PODCAST · religion
Raising Holy Sparks
by Rabbi Misha Clebaner
Get that Judaism out of your head and into your hands! This year on the 'Raising Holy Sparks' podcast we will focus on Jewish ideas and we will be asking how we can live them out in a personal and meaningful way. We will strive to take the abstract and theoretical concepts of Judaism and turn them into the practical. Rabbi Misha Clebaner is a passionate educator of Judaism and Spirituality.
Episodes
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Practical Judaism - Bo
As global cultures have shifted in the past century, traditional conceptions of women in religion are starting to shift as well. Yet these ideas are not entirely new. Although the first Eastern European Jewish school for girls started in 1907, there was a school for Sephardic girls in London that...
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Practical Judaism - Va'era
There are a variety of reasons that we may be happy at the exact same moment when someone else is in pain or failing. In the case of this teaching from the Talmud, the angels cheering on the Israelites were happy to see the slavemasters and charioteers of the Egyptian Pharoah drowning in the Sea…
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Practical Judaism - Shemot
Clothing can be transformative. It can help us connect to our heritage. It can make us feel beautiful. It can take us from feeling down and out and transform us into feeling like we RUN the world! There is a teaching that says the Israelites were worthy of redemption because they stayed true to...
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Practical Judaism - Vayechi
In this week's torah portion of Vayechi, we conclude the Book of Genesis with a lesson on assertiveness and self-advocacy from Joseph as he gently reprimands his father, Jacob, for giving the correct blessing to the wrong child. What an act of bravery and courage! How rare it is to reprimand an...
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Practical Judaism - Vayigash
In this week's parasha of Vayigash, the story of Joseph comes full circle. It starts off with him being hated by his brothers for his over-active imagination and wild dreams. But now, it is these very dreams and his ability to interpret dreams that allows for him to rise through the ranks of the...
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Practical Judaism - Hanukkah
What is the difference between a ceremony and a holiday? In a wedding ceremony, for example, you perform rituals and recite specific words with the intention that you will try your hardest to fulfill them. You are committing yourself to those ideas. A holiday is a celebration of someone else that...
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Practical Judaism - Vayeshev
In this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, Joseph has a dream of his brothers bowing down to him. This leads them into a furious rage and they sell him to slave traders heading to Egypt. When we have a dream, some may call us crazy or unrealistic. Others may be offended by our big ideas. Yet…
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Practical Judaism - Vayishlach
In this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob has his name changed to Israel - the one who wrestles with God (sar el). The concept of God is a tricky concept. In my experience, I have found two main obstacles for someone having a relationship with G-O-D. The first obstacles are the classical...
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Practical Judaism – Vayetze
In this week's Torah portion of Vayetze, Jacob is exhausted from being on the run from his brother Esau after getting his blessing through deceptive means. He finds himself at a random location, later Jewish thinkers say that it is Jerusalem. The same commentators say that God made the sun set...
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Practical Judaism - Toldot
Step 1, find a red lentil recipe that you like. Step 2, enjoy the soup and the blessings in your life with humility and gratitude. Step 3, pay it forward and share blessings with others.
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Practical Judaism - Chayei Sarah
In this week's Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, we meet Isaac for the very first time since he was nearly sacrificed by his father, Abraham. When we meet Isaac in his state of PTSD, we find him out in the field meditating before the sun is ready to set. Isaac is no longer content to trust his…
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Practical Judaism - Vayera
"Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them." What about those that don't run to grab an opportunity or tackle a challenge? It's important to remember that psychologists say that "procrastination is an emotion...
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Practical Judaism - Lech Lecha
In the Talmud, it is taught that "everyone has a share in the World To Come except for some, this includes the one who humiliates another in public and one who calls another by a derogatory name." When we are called by our chosen name (or title, or pronouns, or whatever it may be) we are seen for...
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Practical and Embodied Judaism – Parasha Noach
One of the many best selling books of Rabbi Harold Kushner is called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" however most people often think it is called "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People". Yet there is no why or why not. Chaos is simply baked into the fabric of the universe. Chaos can be...
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Practical and Embodied Judaism - Parasha Beresheet
Welcome to the new season of the 'Raising Holy Sparks' podcast. This year, we will be focusing on the ideas of Judaism and will strive to take them out of the theoretical and instead turn them into the practical. Dr. Dan Siegel taught 'name it to tame it'. The idea was for people to label…
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Weekly Torah Portion – Devarim
Asking for help is a trait that must be practiced. In the book of Exodus it is Moses' father-in-law that suggests that the Israelite leader create a system of delegates. Yet, in our parsha of Devarim, it is Moses himself that asks for help. Either way, the importance of seeking support reigns...
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Weekly Torah Portion – Shelach Lecha
This week's torah portion is the source of the 3rd paragraph of the Shema/VeAhavta and it instructs us to wear 'tzit-tzit', the fringes at the corners of our garments. How powerful can a ritual to wear fringes be? This uniform custom has been practised by the Jewish people across time and space....
