In this episode with R. Joe Wolfson, we explore the nation's experience crossing the Red Sea through a series of midrashic readings that provide greater human depth and emotional contour to the written text. R. Wolfson reminds us how Chazal's dynamic interpretations often provide a bridge between the biblical account and our lived experiences. The series asks what axiomatic ideas sit at the root of Israel’s national formation, without which we wouldn’t be who we are? How might we adjust our curr...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In honor of reaching 200 episodes, we held a special live event at Meshek 48 in Rosh Tzurim on motzei shabbat, Parshat Shemot. Our conversation focused on the women of Parshat Shemot: the midwives, Moshe's mother, Moshe's sister, and Bat Pharaoh. We spoke about their heroic roles in the parsha and about modern iterations of these women that we have observed around us in the past year and a half. We want to thank all of our listeners for being part of this virtual Torah community and thank those ...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this deeply probing conversation with Matan lecturer Rachel Sharansky Danziger, we study Shemot 12 which focuses on the current exodus as well as its future retelling. Why is storytelling such a central tool at this point in our nation's early history? Is there an ethic of truth embedded in storytelling? How is storytelling relevant to our current challenges right now? The series asks what axiomatic ideas sit at the root of Israel’s national formation, without which we wouldn’t be who we are?...
Jan 23, 2025•50 min
We continue our Shemot series titled, "First Principles of Nationhood," with R. Dr. Joshua Berman with whom we explore how the Torah revolutionized the role and responsibilities of the individual in a religious society. This episode relates to this week's parsha as well as so many later narratives and laws in Shemot and beyond. The series asks what axiomatic ideas sit at the root of Israel's national formation, without which we wouldn't be who we are? How might we adjust our current trends in th...
Jan 16, 2025•53 min
This week we open our Shemot series titled, "First Principles of Nationhood." The series asks what axiomatic ideas sit at the root of Israel's national formation, without which we wouldn't be who we are? How might we adjust our current trends in the Jewish world to realign with these principles? For this opening episode, we sat down with Matan teacher, Yael Liebowitz, to discuss foundational Torah ethics reflected by the narratives in this week's parsha. This week’s episode is sponsored in comme...
Jan 12, 2025•48 min
In this fascinating conversation with Dr. Elana Stein Hain we develop and challenge a creative and meaningful theory that compares Yosef's life trajectory to the figure of Kayin. Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek! Our Shemot series titled, 'First Principles of Nationhood,' begins next week. If you live in Israel, come to our SPECIAL 200th episode EVENT in Meshek 48 on motzei shabbat, January 18 . Registration available on the Matan website. This week’s episode has been sponsored in loving memory of Ch...
Jan 05, 2025•38 min
In this conversation with Dr. Danielle Bloom that organically interweaves theories of psychology and biblical commentaries, we discuss the parallel life trajectories of Yehuda and Yosef, both of whom evolve before our eyes to become more empathetic leaders of family and nation. This week’s episode has been sponsored in prayer for the full recovery of the injured soldier David Netanel ben Ayala Ahuva and in loving memory of Levi Yitzchak and Sheva Sheindel Finn. To donate to Matan or sponsor a po...
Dec 29, 2024•51 min
This conversation with Dr. Ayelet Hoffmann Libson seeks to understand to what degree Yosef pursues the fulfillment of his childhood dreams, and how the tension between actively pursuing and letting go of the things we want is so complex. This episode has been sponsored by Barbara and Joel Rich in memory of the fifth yahrtzeit of Barbara’s brother Shmuel Yosef Ben Reuven. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode, visit the Matan Website’s DONATE page: https://www.matan.org.il/en/donatenow/...
Dec 22, 2024•44 min
In this conversation with beloved Matan teacher Dr. Tanya White, we delve into the character molding that transforms Yosef from a self-focused youth into a statesman and caretaker of his family. The turning point will surprise you. Look out for Tanya's new podcast on Rabbi Sack's Torah put out by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy: https://rabbisacks.org/books-and-beyond/ Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. To donate to Matan or sp...
