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Beha’alotecha 5785: The Traveling Ark

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 set apart in the Torah, how they became the definition of what makes a sacred book, and what it means to “save Torah from the fire.” The conversation reveals a vision of Torah as a living, moving force that journeys with us and invites constant re-engagement.

Featuring
Rabbi Leon Morris – President of Pardes Institute
Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Leon Morris

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.