PODCAST · religion
This Week in Learning
by Ben Torah
This podcast presents a carefully curated Torah topic, raises critical questions, and offers analysis and insight. It does some of the preliminary research for you. Independent thinking is still required. bentorah.substack.com
Episodes
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Teshuva in Transition
Dear Readers, I have historically taken a writing hiatus over the summer. I’m grateful to be able to post a new idea in advance of Rosh HaShanah. Please find my 5785 High Holiday Reader linked and below for a compendium of previous articles. Wishing you and yours a כתיבה וחתימה טובה and a שנה…
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Tension and Strength
Rebbe Akiva is a towering figure in Jewish history. He appears throughout the Talmud, where he is cited for his halakhic opinions and as the central character in many stories. While originally a junior member of the Sages, he eventually becomes the leader of his generation. תלמוד בבלי – יבמות ס"ב...
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National Communication
The Parsha of Kedoshim contains an array of Mitzvot. It begins with the exhortation to the Jewish people to “be holy”. Notably Moshe is told to convey this message to “the entire congregation of the Jewish people”. ויקרא י”ט (ב) דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־כׇּל־עֲדַ֧ת בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֥ אֲלֵהֶ֖ם...
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Remembering Shabbat and the Exodus
The exodus from Egypt was a foundational event in the history of the Jewish people. It transformed us from a family into a nation, from slaves to a people pursuing their own destiny, into a community that affirms the Oneness of God. We acknowledge this event daily, and celebrate it during the...
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Gold and the Manifestation of the Divine
The Torah provides an elaborate description of the construction of the Mishkan. It includes materials and measurements for the structure itself and the articles inside. Parshat Pekudei provides some accounting. שמות לח:כד (כד) כׇּל־הַזָּהָ֗ב הֶֽעָשׂוּי֙ לַמְּלָאכָ֔ה בְּכֹ֖ל מְלֶ֣אכֶת הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ...
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Banality and Bureaucracy
After an assassination plot against the king is revealed, Haman is promoted to Prime Minister. In this capacity, all are required to bow down to him by order of the king. Mordechai refuses to bow down. While Haman doesn’t personally notice, it is brought to his attention and he is furious. אסתר ג...
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Pagan and Jewish Philosophies of Pleasure
The opening scene of the Megilah portrays two elaborate parties hosted by King Achashveirosh, emperor of the Persian empire. The first party of 180 days entertained the nobles. It was political in nature, designed to consolidate his power across 127 provinces. He then hosted a 7-day party for the...
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The Building Blocks of Jewish Society
Moshe’s father-in-law Yitro joins the Jewish people in the desert following the exodus from Egypt. He is overjoyed to hear of the people’s salvation. He brings offerings with Moshe and celebrates with the elders. The following day, he observes Moshe judging the people. He is critical of the...
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Restoration and Redemption
When Moshe first approaches Pharaoh, he makes a specific request that the Jewish people be granted 3 days respite to worship in the desert. Pharaoh refuses, and Moshe persists with this request during the debate that takes place throughout the subsequent 10 plagues. When Moshe is first instructed...
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Intergenerational Commitment
The first Pesach offering was conducted on the eve of the exodus from Egypt. The Jewish people were commanded to perform this service in a specific fashion. Some requirements were unique to that first offering, while others remained in effect throughout the generations. שמות יב (מח)…
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Acknowledging God Across Generations
At the end of his life, Yaakov gathers his children together and proffers his last will and testament. The text in the Torah records a statement about each of his children. They include specific qualities about the individual and many hint at events in the future of the Jewish people. בראשית מט –...
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Imperfect and Sustainable Leadership
After what appeared to be a successful encounter with the Egyptian ruler, the brothers head home to their father Jacob. But after leaving the city limits, they are accused of larceny. Binyamin Is found guilty and condemned to be a slave. The Torah notes that all the brothers tore their garments…
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The Moral Economy
At the beginning of Parshat Miketz, we follow the story of Yosef in Egypt. Pharaoh has dreams which no one can interpret. Yosef is brought from prison to the palace and successfully interprets the dreams. There will be 7 years of plenty followed by 7 years of famine. He then suggests a prudent...
