Torah Unscrolled

Sarah and Jason
  • 5.0 (1)
  • JUDAISM
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Podcast hosted by husband and wife, Sarah and Jason. With fresh eyes and no prior research, Sarah and Jason will discuss each week's Torah portion. They will draw on a their experiences in modern day life, especially as new parents, as well as Jewish traditions and culture.

  1. 06/06/2025

    Episode 28 + 29: Leper (Metzora) & After the Death (Acharei Mot)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Metzora, the 28th portion of the Torah, and Acharei Mot, the 29th portion, continuing the book of Leviticus, and covering more details on the purification process for lepers and eruptive plagues, the origins of Yom Kippur, and instructions on which relations cannot be slept with. How do the instructions on dealing with discharges further inform our understanding of the purpose of keeping separate when impure? How does this portion deal with gender differently than all previous portions? And is there a way to interpret the verse forbidding men to sleep with other men more generously than simply forbidding it?

    51 min

  2. 06/02/2025

    Episode 26 + 27: Eighth (Shemini) & She Bears Seed (Tazria)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Shemini, the 26th portion of the Torah, and Tazria, the 27th portion, covering details on the consecration of the tabernacle, rules on which animals can be eaten, the purification process after childbirth, and descriptions of how to diagnose various diseases and when to quarantine. Why were Aaron’s sons so harshly punished? What is our interpretation of pure and impure? Why are religion and health tied together? What’s with the purification process after childbirth? And how did these medical guidelines come to be?

    43 min

  3. 05/23/2025

    Episode 24+25: He Called (Vayikra) & Command (Tzav)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Vayikra, the 24th portion of the Torah, and Tzav, the 25th portion, which begins the book of Exodus, and covers details on the types of offerings, how to perform them, which sins require which offerings, and the anointing of Aaron and his sons as Priests. Is it right to have more severe punishments for leaders of the community? Why is there both a civil and religious side to the punishment for some sins? Was Sarah right about recipes way back in Episode 0? And what was most valuable about the ancient way of performing sacrifices and offerings compared to modern day observance?

    42 min

  4. 03/26/2025

    Episode 22 & 23: He Assembled (Vayakhel) & Accountings Of (Pekudei)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Vayakhel, the 22nd portion of the Torah, and Pekudei, the 23rd portion, which concludes the book of Exodus, and covers the Israelites building the tabernacle and all of its components, as well as the anointing of the tabernacle and priests. What’s the present value of the precious metals used in the construction? What is the importance of holy spaces in modern religion? How does this story act as a conclusion to Exodus? And what are our favorite characters, stories, and takeaways from the Book of Exodus?

    50 min

  5. 03/23/2025

    Episode 21: When You Elevate (Ki Tisa)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Ki Tisa, the twenty-first portion of the Torah, which covers the instructions for anointing the tabernacle and the story of the golden calf. What additional context does this portion give around the commandment to observe the Sabbath? What is our ideal way to celebrate Shabbat? Was this telling of the story of the golden calf different from our understanding? Does G-d actually have a human form and face? Why is this episode so late? And how did we get off on a tangent about the conflict in the middle east again?

    45 min

  6. 03/06/2025

    Episode 20:You Shall Command (Tetzaveh)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Tetzaveh, the twentieth portion of the Torah, which covers the instructions that G-d gives to Moses for anointing Aaron and his sons as priests, creating garments for them to wear, and the construction of a golden altar. How does the portrayal of priests align with religious figures in Judaism today? What is the importance of dress and clothing in religion today? What do we think about animal sacrifices? And why are there some rules from the Torah we follow and some we ignore? Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (2:35) Portion Summary  (8:51) Discussion Begins - Priests (15:38) Religious garments and “fashion” (21:44) Animal Sacrifices (24:16) Hierarchy of Rules to Follow (38:47) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

    40 min

  7. 03/03/2025

    Episode 19: Donation (Terumah)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Terumah, the nineteenth portion of the Torah, and welcome their first guest, Jeremy, who adds his perspective this week. The portion covers the detailed instructions that G-d gives to Moses for building a place of worship - the tabernacle. Why does G-d provide such great detail in these instructions? How does this compare to the construction and layout of a modern day sanctuary? How does our guest’s perspective change when reading the Torah for a second time? And how did Steven Spielberg do with his depiction of the ark?  Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:01) Intro to Jeremy (3:40) Portion Summary  (8:23) Discussion Begins - Detailed Instructions (14:55) Modern Synagogues (20:43) Reading the Torah a second time (22:08) Raiders of the Lost Ark (23:21) Our favorite sanctuary components (25:29) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

    27 min

  8. 02/24/2025

    Episode 18: Laws (Mishpatim)

    Sarah and Jason discuss Mishpatim, the eighteenth portion of the Torah, which covers many laws that G-d gives to Moses and the Israelites, and the people’s acceptance of them. How good was Moses’ memory? Does one of these laws provide a view on life before birth? How do these laws influence modern day justice? Why are kosher rules more in depth than what’s presented here? Are these laws meant to be preventative or punitive? Why do some simply order not to do something, and others lay out specific punishments? Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (2:37) Feedback from Last Week (3:47) Portion Summary  (7:04) Discussion Begins - Moses’ Memory  (9:55) Slavery Laws (12:16) Life before Birth (17:45) Animals and Pets (24:17) Honest Testimony (32:40) Three Festivals and Kosher Law (35:50) Purpose of these Laws (44:00) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

    46 min
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About

Podcast hosted by husband and wife, Sarah and Jason. With fresh eyes and no prior research, Sarah and Jason will discuss each week's Torah portion. They will draw on a their experiences in modern day life, especially as new parents, as well as Jewish traditions and culture.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah and Jason
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah and Jason
  • Show Website
    Torah Unscrolled