In Jewish practice the Torah is divided into weekly portions such that in the course of a full year we make our way through the entire Five Books of Moses. In Hebrew we refer to the weekly portion as the parshah or parashah, the plural being parashiyot. We begin in the beginning every fall at the conclusion of the Jewish Holy Days, and every week we progress until, as a year passes, we reach the end of Deuteronomy. And we begin again. We even have an especially joyous holiday, Simchat Torah, to ...
Oct 12, 2020•8 min
Spiritual Preparation for the New Year 5781 by Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Sep 04, 2020•55 min
46 Ekev Insights from the Weekly Torah Portion with Rabbi Jonathan Kligler by Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Aug 07, 2020•58 min
The humble Rabbi Joshua ben Hananya was a key figure in the reinvention of Judaism after the catastrophe of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple in the year 70CE. His teachings carry profound and timeless wisdom.
Jul 31, 2020•59 min
We take a deep dive into the mystical power of the letter א Aleph, as it reveals itself in this portion. How did Moses, who earlier in his life described himself as not "a man of words", become the leader who can orate the entire book of Devarim, which means "words"? the clues are embedded in the first and most wondrous letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Jul 24, 2020•58 min
We analyze the Biblical institution of the City of Refuge - designated cities to which those charged with murder could flee to await trial rather than be summarily executed in vengeance. We look at the historical advance this represented, and then also at the emotional and spiritual meaning of dwelling in a "city of refuge."
Jul 17, 2020•55 min
Pinkhas takes the law into his own hands and thereby stems a breakdown of Israelite society. God rewards him with a covenant of Shalom - but the covenant is somehow incomplete. We explore the unintended consequences of impassioned action.
Jul 10, 2020•1 hr 6 min
In this week's portion Miriam and Aaron die and Moses learns that he too will not enter the Promised Land. A new generation must now step forward to continue the journey.
Jul 03, 2020•1 hr 2 min
The rebellion of Korach and his company is a case study in populist leadership and the twisting of language for personal gain - and never more relevant than today.
Jun 26, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Twelve Israelite scouts are sent up to the Promised Land to explore it and bring back a report. Upon their return, all 12 agree that the land flows with milk and honey, but ten are certain that the Israelites will never be able to enter the land. Bedlam ensues, and the Children of Israel are condemned to wander for forty years. What went wrong?
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr
In the first half of today's class, we take a historical excursion and explore some ancient textual markings in this portion and their surprising meaning and origins. Then we turn to the Children of Israel's journey to the Promised Land, and their inability to postpone gratification. We turn to the Psalms and to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, reminding us that when we cry "How long?" - How long must our suffering, must injustice, continue - we still must keep marching.
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 1 min
The ancient Priestly Blessing is the centerpiece of this portion. Aaron and his sons are instructed to channel God's blessing unto the the people. What does it mean to be a channel or conduit for blessings, and how can each of us become that channel?
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr 4 min
The Book of Ruth is filled with acts of loving loyalty and gentle kindness. It is traditionally read during Shavuot, and reminds us that we not only receive Torah from a quaking and fiery mountain, but also from the quiet acts of love that sustain us all.
May 28, 2020•1 hr 1 min
What is the purpose of the census in Bamidbar? Jewish tradition explains that God wants to count us, because each of us counts, each of us matters. We are each counted and each individually named and recognized because each of us is loved.
May 22, 2020•55 min
Behar instructs us that we do not own the earth, and that every 7 years (the sabbatical year) we must let the land rest and become ownerless, and every 50 years (the Jubilee)we actually return any land we have acquired to those who have lost it to debt or other misfortune, so that everyone can get a fresh start. We are to "proclaim liberty throughout the land, for all its inhabitants" - the very words inscribed on the Liberty Bell. In this class we explore the nature of that liberty in relation ...
May 15, 2020•1 hr
Chapter 23 of Leviticus describes the annual cycle of Jewish Holy Days. The description culminates with Sukkot, and we are instructed to rejoice and to remember that we dwelt in sukkot, temporary, portable shelters for 40 years as we wandered in the wilderness. But why should dwelling in temporary, fragile shelters be a source of joy? Following Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks brilliant commentary, we explore how to nurture joy in the face of our fragile and uncertain futures.
