Best Aaron Roller Podcasts (2025)

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Ki Tisa: Worse Than A Slippery Slope 26:13

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5+ y ago26:13

26:13

In this episode, we are together again and talking about the Sin of the Golden Calf. Was is the id of the Jewish people run amok with their leader missing? Or was it a more high-minded decision that went off the rails? Join us for the discussion.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Tetzaveh: Eternal Flame 8:30

5+ y ago8:30

8:30

A quick solo show on the important of consistency.By Aaron Roller

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Trumah: Let's Build Something Together 25:42

5+ y ago25:42

25:42

This week's Torah portion reads like a complicated set of building specs, as G-d presents Moshe with the instructions for building the Tabernacle. We talk about what it means for the Israelites to engage in a construction project following the splitting of the sea and the revelation at Sinai.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Mishpatim: What is Justice? 22:49

5+ y ago22:49

22:49

In Mishpatim, the Torah seems to take a dramatic turn from narrative into a detailed discussion of Jewish law. How do we explain this change? And how should we think about the way that the word mishpatim is used in Genesis vs. the way it's used in this week's parsha? Join us for the discussion.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Yitro: Delegation & Revelation 29:45

5+ y ago29:45

29:45

Something strange about the week's Torah portion, Yitro, is that the greatest divine revelation in human history is preceded by a seemingly unrelated story about Moshe delegating authority and setting up multi-tier courts. On this episode, Aaron wonders why he's so bad at delegating and Rabbi Bienenfeld delves into the details of what makes good le…

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Beshalach: The Circuitous Path to Freedom 24:00

5+ y ago24:00

24:00

On this week's show, we talk about the difficult path the Israelites had to travel to achieve mental freedom even after they achieved physical liberation. We talk about the contrast between manna and matzoh, changing habits, and the deep lessons of Shabbos. Also, here's a reference to last week's episode in the show notes: http://www.buzzsprout.com…

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Bo: Free & Flexible 23:26

5+ y ago23:26

23:26

In this episode, we spoke about Pharoah's hardened heart. Has G-d removed Pharoah's free will, or has He strengthened it? We contrast Pharoah's inflexible commitment to a corrupt ideology with the more fleet footed approach of the Patriarchs.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Vaera: Age of Miracles 27:49

5+ y ago27:49

27:49

In this week's episode, as the Torah portion introduces seven out of the ten plagues, we talk about the role of miracles and how direct divine intervention should impact our own perspectives.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Shemot: The Making of Moshe 24:02

5+ y ago24:02

24:02

In this week's episode, we start Sefer Shemot - the Book of Exodus - with the question of what makes Moshe Rabbeinu the greatest Jewish leader in history.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Vayechi: Lessons Before Dying 29:19

5+ y ago29:19

29:19

In this week's Torah portion, Vayechi, Yaakov Avinu, the third, and last, of the patriarchs, dies. On this week's episode, we talk about the lessons Yaakov teaches us at the end of his life.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Vayigash: Down to Egypt 32:43

5+ y ago32:43

32:43

In this episode, we look at how Jacob and his children prepare to descend to Egypt and what that has to teach us today about moving into and within the diaspora.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Miketz: Sibling Rivalry 32:08

6y ago32:08

32:08

In this episode, we delve into the dispute between Yosef and his brothers to try and understand why it never occurred to them to even suspect that the Egyptian viceroy giving them so much trouble might be their brother.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Vayeshev: Up and Down and Up Again 21:44

6y ago21:44

21:44

In this week's episode, we try to make sense of Joseph and his violent journey from Yaakov's favorite child to the depths of a pit, and all his subsequent rises and falls. Along the way, we touch on a couple of points that make Joseph's journey all the more remarkable and draw out some lessons for our moment today.…

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Vayishlach: Inner Demons/Outer Angels 32:39

6y ago32:39

32:39

In this week's Torah portion, Yaakov wrestles with a mysterious man, whom tradition considers to the Esav's "angel." In this week's episode, we talk about what this wrestling match represents and how it prepared Yaakov for his encounter with the real Esav the next day.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Vayetze: Super Duper or Super Duped? 28:35

6y ago28:35

28:35

In this week's discussion, we talk about Yaakov's trip to Padan-Aram to escape his brother and his decision to return back home. We look at the dream he has at the beginning of his journey and the vision he has at the end, and what that tells us about who he is, in contrast to the difficult people around him.…

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Toldot: Thanksgiving in Be'er Sheva 34:04

