Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast

We have gone on vacation! But while we are off hiking and breathing, we are bringing you several episodes of a wonderful series we put out in 2021 at the start of this Matan podcasting venture. In this first episode our host, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble sat down with Dr. Yael Ziegler to discuss several tools of biblical characterization and why they are significant for meaningful Tanakh study.

It is recounted in Talmud Bavli Shabbat 31a, that one of the questions asked of the deceased waiting for final judgement is whether they anticipated the redemption. In this meaningful conversation with Rabbanit Rachel Weinstein, we speak about what redemption might actually look like and what we are anticipating. We delve into a chassidic idea about the month of Av and what it reflects about the possibilities awaiting us. This conversation is an example of the kinds of conversations the period of the three weeks invites us to conduct with one another and within our communities.  The Halakhic limitations of this period set the atmosphere, but it is up to us to candidly hope for, develop, and pursue a vision for the future. This week's episode has been sponsored by Ellen Horowitz in memory of her mother, Esther Yocheved bat Chaya Leah v' Gershon, in honor of her 10th yartzeit on the 11th of Av.

Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody wrote Ethics of Our Fighters: A Jewish View on War and Morality before the events of October 7th. Yet its publication shortly after the outbreak of the war in Gaza made the book especially timely—and deeply resonant. In it, R. Brody offers a “Jewish Multi-Value Framework” to navigate the often competing ethical considerations that arise in times of war—from the perspective of both those engaged in combat and those grappling with the moral questions. Drawing on emotionally charged moments from modern Israel’s history and a candid exploration of the biblical texts related to warfare, R. Brody presents a thoughtful structure and vocabulary to approach some of the most difficult ethical dilemmas. In our conversation, we explore the book’s central arguments and the diverse ways Jewish tradition has interpreted scriptural passages about war. These texts can often strike the modern reader as troubling, but as R. Brody points out, generations of sages and commentators have acknowledged these challenges and offered meaningful interpretive lenses through which to understand them. You can find R. Brody's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ethics-Our-Fighters-Jewish-Morality/dp/159264676X This week's episode has been sponsored by Shuli Rockoff in observance of the Yahrzeit for her mother, Hudell Ruchama bat Avraham Shlomo and Etta Malka on the 25th of Tammuz.

In this conversation with Dr. Ayelet Hoffman Libson, we discuss the episode of the daughters of Tzelofechad who approach Moshe asking for the right to inherit their deceased father's land. Our conversation speaks about the strength of Moshe as a humble leader as well as the women's wisdom reflected in their request for legal latitude. Thank you to Chana Shefa, Adira Lautman Botwinick, and Sivan Krug who are celebrating one year of weekly parsha learning together, with a tefilla that their connection to one another and to Torah continues to grow and flourish. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

In this conversation with Dr. Tanya White, we discuss the theological import of the parsha's unusual point of view, the parallels between Pharaoh and Balak's fear of Israel, and why coming to conclusions based on incomplete perceptions is a destructive behavior. This week's episode has been sponsored by Carole Damon in memory of her father Simcha Yisroel ben Shmuel whose yartzeit is on the 6th of Tammuz. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

Parshat Chukat opens with the ritual of the red heifer (para aduma) which purifies individuals from impurity caused by contact with a dead body. Leadership comes in all different shapes and sizes, and in this episode I had the privilege to sit down with a leader of Am Yisrael, one who leads behind the scenes in her life affirming work of caring for the dead. Sharon Laufer has been a member of the Chevra Kedisha (Jewish burial society) since she was 29 and pregnant with triplets. A hessed experiment that first served as a way to calm her fear of death, ultimately became a life calling that has brought her into rooms facing scenarios she could never have imagined. Sharon's involvement in burial and body identification has made her and others who do similar work an integral part of the army both before and after October 7th. Listen to her story--until the end--to hear about her dedication to the דtate of Israel and about the holy work she does to escort the departed from this world to the next.

In this conversation with Matan faculty member Simi Peters, we analyze Korach's tactics that made his rebellion an initial success and what ultimately caused it to fail. In her unique way, Simi weaves in midrashic traditions that underscore deeper points present in the narrative's foundation. These parsha conversations are being recorded in an ever-changing reality here in Israel. This episode opens with some thoughts about the current moment, with full understanding that reality can change in an instant. With prayers for the success of our unbelievable armed forces and for the return of the hostages. This week's episode has been sponsored by Eve and Jonathan Shiff in honor of Israel's soldiers and the hostages and their families – praying for success and safety, in body and soul. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Rachelle Sprecher Fraenkel, we explore where the spies went wrong, the possibility that their sin was inevitable, and where this registers in the current Israeli reality. Rabbanit Rachelle is the director of Matan's Hilkhata program and is also co-founder of The Jerusalem Unity Prize and Unity Day. Our Bamidbar Series explores different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.

Over the last year and a half, many have reflected that these times feel 'biblical.' There is a sense that the ongoing war and the surrounding societal shifts feel more significant than ever. Some of this 'biblical' scale has to do with the struggle for land and legitimacy, and some of it seems to be rooted in the heroism and clarity of the soldiers, both those in active service and reservists. They know there is a job to do and that they are the ones destined to do it. In this sensitive conversation, Dr. Yael Ziegler and Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble probe several battle stories in the book of Samuel for their guidance and wisdom regarding morality in war and the dynamic faces of courage, then and now. Make sure to listen until the episode's end for a conclusion to the miniseries. Dr, Yael Ziegler is a beloved Matan teacher and head of its Kitvuni program. She is a senior Tanakh lecturer at Herzog college and author of multiple commentaries on Tanakh. This has been a special podcast miniseries produced by Matan which dropped each week of the Omer counting between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot. In each episode, a Bible scholar explored an iconic biblical text in light of the changing Israeli, Jewish, and world realities.

In this week's conversation with Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg, we discuss the breakdown of leadership in the parsha as well as the fascinating correlation between Moshe's self-perception as a mother to the people with the laws of the 'rebellious son.' Our Bamidbar Series is exploring different forms of leadership in the book and in the Jewish world.