This week, Rabbanit Goldie Guy and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld kick off the podcast with a discussion about the highlights of the holidays, done differently but with a passion for celebrating God and the Torah. While discussing Torah, the recent daf yomi concept of bereirah, choice, is analyzed, especially as its retroactive nature seems to negate some principles of physics. From there, the podcast ends off with discussion about the importance of rest when beginning anew.

Beginning a series on shema and the berachot which surround it, Rabbi Jeffrey Fox tackles the most fundamental question: What is the source for this structure? Through an early mishnah detailing a blessing-filled procedure similar to the modern tefillah and a gemara which transfers this obligation to both morning and night, the layout is set for the next shiurim.

Following Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s declaration of gratitude for prayer, Rabbis write about what the power of prayer means for them. From Rabba Sara Huwitz’s understanding of prayer joined with action to Rabbi Dov Linzer’s distinction between general spirituality and specified religion, the article covers an array of views.

One year after a brutal attack on a German shul, Hillel Deutschland Director Rabbi Rebecca Blady led a communal event to encourage healing and celebrate Sukkot as a greater community.

A YouTube playlist with new divrei Torah on the parsha each week, led by Maharat student Rabbanit Yael Keller.

During a pandemic, families living in apartments struggle to reconcile the idea of Sukkot without constant access to a sukkah. Rabba Sara Hurwitz opens up about the struggle and speaks about open-wall sukkot and the humor found in imaginary walls.

During a pandemic, families living in apartments struggle to reconcile the idea of Sukkot without constant access to a sukkah. Rabba Sara Hurwitz opens up about the struggle and speaks about open-wall sukkot and the humor found in imaginary walls.

The Torah, so frequently touted as a song, deserves far more literary attention than it receives. Literature professor Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler steps up to this task and analyzes the literary devices in Parshat Ha’azinu, from metaphor to allusion to dynamic parallelism, and pulls in myriad literary works which reference the text.

The Book of Job has become darkly fitting during the COVID-19 pandemic, its irony apparent to Rabbi Marianne Novak who began teaching it before the outbreak. In a single essay, the entire book is summarized and broken down, and the importance of seeing and welcoming in a God of love becomes all the more clearer.

The service of Yom Kippur, made famous by not only the liturgy but also the hit song by Ishay Ribo, details the process of atonement, made possible only through humility and introspection. Rabbi Marianne Novak proposes that this year, though we may stay decked out and proper after between the services, we may use this same path to achieve personal atonement.