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The New Moon of Tomorrow
There is an interesting Gemara in Rosh Hashanah that deal with a particular instance of sanctifying the new moon. תלמוד בבלי – ראש השנה כה. רַבִּי חִיָּיא חַזְיֵיא לְסֵיהֲרָא דַּהֲוָה קָאֵי בְּצַפְרָא דְּעֶשְׂרִים וְתִשְׁעָה שְׁקַל קָלָא פְּתַק בֵּיהּ אֲמַר לְאוּרְתָּא בָּעֵינַן לְקַדּוֹשֵׁי…
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The Integrated Personality
We are confronted with the death of our matriarch Sarah at the beginning of the Parsha. It lists the age at which she died, but does so in a manner that has caught the attention of the commentators and any careful reader. בראשית כג א) וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים…
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Echo Chambers and the Tower of Bavel
This week’s article in PDF: Recap of articles related to Noach: The moral corruption of the generation of the flood is explicitly outlined by the Torah. The error of the generation that built the Tower of Bavel is not explicit (Beresheit Rabbah 38:6). We know the episode resulted in a dispersion…
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National and Personal Teshuva
The sounding of the Shofar is a central mitzvah of Rosh Hashanah. The Rambam explains that the institution is designed to wake us from our slumber, from being lost in the fleeting endeavors of our times, to do Teshuva and remember our creator (Laws of Teshuva 3:4). While we are used to seeing the...
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The Hidden and Revealed
In the concluding sections of Moshe’s final speech to the Jewish people, he reminds them of the binding covenant between the people and God that spans generations. A promise made to our forefathers playing out in the generation about to enter the land of Israel, extends also to future members of...
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A Snapshot of Jewish Society
The Parsha of Ki Teitze has the highest density of commandments of any weekly section of the Torah. This expansive set of 74 mitzvot do not appear to be clearly related to one another. A range includes returning lost objects, keeping one’s commitments, and maintaining even weights and measures.…
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Leadership and Responsibility
In the Torah-based society, there are different categories of of leaders. Parshat Shoftim discusses judges who determine justice, officials who implement the rulings, and Kohanim serving as spiritual leaders and guides based in the Temple, the paradigm of spiritual leaders throughout the...
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The First Chapters of Jewish History
The book of Bemidbar, the fourth of the five books of the Torah, contains an array of historical events. It seems to contrast with the previous book of Vayikra substantially. The transition and progression is not immediately clear. In his introduction to the Book of Bemidbar, the Abarbanel…
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Uninterrupted Curses and Consequences
The public reading of the Parsha of Bechukotai is broken up into a series of short sections to begin with, followed by an exceptionally long section. The first sections discuss the material blessings the Jewish people receive as a result of adhering to the Torah. The long section includes a…
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Oppression with Words
The system of Torah has many rules that govern monetary transactions. Buying and selling is carefully regulated, including acceptable profit margins. Taking advantage of a buyer’s naïveté is strictly prohibited. רמב"ם מכירה יד (יב) כשם שהונייה במקח וממכר כך הונייה בדברים, שנאמר "ולא תונו איש את...
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Embodying the Ideals of Torah
The concept of Kedushah, often translated as holiness or distinctiveness is a recurring theme in the middle section of the Book of Vayikra. It is referenced with regard to forbidden relationships, and with regard to the Temple, including its spaces and the Kohanim that serve there. But a single...
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Behavior Seen and Unseen
Justice is a prominent theme in the Torah. There is emphasis not only on justice as an abstract concept but on its implementation. In one instance where the Torah charges us not to distort justice and judgement, we are commanded to operate with even weights and measures. ויקרא יט (לה)…
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Expound and Receive Reward
The Torah gives an elaborate elucidation of the laws of Tzaraat. It goes into a great level of detail, describing this affliction affecting houses, clothing, and skin. It is thus surprising to encounter a position in the Talmud that states that there has never actually been a house afflicted with...
