Best Savran Podcasts (2026)

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25/27 Vayishlach with Dr. George Savran 19:44

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23d ago19:44

19:44

Dr George Savran asks whether Esau and Jacob really reconciled. Dr George Savran taught at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies since 1996, and was director of biblical studies. He received his Ph.D. from Brandeis University and is the author of Telling and Retelling: Quotation in Biblical Narrative (Indiana University Press, 1989) and Encount…

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25/31 Vayehi with Rabbi Danny Nevins 24:41

2h ago24:41

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Rabbi Nevins is dedicated to exploring the sacred realm of Torah and its intersection with contemporary ethics, culture, and technology. Ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary. He became Head of School of Golda Och Academy in 2021, dedicating himself to support the faculty and students in the creation of an outstanding and warm Jewish learning…

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25/30 Vayigash with Rabbi Alex Matthews 26:01

6h ago26:01

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Rabbi Alex Matthews has been part of the Congregation Ahavas Achim in Newburyport since 2015 and has been serving as its congregational leader since 2019. Rabbi Matthews was ordained at Hebrew College in June 2023. He serves part-time as a staff chaplain at Beverly Hospital. He completed the 18 Doors Rukin Rabbinic Fellowship focused on interfaith …

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25/29 Miketz with Rabbi David Zucker 23:47

7d ago23:47

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Rabbi David Zucker discusses the theological role of dreams in Miketz. Dr. Rabbi David J. Zucker is an Independent Scholar. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Birmingham (UK), and Ordination and an M.A.H.L. from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He publishes regularly (see www.DavidJZucker.org) and his latest book is American …

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25/28 Vayeshev with Prof. Jack M. Sasson 36:02

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Prof. Jack M. Sasson is the Mary Jane Werthan Professor (Emeritus) of Judaic and biblical Studies at Vanderbilt University as well as Kenan Professor (Emeritus) of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina. He holds a Ph.D. in Mediterranean Studies from Brandeis University. Sasson’s publications include commentaries on the Biblical book…

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25/26 - Vayeitzei with Professor Zvi Ben-Dor Benite 43:27

28d ago43:27

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Professor Zvi Ben-Dor Benite shares how Jacob's departure from Haran acts as a precursor for the Exodus from Egypt and how the Jacob story foreshadows so much else both in Torah and the development of Judaism itself. Professor Zvi Ben-Dor Benite is Professor of History, Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at NYU. He holds a Ph.D. in history from UCL…

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25/25 - Toledot with Rabbi Alex Matthews 29:49

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Rabbi Alex Matthews discusses Rivkah's moment of existential and physical crisis. Rabbi Alex Matthews has been part of the Congregation Ahavas Achim in Newburyport since 2015 and has been serving as its congregational leader since 2019. Rabbi Matthews was ordained at Hebrew College in June 2023. He serves part-time as a staff chaplain at Beverly Ho…

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25/24 - Chayei Sarah with Professor Tammi Schneider 32:20

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Professor Tammi Schneider discusses the life of Sarah in the context of the Ancient Near East. Tammi J. Schneider holds the Danforth Chair of Religion at Claremont GraduateUniversity. She specializes in the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. She received her BA is in Hebrew Language and Literature from the University of Minnesota and her docto…

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25/23 Vayera with Dr.Noam Cohen 30:04

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Dr Noam Cohen uncovers the fascinating link between the background to Isaac's birth and the Ugaritic text of the Aqhat Epic. Dr. Noam Cohen is Visiting Assistant Professor of Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. He received his PhD from NYU, with a dissertation examining portrayals of spousal violence in the Hebrew Bibl…

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Jewish Quest from 2005 - 7th SPECIAL English Judaism as a Religious Outlook with Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs z'l' 53:27

2M ago53:27

53:27

Due to several requests we are extending this series of audios featuring Rabbi Jacobs, from 2005 recordings. All are also avaialable with video by visiting www.booksof.louisjacobs.org. A free months subscription is available. Rabbi Louis Jacobs reflects in this video upon his past appointments, starting from his early steps as assistant Rabbi in El…

