Pardes from Jerusalem

What does it take to move from the edge of belonging into shared commitment? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Deborah Anstandig explore Parshat Beha’alotcha as the Jewish people prepare to begin their journey through the wilderness. Focusing on Moses’ invitation to Chovav to join the people, they reflect on what it means to stand at the edge of belonging—drawn toward a shared mission, yet uncertain about fully joining it. As the parashah unfolds with anxiety, disagreement, and tension at the edges of the camp, the conversation asks how communities make space for uncertainty while remaining committed to a collective journey.

What happens when we stop asking what’s required of us—and start asking what more we can do? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman explore Megillat Ruth and the relationship between law and kindness. Through the choices of Ruth, Boaz, and the often-overlooked Orpah, they examine what it means to go beyond obligation and respond to others with generosity, loyalty, and moral courage. The conversation reflects on how Jewish law can shape a society of care—not only by defining what is required, but by encouraging us to notice opportunities for deeper human connection.

What kind of Jerusalem are we hoping to build together? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tovah Leah Nachmani reflect on Parshat Bamidbar and the meaning of Yom Yerushalayim. Framing the Jewish journey through the wilderness as an ongoing process of growth and becoming, they explore Jerusalem not only as a city, but as a vision of connection, responsibility, and shared purpose. The conversation asks how we can hold onto hope for Jerusalem’s future while creating space for difference and working toward a more connected society.

What kind of responsibility do we carry for the world we’re living in? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Behar–Bechukotai and the connection between social responsibility and spiritual consequence. Through the laws of Shemitah and Yovel, they examine how the Torah builds a society rooted in limits, care, and mutual responsibility. Against that backdrop, the blessings and curses of Bechukotai raise a deeper question: how should we understand the relationship between our actions and the realities we face? The conversation challenges us to reflect not only on belief, but on behavior—and what it means to build a just and ethical community.

What if the holidays are less about remembering—and more about connecting? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Rafael Polisuk explore Parshat Emor and the meaning of sacred time. Focusing on the idea of moed, they suggest that holidays are not only about remembering the past, but about creating moments of connection. The conversation invites us to see these days as opportunities to come together and encounter something deeper.

What does it take to truly love your neighbor as yourself? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Kedoshim and its central call: “You shall be holy.” Moving from foundational commandments to the demand to love one’s neighbor, they examine how holiness is shaped not only by laws, but by character. Through rabbinic interpretation, they show how seemingly simple mitzvot expand into a deeper ethic—challenging us to move beyond competition, judgment, and instinct toward empathy, responsibility, and generosity. The conversation asks how we train ourselves, step by step, to become people capable of genuine love.

Can distance be a necessary part of spiritual life? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Tazria–Metzora and the Torah’s complex treatment of the human body. Through discussions of ritual impurity, illness, and healing, they challenge the assumption that spirituality requires distancing from the physical. Instead, they present a vision in which the body is central to religious life—even as it creates moments of distance that require care, reintegration, and compassion. The conversation invites us to consider how communities respond to vulnerability, and what it means to help others return from isolation back into belonging.

What if holiness begins not in peak moments—but in everyday acts of restraint? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Shemini, moving from the dramatic highs and tragic lows of the Mishkan’s inauguration to the everyday discipline of kashrut. They examine why the Torah offers detailed dietary laws without a clear explanation, and how classical commentators understand their purpose—from physical health to spiritual refinement. The conversation ultimately reframes kashrut as a practice of restraint, shaping moral awareness and helping us live with intention in even the most ordinary acts.

What would change if we designed the Seder to be experienced—not just completed? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore how the structure of the Seder shapes our experience of the Exodus story. Through creative reinterpretation and educational insight, they ask whether the traditional order fully captures the journey from slavery to freedom—and how small shifts in structure, storytelling, and ritual can make the Seder more meaningful and experiential. The conversation reflects on the balance between tradition and innovation, and what it takes to create a Seder that truly engages, inspires, and transforms.

