Parsha Lab from Aleph Beta

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Ep 20. Parshat Shelach: Spies. Conspiracies. And the Two Men Caught In The Middle — Sound Familiar? Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Shelach, we read the story of the spies who ventured to the land of Israel and brought back a false report to the Israelites. But there’s something very strange about their report. Aside from being inaccurate, it’s strikingly similar to another story we’ve heard. A group of twelve men, ten of whom committed a terrible sin and two of whom were innocent — sound familiar? Join Rivky and Beth as they re-examine the text of the spy story — and never think about Parshat Shelach the same way again.

Ep 19. Parshat Beha’alotecha: Is it the Beginning of the End? May 28, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Beha’alotecha we complete the Mishkan story that started in the middle of Exodus and is completed all the way into this portion of Bamidbar. Finally, the children of Israel are ready to embark on their journey to the Holy Land with the Mishkan - God’s dwelling place - by their side. But their journey quickly takes a turn for the worse as the saga of the desert experience begins to fester with complaints, regrets, and slander. Is this the beginning of the end? What will become of the Israelite’s journey? Join Ami and Rivky as they study the shifting dynamics of the desert story — and never read Beha’alotecha the same way again.

Ep 18. Naso: What Are The Unique Laws of Sotah Really About? May 21, 2018

Show notes

Parshat Naso introduces us to one of the oddest laws in the Torah, the laws of the Sotah -- a woman suspected of adultery by her husband. If the woman chooses to defend her honor, she is able to partake in an ancient ritual where the Kohen makes her drink tampered water. If she’s telling the truth, nothing happens and she’s rewarded with children. But if she’s lying, she has a traumatic reaction to the water and she’s killed. What is the basis for this strange law and where did the procedure originate? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Rivky as they re-examine this practice and discover a unique relationship to the story of Noah earlier in the Torah — and never think about the laws of the Sotah the same way again.

Ep 17. Bamidbar: Is the “Book of Numbers” A Good Translation for “Bamidbar”? May 14, 2018

Show notes

Parshat Bamidbar is the first Parsha in the book of Bamidbar. Strangely enough, the names our Sages give to the Books of Torah often don’t line up with the Hebrew. Case in point, the Sages call Bamidbar “Sefer Hapikudim,” or the Book of Numbers. But what do numbers have to do with Bamidbar? Sure, the Israelites are counted in the beginning, but why is the whole book called Numbers? Is there actually a theme being presented in the title? And for that matter, are all of the Sages' titles actually presenting a bigger idea? Join Rabbi Fohrman and a special guest star (Arielle Fohrman!) as they explore these fascinating questions and their implications for the larger narrative of the Torah.

Ep 16. Behar-Bechukotai: Shemittah, Yovel and… Mount Sinai? May 07, 2018

Show notes

This week’s double parsha, Behar-Bechokotai, focuses on the agricultural cycles of Shemittah and Yovel. Strangely enough, the language here carries echoes of some of the themes of last week’s parsha, and even seems to take us all the way back to Mount Sinai. Are these ideas somehow connected? What could the revelation at Sinai have to do with agricultural laws in the land of Israel? Join Rivky Stern and first time co-host Ami Silver as they explore these fascinating connections and the implications for what it means to live together with God in this world.

Ep 15. Emor: What Does the Omer Offering Have To Do With the Jewish Holidays? Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

In Parshat Emor, we read through the laws and details of the Biblical holidays. But this section also includes a few other laws - like the Omer offering, and agricultural laws like Pe’ah and Leket. Why are those laws included with the Jewish holidays? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Rivky as they re-examine the Emor text, and discover its subtle shared language with a few other texts of the Torah — and never about Parshat Emor the same way again.

Ep 14. Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: What Does Yom Kippur Have To Do With Megillat Esther? Apr 23, 2018

Show notes

In Acharei Mot, we learn about the priest’s Yom Kippur service in the Tabernacle. But there’s something very interesting about the language used to describe this section — it’s strikingly similar to the story of Megillat Esther. What does Yom Kippur -- with its themes of repentance and closeness to God -- have to do with Esther? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Rivky as they re-examine these two texts, and never think Acharei Mot or Megillat Esther the same way again.

Ep 13. Tazria-Metzora: What Does Childbirth Have In Common With Leprosy? Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

In this weeks double parsha, Tazria-Metzora, we learn about the different ways that one can became “tamei,” spiritually impure -- such as giving birth, to someone who has contracted leprosy. But how do these radically different ways of becoming tamei actually connect? Are we meant to believe that the miracle of birth is similar to a plague of deformity? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Imu as they reexamine the text of this weeks parsha, and find thematic connections to explain how these strange laws are actually connected -- and never thing of tumah the same way again.

Ep 12. Shemini: What Does The Induction Ceremony For The Priests Have To Do With...Purim? Apr 09, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Shemini about the induction of Aaron and his sons into the priesthood. Interestingly, there are bunch of similarities - in language, and in theme - between this story, and the story of Megillat Esther. But what does the induction of priests have to do with Esther?? Join Rabbi Fohrman and Rivky as they examine this puzzle - and never think about the priesthood, or Megillat Esther - the same way again.

Ep 11. Tzav: What Does The Mincha Offering Teach Us About Passover? Mar 19, 2018

Show notes

We learn in Tzav that one is not allowed to mix Chametz with the sacrificial Mincha offering. But what does the Mincha offering have to do with Chametz? Or by extension, Passover? Join Imu and Rivky as they re-examine the offering text and learn the deeper meaning behind Chametz — a symbol of over-processing and separation from the creator — and never think of the Mincha offering, and Chametz, the same way again.

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