May 07, 2020•1 hr
Kedoshim makes clear that in order to "love our neighbor as ourself" we must be willing to intervene when they are harming themselves or someone else. This is known in Hebrew as "Tochecha." It is one of the most difficult aspects of true friendship, and Jewish teachings offer nuanced and emotionally sensitive guidance on when and how to interrupt someone else's destructive behavior.
Apr 30, 2020•55 min
The Torah teaches that when an Israelite was afflicted with Metzora, a skin affliction that was contagious and appears to be untranslatable, they had to be separated from the community - a quarantine. The Talmud explores the responsibility of the afflicted person to protect the community, but also the responsibility of the community to care for the person. (My thanks to Rabbi Brent Spodek for his insights.)
Apr 24, 2020•1 hr 2 min
In Tzav, Aaron and his sons are instructed to tend to the fire on the sacred altar every morning, without fail. The fire must not go out. So we can tend to our inner flame daily, regularly, making sure we clean out the ashes of regrets and anxiety, and devote ourselves to letting our own inner lights shine clearly into the world.
Apr 06, 2020•54 min
In our first online Torah study class, Rabbi Jonathan discusses a scribal anomaly in the first word of the Book of Leviticus that leads into a world of powerful interpretations.
Mar 26, 2020•59 min
In our final class, participants share their reflections about what they have learned and how it has changed their perspective, leading to some very stimulating and inspiring discussion with the Reverend Matthew and Rabbi Jonathan. Rabbi Jonathan concludes with a summary of the insights we have gained and crystallized as a result of the course.
Feb 01, 2020•1 hr 54 min
"Values" are basic and fundamental beliefs that guide or motivate one's attitudes and actions. "Jewish Values" are those basic beliefs that are fundamental to Judaism. In this discussion, we articulate those values that we agree are "Jewish", and we explore how those values should inform the positions we take in the current moment, both in the USA and in Israel. Also, we discuss that often core values can be in conflict with each other. Thus, values-based decision making often involves balancing...
Jan 29, 2020•1 hr 24 min
We explore the last days of Jesus' life, including the Last Supper, his trial and crucifixion, and the stories of his resurrection. As always, we place these accounts in the context of Jewish life, history and thought of the 1st century. We discuss varying theories about the actual historicity of these events, and what they are meant to teach.
Jan 16, 2020•1 hr 54 min
A Rabbi And A Priest Study The Gospels 8 010920.MP3 by Rabbi Jonathan Kligler
Jan 09, 2020•1 hr 49 min
We continue studying the birth narratives in the Gospels, this session focusing on Luke and John. We explore the differing themes that each narrative highlights, and the striking differences between the various narratives. We show how each narrative is a layered midrash drawing on and weaving together earlier classic Jewish sources.
Jan 02, 2020•1 hr 55 min
We examine the varying birth narratives in the Gospels, today beginning with Matthew. Mark contains no narrative about Jesus' birth, while Matthew and Luke each have detailed, but very different, stories. John's account is cosmic and theological. We note how these very different accounts have merged over time into a single popular telling. We also look deeply at the Biblical and literary context of Matthew's account, and are able to situate it as a 1st-century Jewish creation. Fascinating discus...
Dec 19, 2019•1 hr 55 min
We look at the parable of the Good Samaritan through a 1st-century Jewish lens: Jesus as a Jewish teacher expounding on the central Jewish commandment "Love you neighbor as yourself." Who was one's "neighbor" according to Jewish understanding? Why choose a Samaritan to be the hero of the story? Who were the Samaritans? We address these and other questions in an illuminating session.
Dec 12, 2019•1 hr 53 min
We examine the stories of John the Baptist and Jesus in an illuminating discussion that explores historical, cultural and literary context.
Dec 05, 2019•1 hr 56 min
This week we turn to the text of the Gospel of Mark, and study it in the context of the Biblical texts that animate its narrative and its choice of metaphors. We also discuss a wide range of compelling questions from participants in the class.
Nov 21, 2019•1 hr 57 min
In the context of 1st century Judaism, what did Jesus mean when he spoke of the Kingdom of God? And what did the term "Messiah" mean to Jews of that era? In this week's class we explore these and many other questions.
Nov 14, 2019•1 hr 51 min