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Jewish Quest from 2005 - 6th SPECIAL Variety in Modern Judaism with Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs z'l' Episode 48:35

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Rabbi Jacobs discusses the various Jewish groups which make up the contemporary world. He begins with a discussion of the charedim. He points out that their approach to religious matters, for example dress, is uncompromising, although the term ultra-orthodox is misleading. Turning to the orthodox he considers their interaction with and differences …

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Jewish Quest from 2005 - 5th SPECIAL Ten Commandments with Rabbi Dr. Louis Jacobs z'l' Episode 53:29

3M ago53:29

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Rabbi Jacobs discusses the relation of the Ten Commandments to the other biblical injunctions, which traditionally number 613 and their role as symbols of Jewish loyalty. The Ten Commandments both need to be amplified, and to understood in their simplicity. Despite changing social mores we continue to believe in the Ten Commandments as the best gui…

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Jewish Quest 2005 - 4th SPECIAL Time and Eternity with Rabbi Louis Jacobs z'l ` 37:10

3M ago37:10

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Recorded in 2005 Rabbi Jacobs reflects, in this Audio, on the Jewish notions of time and eternity. Faithful to his own convictions, he subjects both concepts to careful scrutiny – examining the biblical and rabbinic understandings of the terms – and draws out the implications of such considerations on a wide variety of theological motifs, including…

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Jewish Quest 2005 3rd SPECIAL - The Elliot Cosgrove Interview with Louis Jacobs z'l 57:45

3M ago57:45

57:45

On a visit to London, Rabbi Dr Elliot Cosgrove of the Park Avenue Synagogue in New York took the opportunity to interview Rabbi Jacobs. They first discuss the influences on Rabbi Jacobs’s thought, particularly the differences between his yeshiva and university experiences and his teachers. Rabbi Cosgrove then asks Rabbi Jacobs how he would characte…

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25/AGM Special - Rabbi Louis Jacobs on Masorti UK 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

PLEAST NOTE THIS VIDEO CONTAINS AN ADDITIONAL SHORT SECTION- A few seconds silence is in between each, so please dont switch off until the music plays. Replacing this weeks Sedra podcast, we share a recording from Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs z"l "Teaching Videos" Recorded in 2005 by Ivor Jacobs, as part of a series of videos on the Foundations web sites.…

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25/22 - Naso with Professor Idan Dershowitz 30:21

7M ago30:21

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Professor Dershowitz discusses the nature of guilt in the Torah’s restitution laws and also the laws concerning Sotah. Professor Idan Dershowitz completed his undergraduate and graduate training at the Hebrew University, following several years of study at Yeshivat Har Etzion. In 2017, he was elected to the Harvard Society of Fellows. Dershowitz is…

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25/21 - Bamidbar with Rabbi Andy Shugerman 18:42

7M ago18:42

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Rabbi Andy Shugerman is a multifaceted Jewish educator and development professional currently serving as the inaugural Development Director at Congregation Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In this role, he focuses on enhancing the synagogue’s fundraising initiatives and community engagement. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Rabbi Shuger…

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25/20 - Behar/Bechukotai with Professor James Diamond 31:15

7M ago31:15

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Professor James Diamond discusses the treatment of non-Israelite slaves from Moses to Moses. Prof. James A. Diamond is the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Chair of Jewish Studies at the University of Waterloo and former director of the university’s Friedberg Genizah Project. He holds a Ph.D. in Religious Studies and Medieval Jewish Thought from the Univers…

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25/Special - Rabbi Louis Jacobs on Israel and Zionism 46:11

8M ago46:11

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This very recently discovered audio tape has just been digitized. This lecture, although spoken almost 50 years ago is an important contribution to the debate on Zionism. Simon Eder, Education Director of The Louis Jacobs Foundation introduces the talk:- Replacing this weeks podcast, we share a recording from Rabbi Dr Louis Jacobs z"l in 1981. Spea…

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25/19 - Achrei Mot/Keddoshim with Dr Eve Levavi Feinstein 16:16

