Sivan Says: Taking the Torah Personally

In this week’s parsha, the Torah instructs us how to build the Mishkan, God’s temporary dwelling place on earth. And whereas the entire creation of the whole entire world required 31 verses, instructions for building the Mishkan occupy a whopping 450 verses. Why is the Mishkan so important? And how did the hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza give us all an inspiring lesson in the importance of taking charge of our own destiny, no matter how difficult life gets? Tune in to find out.

The discussion delves into the practical application of 53 commandments that transform the grand revelation at Sinai into everyday life. Listeners learn how to integrate spirituality into daily actions, finding profound meaning in everyday tasks. A captivating parable illustrates the importance of small mitzvot, while a heartfelt story about community prayer highlights the power of action and connection. Ultimately, it encourages a proactive approach to faith that enriches individual and communal experiences.

In this week’s parsha, Moses' father-in-law, Yitro, joins the Israelites after hearing about their miraculous escape from Egypt. He offers Moses crucial leadership advice just before the defining moment at Mount Sinai—the giving of the Ten Commandments. These commandments shape not just Jewish identity but the foundation of moral law, emphasizing both commitment and restraint. What does true unity look like, and why is the ability to say "no" just as important as saying "yes"? Tune in to find out.

On this week’s parsha, Moses parts the sea and the Israelites spend 40 years in the desert. But the real miracle in this pasha isn’t the stunning feats God performs. The miracle is how the Israelites responded to their circumstances. How can we be the miracle in our own lives? Tune in to find out. 

On this week’s parsha, God delivers the last three of the Ten Plagues, and the Israelites are set free and receive no fewer than 20 new mitzvot. What do these commandments, interspersed as they are with the very dramatic tale of the Exodus, teach us about life under particularly trying circumstances? 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.

On this week’s parsha, Moses and Aaron beg Pharoah to let the Israelites go, and God sends plagues to Egypt. Moses relates God’s message to the Israelites, but they’re so beaten down that they don’t realize they’re about to be redeemed from their enslavement. How are we similarly blinded by the trials of our everyday lives and how can we pay attention despite distractions? 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.

On this week’s parsha, the children of Israel multiply in Egypt and Pharoah tries to wipe them out. We meet Moses for the first time and the story of the Jewish people’s redemption begins. What can we learn from our first impressions of Pharaoh, Moses, and the Jewish people? 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.

On this week’s parsha, the last in the book of Genesis, Jacob blesses his descendants before his death. He gives his grandchildren, the sons of Joseph, a blessing that may strike us as strange. How do we develop our spiritual identity and independence? Tune in to find out. 

The reunion of Joseph and his brothers sparks a deep dive into the complexities of identity. Discover how an act of bravery in Gaza illuminates our Hanukkah celebrations. Themes of loyalty and spiritual resilience shine through stories of faith amidst adversity, showcasing the power of connection in tough times. A woman stranded at an airport learns to find purpose, reminding us to embrace positivity, even in life's challenges.

On this week’s parsha, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams to predict seven years of plenty and seven years of famine and becomes a governor of Egypt. Despite the trials that Joseph has endured, he never lost sight of his vision of how his destiny would unfold. What can we learn from Joseph seeing the bird’s eye view and taking an active role in how his story would play out? 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.