This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in honor of all the teachers and students she has learned from at Pardes—especially through the weekly Parsha podcast. Is living in the Land of Israel the greatest blessing—or the greatest…
Tanakh, Torah, Devarim (Deuteronomy), Eikev, Critical issues, Israel
What defines Jewish belonging—land, Torah, or loyalty? In this episode, Parshat Matot-Masei sparks a rich conversation between Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash about the tribes of Reuven, Gad, and Menashe who ask to settle east of the Jordan…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Critical issues, Israel, Masei
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
Tired of arguing about Israel issues? Or are you avoiding talking about Israel completely? There is a better way! Tune in as Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabba Shani Gross model Mahloket Le-shem Shamayim (constructive disagreement) about timely and challenging Israel…
Critical issues, Democracy, Israel, Mahloket Matters/conflict resolution, Politics
In preparation for the upcoming Israel National Holidays of Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Rabbi Jon Leener has curated a collection of thought-provoking texts, interesting facts, and reflective questions to deepen your preparation. Carefully selected, each text is accompanied by…
Critical issues, Israel, Jewish calendar, Israel National Holidays, Yom Ha’atzmaut, Yom Hazikaron
How can the Jewish people maintain a sense of unity and connection as a nation despite geographical separation and divergent experiences between the Diaspora and Israel? In this week’s episode, Rabba Shani Gross joins us from afar for a discussion…
Tanakh, Torah, Vayikra (Leviticus), Acharei Mot, Critical issues, Israel
In this week’s episode, Zvi is joined by Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy for an exploration of Matot and Massei, discussing the challenging tale of the tribes who chose not to settle in the land of Israel. Meesh offers us different…
Tanakh, Torah, Bamidbar (Numbers), Critical issues, Israel, Masei
How have Jewish communities in the Land of Israel and the Diaspora understood their relationship with one another? In Israel & the Diaspora in Antiquity: Partnership, Dialogue, or Debate?, Professor Isaiah Gafni examines that relationship through four recorded lectures. The…
Critical issues, Israel, Jewish history, Podcast series, Pardes Live and Mini-Series
Jews have been praying for the governments of the countries they lived in since the time of the Babylonian exile. Yet the founding of a Jewish and democratic state presents a radically different relationship between the State and its citizens,…
Critical issues, Israel, Podcast series, Pardes Parsha Podcast, Jewish calendar, Israel National Holidays
Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper reflects on the Talmudic teaching that the Land of Israel—and the sacred spaces built in its spirit—carries a blessing of longevity, as Pardes breaks ground on a new beit midrash in Jerusalem.
Critical issues, Israel
Some see her as finally united, others as more divided than ever. No, I am not referring to East and West Jerusalem, rather to the Jerusalem of Heaven and the Jerusalem of Earth; between the Jerusalem of our dreams and…
Critical issues, Israel, Mahloket Matters/conflict resolution, Jewish calendar, Israel National Holidays, Yom Yerushalayim
Once again this year, the residents of the Baka and Mekor Chaim neighborhoods gathered. It’s an annual get-together that crosses every dividing line among Jews in Israel: immigrants and native-born, secular and religious, Ashkenazim and Mizrachim, old and young, left-wing…
Critical issues, Israel, Jewish calendar, Israel National Holidays, Yom Hazikaron
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