8M ago16:16

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Dr Eve Levavi Feinstein discusses the uniqueness of the sexual prohibitions outlined in Leviticus 18 and 20. Dr. Eve Levavi Feinstein holds a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University. Her dissertation, Sexual Pollution in the Hebrew Bible (Oxford University Press), explores the Bible’s use of purity and contamination language to describe sexua…

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25/17 - Shemini with Dr Rabbi David Freidenreic 23:21

8M ago23:21

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Dr Rabbi David Freidenreich discusses what the dietary laws teach us about holiness. Dr. Rabbi David M. Freidenreich is the Pulver Family Professor of Jewish Studies at Colby College. He earned his Ph.D. at Columbia University and rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is the author of the award-winning book, Foreigners and Th…

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25/18 - Tazria/Metzora with Dr Yitzhaq Feder 19:17

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Dr Yitzhaq Feder uncovers the parallels between The skin disease Tzaraat in Leviticus and literature of the Ancient Near East. Yitzhaq Feder is a lecturer in the Department of Biblical Studies at the University of Haifa and tel aviv His research synthesizes the traditional philological study of ancient texts with the cognitive science of religions.…

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25/16, Ki Tissa with Professor Berel Dov Lerner 29:08

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Professor Berel Dov Lerner considers the commentary of Rabbi Meir Simcha of Dvinsk on the breaking of the Tablets. Berel Dov Lerner is currently an associate professor of philosophy at the Western Galilee College in Akko. He is the author of many articles in philosophy and Jewish studies and of the book Rules, Magic, and Instrumental Reason (Routle…

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25/15 - Yitro with Professor Kenneth Seeskin 25:10

11M ago25:10

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Professor Kenneth Seeskin asks just what was heard by the people, if anything, during the revelation at Sinai? Professor Seeskin is Professor of Philosophy and Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Professor of Jewish Civilization at Northwestern University. He received his Ph.D in Philosophy from Yale University in 1972 and has been at Northwestern ever s…

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25/14 - Bo with Rabbi Daniel Zucker 20:13

11M ago20:13

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Rabbi Daniel Zucker discusses the influence of Egyptian belief for understanding repeated references to Pharaoh’s heavy heart. Rabbi Zucker, D.D. is the Rabbi of Temple Israel of the Poconos, in Stroudsburg, PA, and President and CEO of Americans for Democracy in the Middle-East. He holds an M.A. in Hebrew Letters, a Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Cau…

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25/13 - Shemot with Professor Edward Greenstein 34:01

12M ago34:01

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Professor Edward Greenstein shares how the Moses story both conforms and deviates from fugitive hero narratives of the Ancient Near East? Professor Greenstein is Professor Emeritus of Bible at Bar-Ilan University. He received the EMET Prize (“Israel’s Nobel”) in Humanities-Biblical Studies for 2020, and his book, Job: A New Translation (Yale Univer…

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25/12 Vayechi with Rabbi Rachel Ain 20:08

12M ago20:08

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Rabbi Rachel Ain discusses the significance of the way Jacob blesses his sons and his legacy as Patriarch. Rabbi Rachel Ain is the Rabbi of Sutton Place Synagogue, a Conservative Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan. Before joining SPS, Rabbi Ain was the Senior Director for National Young Leadership at the Jewish Federations of North America, where she w…

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25/11 - Vayigash with Rabbi Ariel Abel 26:18

12M ago26:18

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Rabbi Ariel Abel explores how Joseph delicately balances his identity as an Egyptian leader with his Hebrew roots during the reunion with his brothers. Rabbi Abel lives with his wife Shulamit and two children together in Liverpool He is a rabbinic graduate of Midrash Sepharadi in Jerusalem, is a practising solicitor and a Sandhurst graduated chapla…

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24/10 - Miketz with Professor Gary Rendsburg 27:55

1y ago27:55

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Professor Gary Rendsburg invites us to understand the Joseph story as ancient literary art at its very best. Prof. Rendsburg serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. His Ph.D. and M.A. are from N.Y.U. Rendsburg is the author of seven books and about 200 articles; …

