Parsha Lab from Aleph Beta

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Ep.30 Parshat Shoftim: What Does It Mean To Be A Fair Judge? Aug 13, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Shoftim, we're given a detailed list of instructions as to how to establish a justice system. Yet there are seemingly random topics woven into these instructions, like idolatry, and how to properly offer an animal to God. Is there a reason for these odd interludes? Are they telling us something important about the justice system? Join Daniel Loewenstein and Beth Lesch as they consider what true justice in the Torah really is -- and never think of Parshat Shoftim the same.

Ep.29 Parshat Re’eh: How Does God Really Feel About Child Sacrifice? Aug 06, 2018

Show notes

In the beginning of Parshat Re’eh, the Torah warns not to follow other gods that "we don’t know." Idolatry is prohibited, so why does it matter whether we "know” these other gods or not? Join Beth Lesch and Ami Silver as they re-examine the text and its parallels to Akeidat Yitzchak (Sacrifice of Isaac) and understand what it means to “know” God, and for God to “know” you -- and never think about Parshat Re'eh the same way again. For more about the Binding of Isaac: https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/akeidah-heroism-or-murder

Ep.28 Parshat Eikev: Is this Another Akeidah? Jul 30, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Eikev, Moshe is gearing up the people to enter the land of Israel. He’s laying out conditions of what God will expect, and what they can expect in return. But strangely, peppered throughout Moshe's talk are echoes and references to Akeidat Yitzchak (Sacrifice of Isaac). Why is this story being referenced here? What is Moshe communicating the people by comparing entering the land to the story of Abraham and Isaac? Join Ami Silver and Daniel Loewenstein as they explore these themes and more, this week on ParshaLab.

Ep.27 Parshat Va’etchanan: How Do We Manage The Influences Around Us? Jul 23, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Va’etchanan, the Israelites are forbidden from intermarrying with the Canaanite nations when they enter the land of Israel. While the rationale for this commandment may seem straightforward, its language echoes another story of a foreign nation, namely the story of the brutal mistreatment of Dina in Genesis. What do the Canaanites and Shechem have in common? Join Daniel Loewenstein and Beth Lesch as they re-examine these two narratives and explore the Torah’s understanding of how to both work with and manage the values of the foreign nations around us today -- and never think about Parshat Va’etchanan the same way again.

Ep.26 Parshat Devarim: What Did The Spies Do Wrong? Jul 16, 2018

Show notes

We know God wasn't pleased with the spies. Due to their actions, an entire generation would die in the desert, never entering the Promised Land. But what exactly did the spies do wrong? They reported that the land of Israel 'flows with milk and honey' and was inhabited by strong peoples -- weren't they just telling the truth? Why was God blaming the spies for reporting their experience? Join Beth Lesch and Ami Silver as they explore Moses' retelling and of the spies and discover their real failure and their children's opportunity to redeem their sin -- and never think about Parshat Devarim the same way again.

Ep.25 Parshat Matot-Masei: The Hidden Story Of Brothers, Borders, And Moses’ Burial Jul 09, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Matot-Masei, the Israelites are on the cusp of entering Israel, right on the Eastern side of the Jordan. But before they do, the tribes of Reuven and Gad ask Moshe to stay by the border, as the land is advantageous to raise their herd. At first furious, Moshe agrees to let them have the land provided they battle alongside their brethren as they enter Israel. But there’s something unique about this exchange -- it’s strikingly similar to another negotiation between Joseph and his brothers all the way back in the Book of Genesis. How are the negotiations with the tribes of Reuven and Gad and Joseph’s brothers connected? And how do these negotiations relate to the greater narrative of Moshe’s death outside of the land of Israel? Join Ami Silver and Daniel Loewenstein as they explore these hidden narratives at the end of Bamidbar, and never think about Matot-Masei the same way again.

Ep.24 Parshat Pinchas: How Is Land Ownership Connected To The Pesach Sheni Offering? Jul 02, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Pinchas, we read about the daughters of Tzelaphchad, who sought to inherit their father’s land. God granted their request, and even codified it into law. But there’s something unique about this story — it’s strikingly similar to the story of the Pesach Sheini offering. When a group of ritually impure people approached Moses and requested a way to make an offering, God codified a practice called Pesach Sheni, which acted as a “make-up” offering for the impure. But what does inheriting land and ritually impurity have to do with each other? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Daniel Loewenstein as they explore the meaning of nationhood and purity — and never think about Parshat Pinchas the same way again.

Ep.23 Parshat Balak: Why Weren't The Plagues Enough? Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

As the Israelites made their way towards the Promised Land, they encountered many nations -- Edomites, Canaanites, Amorites, Moabites -- who greeted them with less than open arms. But after seeing what God did to the Egyptians, wouldn't it have been better to take them in and avoid God's wrath? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Beth Lesch as they re-examine the text of Numbers to understand how these nations thought about God and the Israelites -- and never think about Parshat Balak the same way again.

Ep.22 Parshat Chukat: Why Do We Need A Red Heifer? Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Chukat, we read the laws surrounding the Red Heifer — the rare cow whose ash is used to purify those who stood too close to a corpse. But what is the reason for this unique ritual? Why do we need the ash of a red cow to be purified? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Daniel Loewenstein as they re-examine the text of the Red Heifer and discover a striking reference to the Garden of Eden — and never think about Parshat Chukat the same way again.

Ep 21. Parshat Korach: Where did The Rebellion Start? Jun 11, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Korach, there’s a sudden rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Korach, the leader of the rebellion, argues that all Israelites are holy, not just Moses and Aaron. But where did his distrust of Israel’s leaders come from? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Ami Silver as they re-examine Korach’s family origin, which is recorded in the text, and see how his upbringing may have played a significant role in the rebellion -- and never think about Parshat Korach the same way again.

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