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Special Holiday Edition - Shavuot
The real focus of the Ten Commandments is not how a 'person' acts; instead, it is about how 'people' respond to one another. The hope is not that we be perfect beings but rather that we be present and engaged ones. Each commandment is an invitation to be a better partner in the relationship. I Am…
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Weekly Torah Portion – Ba'Midbar
In Hebrew, writing 'in the desert' is spelled using the same four letters as writing 'through the act of speaking'. Both speech and deserts can lead to great confusion. What is the oasis when it comes to communicating our emotions? - Song!
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Weekly Torah Portion – Behar-Bechukotai
In Exodus the Israelites are commanded to observe Shabbat. In this week's torah portion they are commanded to allow the land to rest every seven years - Shemitah. While there are economic benefits to rest and renewal, there are also many economic fears. Nevertheless, mitzvot are not given based...
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Emor
The upcoming holiday of Lag B'Omer commemorates the end of a plague that struck the students of Rabbi Akiva. It is said they were struck by plague because of their bitterness and pettiness against one another. This stands in stark contrast to Rabbi Akiva who taught that love of your fellow human…
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Achrei Mot-Kedoshim
"The Golden Rule".. perhaps the most commonly quoted commandment from the whole of Torah: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. When it comes to this principle, due to certain subconscious tendencies, we often lie to ourselves in order to preserve the created version of who we think we...
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Weekly Torah Portion – Tazria-Metzora
This week's torah portion Tazria-Metzora discusses the skin malady called 'tzara'at'. Once the sick individual completes their 7-day quarantine, the Cohen then comes to inspect the skin to ensure they have indeed healed completely. Why are the cohanim the ones that check for healing? Where are…
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Weekly Torah Portion – Shemini
This week's torah portion of Shemini (8th Day) tells the story of a new chapter for the Israelites and its priestly system. New beginnings are rarely ever 'entirely' new. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
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Special Holiday Edition - Passover/Pesach
The Counting of the Omer is a 49 day journey from our Exodus out of Egypt towards receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai. How much Torah we receive depends entirely on how much we free ourselves during these days. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Tzav
In the Talmud, Rabbi Perida is asked how he achieved so many blessings and longevity in life. He responds that he never ate his meal until the portions that are designated for the priests to eat are set aside. In short, he understood that to be a healthy person, to have healthy and sustainable...
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayikra
Genesis asks us "what does it mean to be a human being". Exodus asks "what does it mean to be a Jew". But Leviticus gives us answers. It is the book of action. During this time of coronavirus, the priority must be immediate action, even if we are filled with uncertainty.
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Weekly Torah Portion – Vayakhel & Pekudei
Social distancing and Self Isolation during the time of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is going to be as tough and long as a marathon. At the end of a marathon you run through the tape at the finish line. In this week's torah portion at the end of building of the tabernacle, a special ritual takes place....
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Weekly Torah Portion – Ki Tisa
In this parsha of Ki Tisa, Moses descends from Mt Sinai after having been in contact with God. His face shined such a radiant light that he needed to wear a veil. What does Moses' revealing and concealing of the light of inspiration teach us about holding on to the glory of yesterday at the…
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Tetzaveh
In this week's torah portion of Tetzaveh we learn of the special outfits that the high priests and regular priests would wear when they served in the mishkan- the tabernacle. This is the same outfit the Jews are buried in after the ritual of tahara.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Terumah
In the torah portion of Terumah, the theme of equal access to all is continued. God is not to be found only in the Heavens, instead, God says 'build for Me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell in your midst." Judaism is the religion of close contact between humankind and the holy. Let us continue to...
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Weekly Torah Portion – Mishpatim
In this week's parsha of Mishpatim the Israelites say to God "naaseh ve'nishmah" - all that you say we will do and we will hear." This proclamation of faith and support demonstrates the necessity for hope and belief even when one does not yet know all of the details for what is to come.
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Weekly Torah Portion – Yitro
In this week's parsha of Yitro, God descends to Mt Sinai in a thick murky cloud to give the people the 10 commandments. While the Israelites keep a safe distance, Moses steps into the fog to meet God. This is what we must to.. embrace mystery or miss out on the whole thing.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Beshalach
In the torah portion of Beshalach, the Israelites finally escape from Egypt and make their way to the Promised Land. As they roam through the desert they begin to complain of hunger. They are given manna. Soon they will complain about that as well. What does their story teach us about a positive...
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Bo
In this week's torah portion of Bo we find the final 3 of the 10 plagues against the Egyptians. We also find the very first commandment given to the Israelites - that they must mark each new moon, Rosh Chodesh. Time, more than space, is the focus of sanctification in Judaism.
