On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah

Latest Episodes:

Go Ahead, Be an Innovator Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Parashat Sh'mini tells of the deaths of two men who are though to have been punished for the sin was innovation - but today, don't we look at innovation as a positive thing? In this episode, originally released in March 2019, Rabbi Rick Jacobs says, "Innovators in Jewish life have always had serious pushback." Why? And what can we do about it? He encourages us to think about how we can continue to reboot and rekindle Jewish life.

A Passover of Hope Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Why is this Passover not like all other Passovers? How can we observe this festival meaningfully and connected to one another during this COVID-19 pandemic? How can we use Passover's plagues to inspire us to combat the literal and figurative plagues that infect humanity today? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs shares his insight and advice for making this year's Passover one that is unique yet equally fulfilling and hopeful. To learn more about how to plan creatively for this year's festivities, visit ReformJudaism.org/homeseder and URJ.org/covidresources.

Following Their Lead Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Jewish wisdom says a child's Torah education should start with the Book of Leviticus. As we read its second portion, Parashat Tzav, we share an episode that first ran in 2018, just after a school shooting in Parkland, FL, killed 17 people and injured 17 more. Rabbi Rick Jacobs stresses the importance of fighting for and with our young people, raising up the Jewish teens who, amid tragedy, mobilized for gun violence prevention.

The Laws of Leviticus, Choice, and A.J. Jacobs, the Gratitude Expert Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

How can we find modern meaning in ancient rituals? From our "greatest hits" collection comes this episode from March 2019, featuring Rabbi Rick Jacobs in conversation with acclaimed author A.J. Jacobs, perhaps best known for his book The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally As Possible. Together, they talk Parashat Vayikra, the evolution of Jewish tradition, and adopting an attitude of gratitude.

Special Episode: Announcing a New Format, Coming Soon! Mar 23, 2020

Show notes

Four years after launching our weekly Torah podcast, we're getting ready to shake things up a little! Exciting new changes are coming to On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah – so take a quick listen to this special announcement for a sneak peek of what to expect in the days and weeks to come.

Three United Faiths, One Divine Presence Mar 16, 2020

Show notes

In Vayak'heil-P'kudei, we see that God was so pleased with the Israelites' sacred space (the Tabernacle) that God's own presence descended upon them as they wandered through the desert. This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs is joined by Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of the Tri-Faith Initiative in Omaha, NE who discusses how the Initiative came to be, how he co-created this "sacred space" with local Muslim and Christian leaders, and how our Reform congregations can do the same with other local faith communities.

Slowing Ourselves to Anger Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

What is the Jewish approach to anger? How do we deal with it in a way that's healthy? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores Parashah Ki Tisa and explores God's anger toward the Israelites for their idolatry as well as the impact that our own anger can have on ourselves.

Let Your Eternal Light Shine Mar 02, 2020

Show notes

This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs takes a look at parashat T'tzaveh, in which the Israelites are commanded to create the ner tamid (eternal light) in the Tabernacle. He wonders: How is light symbolic in the Jewish tradition, and how can we best shine our own light toward others?

Building Our Own Tabernacle Together Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

In this week's Parashah, the Israelites contribute whatever they can to Moses in order to help build the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Join Rabbi Rick Jacobs and special guest Andrés Spokoiny (President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network - https://www.jfunders.org) as they discuss how we, similarly, can work together to build something sacred to benefit and support others for generations to come.

Mindfulness, Being Present, and Having Heart Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

What does it mean to be "mindful," to truly slow down and pay attention to what's happening in our daily lives? This week, Rabbi Rick Jacobs explores this question through Parashat Misphatim when God beckons Moses to not only come up to a mountain, but to also "be" there.