees, and how their victory and the miracle of the oil can inspire us to shine our light on the rest of the world.

In this week's Torah portion, as Joseph searches for his brothers, he also seeks the shalom (peace) that comes with rebuilding their relationship. How can we, too, find shalom through connecting with one another? Rabbi Jacobs sits down with Israeli musician David Broza, an intercultural bridge-builder himself, to answer this question and learn about how he found his shalom through music and connecting with others.

In Parashah Vayishlach, we find Jacob transforming a site into a holy and special place. Rabbi Rick Jacobs wonders what it means to make a place special and how we ascribe meaning to places near and dear to us.

Many of us lead busy lives, but what if we were to take just one moment each day to simply "be present"? Rabbi Jacobs uses the story of Jacob's dream to guide us in meditating Jewishly so we can connect more deeply to the Divine, to ourselves, and to one another.

This week, Rabbi Jacobs discusses Parashat Tol'dot, or "The generations." Like Rebecca and her son Jacob, Rabbi Jacobs asks: Are we as parents inclined to put unrealistic expectations on our children? How can we help them grow to be their own unique, fulfilled individuals?

Sometimes, what isn't said is more provoking than what is said. This week, Rabbi Jacobs brings a curiosity about what the Torah doesn't tell us about Sarah's death, namely the relationship between Isaac and Ishmael, and how their moment of unity in grief can remind us to push our differences aside and come together as one.

What can the akeidah (binding of Isaac) teach us about loving God and loving one another? In this week's Torah portion, Vayeira, Rabbi Jacobs explores the deeper meaning behind this challenging text and how it can test us, much like Abraham himself was tested, to love all of God's creations authentically and deeply.

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs recounts his experience studying dance while in Rabbinical School, how partaking in an interpretive dance about Abraham, Sarah and Hagar challenged him theologically and artistically. He challenges us to think how we, too, can appreciate the art of dance to tell the Jewish story.

In Judaism, it's common to perform ritual and celebrate festivals with a glass of wine, but how do we do so while honoring those in recovery and their loved ones? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about Parashat Noach and how Noah's troubled relationship with alcohol can shed light on how we partner ritual and wine Jewishly and responsibly. Find us on social media to share your thoughts: ReformJudaism.org: @ReformJudaism Rabbi Rick Jacobs: @URJPresident Union for Reform Judaism: @URJorg

What's your creative process? How do you begin? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashat B'reishit, which is all about Creation and the very beginning of everything. In his conversation with special guest, musician, artist and activist David Broza, David shares how to navigate chaos and focus on what is good and what can ultimately become good, if we are willing to step up and create it. Our episode ends with David serenading us with just that message. Want to hear more from David Broza? Visit the ReformJudaism.org blog for our exclusive interview with him. Be sure to visit his website and follow him on Twitter @DavidBroza.

This week is Chol HaMo-eid Sukkot, the six days between the festival of Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Join us as Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses the importance of recognizing how the vulnerability of the temporary structure we create each year connects with our greater obligations to the world around us.

This week with Yom Kippur we are continuing the theme of forgiveness. Rabbi Rick Jacobs revisits the story of Jonah and talks about how we must do what we can to create and support compassion.

It's that time of year, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, where we are celebrating the New Year and contemplating our previous actions, while thinking about what comes next. Is there someone or something from this past year that just seems impossible to forgive? This week Rabbi Rick Jacobs talks about forgiveness and the burden of keeping our grievances alive.

This week we read Parashat Nitzavim, and we ring in the year 5780. Join us as Rabbi Rick Jacobs shares memories of Rosh HaShanah and enjoying the unique holiday customs and rituals within our Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities, and discusses the sweetness of sharing them with each other. Shanah Tovah!

In this week's Parashah, Ki Tavo, we are told to follow the commandments and uphold our covenants, as there will be blessings if we do, but curses if we do not. Rabbi Rick Jacobs reflects on the various types of covenants that we experience and agree to throughout our lives, and the responsibilities, and indeed blessings, that come with keeping our word to each other, to God and to ourselves.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Ki Teitzei, his Bar Mitzvah portion, which mentions the ethical constraints and restrictions that a person must consider, when going into war. Joining the conversation is this week's guest, Rear Admiral Rabbi Harold L. Robinson, the highest ranking Jewish Chaplain in the history of the United States military, as they reflect on, among other things, how one's values are tested, when faced with possibly endangering yourself, at the risk of doing what's right.

In this week's Torah portion, Parashat Shof'tim, Moses tells the people of Israel to select judges for every city. Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses the standards that Moses set for those judges, how they are still relevant today, and what we must we do when those standards aren't met.

When are the times that you knew you needed to show up and be present? This week Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashah R'eih, the three pilgrimage festivals of Passover, Sukkot, and Shavuot, and how our pilgrimages can connect us not only to each other and our ancestors, but our friends and partners of other faiths as well.

Rabbi Rick Jacob's reflection on Parashah Eikev, teaches about how imperative it is that as we encounter the natural ups and downs of life, we really try to remove the layers and get to the heart of the matter. He emphasizes that we must remain open to honest emotion, compassion, love and even vulnerability.

What was the most inspirational advice or speech or quote you ever heard? Who is the person that changed your life for the better? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses Parashah Va-et'chanan, sharing words from Rabbi Harold Schulweis, where we learn that it only takes one - one moment, one person, one God - to inspire us, and to move us.

Often, we think about what actions we might've taken during trying moments in history -- but what are we doing right now? It's not always easy to step forward. As Moses teaches us in this week's Parashah, D'varim, and Rabbi Rick Jacobs reminds us by relating his experience at the Texas/Mexico border last week, learning to be a strong, yet fair leader may be challenging and even alienating at times, but it's always worth it.

We all face difficult decisions, but how do we reconcile our obligations and the repercussions of our actions? We should always ask ourselves – what is the better or kinder way to speak, to listen and to act? This week, as we learn about Matot-Mas'ei, Rabbi Rick Jacobs discusses the complications of ethics and war, hard choices, and the necessity of incorporating our moral compasses in the most challenging of times.

What happens when zealotry is mistaken for passion? How do we measure our responses and find the humanity in each other during tense times? Rabbi Rick Jacobs delves into the unexpected lessons found in this week's Parashah, Pinchas, through a Torah lens as well as how that applies to modern-day Israeli politics.