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24/9 - Vayeshev with Dr Dov Berel Lerner 33:40

1y ago33:40

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Dr Dov Berel Lerner considers what Joseph's dreams symbolise and their importance within the wider themes of Genesis. Dr Lerner is currently an associate professor of philosophy at the Western Galilee College in Akko and also teaches at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. He is the author of many articles in philosophy and Jewish studies and of …

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24/8 - Vayishlach with Dr. Alison Joseph 22:30

1y ago22:30

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Dr Alison Joseph asks just who is the victim of the Dinah Story? Dr. Alison Joseph is the Director of Digital Scholarship and Associate Professor of Bible at Gratz College, Assistant Managing Editor of The Posen Library for Jewish Culture and Civilization and an adjunct assistant professor of Bible and its Interpretation at JTS. She holds a Ph.D. i…

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December 2024 Special - with Rabbi Elliot Cogrove 29:13

1y ago29:13

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Rabbi Dr Elliot Cosgrove discusses his timely new book:- For Such A Time As This: On Being Jewish Today Elliot Cosgrove is a leading voice of American Jewry and a preeminent spiritual guide and thought leader. The rabbi of Park Avenue Synagogue since 2008, he was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1999 and earned his PhD at the Universi…

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24/7 - Vayezei with Rabbi Dr Naomi Kalish 18:33

1y ago18:33

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Rabbi Dr Naomi Kalish uncovers what Jacob teaches us about listening and how it paves the way for peace. Rabbi Kalish is the Harold and Carole Wolfe Director of the Center for Pastoral Education and assistant professor of Pastoral Education at JTS. Prior to coming to JTS, Rabbi Kalish taught clinical pastoral education (CPE) at New York–Presbyteria…

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24/6 - Toldot with Rabbi David Kasher 27:22

1y ago27:22

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Rabbi David Kasher asks just who is the villain in the Toldot story? Rabbi David Kasher is the Director of Hadar West Coast. After graduating from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, he served as Senior Jewish Educator at Berkeley Hillel, a part of the founding team at Kevah, and Associate Rabbi at IKAR. Rabbi Kasher completed a translation of Avot d’Rabbi Na…

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24/5 - Chayei Sarah with Rabbi Marc Soloway 24:04

1y ago24:04

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Rabbi Marc Soloway discusses the legacy of Sarah and the very contrasting responses of Abraham and Isaac to her death. Rabbi Soloway has been Bonai Shalom’s Spiritual Leader in Boulder, CO. since 2004, the same year that he was ordained at The Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies at The American Jewish University in Los Angeles. His rabbinical train…

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24/4 - Vayera with Professor Kenneth Seeskin 26:26

1y ago26:26

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Professor Kenneth Seeskin discusses the ambiguity and unresolved tension in the Akedah. Professor Seeskin is Professor of Philosophy and Philip M. and Ethel Klutznick Professor of Jewish Civilization at Northwestern University. He received his Ph.D in Philosophy from Yale University in 1972 and has been at Northwestern ever since. He specializes in…

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24/3 - Lech Lecha with Dr Rabbi Joshua Garroway 22:47

1y ago22:47

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Dr Rabbi Joshua Garroway uncovers the importance of the minor character, Melchizedek. Dr. Rabbi Joshua Garroway is the Sol and Arlene Bronstein Professor of Judaeo-Christian Studies at HUC-JIR in Los Angeles. He holds a Ph.D. from the Religious Studies Department at Yale and ordination from HUC-JIR in Cincinnati. He is the author of, The Beginning …

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24/2 - Noach with Dr Jeremy Tabisk 18:42

1y ago18:42

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Dr Jeremy Tabick discusses the centrality of God's transformation in the parsha. Dr Jeremy Tabick is the content manager and faculty at Hadar, where he teaches, curates, and edits Hadar’s content – both online and in print – and project Zug courses. Jeremy recently completed a PhD in Talmud at JTS. He graduated from the University of Manchester (in…

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24/1 - Bereshit with Rabbi Jeremy Gordon 29:37