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The Pitfalls of Korbanot
It is customary each week to publicly read a selected section of the prophets following the reading of the Torah. The selection usually adds to or extends upon the corresponding Torah portion. The themes are generally complementary, such as the building the Beit HaMikdash (temple) being paired…
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The End of Miracles
The Book of Esther is unique. It is a story about the salvation of the Jewish people, but it does not contain the name of God overtly anywhere in the text. Indeed, the Talmud explains that Esther marks a new dawn in the relationship between God and his people. תלמוד בבלי – יומא כט. אָמַר רַבִּי...
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Transparency in Action
Mishlei 13:16 משלי (יג:טז) כׇּל־עָ֭רוּם יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְדָ֑עַת וּ֝כְסִ֗יל יִפְרֹ֥שׂ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃ Mishlei 13:16 – Every Arum acts with knowledge, and the fool spreads foolishness. Questions: Q1: What is an Arum? Q2: Why does is say “all” or “every” Arum? Q3: How do the two halves contrast? Q4: What is...
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Before Me Always
The Torah system encompasses many different subject areas. Definitions within one area often appear in other areas within the system. Like in nature, when we carefully follow one thread, it is often intertwined and will lead us to related expressions within the system. שמות כה – (ל) וְנָתַתָּ֧...
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We Will Do and We Will Learn
The Parsha of Mishpatim is a continuation of the revelation at Sinai. It outlines numerous institutions and features of the Torah’s system of justice. It then discusses the Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah. שמות כד (ז) וַיִּקַּח֙ סֵ֣פֶר הַבְּרִ֔ית וַיִּקְרָ֖א בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם…
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Security and Satisfaction
Following the splitting of the sea, the Jewish people begin to complain. First they run out of water. After finding a water source that is undrinkable, they complain about Moshe. He cries out to Hashem who provides a solution. They then travel to Elima where there are twelve springs of water and...
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Consecration
Two of the four sections included in Tefillin make up the last two paragraphs of Parshat Bo. Each of the paragraphs discusses the consecration of the first born, the exodus from Egypt, and the mitzvah of Tefillin. What thematically relates these three items, consecration of the first born, the...
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The Consequences of Undermining Authority
Yaakov gathers his sons together. He tells them of the future. He addresses the group, and each son individually. בראשית מט – (א) וַיִּקְרָ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶל־בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ וְאַגִּ֣ידָה לָכֶ֔ם אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֥א אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים׃ (ב) הִקָּבְצ֥וּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י...
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Refusal, Return, and Restoration
The Jewish response to difficult situations is to cry out to God, engage in reflection and Teshuva, and correct our errors and improve our situation. Examples of difficult situations include current famine, plagues, or wars. The Sages ordained that when a calamity affects the community, it is...
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Dreams and Discord in Israel
The stage is set for the founding of the Jewish nation. But all does not proceed smoothly. There is tension in the house of Jacob. בראשית לז (א) וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב יַעֲקֹ֔ב בְּאֶ֖רֶץ מְגוּרֵ֣י אָבִ֑יו בְּאֶ֖רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃ (ב) אֵ֣לֶּה׀ תֹּלְד֣וֹת יַעֲקֹ֗ב יוֹסֵ֞ף בֶּן־שְׁבַֽע־עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה שָׁנָה֙ הָיָ֨ה…
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From Destruction to New Heights
We are bewildered. We are confused. We struggle to make sense of the evil we are being forced to confront. Starting with the verse prior to the beginning of the Haftorah for this week, we read: הושע יא (ו) וְחָלָ֥ה חֶ֙רֶב֙ בְּעָרָ֔יו וְכִלְּתָ֥ה בַדָּ֖יו וְאָכָ֑לָה מִֽמֹּעֲצ֖וֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (ז)...
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Failures in Leadership
There is an interesting section of the Talmud at the end of Tractate Sotah describing the potential deterioration of society prior to the coming of the Moshiach –Messiah: תלמוד בבלי – סוטה מט: בעקבות משיחא חוצפא יסגא ויוקר יאמיר הגפן תתן פריה והיין ביוקר ומלכות תהפך למינות ואין תוכחת בית וועד…
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Prosperity and Prioritization
Moshe’s teaches the Jewish people a song that encompasses all of Jewish history. It is composed with lyrical beauty, but much of its message is a harsh critique of the people’s current and future failings. One example is the Jewish people’s response to prosperity. דברים לב וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ן יְשֻׁרוּן֙...