What might it mean if the Torah’s opening “call” is meant for each of us? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith open the Book of Vayikra by exploring the meaning of God’s “calling” to Moses. Rather than seeing korbanot merely as ancient sacrifices, they reflect on them as a path toward closeness with God. The conversation explores the idea that each person may hear a personal spiritual calling—an inner voice guiding them toward deeper purpose, service, and connection with the Divine.

Can self-reflection become a path to holiness? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Vayakhel–Pekudei through a striking detail of the Mishkan: the women’s mirrors used to create the basin for the priests. Drawing on Midrash and interpretation, they reflect on how mirrors symbolize self-awareness and identity—reminding us that serving God begins with knowing who we are. The conversation asks how self-reflection, relationships, and moral intention can transform ordinary human awareness into sacred service.

What does Jewish tradition teach about the right way to use wealth and power? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Shalhevet Cahana explore Parshat Ki Tisa and the story of Purim through the lens of wealth and power. From the mitzvah of the machatzit hashekel to the lavish excess of Achashverosh’s court, they examine how money in Megillat Esther becomes a moral test—used by some to dominate and by others to build community and responsibility. The conversation asks what Jewish tradition teaches about the ethical use of wealth and influence.

How do we remain faithful to tradition when a sacred text makes us uncomfortable? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman take a thoughtful look at one of the hardest parts of Megillat Esther—the battle scenes at the end of the story. As Purim approaches, they explore different ways to understand these passages: Was the war defensive? A product of its time? Or even intentionally over-the-top? The conversation offers a model for engaging difficult texts with honesty, while still celebrating Purim with depth and joy.

If God wants to dwell among us, what are we building to make that possible? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Raphael Polisuk explore Parshat Trumah and the surprising claim that the Mishkan is not a detour from Sinai, but its fulfillment. They trace how the language of holiness, fire, and divine presence links Mount Sinai to the Tabernacle, reframing the second half of Sefer Shemot as the book’s true destination. The conversation asks what it means to create space for God—not as a metaphor, but through concrete action, beauty, justice, and shared responsibility.

How does Torah teach us to use power without abusing it? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Mishpatim as the Torah’s first sustained encounter with law—and what it reveals about human power and moral responsibility. They examine why revelation leads directly into detailed civil laws, how Torah assumes human failure, and why justice requires limits on authority, wealth, and even righteous intention. The conversation argues that holiness is built not through ideals alone, but through careful accountability in everyday human relationships.

What responsibility comes with being chosen? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Mike Feuer explore Parshat Yitro and the surprising choice to frame the revelation at Sinai through the presence of Yitro, an outsider. They examine how the Torah presents Jewish chosenness not as exclusivity, but as responsibility—calling Israel to become a mamlechet kohanim, a people devoted to serving God by serving the world. The conversation reflects on how particular covenant and universal mission are meant to work together.

What does it take to truly cross from survival into freedom? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Beshalach through the lens of trauma, freedom, and spiritual courage. They examine why the Israelites are not ready for battle, why song only emerges after the splitting of the sea, and how freedom requires more than escape—it demands inner transformation. Moving between text, Midrash, and lived experience, the conversation invites listeners to see the crossing of the sea as both a national liberation and a personal call to “jump in” to the unknown on the path to becoming truly free.

Does true redemption include repair for those who caused harm? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Bo through a troubling command: the Israelites’ request for silver and gold from the Egyptians. They unpack why this moment feels ethically uncomfortable and trace how classical commentators—from Ibn Ezra to the Malbim—reframe it not as exploitation, but as justice, dignity, and even reparative healing. Drawing connections to modern debates about reparations, guilt, and responsibility, the conversation asks how redemption can include moral repair for both the oppressed and the oppressor.

Can redemption begin if we don’t yet believe we deserve it? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Judy Klitzner explore Parshat Va’era at its lowest point, when redemption seems to move backward and hope feels out of reach. Through close literary reading, they trace how slavery erodes self-worth, distorts memory, and traps both the people and Moshe in a cycle of despair. God’s response reframes redemption not only as freedom from suffering, but as a restoration of identity, covenant, and purpose—challenging the Israelites to see themselves as worthy of redemption before they can fully receive it. ----------- This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Francine Stein in loving memory of her mother, Mollie Siegel z”l, Malka bat HaRav Yaakov and Chana Sara, who recently passed away on the 8th of Cheshvan. A woman ahead of her time who earned her Master’s degree in the 1940s, Mollie was a devoted listener who found great meaning in this podcast’s Torah lessons, even in her final days. She was dedicated to her family, Klal Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. May her memory be a blessing.

