On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

Latest Episodes:

The Difference Between Truth and Fact Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

An hour and a half outside Lousville, Kentucky is a sort-of biblical Disneyland that features a replica of Noah's ark. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses Parashat Noach, why he has chosen not to visit, and why there is truth in Torah even if it's not literally true.

#MeToo and Torah Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

Parashat B'reishit includes the story of Adam and Eve. It's a problematic story—one that can define women as subservient, with negative qualities. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses the parts of the Torah that don't teach the best lessons about gender equality, and where we should look instead.

Reconnecting With the Earth. Sep 24, 2018

Show notes

This week we celebrate Sukkot, the holiday where we take a break from the intensity of the High Holidays and put our hands into the Earth. In thinking about Sukkot, Rabbi Jacobs remembers A.D. Gordon, a pioneer of modern Israel and Judaism who reinvented what it means to be deeply committed to Jewish tradition and ideals.

Poetry as Torah Sep 17, 2018

Show notes

Parashat Haazinu is known as the Song of Moses—it's beautiful, and many see it as poetry. Jewish liturgy is filled with poetry, because, as Rabbi Jacobs suggests, it's one of the best ways to talk about God. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs discusses different poems that help us probe deeper into Judaism, and why they do.

A Person's Impact Sep 10, 2018

Show notes

Parashat Vayeilech comes toward the end of the Book of Deuteronomy, and Moses is facing the end of his life. In this episode of On the Other Hand, Rabbi Jacobs looks at the lives of two great leaders who have recently passed away: Senator John McCain and Rabbi Rachel Cowan.

Why Organ Donation is Jewish. Sep 03, 2018

Show notes

Parashat Nitzavim features the phrase "choose life," but what does it mean to choose life? One way of choosing life is by becoming an organ donor. Rabbi Jacobs discusses why this lifesaving choice is part of his Jewish values in this episode of On the Other Hand.

Why Mental Health Matters. Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Mental illness affects many members of the Jewish community, and there are small things that everyone can do to make those affected by mental illness feel more whole and welcome. Rabbi Jacobs discusses mental illness in and out of the Jewish community, the words we use, and how it all relates to Parashat Ki Tavo, in this episode of On the Other Hand

Can War Ever Be Ethical? Aug 20, 2018

Show notes

Parashat Ki Teitzei includes a set of teachings about conducting war. But how can these teachings be applied today, when the state of the world and the way war is conducted have changed so drastically? Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores this question in this episode of On the Other Hand.

Pursuing Justice From the Torah Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

This week, for Parashat Shof'tim, Rabbi Jacobs is joined by Dahlia Lithwick, who hosts the podcast Amicus and writes about the courts and the law for Slate. They discuss Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, what the justice system looks like today in the U.S. and Israel, and what the American justice system might look like in the future.

How We Can End Poverty Aug 06, 2018

Show notes

Parashat R'eih includes two important statements about poverty. The first, "there shall be no needy among you," addresses the core Jewish value that we should live in a society where everybody has the means they need to live. The second phrase, "there will never cease to be needy ones in your land," acknowledges that no matter what, poverty will never be completely eradicated. How do these two ideas serve each other? Rabbi Rick Jacobs gives his take in this episode of On the Other Hand.