6y ago34:04

34:04

This episode, recorded on Thanksgiving with the turkey in the oven, discusses the question of how Jews give thanks to their host nations in exile, what that tells us about Thanksgiving, and how an antecedent is found in this week's Torah portion in the relationship between Yitzchak and Avimelech, the King of Grar.…

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Chayei Sara: The Devil Made Them Do It - Featuring Alan Sufrin & Miriam Brosseau 30:28

6y ago30:28

30:28

Aaron visited Chicago and recorded this episode with Alan J. Sufrin and Miriam Brosseau, the hosts of the podcast "Throwing Sheyd." On "Throwing Sheyd," Alan and Miriam examine the wide range of Jewish texts that deal with Sheydim, or demons, to analyze them and ask what they can tell us about our lives. In this crossover episode, we looked at midr…

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Vayera: Ties that Bind 27:50

6y ago27:50

27:50

Following in the same vein from last week's conversation about Abraham's trials, we discuss Abraham's final trial, the binding of Isaac. We look at the full, tragic irony of G-d's request that Abraham sacrifice the son whose very existence was so clearly an expression of the divine will, and we ask whether or not the binding of Isaac challenged Abr…

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Lech Lecha: The Trials of Abraham 37:50

6y ago37:50

37:50

In this week's episode, we talk about the idea in Jewish tradition that Abraham was tested ten times. Why? Why is being tested essential for Abraham's character? Does he pass all the tests? And what are we supposed to learn from that? Join us for the discussion.By Aaron Roller & Rabbi Jonathan Bienenfeld

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Noach: Fruit of the Vine 32:33

6y ago32:33

32:33

The Portion, Season 2 is on! Aaron and Rabbi Bienenfeld are back this week talking about Noah. This year, they're pretty much skipping the ark and the flood to talk about the vineyard that Noah plants after he gets off the flood. Why grapes? Why a vineyard? Why does Noah get drunk? And does the Torah's negative portrayal of drinking and drunkenness…

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Vezot Habracha: And This Is It 37:47

6y ago37:47

37:47

This is it! The last episode of our first season, which strangely coincides with the conclusion of the weekly Torah readings and the end of the Book of Deuteronomy. The last Torah portion is bittersweet and cryptic, featuring Moshe's blessings to the tribes, which contain far reaching (and some oddly specific) references to future events.…

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Ha'azinu: A Song in Our Hearts 41:26

6y ago41:26

41:26

Rabbi Bienenfeld is back and he and Aaron take on the daunting poetry of Parshat Ha'azinu.By Aaron Roller

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Vayelech: Standing at the Tent 30:30

6y ago30:30

30:30

This week is an off-week, as Aaron hosts the show alone. Rabbi Bienenfeld is taking a break following the passing of his father, Jeffrey Bienenfeld. Aaron talks about the image of Moshe and Joshua standing at the tent of meeting and whether they are both hearing the same message from G-d, or whether they're hearing different things. He also talks a…

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Nitzavim: Still Standing 35:52

6y ago35:52

35:52

How does the Torah expect us to correct other people's misdeeds in a society where being judgmental and telling others what to do is frowned upon? Following a comment by Rashi, in this episode we take up this question (among others). Rabbi Bienenfeld brings the Ohr HaChaim, Tosafot, and Rav Yehuda Amital to bear on the question. Aaron brings Willia…

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Ki Tavo: Declarations of Dependence (on G-d) 29:51

6y ago29:51

29:51

In this week's show, we talk about two important rituals that the Jewish people haven't done in centuries, bringing offerings of first fruits to Jerusalem, and proclaiming vidui ma'aser, a declaration that all tithes have been appropriately made. What are these all about and what important messages do they have to teach us on the eve of Rosh Hashan…

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Ki Teitzei: Sins & Sons 52:11

6y ago52:11

52:11

This week's Torah portion is chock full of mitzvot but we ended up going deep into just a few of them, particularly the laws surrounding the yefat toar, the war brides that Jewish soldiers are permitted to capture and marry. Commentaries portray this law as a rare accommodation to human passion, which, for the soldier in the heat of battle, might b…

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Shoftim: Magic & Monarchy 41:02

6y ago41:02

41:02

In this week's episode, we discuss two ideas that have engaged commentators for centuries: magic and monarchy. Is black magic - which is forbidden in this week's Torah portion - real? Is magic forbidden because it is utterly untrue, or because it is true but inappropriate? What about kings? Should Israel have a king? Is it ideal or an accommodation…