If redemption begins with seeing, what are we choosing not to see? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman explore Parshat Shemot as a story shaped by anonymity, forgetting, and the struggle to know—God, others, and ourselves. They trace how the absence of names and divine presence gives way to redemption through acts of moral seeing, from the midwives to Moshe. The conversation asks how awareness, responsibility, and truly seeing others become the first steps toward knowing God and breaking cycles of oppression.

What does Jewish leadership demand in uncertain times? In this episode, a conversation on Jewish leadership and communal responsibility explores how Torah values shape philanthropy and public life today. Zvi Hirschfield speaks with Pardes alumnus Marc Baker about moral vision, collective obligation, and translating Jewish texts into action, reflecting on how learning, community, and purpose guide Jewish leadership in a complex contemporary moment.

Who carries our collective memory when others forget? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Vayigash through the remarkable midrashic figure of Serach bat Asher. They trace how Serach becomes a guardian of memory—gently revealing Yosef’s survival to Yaakov, preserving sacred knowledge across generations, and reminding leaders of what must not be forgotten.

Is Yosef testing his brothers—or struggling to reclaim his own identity? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Miketz through Yosef’s puzzling treatment of his brothers and the deeper questions it raises about anger, revenge, and responsibility. They trace classic interpretations—from Ramban and Abarbanel to the Zohar and Rav Yoel Bin-Nun—to ask what motivates Yosef’s actions. Framed by Hanukkah, the conversation culminates in Yosef’s moment of teshuvah: reclaiming his place in his family and choosing Jewish destiny over forgetting.

How does unresolved grief shape the choices we make—and the people we become? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Vayeishev through the lens of grief and the ways unresolved pain shapes Yaakov’s choices. They examine how the Torah’s seemingly hopeful opening—vayeishev, “he settled”—quickly gives way to family tension, favoritism, and disaster. Reading Yaakov as a father still mourning Rachel, struggling after Dina’s trauma, and missing the women who once guided him, they show how grief clouds judgment and fractures a fragile family system.

Can confronting ourselves be the key to transformation? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler explore Parshat Vayishlach as a story of identity, fear, and the lifelong struggle to integrate competing parts of the self. They examine Yaakov as the Torah’s first refugee, his preparation to meet Esav through prayer, gifts, and readiness for war, and his mysterious night battle—an internal confrontation that leads to the name Yisrael. Through psychological, philosophical, and modern Jewish lenses, they reflect on what it means to live in tension and still keep growing.

Can we truly change—or do we grow by struggling with who we already are? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Deborah Anstandig explore Parshat Vayetze through Yaakov’s twenty years in the house of Lavan—not as a tale of transformation, but of confronting the self we already are. They trace Yaakov’s persistent tendencies toward maneuvering, adaptation, and struggling with truth, showing how his experiences mirror our own ongoing battles with identity, integrity, and growth. The conversation asks what it means to seek change while accepting our human limitations.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Raphael Polisuk explore Parshat Toldot through the lens of prayer, blessing, and the extraordinary power of human speech. They discuss Yitzchak’s deeply active model of prayer—la’ator, a language of turning reality—and how the rabbis imagine his tefillah transforming both himself and God. The episode then turns to the drama of the blessings, asking why words matter so profoundly in Torah and how language can create, heal, or harm.

How do we transform loss into legacy? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Chayei Sarah as a meditation on grief, memory, and legacy. They discuss Avraham’s careful purchase of the burial cave as the first act of rootedness in the Land of Israel, his need for a physical place to mourn, and how burial transforms loss into continuity. Linking Avraham’s mourning for Sarah to today’s national and personal mourning in Israel, they reflect on commemoration, legacy, and the power of creating living memorials that carry love and purpose forward.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Mike Feuer explore Parshat Vayera through the story of the Akeidah, reframing it not as Avraham’s test, but as Yitzchak’s act of awareness and choice. They discuss agency, sacrifice, and what it means to go beyond one’s limits in service of something greater. Drawing on Midrash and lived experience, they reflect on courage, commitment, and how moments of surrender can unlock the deepest expressions of faith and purpose.