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Weekly Torah Portion – Va'era
In this week's torah portion of Va'era we have the first seven of the ten plagues against the Egyptians. In the context of Moses striking down the task-master that was beating a slave and the drowning of the Egyptians in the Sea.. the question remains how should we feel about the use of violence?
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Weekly Torah Portion – Shemot
This week's torah portion, Shemot, marks the beginning of the second book of Torah - the Book Of Exodus. In these early stories of moving towards liberation, we find a Moses who is hesitant to lead the people out of slavery: what if they do not listen to me, he asks. Yet they do. Most of the time...
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayechi
In this week's torah portion of Vayechi, the last section from the book of Genesis, we have the passing of Jacob and Joseph. Both give big speeches to their family before they die. Why wait to share your greatest wisdom to till the end? Have you ever heard of living eulogies? Now is the time to...
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayigash
In this week's torah portion of Vayigash, we find Jacob getting ready to head out from Be'er Sheva and travel to Egypt to reunite with his son, Joseph. Before he begins this journey with his whole family (all together they are 70) he send Judah ahead first. Some commentators say it was to…
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Weekly Torah Portion – Miketz
In this week's torah portion of "Miketz", Joseph names his two sons Ephraim and Menashe. To this day as parents bless their sons on Shabbat evening by saying "may you be blessed as Ephraim and Menashe". Tune in to hear about ideas for kids conversations at Shabbat dinner.
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Weekly Torah Portion – Vayeshev
In this week's torah portion of Vayeshev Joseph tells his brothers of his dreams of them prostrating low before him. Surprisingly, or rather predictably, he finds himself in the bottom of a pit - cast away by those very same brothers. Yet, who we were is not who we will become.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayishlach
In this week's Torah portion of "Vayishlach", we find a Jacob that is wrestling with an angel all through the night. During the battle, Jacob says "I refuse to let go until you have blessed me." Afterwards, his name is changed to Israel - the one that wrestles with God.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayetzei
In this week's Torah portion of Vayetzei, we find a Jacob who is so focused on his journey to find himself a wife that he nearly misses an encounter with God. In what ways are we, too, like Jacob hurtling towards our future goals at the expense of missing out on the present?
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Weekly Torah Portion - Toldot
This weeks torah portion of "Toldot", we find an Isaac that is both innovator and also traditionalist. As he is travelling, Isaac discovers the wells dug by his father Abraham. He re-opens them and maintains the names that his father had given them. He then goes on to dig three new wells of his own.
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Weekly Torah Portion - Chayei Sarah
This weeks torah portion of Chayei Sarah opens with the death of Sarah and concludes with the death of Abraham. Ishmael, the forgotten son, reunites with Isaac to bury their father. The Jewish tradition seems to despise figures like Ishmael and Esau. Why?
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayera
What are the connections between laughing and crying? It's all just air and water.. shortness of breath in our lungs and tears in our eyes. This weeks Torah portion of Vayera has two pivotal stories involving these actions. A reminder of the importance of showing how we are feeling.
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Weekly Parshah Reflections – Lech Lecha
Welcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. This week, we look at the parshah of Lech Lecha - of Abraham's journey to the land that God will show him. This section raises interesting questions about ownership of land.. but perhaps that is the wrong question.
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Weekly Torah Portion - Noach
For the Parshah of Noah, we dive deep into the flood to learn the important lesson about listening to the universe before it's too late.
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Weekly Torah Portion - Beresheit
Welcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. Over the course of the next 12 months, we will go through the weekly Torah portions as we go in search of the holy sparks hidden in plain sight. We begin this week with the first parshah of the Book of Genesis.
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Episode 42: Fighting the Erasure of Women in Judaism w/Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll
The Raising Holy Sparks podcast will be switching formats from interviews to weekly torah portion highlights - where we search for the holy sparks hidden amidst the seemingly ordinary. For our final interview we are joined by Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Get that Judaism out of your head and into your hands! This year on the 'Raising Holy Sparks' podcast we will focus on Jewish ideas and we will be asking how we can live them out in a personal and meaningful way. We will strive to take the abstract and theoretical concepts of Judaism and turn them into the practical. Rabbi Misha Clebaner is a passionate educator of Judaism and Spirituality.
HOSTED BY
Rabbi Misha Clebaner
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Raising Holy Sparks have?
Raising Holy Sparks currently has 96 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Raising Holy Sparks about?
Get that Judaism out of your head and into your hands! This year on the 'Raising Holy Sparks' podcast we will focus on Jewish ideas and we will be asking how we can live them out in a personal and meaningful way. We will strive to take the abstract and theoretical concepts of Judaism and turn them...
How often does Raising Holy Sparks release new episodes?
Raising Holy Sparks has 96 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Raising Holy Sparks?
You can listen to Raising Holy Sparks on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Raising Holy Sparks?
Raising Holy Sparks is created and hosted by Rabbi Misha Clebaner.
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