1y ago29:37

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This week for Bereshit, our director Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet fills in as host as we begin a new year, welcoming Rabbi Jeremy Gordon to discuss some of the ways in which Bereshit defies our expectations and requires new explanations. From the creation of the work to the creation of Adam and Eve - nothing is quite as it seems, 'in the beginning.' R…

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138 - Mattot Masei with Dr Rachel Havrelock 32:48

1+ y ago32:48

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Dr Rachel Havrelock uncovers the difference between the Priestly vision and the Deuteronomistic vision for the map of the land of Canaan. Dr. Rachel Havrelock is Associate Professor of Jewish Studies and English at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Rachel’s book, River Jordan: The Mythology of a Dividing Line combines biblical studies, literar…

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137 - Pinchas with Rabbi Eliyahu Jian 28:46

1+ y ago28:46

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Rabbi Eliyahu Jian discusses the inner meaning behind Pinchas' act of zealotry. Rabbi Eliyahu Jian is a global thought leader, transformational life and business coach, spiritual coach, relationship coach, author and motivational speaker. He has been transforming thousands of lives around the globe for decades, including some of the world’s most fa…

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136 - with Professor Everett Fox 21:45

1+ y ago21:45

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Professor Everett Fox uncovers the unusual features of the Balaam narrative. Professor Everett Fox is the Allen M. Glick professor of Judaic and Biblical Studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. from the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies at Brandeis University. Fox is the translator of The …

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135 - Chukat with Dr Ely Levine 17:02

1+ y ago17:02

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Dr Ely Levine discusses the significance of the Red Heifer and the symbolic meaning behind the serpent of bronze. Dr. Ely Levine holds a PhD in biblical studies and archaeology from Harvard University. He has taught at Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Luther College. He has participated in archaeological excavations in Ital…

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134 - Korach with Professor Naomi Graetz 19:04

1+ y ago19:04

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Professor Naomi Graetz discusses the connection between Samuel and Korach and the parsha’s pertinence for today. Naomi Graetz taught English at Ben Gurion University of the Negev for 35 years. She is the author of Unlocking the Garden: A Feminist Jewish Look at the Bible, Midrash and God; The Rabbi’s Wife Plays at Murder ; S/He Created Them: Femini…

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133 - Shelach with Professor Jacob Wright 30:46

1+ y ago30:46

30:46

Professor Jacob Wright discusses the origins of the spy story. Professor Jacob Wright is Professor of Hebrew Bible at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and the Director of Graduate Studies in Emory’s Tam Institute of Jewish Studies. His doctorate is from Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen. He is the author of Rebuilding Identity: The N…

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132 - Behalotecha with Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet 21:00

1+ y ago21:00

21:00

Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffat discusses radical models of leadership.By Jewish Quest

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We Have Reason To Believe - Session Two 47:39

1+ y ago47:39

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Audio of Session held on Tuesday 21st May 2024 with Simon Eder.By Jewish Quest

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131 - Emor with Rabbi Nelly Altenburger 17:25

1+ y ago17:25

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Rabbi Nelly Altenburger shares how we might read some deeply troubling lines of the parsha. Rabbi Nelly Altenburger became the new spiritual leader of Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown in the summer of 2020. Rabbi Altenburger was born and raised in Brazil and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Hebrew Language and Literature from the Univ…

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130 - Kedoshim with Professor John Collins 20:15

1+ y ago20:15

20:15

Professor John Collins discusses the meaning of ''Love your neighbour as yourself!'' and how the Golden Rule emerged. Professor John Collins is Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale University. He received his Ph. D. from Harvard (1972) and holds honorary degrees from the University College Dublin and the University…

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129 - Acharei Mot with Professor Elsie Stern 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

Professor Elsie Stern shares how Acharei Mot acts as the bridge between the two sections of Vayikra. Elsie Stern is Professor of Bible at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. She received her BA from Yale University and her M.A. and PhD from the University of Chicago. Stern is the author of From Rebuke to Consolation: Exegesis and Theology in …