When the world is on fire, who will stop and answer God’s call? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Gila Fine explore Parshat Lech Lecha through the famous midrash of the bira doleket—the burning building that leads Avraham to encounter God. They unpack centuries of interpretation, from Heschel’s vision of divine beauty to Rabbi Sacks’s call to bridge the world as it is and the world as it ought to be. Gila offers a striking literary reading: God is trapped in the flames, calling out for help—and Avraham becomes the one who answers.

How do we rebuild a broken world without simply recreating the past? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris explore Parshat Noach as a story not just of destruction, but of renewal. They discuss God’s recalibration of expectations after the flood, the new covenant symbolized by the rainbow, and Noah’s struggle to rebuild a broken world. Through Midrash and modern parallels—from post-Holocaust resilience to the founding of Israel—they reflect on what it means to create anew without recreating the past, and to find faith after devastation.

What does the creation story teach us about our partnership with God? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Bereshit and what the creation story reveals about humanity’s relationship with God. They discuss how rain, prayer, and work symbolize dependence, gratitude, and partnership—and how the Torah calls us to balance effort with humility. Drawing on Midrash and Talmud, they contrast Rabbi Eliezer’s demand for precision with Rabbi Akiva’s compassion, uncovering a vision of creation grounded in divine presence, responsibility, and grace.

What does it mean to choose obligation? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore the layered meanings of Sukkot—its joy, its duality, and its challenge. They discuss the beauty and symbolism of the sukkah and lulav while grappling with women’s exemption from these mitzvot and what it means to choose obligation.

What does it take for forgiveness to be real? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Ha’azinu and the themes of Yom Kippur through the lens of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They examine the Talmudic teaching that while Yom Kippur atones for sins between humans and God, it does not cover wrongs between people until forgiveness is sought and granted. Through stories of failed and successful reconciliations, they reflect on what it truly means to apologize, to forgive, and to let go—for the sake of others and for ourselves.

What does it mean to write Torah for ourselves today? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Vayelech . Join them as they discuss Moshe’s completion of the Torah, the mitzvah for every Jew to write a Sefer Torah, and the once-in-seven-years gathering of Hakhel as a reenactment of Sinai. The conversation explores how Torah is transmitted—through text, learning, and lived experience—and what it means to receive Torah anew in every generation.

How do the tears of our ancestors guide our prayers today? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Shalhevet Cahana prepare for Rosh Hashanah through the lens of Parshat Netzavim and the holiday’s Torah readings. They explore the sound of the shofar as both coronation and weeping, and how the Torah highlights the tears of women—Sarah, Chana, and Rachel—as models of prayer. Against the backdrop of October 7 and its aftermath, they ask what it means to cry in a way that leads to resilience, protest, and hope. This Rosh Hashana podcast is sponsored by Ricki and Dr. David I. Bernstein in memory of Ricki’s parents, Beatrice and Murray Kirschblat z”l, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, respectively. Beatrice and Murray were each the sole survivors of large families which perished in the Shoah.

How can gratitude transform even the darkest moments into growth? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Tal Sessler explore Parshat Ki Tavo and its message of gratitude, resilience, and meaning. From the mitzvah of bringing first fruits to Isaiah’s words of consolation, they discuss how Torah helps us face trauma, despair, and anger with hope.

Do our moral obligations change when we go to war? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy explore Parshat Ki Teitzei and its surprising focus on the ethics of war. From the command to remember Amalek to laws about captives, newlyweds, and the holiness of the military camp, they show how the Torah insists that moral and spiritual responsibilities do not disappear in times of conflict. Even in war, Jewish law demands restraint, humanity, and awareness of God’s presence. This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in honor of all Israelis who have endured so much since October 7, 2023. May the coming year bring peace and harmony to their lives.