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Re'eh: Meat Me in Jerusalem 36:02

6y ago36:02

36:02

In this week's discussion, Aaron and Rabbi Bienenfeld talk about the theme of food and eating runs through the Torah portion of Re'eh. From the laws of slaughter, to kosher food, to the sabbatical year, laws regarding how the Israelites are supposed to eat in the land abound. What does it all mean? Why aren't Jews required to be vegetarians? If G-d…

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Eikev: Covenant & Caring 37:11

6y ago37:11

37:11

In this week's episode, we continue to discuss Moshe's long parting address to the Jewish people and derive lessons that it has to teach us about working, self-righteousness, and the Land of Israel. To stay up to date and to comment on this week's episode, please Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Portion-1840699399318632/?view_publi…

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Vaetchanan: Words of Wisdom 30:00

6y ago30:00

30:00

In this week's Torah portion, Aaron and Rabbi Bienenfeld look at how the Book of Deuteronomy develops thematically, as Moshe's address to the people continues. They talk about why Moshe might have thought that his final plea to enter the land might have been granted, what Moshe is trying to convey to the people, and how an impressively large number…

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Devarim: Old Deuteronomy Express 36:14

6y ago36:14

36:14

In this episode, Rabbi Bienenfeld is back! He and Aaron sit down to begin a new book of the Torah and try to figure out what to make of Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy. Why is almost the whole book comprised of speeches by Moshe? Why is there so much review of things that the Torah has already covered, and how are we to make sense of what ge…

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Matot-Masei: End of the Desert - Featuring Esther Honig 53:24

6y ago53:24

53:24

In this week's episode, Aaron is joined by Kohelet Yeshiva High School's Esther Konig to talk about the double portions of Matot and Masei, and the end of Sefer Bamidbar. To stay up to date and to comment on this week's episode, please Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Portion-1840699399318632/?view_public_for=1840699399318632 And p…

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Pinchas: Peace of Mind - Featuring Rabbi Gil Perl 44:31

6y ago44:31

44:31

In this week's episode, Aaron journeyed across the Ben Franklin Bridge to Bala Cynwyd, PA to talk about Parshat Pinchas with Rabbi Gil Perl, Head of School at Kohelet Yeshiva High School and the Kohelet Yehshiva Lab School. Rabbi Perl is an expert on nineteenth century Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (known as the Netziv), and he shar…

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Balak: Deep Confusion - Featuring Rav Judah Mischel 28:49

6y ago28:49

28:49

This week, Aaron journeyed to Camp HASC to speak with Rav Judah Mischel about the perplexing Torah Portion of Balak. Why does the Torah all of a sudden shift perspectives to focus on the neighboring nations? What are we to make of the prophet Bila'am and his talking donkey? Is there a hint in this week's portion regarding the commandment to love yo…

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Chukat: Law & Loss - Featuring Rabbi Yisroel Serebrowski 40:17

6y ago40:17

40:17

This is our first episode with Rabbi Bienenfeld on vacation and we were so grateful and honored to have Rabbi Yisroel Serebrowski, the leader of Torah Links on the East Side of Cherry Hill, sit in with Aaron as guest host this week. On this week's episode, we talked about two mysteries, the mystery of the red heifer, a colorful animal whose ashes b…

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Korach: Rebellion (Lies) 47:12

6y ago47:12

47:12

In this week's Torah portion... rebellion. Moshe's cousin Korach leads a revolution against Moshe and Aharon, claiming everyone is equal in the eyes of G-d. But it that's the case, how does Korach justify wanting to be in charge? And why do the people continue to glorify Korach even after he is swallowed by the earth in a clear repudiation of his c…

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Shlach: Spies Like Us? 37:12

6+ y ago37:12

37:12

Why do ten of the twelve spies sent by Moshe come back with such terrible things to say about the Land of Israel? And why are the Children of Israel so quick to believe them? In this episode, we delve into the mentality that led to this debacle and the lessons we can derive for our own religious lives. Also, an explanation for the spies' sin with a…

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Beha'alotcha: It's Downhill From Here 49:11

6+ y ago49:11

49:11

This week's Torah portion sees a stark divide, two nuns that serve as a parenthesis and divide the first part of the Book of Numbers, which is optimistic and centered around a holy encampment moving swiftly towards the Promised Land, with the rest of the book, largely centered on everything that goes wrong. In this week's episode, we talk about the…

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Nasso: Blessings & Betrayals 33:14

