Pardes Parsha Podcast

Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
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The Pardes Parsha Podcast (formerly Pardes from Jerusalem) brings you weekly insights into the Torah portion through engaging discussions rooted in Torah, Talmud, and other Jewish texts. Hosted by Zvi Hershfield, each episode features a member of the Pardes faculty exploring meaningful themes and offering fresh perspectives on the weekly parsha. To learn more about Pardes programs and events, visit www.pardes.org.il.

  1. 1 day ago

    Toldot 5787: Resilience and Reconciliation

    How do we stand firm in the face of hostility without giving up on the possibility of peace? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tova Leah Nachmani explore Yitzchak's response to hostility and jealousy in Parshat Toldot. As Yitzchak's success provokes resentment, he faces broken agreements, blocked wells, and expulsion from his home. Through his determination to keep rebuilding, they examine what his story can teach us about confronting antisemitism, preserving Jewish identity, and remaining committed to our values in the face of opposition. Can perseverance ultimately open the door to reconciliation and peace?

  2. 1 Nov

    Chayei Sarah 5787: A Legacy of Kindness

    How do we carry forward the values we've inherited while making them our own? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore how the values of one generation are carried into the next in Parshat Chayei Sarah. Through the story of Rivka's extraordinary kindness toward Avraham's servant, they examine why generosity and hospitality become the defining qualities of Yitzchak's future wife. Their conversation considers what it means to inherit a spiritual legacy, preserve the values of those who came before us, and make them our own.

  3. 25 Oct

    Vayera 5787: Through Different Eyes

    Can we choose to see hope when all we see is uncertainty? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Deborah Anstandig explore the power of perspective in Parshat Vayera. Through the stories of Hagar, Sarah, and Avraham, they examine how fear, despair, and uncertainty can shape what we are able to see. From Hagar's discovery of water in the desert to Sarah's unexpected joy and Avraham's difficult test of faith, their conversation asks how we can learn to see beyond our immediate circumstances and make room for hope, even when the future remains uncertain.

  4. 18 Oct

    Lech Lecha 5787: The Courage to Go

    How do we know when it's time to leave the familiar behind? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Avraham’s response to the call of Lech Lecha and what it means to leave the familiar behind. Was Avraham motivated by personal benefit, love, or a deeper sense of purpose? Through traditional commentaries and personal reflections, they consider how we recognize our own callings, the risks that come with following them, and the courage it takes to move beyond simply surviving toward a life of meaning and contribution.

  5. 11 Oct

    Noach 5787: Beyond Leadership

    Do you have to be a leader to make a difference? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tani Cohen-Fraade revisit the complicated character of Noach. Was he truly righteous, or did his silence in the face of destruction reveal his limitations? Exploring different interpretations of Parshat Noach, they challenge the assumption that righteousness must always look like leadership. Their conversation makes room for a different kind of strength: the courage to hold on to your values, do what is right, and remain faithful even when you cannot change the world around you.

  6. 5 Oct

    Bereshit 5787: In the Divine Image

    What does it really mean to be created in God’s image? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore one of the Torah’s most intriguing descriptions of humanity: “Let us make the human in our image.” Through different readings of this puzzling verse in Parshat Bereshit, they consider what sets human beings apart—from our capacity for humility and leadership to our power over creation and the spiritual nature of the human soul. What does it truly mean to be created in God’s image?

  7. 20 Sept

    Sukkot 5787: Joy in the Unknown.

    What if letting go of control is actually the key to joy? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Reuven Margrett explore why Sukkot, coming on the heels of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is called zman simchateinu—the time of our joy. They consider how the holidays form a single journey: from confronting judgment to accepting that we are not ultimately in control. The sukkah invites us to discover how that vulnerability can open the door to gratitude, closeness with God, and joy.

  8. 14 Sept

    Haazinu 5787: Words That Endure

    What does it mean to teach without knowing what will take root? In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Dr. Ales Weiss explore Moshe’s transformation from a reluctant speaker into the poet of Parshat Ha’azinu. They consider the poetry of Ha’azinu as an act of acceptance: after a lifetime of leading, teaching, and trying to shape Israel’s future, Moshe must ultimately let go of control. Their conversation turns to teaching, Jewish life in Prague, and the optimism it takes to plant words whose impact you may never see.

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About

The Pardes Parsha Podcast (formerly Pardes from Jerusalem) brings you weekly insights into the Torah portion through engaging discussions rooted in Torah, Talmud, and other Jewish texts. Hosted by Zvi Hershfield, each episode features a member of the Pardes faculty exploring meaningful themes and offering fresh perspectives on the weekly parsha. To learn more about Pardes programs and events, visit www.pardes.org.il.

Information

  • Creator
    Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2026
  • Episodes
    368
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 755796
  • Show Website
    Pardes Parsha Podcast

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