Seven Minute Torah

What does a donkey have to do with your soul? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores stories from Midrash and Torah about donkeys - and how they teach people about our ethical and spiritual responsibilities.   --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ [https://laasok.org/]. * To support the production of this podcast, visit either laasok.org/support/ [https://laasok.org/support-laasok/] (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution) OR www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah [http://www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah] (for per-episode contribution. * Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, [info@laasok.org,] or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org [micah@laasok.org].

Korach is not just a rebel. He's the embodiment of what the prayerbook calls "the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth." The Torah comes to remind us that we have a lot left to learn - even from people we disagree with. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ [https://laasok.org/]. * To support the production of this podcast, visit either laasok.org/support/ [https://laasok.org/support-laasok/] (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution) OR www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah [http://www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah] (for per-episode contribution. * Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, [info@laasok.org,] or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org [micah@laasok.org].

Many of us know very little about the biblical figure of Caleb. But he is a model of positivity, faith, and believing in what's possible - even when the world around you doesn't. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores some midrash about Caleb, and asks what we can learn for the bleak world we're living in. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ [https://laasok.org/]. * To support the production of this podcast, visit either laasok.org/support/ [https://laasok.org/support-laasok/] (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution) OR www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah [http://www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah] (for per-episode contribution. * Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, [info@laasok.org,] or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org [micah@laasok.org].

Far from being threatened by others, Moses acts in a way that upholds the rights of others to speak their minds. In that sense, this Torah portion portrays him as the opposite of an authoritarian ruler. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ [https://laasok.org/]. * To support the production of this podcast, visit either laasok.org/support/ [https://laasok.org/support-laasok/] (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution) OR www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah [http://www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah] (for per-episode contribution. * Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, [info@laasok.org,] or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org [micah@laasok.org].

In this week's haftarah, the prophet Amos contradicts the Torah portion! How can he tell us we're not so special when the Torah called us kedoshim - holy? It's in that juxtaposition of ideas that the true essence of Judaism is found. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK. For info on our weekly Zoom study groups and other learning opportunities go to https://laasok.org/ [https://laasok.org/]. * To support the production of this podcast, visit either laasok.org/support/ [https://laasok.org/support-laasok/] (for a tax-deductible one-time or monthly contribution) OR www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah [http://www.patreon.com/sevenminutetorah] (for per-episode contribution. * Comments or questions? Email info@laasok.org, [info@laasok.org,] or contact Rabbi Micah Streiffer directly at micah@laasok.org [micah@laasok.org].