header
header

V’etchanan 5784: A Legacy of Fire and Hope

Why does Moshe mix harsh rebuke with a profound sense of hope in his final speech?

In this episode, Tzvi Hirschfield and Tovah Leah Nachmani delve into Parashat Va’etchanan and into the complex layers of Moshe’s final message, where deep love for the people intertwines with stern rebukes. They explore how Moshe uses the powerful imagery of fire at Mount Sinai, the retelling of the Ten Commandments, and the enduring words of the Shema Yisrael to create a narrative that is both cautionary and hopeful. Through their discussion, they uncover how Moshe’s words serve not only as warnings but as a timeless guide for resilience, responsibility, and enduring hope.

Tovah Leah Nachmani – Pardes Faculty
Rabbi 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.