Dec 15, 2024•46 min
In this searching and candid conversation with Chaya Cowen, we explore the internal struggles of Yaakov through psychological insights as well as Chassidic ones. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode, visit the Matan Website’s DONATE page: https://www.matan.org.il/en/donatenow/
Dec 08, 2024•49 min
In this episode with R. Alex Israel, we discuss the sister dynamic between Rachel and Leah, their relationships with Yaakov and how these dynamics impact future generations. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. This week's episode is sponsored in memory of Harav Yitzchak Chaim Moshe ben Binyamin Yaakov z"l by his family. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode, visit the Matan Website’s DONATE page: https://www.m...
Nov 30, 2024•39 min
In this conversation with Rabbanit Debbie Zimmerman, she paints a sensitive and nuanced portrait of our most understated patriarch, Yitzchak. While some describe Yitzchak as passive and a dutiful follower of Avraham's theological revolution, in this episode we meet an attentive and serene depiction of Yitzchak's life stories. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. This week's episode is sponsored by Sarina Goldstand and fa...
Nov 24, 2024•52 min
In this conversation with Rabbanit Rachel Weber Leshaw, we discuss Rivka's entry into the family and how her qualities make her a fitting life partner for Yitzchak. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. This week's episode has been sponsored by Barbara and Joel Rich to mark the yahrzeit of Barbara’s father Reuven ben Eliezer Yonatan z”l. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode, visit the Matan Website’s DONATE pag...
Nov 17, 2024•33 min
In this probing conversation with Michal Porath-Zibman, we discuss the highs and lows of Sara's life with particular focus on her absent, yet resounding, presence in the story of the binding of Yitzchak. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. This podcast has been dedicated by the Yellin and Weingarten families in loving memory of Judy Yellin's 30th yahrtzeit. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode, visit the Mata...
Nov 10, 2024•51 min
In this conversation with Dr. Chana Tannenbaum, we discuss the often overlooked story about the war between the kings (Br. 14) and what broader religious paradigms it reflects. Our Breishit series titled, ‘These are Our Heroes’ explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode visit the Matan Website’s DONATE page: https://www.matan.org.il/en/donatenow/
Oct 31, 2024•38 min
In this conversation with Dr. Mijal Bitton, we discuss Noach's emotional state after the flood and from where one can draw strength in hard times. Our Breishit series titled, 'These are Our Heroes' explores the highs and lows of our greatest biblical figures. To donate to Matan or sponsor a podcast episode visit the Matan Website's DONATE page: https://www.matan.org.il/en/donatenow/
Oct 27, 2024•37 min
This week's conversation with Rachel Sharansky Danziger opens our Breishit Series titled, 'These are our Heroes,' which explores a central figure from each parsha, asking our guests what is meaningful, inspiring, powerful, challenging, and thought-provoking about their behaviors. This week, Rachel explores mankind's highs and lows in the parsha. This week's episode has been sponsored by Dora Richter in memory of her mother, Chaya Rachel bat Shmuel Dov Hakohen, whose 50th yahrzeit is on the 3rd o...
Oct 20, 2024•52 min
In this conversation with Dr. Yael Ziegler we discuss the Torah of R. Mordechai Sabato on this week's parsha and the special role the land of Israel and Gan Eden play at the Torah's beginning and end. Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek! This week's podcast is sponsored by Sara Averick and Jose Rosenfeld in memory of Sara's Aunt Rose. Stay tuned for the upcoming Breishit series titled, "These Are Our Heroes" where we explore what moves, inspires, and challenges our guests about the wide array of epic fi...
Oct 15, 2024•45 min
In this special episode, in conversation with Az Nashir's editors--Shira Lankin Sheps, Rachel Sharansky Danziger, and Anne Gordon--we discuss the impetus for this book's creation, its relationship with the Techinot genre of women's prayers, and how this remarkable anthology can be used by Jewish women and men now and in the future.
