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Chukat 5785: Holiness and Humanity

What did Moshe get wrong—and why was the consequence so severe?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tovah Leah Nachmani explore Parshat Chukat against the backdrop of Israel’s current war with Iran. They reflect on the mysterious sin of Moshe at Mei Merivah and what it means to sanctify God in moments of pressure and uncertainty. Through ancient stories and modern realities, they examine the balance between faith and human action, asking how we recognize divine presence in a world shaped by trauma, responsibility, and courage.

Featuring
Tovah Leah Nachmani – Pardes Faculty
Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Tovah Leah Nachmani

Tovah Leah Nachmani teaches Tanakh, Biblical Hebrew, and prayer at Pardes, also serving as the Student Faculty Advisor. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Tovah Leah graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University with a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Literature. She moved to Israel in 1991, where she received a degree in Tanakh and Jewish Thought and teaching certification from the Herzog Institute.

Tovah Leah has written and guided experiential learning programs for decades, for Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations. She is also a holistic health practitioner, promoting physical and emotional health. Tovah Leah and her husband Gabi live in Gush Etzion, are the grateful parents of seven children, and are the active, loving grandparents of many grandchildren.