Rabbi Leon Morris is President of Pardes and the first Pardes alumnus to lead the institution, having studied in both the Year (‘94-’95) and Summer (‘93, ‘94) Programs. Ordained by Hebrew Union College in 1997, Leon previously served as rabbi of Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor, founding director of the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center in Manhattan, and Vice President for Israel Programs at the Shalom Hartman Institute.
Leon has taught at Orthodox, Conservative and Reform institutions and has worked extensively with the Jewish community of India since serving there as a Jewish Service Corps volunteer in 1990. A regular contributor to the Jewish, Israeli and American press, he is also an editor of the Reform High Holy Day machzor Mishkan HaNefesh.
What does it mean to carry holiness with us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris explore Parshat Behaalotcha and the two cryptic verses about the Ark of the Covenant’s journey. They dive into why these verses are…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Beha’alotcha, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast
What does it mean to carry sin as a burden? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris delve into Parshat Acharei Mot and its detailed description of the Yom Kippur ritual, focusing on the symbolism of the scapegoat.…
Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Acharei Mot, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast
Why might kindness be perceived as weakness, and what does Avraham’s response teach us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris examine Avraham’s moral decisions in Parshat Vayera, focusing on the qualities that led to the downfall of…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Bereishit (Genesis), Vayera
What happens when a collective seeks fulfillment outside the promised land? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris delve into the intriguing narrative of the two and a half tribes—Reuven, Gad, and half of Menashe—who choose to…
Critical issues, Israel
How does the Jewish people’s journey through the desert shape our approach to Torah? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield explore the theme of openness in Torah study, using the wilderness in the Midbar as…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Bamidbar, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast
Can we find value in tangible expressions or experiences of spirituality, even if they challenge our rational view of the world? Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to explore the challenges raised by the commandment to build…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Terumah
How may we be redeemed when we feel as if our spirits have been crushed? Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to discuss the idea of kotzer ruach, a crushed soul, and how Moshe faced resistance from those who…
Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Tanakh, Torah, Shemot (Exodus), Va’era
Join Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joined Zvi in the studio to discuss his personal journey on a path to Jewish practice. Listen in as Leon combines insight into the text with the practice of tefillin, to show us how…
Tanakh, Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Va’etchanan
During a holiday where there is both darkness and light, where we retreat indoors and shine brightly from the windowsill, go on a journey with Pardes North America to find meaning in the discord within our tradition. Night 3 –…
Jewish calendar, Chanukah