When tragedy strikes, what does true responsibility look like? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Sefi Kraut explore Parshat Shoftim and the strange ritual of the eglah arufah—the ceremony performed when a murder goes unsolved. They discuss how Torah refuses to let society shrug off responsibility, insisting that leaders confront tragedy publicly. Drawing on rabbinic debate, they explore two visions of communal accountability: law and order versus meeting basic human needs, raising timeless questions about how justice is pursued and society protects the vulnerable. This week’s episode is generously sponsored by Emily Simon, in memory of her very dear friend, Carolyn Mandel, Chana Rafaela bat Avraham v’Sara, who gave so much to her adopted homeland.

What does it mean to see each moment as either a blessing or a curse? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Parshat Re’eh and Moshe’s call to “see” the blessing and the curse. They discuss how Torah frames life as a series of choices, not only in mitzvot but in how we perceive each moment. Drawing on Hasidic and spiritual practice, Yiscah teaches that every action—whether shopping in the shuk or giving tzedakah—can become an invitation to connect with God, if we choose to see it that way.

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Eikev and the deep connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. They discuss Moshe’s cautionary tales, the role of the land as both a blessing and a barometer of the nation’s spiritual life, and the tension between its material abundance and spiritual responsibility. The conversation asks what it means to live in a place where divine presence and accountability are inescapable. 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.

What does Torah teach us about the possibility of starting over? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Wapner explore Parshat Va’etchanan through the unexpected appearance of the cities of refuge. They reflect on Moshe’s personal history as someone who once fled for taking a life, and how designating refuge cities now becomes a powerful act of humility, leadership, and legacy. The episode invites us to consider how Torah makes space for repair, rehabilitation, and the possibility of returning—even after failure.

What does it mean to truly witness someone else's pain? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman explore the Book of Eicha through the lens of bearing witness to tragedy. As Tisha B’Av approaches, they examine the voice of Jerusalem calling out to be seen, the theological complexity of God as both punisher and consoler, and the modern relevance of survivor testimony—from Eicha to Primo Levi to October 7. The conversation asks what it means to see, hear, and remember in moments of devastation.

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 River. They explore Moshe’s sharp challenge to their request, the shifting language from “ahuzah” (holding) to “nachalah” (inheritance), and what it means to belong to the Jewish people. The discussion expands to contemporary dilemmas of collective responsibility—from Israel-Diaspora relations to the burden of reserve duty in today’s IDF.

What if Moshe couldn’t see that the people had already grown up? In this episode, Parshat Pinchas takes center stage as Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer delve into the powerful juxtaposition of two pivotal moments in Bamidbar 27: the bold legal claim of the daughters of Tzlofchad and the appointment of Yehoshua as Moshe’s successor. They explore rabbinic expansions from Avot de-Rabbi Natan, the challenge of seeing people as they are today—not as they were—and the evolving nature of Torah leadership and inheritance. Their discussion raises timely questions about authority, growth, and meeting learners where they truly are.

Is Bilaam a villain—or a mirror? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Mike Feuer dive into Parshat Balak to explore the figure of Bilaam—an outsider prophet with powerful words and a dangerous gaze. They discuss what makes Bilaam a spiritual counterpoint to Avraham, why God turns his curses into blessings, and how ayin tova (a good eye) can transform how we see the world.

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 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

What was Korach really fighting for? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Raphael Polisuk explore Parshat Korach. They revisit Korach’s rebellion not just as a political protest, but as a sincere—and dangerous—desire for closeness to God. Drawing connections to Nadav and Avihu, incense offerings, and divine fire, the episode challenges listeners to consider whether spiritual closeness is always a blessing—or sometimes too powerful to survive. Featuring Rabbi Raphael Polisuk – Pardes Faculty Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Why did the generation of miracles still fear the land ahead? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore Parshat Shlach and the story of the spies. They examine the conflicting accounts, debate who bears responsibility for the mission’s failure, and ask why fear overtook a generation that witnessed miracles. The conversation reflects on leadership, memory, and what it takes to move forward in uncertain times. Featuring Rabbi Michael Hattin – Pardes Faculty Zvi Hirschfield – Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

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