Rabbi Dr. Elisha S. Ancselovits teaches Halakha as Practical Philosophy at Pardes and at Yeshivat Maale Gilboa, and has taught at a range of Orthodox, secular, Israeli and European institutions. He holds rabbinic and judicial ordination (Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin), a Ph.D. in the history of Jewish law, and an M.A. in Modern Jewish Studies, in addition to graduate studies in Medieval Jewish History.
Elisha has served as a researcher and lecturer in Jewish studies and legal theory at universities across several continents, and is currently a fellow at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion. His teaching spans halakha, Biblical and Second Temple law, critical Talmud, critical Zohar, and modern philosophy. Elisha founded Bet Midrash Hukkim Hakhamim, a kollel program mentoring women and men who are emerging rabbis and dayanim.
Is tzara’at a spiritual punishment or a contagious disease? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Anscelovits dive into Parshat Naso to explore how Torah meets real life. With tzara’at as their starting point, they challenge mystical interpretations…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Naso, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast
What does the Torah actually mean by ‘wiping out Amalek’? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Anscelovits explore the Torah’s commandment to wipe out Amalek, examining its historical, practical, and ethical dimensions. As Purim approaches, they discuss…
Jewish calendar, Purim
What do Yitzchak’s blessings teach us about the balance of power between Yaakov and Esav? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield is joined by Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits to unpack the intricate dynamics between Yaakov and Esav in Parshat Toldot. They…
Tanakh, Torah, Bereishit (Genesis), Toldot
What role does vulnerability play in the Yom Kippur process of teshuvah? In this Yom Kippur-focused episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits explore how to approach this sacred day following a year marked by deep pain and loss.…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Jewish calendar, High Holidays, Yom Kippur
Can we approach the Torah as a rational guide for living wisely while allowing space for genuine emotional and spiritual experiences? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into the concept of reward and…
Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Bechukotai, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast
Is there a reason behind the laws of keeping kosher? Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits as they tackle this question, exploring the various explanations for these laws and unpacking Rabbi Elisha’s personal theory. Credits: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Shemini
Parashat Tzav 5782: Pushing Ourselves By-the-By Please let us know your comments and thoughts about the podcast, write to us at elmad@pardes.org.il. We appreciate you leaving us a review with 5-stars if you enjoy these podcasts. For more information about…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Tzav
This podcast is a response to current conditions throughout the world and to this week’s Biblical list of proscribed animals. In this podcast, Rabbi Elisha Ancselovits tours Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) to discover one of the critical reasons for Biblical…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Shemini
This week’s Torah portion of VaYakhel discusses once again the Mishkan (tabernacle). In parallel, we are also reading the seasonal Shekalim portion about annual donations to the maintenance of the tabernacle or temple services. These readings raise the problem of…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Vayakhel