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The Power of Teshuva
Teshuva is a central theme in Judaism. It relates to many fundamental philosophical principles and foundational ideas such as reward and punishment. It is a core value, an essential activity that allows us to develop over time. תלמוד בבלי – יומא פו עמוד ב אמר ריש לקיש גדולה תשובה שזדונות נעשות לו...
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Life and the Good
As Moshe closes his final speech to the Jewish people, he reminds them of the basic choice that stands before them. דברים ל טו) רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃ (טז) אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהֹוָ֤ה...
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Material Blessings and Spiritual Development
Understanding the blessings and curses outlined in Parshat Ki Tavo is challenging. At first glance, it appears Hashem is simply demanding obedience, offering rewards for listening and threatening a severe punishment for disobedience. דברים כח (א) וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁמ֤וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע֙ בְּקוֹל֙…
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Following Our Mind and Our Eyes
In the context of describing the mitzvah of Tzitzit, the Torah makes an intriguing statement: במדבר טו:לט וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֮ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כׇּל־מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תָת֜וּרוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים...
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Moshe the Trusted Servant
Miriam and Aharon discuss Moshe’s relationship with his wife. They apparently don’t understand why Moshe operates differently than they do, given that they are all prophets. Hashem addresses himself to Miriam and Aharon and outlines the differences between Moshe and standard prophets. Hashem...
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Big and Small Moments in Jewish History
A subtle but dramatic scene unfolds on the Shavuot holiday as the farmer arrives at the Beit HaMikdash –the Temple in Jerusalem, with the first fruits of the season. He hands the basket of fruits to the Kohen and makes a familiar statement: דברים כו א) וְהָיָה, כִּי-תָבוֹא אֶל-הָאָרֶץ, אֲשֶׁר...
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Oppression in Business and Personal Affairs
We are commanded not to oppress our fellow in business. Three verses later, we are commanded not to oppress our fellow with words. The same term is used in each case: ויקרא כה (יד) וְכִֽי־תִמְכְּר֤וּ מִמְכָּר֙ לַעֲמִיתֶ֔ךָ א֥וֹ קָנֹ֖ה מִיַּ֣ד עֲמִיתֶ֑ךָ אַל־תּוֹנ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ אֶת־אָחִֽיו׃ 14And when...
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Appointed Times
The holidays play a significant role in our religious consciousness. Across the year, these appointed times draw our attention to different themes and include diverse mitzvot. In Parshat Emor, the Torah outlines and discusses the major holidays. ויקרא כג (ב) דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙...
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The Lost Art of Rebuke
The Torah contains laws that govern diverse aspects of our lives. The Parsha of Kedoshim includes many rules that regulate how man relates to humanity around him. These obligations express an array of values. ויקרא יט (יז) לֹֽא־תִשְׂנָ֥א אֶת־אָחִ֖יךָ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ הוֹכֵ֤חַ תּוֹכִ֙יחַ֙…
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Binding the Individual and the Covenantal Community
The Rambam bases the mitzvah of Brit Milah –circumcision on the following verse in Tazria: ויקרא יב (ג) וּבַיּ֖וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֑י יִמּ֖וֹל בְּשַׂ֥ר עׇרְלָתֽוֹ׃ Vayikra 12 3 And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. משנה תורה – הקדמה – מצות עשה – רטו – לָמוּל אֶת…
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Service and Subservience
On the day of the inauguration of the Mishkan, the entire people gather together. Aharon, the high priest, prepares the offerings and places them upon the altar. A heavenly fire descends from the heavens and consumes the offerings, sanctifying God’s name. ויקרא ט:כד–י:א (כד) וַתֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
This podcast presents a carefully curated Torah topic, raises critical questions, and offers analysis and insight. It does some of the preliminary research for you. Independent thinking is still required.
bentorah.substack.com
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Ben Torah
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This Week in Learning currently has 106 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
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This podcast presents a carefully curated Torah topic, raises critical questions, and offers analysis and insight. It does some of the preliminary research for you. Independent thinking is still required. bentorah.substack.com
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