Oct 06, 2024•57 min
In this episode with Rabbanit Dr. Adina Sternberg, we discuss her new book on the holidays, written in Matan's Kitvuni Program, and how some of its central themes intersect with the Ha'azinu poem. This episode has been sponsored by one of our listeners in gratitude for the weekly Torah thoughts and wisdom shared on this podcast.
Sep 29, 2024•46 min
This week’s episode with Laurie Novick explores her Torah apprenticeship with R. Yehuda Henkin z"l , his exegetical approach through a commentary on this week’s parsha, the uniqueness of his halakhic writings about women, and his identity as a theologian. It’s a wonderful introduction to the life of a modern posek and what it can look like to be trained by one. This week’s episode has been sponsored by Aviva Drazin memory of her father Yosef Yehoshua Ben Avraham Shalom and Rivka on his 2nd yahrt...
Sep 23, 2024•50 min
We're back with new weekly content! Through the prism of the mitzvah of Viduy Ma'asrot appearing in this week's parsha, this conversation with R. Jeff Saks movingly explores the nature of viduy and what this has to offer us during the Elul season. This week's episode is sponsored in honor of Rabbi Ed and Bobbie Winter's 59th wedding anniversary by their children Lauren Shaham and Ariel and Ilana and Natan Winter.
Sep 15, 2024•58 min
In this archived episode, the second of a four-part series on biblical characterization, Dr. Yael Ziegler and Yosefa take a broad, sweeping look at Moshe's life arc, shedding light on the final moments of his career in Devarim. Next week, we will be back with new episodes. Stay tuned!
Sep 09, 2024•57 min
We're so happy for the chance to reload this episode with Matan faculty member, Simi Peters. In this conversation she shares her love for the Netziv (R. Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin) and what he has to say about innovation in the book of Devarim.
Sep 01, 2024•31 min
Welcome to the Matan Podcast's summer 'vacation'! For the next three weeks we will be uploading a parsha episode from our archives with a new introduction by our host, Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble. In this enriching conversation with Matan’s favorite tour guide Shulie Mishkin, we explore the archeological background of Grizim and Eival and the reason the Torah insists that God be worshipped in a designated ‘place’ (makom).
Aug 25, 2024•33 min
In this conversation, Dr. Tanya White speaks personally and broadly about the wisdom of Rabbi Sacks. She touches upon key points of his philosophy and highlights their interface with this week's parsha. This week's episode has been sponsored by Sari and Yair Givati in honor of their daughter Yakira's Bat Mitzvah.
Aug 18, 2024•52 min
In this sweeping conversation with author and translator Ilana Kurshan, we explore Moshe's perspective on the nation's wilderness experience in text, midrash, and literary expansions. This episode has been sponsored in memory of Esther Yocheved bat Chaya Leah and Gershon whose yartzheit is on the 11th of Av.
Aug 11, 2024•38 min
Welcome to our Devarim Series titled "Torah from our Teachers." Moshe is our greatest human teacher and the book of Devarim includes his monumental addresses to the nation. Each week our guests will share Torah learned from their most influential teachers. This week, Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and I discuss some fundamental ideas related to the book of Devarim as well as meaningful memories of our most formative learning experiences.
Aug 04, 2024•50 min
In this conversation with R. Dina Najman, we discuss the interconnected episodes of Tzelofchad's daughters in Parshat Pinchas and Parshat Masei and their significance for the nation's wilderness experience. Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazek! Our upcoming Devarim series is titled, 'Torah of our Teachers.' Each week our guests will share Torah learned from their most influential teachers and role models.
Jul 28, 2024•38 min
In this conversation with Rabbanit Myriam Ackermann Sommer, we discuss the moral complexity of Pinchas' behavior which saves the community from further collective punishment. This week’s episode has been sponsored by Carole Damon in memory of her father, Isidor Goldberg, Simcha Yisroel ben Shmuel z”l on his yahrzeit (16 Tammuz).
Jul 21, 2024•39 min