6+ y ago33:14

33:14

This week's Torah portion presents us with some interesting laws that seem to have little practical application today. Does the case of the sotah, the wife accused of adultery, have anything to tell us today? What about the nazirite? And how do the priestly blessings that are recorded here relate? Join us for this week's discussion. To stay up to d…

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Bamidbar: Welcome to the Desert of the Real 43:24

6+ y ago43:24

43:24

We start the fourth and penultimate book of the Torah... "Numbers," or, in Hebrew, Bamidbar (which translates to "In the Desert," not "Numbers"). What is the significance of the desert and why is this book named after it? We talk about the theme of this book (Aaron's suggestion: it's about failure) and how the grandeur and pageantry described in th…

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Bechukotai: Punishment or Consequence 50:47

6+ y ago50:47

50:47

Sefer Vayikra, the Book of Leviticus, comes to a close with a harrowing account of G-d's vengeance if the Children of Israel fail to adhere to the vision and build the society described throughout the earlier sections of the book. In this week's episode, we talk about the role of punishment, how to relate to something so frightening, and why the bo…

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Behar: Jubilee Jews 37:28

6+ y ago37:28

37:28

In this week's portion, Behar, the Torah teaches the laws regarding the sabbatical year and the jubilee year. In the sabbatical year, farmers must let the land lie fallow for one out of seven years. And every fifty years, in the jubilee year, all real estate sales are canceled and the land goes back to its original owners. In this week's episode, w…

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Emor: Priestly Perfection? 43:59

6+ y ago43:59

43:59

In this episode, we discussed the Torah portion's exclusion of priests with disabilities or physical blemishes from serving in the Tabernacle or Temple. It was a difficult discussion but it was good to talk about the Torah's different models of leadership and how we respond when specific laws do not conform with our sense of fairness (or what we mi…

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Kedoshim: A Floor, Not a Ceiling 38:31

6+ y ago38:31

38:31

This week's Torah portion is a bit of a grab bag, filled with all different kinds of laws that somehow comprise "holiness." But what does it mean to be holy? We talk about the differences between holiness and purity, a famous interpretation by the Ramban, and whether shmura matzoh should be described as artisanal. Join us! To stay up to date and to…

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Acharei Mot: Holiest Man, Holiest Day, Holiest Place 50:58

6+ y ago50:58

50:58

After a short break for Pesach, we're back discussing the weekly Torah portion. In this week's portion, Acharei Mot, we see how the laws we studied earlier in Sefer Vayikra are applied by the High Priest on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. We talk about the mysterious scapegoat, its possible relationship to demon worship, and what it means …

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Metzora: A Bird in the Hand 39:11

6+ y ago39:11

39:11

What is the story with the two birds that the healed leper needs to bring to the Temple as part of their process of healing and purification? Are they supposed to identify with the one that is slaughtered as a sin offering, feeling that the bird goes in their place? Or should they feel more like the other bird, the one that gets dipped in the blood…

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Tazria: Spiritual Sickness 45:26

6+ y ago45:26

45:26

In this week's episode, we talk all imprecise translations. Does tameh really mean impure? Does tzara'at really mean leprosy? And what is a discussion of a spiritual skin disease doing in the aftermath of the deaths of Nadav and Avihu? Perhaps of greatest relevance, how does this Biblical skin affliction impact our view on sickness and health? To s…

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Shmini: Holiness & Horror 44:25

6+ y ago44:25

44:25

In this week's episode, Aaron makes the case that the Torah portion of "Shmini" has all the suspense and tension of a submarine movie with an intense drama that largely takes place between the lines of the Torah's text. We talk about Aharon the High Priest's silence and Moses' humility and discuss whether the transition from the story about the Tab…

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Tzav: Trust the Process 50:25

6+ y ago50:25

50:25

Maybe it's because this episode is coming out on Purim 2019, or maybe it's because we digress a bit when talking about animal sacrifice, but either way, this week's show feels a little looser. There are a few moments we talked about editing out... but then we left them in, including when Rabbi Bienenfeld's printer started printing mid-episode. This…

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VaYikra: Barbecue for G-d? 48:14

6+ y ago48:14

48:14

We pop into the Book of Leviticus with some unconvincing champagne sound effects and then we're off, with a discussion of what the institution of animal sacrifice is all about. Is it about achieving closeness with G-d? Reconciliation? Keeping G-d's presence in the Israelite camp? We explore all these avenues and Rabbi Bienenfeld brings some illumin…