Seven Minute Torah

The Torah begins with a question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" And although it never answers it directly, the rest of the Torah IS an answer to that question. In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer discusses why the answer is a resounding "Yes!" and what that means for our Jewish lives today.   Notes and Links: * Seven Minute Torah is a production of Laasok: The Liberal Beit Midrash. 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].

A Yom Kippur reflection with Rabbi Micah Streiffer -- exploring a Talmudic story, the book of Jonah, and the lessons of a gourd plant. What does Jewish tradition really teach about forgiveness, and how can seeing the humanity in others move us toward healing? --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK: The Liberal Beit Midrash. 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].

How can we respond when the world feels chaotic—when society seems to be unraveling around us? Join Rabbi Micah Streiffer in exploring what Torah teaches about finding responsibility and purpose in challenging times. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK: The Liberal Beit Midrash. 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].

One of Judaism’s most famous teachings is that every person is created B’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. But what does that really mean for how we see and treat each other, especially those who have done wrong? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer digs into a surprising Torah passage and rabbinic midrash to explore dignity, justice, and the limits (or lack thereof) of seeing the divine in every human being. --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK: The Liberal Beit Midrash. 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].  *

This week’s Torah portion is full of laws—about food, tithes, debts, sacrifice. Hard to relate to? Maybe. But beneath the rules lies a profound truth: the Shema’s declaration that God is Oneness. What happens when we see the divine not as a distant lawgiver, but as the sacred unity that connects us to everything and everyone? --------------------------------- * Seven Minute Torah is a production of LAASOK: The Liberal Beit Midrash. 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].