Pardes from Jerusalem Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

How do we approach texts in our traditions that seem to discriminate against or exclude certain groups of people?



In this thought-provoking discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom wrestle with the disqualification of kohanim (priests) with physical deformities or disabilities from serving in the Temple. We'll explore how to reconcile such texts with modern values of inclusion while examining the evolving rabbinical perspectives on disability as a social construct. Ultimately, our discussion calls on us to embrace the struggle with difficult traditional texts as an opportunity to renew and deepen our spiritual philosophies.



Credits:

Rabbi Haim Shalom - Pardes Faculty and Director of Israel Studies

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

In a world rife with conflict and oversimplified narratives about "the other," how can we embody true holiness by cultivating empathy, humility, and deeper human connection?



Rabbi Brent Spodek joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a thought-provoking discussion exploring the Torah's call in Parshat Kedoshim to "be holy." Brent denounces the insidious habit of gossip that denies people the dignity of authoring their own stories. Instead, he argues argue for a stance of curiosity - resisting easy judgments and really listening in order to understand the complex realities others face, even amid fraught situations like the Israel-Iran tensions. By embracing this aspirational ethic, perhaps we can create the fertile ground for holiness to take root in our divisive world.



Credits:

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Rabbi Brent Spodek - Pardes North America Faculty and Host of Good Jewish Lover

How can the Jewish people maintain a sense of unity and connection as a nation despite geographical separation and divergent experiences between the Diaspora and Israel?

In this week's episode, Rabba Shani Gross joins us from afar for a discussion on the Torah portion's emphasis on centralized worship, linking it to the biblical story of the 2.5 tribes who settled outside the Land of Israel and built their own altar. Together, they explore the need for open dialogue in order to "witness" one another's perspectives and find a path toward sustaining mutual understanding.

Credits

Rabba Shani Gross - Pardes North America Faculty and Senior Director of Education

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Can we transform the "bread of affliction" into the "bread of redemption" this Passover?"



Yiscah Smith returns this week with a call for us to see ourselves ("l'rot atzmo") as leaving spiritual enslavement each Passover. Drawing from the Piazner Rebbe and Rav Kook, Yiscah illuminates how painful self-examination can allow for divine blessings and personal redemption to emerge. Grappling with the role of suffering, Yiscah shares a powerful lens for experiencing this holiday's liberating spirit, even amidst darkness.



Join us for this timely discussion imbued with hope on Pardes from Jerusalem.



Credits:

Yiscah Smith - Pardes Faculty

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem

Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara'at (often translated as "leprosy") in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora.

In a riveting discussion, Rabbi Jon Leener challenges the conventional view of this condition as merely a punishment. Drawing from insightful Jewish sources, he illuminates the possibility that tzara'at may in fact be a divine wake-up call - an opportunity for spiritual growth and course-correction, rather than simply a curse. Grappling with timeless questions of suffering and meaning, we'll explore this compelling perspective.

Credits:

Rabbi Jon Leener - Pardes North America Faculty

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem



 

How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives?



In this week's parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to highlight how these laws, though initially perplexing, offer profound insights into human behavior and ethics. By engaging critically with religious practice and moral conduct, listeners are encouraged to navigate the complexities of tradition and personal understanding.



Credits:

Rabbi Michael Hattin - Pardes Faculty

Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield - Pardes Faculty and Host of Pardes from Jerusalem