Episodes

  • The Trait of "Frugality" in Behar

    The Trait of "Frugality" in Behar
    May 23 2024
    This week David and Modya complete their investigation of frugality looking at the parsha of Behar. We see how the lens is widened to include not only the self and community but also our orientation to the land and ultimately the Divine. In an agrarian culture, land represented economy and so the focus on letting the land lay fallow (shemitah and yoval) equated to frugality with finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Emor

    On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Emor
    May 16 2024
    In parsha Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23), David and Modya continue to explore "frugality." They look at it being part of a continuum of holiness and see how frugality in action needs to match an inner authentic orientation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Kedoshim

    On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Kedoshim
    May 9 2024
    Modya and David focus again this week on kimutz, or frugality, through the lens of the week's Torah portion, Kedoshim (Lev: 19:1-20:27). The central question: what do the priestly and ethical laws teach us about stewardship of our resources, both as individuals and as members of a community living in a covenanted relationship to each other and to God? We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • On "Frugality" in Acharei Mot

    On "Frugality" in Acharei Mot
    May 2 2024
    Modya and David begin this week a focus on the trait of frugality, the careful shepherding of one's resources, monetary and otherwise. The Torah portion under consideration is Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1-18:30). Modya and David explore how the careful allocation and conservation of resources can help to create a balance between the divine and animal energies which comprise the human being and human societies. The rite of the scapegoat is also discussed as a way to recognize, honor, and maintain the balance between these energies. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • "Righteousness" (tzedek) in Metzora

    "Righteousness" (tzedek) in Metzora
    Apr 18 2024
    On this week's episode, Modya and David are joined by the artist, writer, coach, and fellow podcaster Avrum Rosensweig to discuss parshat Metzora in the Book of Leviticus (Lev. 14:1-15:32), and what can be learned about the trait of tzedek, or righteousness. The wide-ranging discussion centers on the importance of being careful in one's speech, as one message of this parsha is how gossip and slander can throw an individual, and indeed an entire community out of balance. Modya, David, and Avrum also discuss how sacrificing for the greater good can help create and preserve healthy relationships and a righteous community. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • "Righteousness" in Tazria

    "Righteousness" in Tazria
    Apr 11 2024
    David and Modya know that beauty is more than skin deep. In this episode, they look at the parsha of tazria (Leviticus 12:1–13:59) through the lens of righteousness to see what we can learn about skin outbreaks, life and death and communal responsibility to the individual and the community. Modya Silver is an author and psychotherapist based in Toronto. David Gottlieb is a faculty member in the Jewish Studies program at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • More on "Righteousness" (Tzedek)

    More on "Righteousness" (Tzedek)
    Apr 4 2024
    Modya and David take a deep dive this week into Shemini (Lev. 9:1-11:47) to explore the content for lessons in tzedek, or righteousness. How might detailed instructions on the way to conduct different ritual sacrifices help build a society that cultivates righteousness and justice? What other middot (character traits) are related to righteousness? This Torah portion also contains the profoundly troubling episode of the deaths of Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, who offer a "strange fire" before God (Lev. 10:1-2). David and Modya discuss different commentaries on this episode, and how they illuminate the relationship between character traits, especially righteousness and humility. Thanks for listening! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • On "Righteousness" (Tzedek)

    On "Righteousness" (Tzedek)
    Mar 28 2024
    This week, Modya and David discuss what can be learned about tzedek, or righteousness, from Tzav in the book of Leviticus (Lev. 6:1-8:36). What do priestly guidelines for conducting sacrifices tell us about righteousness and how to enact it in the world? What other character traits help us develop into people who advance righteousness, for ourselves and for others? And just what is righteousness, anyway? Listen and enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins