Sivan Says: Taking the Torah Personally

Latest Episodes:

Beha'alotekha Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

With this week's parsha, Parshat Beha'alotekha, we ask the question: how do we want to want? Sivan ties the parsha's disparate stories together, from Aaron's lighting of the menorah to Miriam being punished with leprosy, through the theme of wanting to take ourselves higher. Desiring to raise ourselves up. Aspiring to help others and connect with those around us. Sounds like a lot, right? So how can we do all that and more? Tune in to find out.

Sivan Rahav-Meir is a leading Israeli journalist, media personality and Torah scholar. You can sign up for her The Daily Portion WhatsApp group, where Sivan sends small insights about Judaism and current affairs.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Naso - Shavuot Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

This week, we're skipping Parshat Naso and bringing you an episode all about Shavuot. To celebrate this great holiday where we received the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, Sivan brings us five things we can each do to strengthen our connection to Judaism. From checking out Torah translations, like ArtScroll, to reading Liel and Sivan's latest books, to listening to beautiful Jewish music, like Thinking of Her by Aaron Razel, Sivan asks each of us to find ways to connect to Judaism, to ourselves, and to those around us.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bamidbar Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

Today we begin the Book of Numbers with Parshat Bamidbar. In the Sinai Desert, God commands the Israelites to conduct a census. It's about numbers, and counting, sure. But, as Sivan explains, the parsha is really about making sure each person feels like they personally count. It's about validating others and raising their heads high. It's about experiencing oneself as an essential part of a whole. What's this got to do with Jewish leaders, from Moses to the Rambam, Rabbi Jonathan Sachs to the Lubavitcher Rebbe? Listen to find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bechukotai May 29, 2024

Show notes

Parshat Bechukotai's got a lot of blessings, and a lot of curses. Follow God's commandments, you're in the clear. Don't follow ’em, some gnarly stuff can happen. Persecution. Exile. A divine wrath. But could it be that it's all a blessing, even the curses? That the worst sin isn't some particular action, but apathy toward our connection to God? Tune in to find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behar May 22, 2024

Show notes

In Parshat Behar, we're talking about community. From business dealings to first responders, Sivan explains how the week's parsha emphasizes the bond to "achicha" - in Hebrew, your brother. How do we build this brotherly bond with others? How can we create caring and engaged communities, based not just on mutual trauma but on love and support? Listen and find out.

Sivan Rahav-Meir is a leading Israeli journalist, media personality and Torah scholar. You can sign up for her The Daily Thought WhatsApp group, where Sivan sends small insights about Judaism and current affairs.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emor May 15, 2024

Show notes

Between Yom HaZikaron, Israel's memorial day, and Yom HaAtzmaut, its independence day, Parshat Emor's got us thinking about the difference between valuing life and valuing death. What can we learn from those who've fallen in defense of the Jewish state? How can they teach us to live fulfilling Jewish lives in the face of rising hate? And what's this got to do with stickers found on Israeli streets? Listen and find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kedoshim May 08, 2024

Show notes

In this week's parsha, Parshat Kedoshim, we get holy. With 51(!) mitzvot - about family, salaries, sex, blindness, gossip, neighborly love, you name it - Sivan explains how the parsha is really about...everything. It's about your life. The lives of those around you. About loving others, and also ourselves. It's about elevating our worlds by becoming just a little bit holier. Wondering how? Tune in!

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acharei Mot May 02, 2024

Show notes

Parshat Acharei Mot is all about taking action. Sivan brings three examples - from Aaron, Moses' brother, to Elie Wiesel, and to the founder of Zionism himself, Theodor Herzl - and explains how each took charge, even in the wake of major crises. How can we follow their lead? Tune in to find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Metzora Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

On this week's episode, Sivan tells us a bit about Parshat Metzora, and a lot about Passover. The word Seder, as Sivan explains, means order. And in a chaotic world, a little Monday night Seder is what Jews around the world need right now. But what about the unaffiliated Jews, still in exile, not invited to a Seder? And what's the difference between discussing and eating Passover values? Listen to Sivan to find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tazria Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

As we start hodesh ha'aviv, the rejuvinating Passover-prep filled spring season, Parshat Tazria tells us all about...tzara'at - supernatural plagues! Sivan takes us from the RamBam to the Lubvutcher Rebbe to Rebbenu Jonathan Sachs in order to answer the question: What does tzara'at have to do with lashon hara - evil speech - social media, and quarantine? Listen and find out.

Check out Liel’s new book, How the Talmud Can Change Your Life: Surprisingly Modern Advice from a Very Old Book, available directly from the publisher, or wherever you purchase books.

You can find all of Tablet’s podcasts at tabletmag.com/podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices