Best Batmitzvah Podcasts (2024)

1
Practical Judaism - Bo 3:00

3y ago3:00

3:00

As global cultures have shifted in the past century, traditional conceptions of women in religion are starting to shift as well. Yet these ideas are not entirely new. Although the first Eastern European Jewish school for girls started in 1907, there was a school for Sephardic girls in London that had opened in 1731.…

1
Practical Judaism - Va'era 3:29

3y ago3:29

3:29

There are a variety of reasons that we may be happy at the exact same moment when someone else is in pain or failing. In the case of this teaching from the Talmud, the angels cheering on the Israelites were happy to see the slavemasters and charioteers of the Egyptian Pharoah drowning in the Sea of Reeds. The failure of the Egyptian army meant the …

1
Practical Judaism - Shemot 2:52

3y ago2:52

2:52

Clothing can be transformative. It can help us connect to our heritage. It can make us feel beautiful. It can take us from feeling down and out and transform us into feeling like we RUN the world! There is a teaching that says the Israelites were worthy of redemption because they stayed true to their heritage and to themselves in three ways: they d…

1
Practical Judaism - Vayechi 4:00

3y ago4:00

4:00

In this week's torah portion of Vayechi, we conclude the Book of Genesis with a lesson on assertiveness and self-advocacy from Joseph as he gently reprimands his father, Jacob, for giving the correct blessing to the wrong child. What an act of bravery and courage! How rare it is to reprimand an authority figure, a hero, or a loved one!…

1
Practical Judaism - Vayigash 3:09

3y ago3:09

3:09

In this week's parasha of Vayigash, the story of Joseph comes full circle. It starts off with him being hated by his brothers for his over-active imagination and wild dreams. But now, it is these very dreams and his ability to interpret dreams that allows for him to rise through the ranks of the Egyptian court. The quality that others perceive, or …

1
Practical Judaism - Hanukkah 3:09

3y ago3:09

3:09

What is the difference between a ceremony and a holiday? In a wedding ceremony, for example, you perform rituals and recite specific words with the intention that you will try your hardest to fulfill them. You are committing yourself to those ideas. A holiday is a celebration of someone else that did the hard work of dedicating themselves to an ide…

1
Practical Judaism - Vayeshev 3:38

3y ago3:38

3:38

In this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, Joseph has a dream of his brothers bowing down to him. This leads them into a furious rage and they sell him to slave traders heading to Egypt. When we have a dream, some may call us crazy or unrealistic. Others may be offended by our big ideas. Yet more often than not, when we stick to our dreams we are …

1
Practical Judaism - Vayishlach 4:28

3y ago4:28

4:28

In this week's Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob has his name changed to Israel - the one who wrestles with God (sar el). The concept of God is a tricky concept. In my experience, I have found two main obstacles for someone having a relationship with G-O-D. The first obstacles are the classical images of God, and the second is the name itself. "To…

1
Practical Judaism – Vayetze 3:18

3y ago3:18

3:18

In this week's Torah portion of Vayetze, Jacob is exhausted from being on the run from his brother Esau after getting his blessing through deceptive means. He finds himself at a random location, later Jewish thinkers say that it is Jerusalem. The same commentators say that God made the sun set early so that Jacob would stop, rest, and spend the nig…

1
Practical Judaism - Toldot 2:16

3y ago2:16

2:16

Step 1, find a red lentil recipe that you like. Step 2, enjoy the soup and the blessings in your life with humility and gratitude. Step 3, pay it forward and share blessings with others.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Practical Judaism - Chayei Sarah 3:24

3y ago3:24

3:24

In this week's Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, we meet Isaac for the very first time since he was nearly sacrificed by his father, Abraham. When we meet Isaac in his state of PTSD, we find him out in the field meditating before the sun is ready to set. Isaac is no longer content to trust his mental (let alone physical) health to other people. Instea…

1
Practical Judaism - Vayera 3:17

3y ago3:17

3:17

"Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them." What about those that don't run to grab an opportunity or tackle a challenge? It's important to remember that psychologists say that "procrastination is an emotion regulation problem, not a time management problem.”…

1
Practical Judaism - Lech Lecha 3:02

3y ago3:02

3:02

In the Talmud, it is taught that "everyone has a share in the World To Come except for some, this includes the one who humiliates another in public and one who calls another by a derogatory name." When we are called by our chosen name (or title, or pronouns, or whatever it may be) we are seen for who we really are. When others refuse to call us by …

1
Practical and Embodied Judaism – Parasha Noach 4:06

3y ago4:06

4:06

One of the many best selling books of Rabbi Harold Kushner is called "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" however most people often think it is called "Why Bad Things Happen to Good People". Yet there is no why or why not. Chaos is simply baked into the fabric of the universe. Chaos can be destructive but it can also be creative. Is the reason w…

1
Practical and Embodied Judaism - Parasha Beresheet 3:21

3y ago3:21

3:21

Welcome to the new season of the 'Raising Holy Sparks' podcast. This year, we will be focusing on the ideas of Judaism and will strive to take them out of the theoretical and instead turn them into the practical. Dr. Dan Siegel taught 'name it to tame it'. The idea was for people to label emotions to reduce stress and anxiety. An intention that I o…

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Devarim 9:39

4+ y ago9:39

9:39

Asking for help is a trait that must be practiced. In the book of Exodus it is Moses' father-in-law that suggests that the Israelite leader create a system of delegates. Yet, in our parsha of Devarim, it is Moses himself that asks for help. Either way, the importance of seeking support reigns supreme.…

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Shelach Lecha 7:20

4+ y ago7:20

7:20

This week's torah portion is the source of the 3rd paragraph of the Shema/VeAhavta and it instructs us to wear 'tzit-tzit', the fringes at the corners of our garments. How powerful can a ritual to wear fringes be? This uniform custom has been practised by the Jewish people across time and space. While the Shema and the Ve'Ahavta may not be as emoti…

1
Special Holiday Edition - Shavuot 6:22

4+ y ago6:22

6:22

The real focus of the Ten Commandments is not how a 'person' acts; instead, it is about how 'people' respond to one another. The hope is not that we be perfect beings but rather that we be present and engaged ones. Each commandment is an invitation to be a better partner in the relationship. I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabrisk…

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Ba'Midbar 7:29

4+ y ago7:29

7:29

In Hebrew, writing 'in the desert' is spelled using the same four letters as writing 'through the act of speaking'. Both speech and deserts can lead to great confusion. What is the oasis when it comes to communicating our emotions? - Song!By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Behar-Bechukotai 11:24

4+ y ago11:24

11:24

In Exodus the Israelites are commanded to observe Shabbat. In this week's torah portion they are commanded to allow the land to rest every seven years - Shemitah. While there are economic benefits to rest and renewal, there are also many economic fears. Nevertheless, mitzvot are not given based economic impact, rather based on soul impact. Although…

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Emor 7:54

4+ y ago7:54

7:54

The upcoming holiday of Lag B'Omer commemorates the end of a plague that struck the students of Rabbi Akiva. It is said they were struck by plague because of their bitterness and pettiness against one another. This stands in stark contrast to Rabbi Akiva who taught that love of your fellow human is core to what it means to be a Jew. I Am a Man Who …

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Achrei Mot-Kedoshim 11:29

4+ y ago11:29

11:29

"The Golden Rule".. perhaps the most commonly quoted commandment from the whole of Torah: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself'. When it comes to this principle, due to certain subconscious tendencies, we often lie to ourselves in order to preserve the created version of who we think we really are. But in noticing these obstacles we can truly…

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Tazria-Metzora 8:04

4+ y ago8:04

8:04

This week's torah portion Tazria-Metzora discusses the skin malady called 'tzara'at'. Once the sick individual completes their 7-day quarantine, the Cohen then comes to inspect the skin to ensure they have indeed healed completely. Why are the cohanim the ones that check for healing? Where are the doctors? The reason is that the Cohanim are always …

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Shemini 8:18

4+ y ago8:18

8:18

This week's torah portion of Shemini (8th Day) tells the story of a new chapter for the Israelites and its priestly system. New beginnings are rarely ever 'entirely' new. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Special Holiday Edition - Passover/Pesach 6:24

4+ y ago6:24

6:24

The Counting of the Omer is a 49 day journey from our Exodus out of Egypt towards receiving the Torah at Mt Sinai. How much Torah we receive depends entirely on how much we free ourselves during these days. Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Tzav 7:42

4+ y ago7:42

7:42

In the Talmud, Rabbi Perida is asked how he achieved so many blessings and longevity in life. He responds that he never ate his meal until the portions that are designated for the priests to eat are set aside. In short, he understood that to be a healthy person, to have healthy and sustainable communities we must prioritise those that serve the com…

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayikra 4:26

4+ y ago4:26

4:26

Genesis asks us "what does it mean to be a human being". Exodus asks "what does it mean to be a Jew". But Leviticus gives us answers. It is the book of action. During this time of coronavirus, the priority must be immediate action, even if we are filled with uncertainty.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Vayakhel & Pekudei 4:48

4+ y ago4:48

4:48

Social distancing and Self Isolation during the time of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is going to be as tough and long as a marathon. At the end of a marathon you run through the tape at the finish line. In this week's torah portion at the end of building of the tabernacle, a special ritual takes place. What will be our formal ritual at the end of this cr…

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Ki Tisa 3:00

4+ y ago3:00

3:00

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Tetzaveh 3:01

4+ y ago3:01

3:01

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Terumah 3:03

4+ y ago3:03

3:03

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Mishpatim 3:15

4+ y ago3:15

3:15

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Yitro 2:50

4+ y ago2:50

2:50

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Beshalach 2:49

4+ y ago2:49

2:49

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Bo 3:01

5y ago3:01

3:01

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Va'era 3:03

5y ago3:03

3:03

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Shemot 3:05

5y ago3:05

3:05

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayechi 3:05

5y ago3:05

3:05

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayigash 3:05

5y ago3:05

3:05

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Miketz 3:14

5y ago3:14

3:14

By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion – Vayeshev 2:53

5y ago2:53

2:53

In this week's torah portion of Vayeshev Joseph tells his brothers of his dreams of them prostrating low before him. Surprisingly, or rather predictably, he finds himself in the bottom of a pit - cast away by those very same brothers. Yet, who we were is not who we will become.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayishlach 2:53

5y ago2:53

2:53

In this week's Torah portion of "Vayishlach", we find a Jacob that is wrestling with an angel all through the night. During the battle, Jacob says "I refuse to let go until you have blessed me." Afterwards, his name is changed to Israel - the one that wrestles with God.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayetzei 3:03

5y ago3:03

3:03

In this week's Torah portion of Vayetzei, we find a Jacob who is so focused on his journey to find himself a wife that he nearly misses an encounter with God. In what ways are we, too, like Jacob hurtling towards our future goals at the expense of missing out on the present?By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion - Toldot 2:55

5y ago2:55

2:55

This weeks torah portion of "Toldot", we find an Isaac that is both innovator and also traditionalist. As he is travelling, Isaac discovers the wells dug by his father Abraham. He re-opens them and maintains the names that his father had given them. He then goes on to dig three new wells of his own.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion - Chayei Sarah 3:20

5y ago3:20

3:20

This weeks torah portion of Chayei Sarah opens with the death of Sarah and concludes with the death of Abraham. Ishmael, the forgotten son, reunites with Isaac to bury their father. The Jewish tradition seems to despise figures like Ishmael and Esau. Why?By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Vayera 3:06

5y ago3:06

3:06

What are the connections between laughing and crying? It's all just air and water.. shortness of breath in our lungs and tears in our eyes. This weeks Torah portion of Vayera has two pivotal stories involving these actions. A reminder of the importance of showing how we are feeling.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Parshah Reflections – Lech Lecha 3:09

5y ago3:09

3:09

Welcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. This week, we look at the parshah of Lech Lecha - of Abraham's journey to the land that God will show him. This section raises interesting questions about ownership of land.. but perhaps that is the wrong question.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion - Noach 3:07

5y ago3:07

3:07

For the Parshah of Noah, we dive deep into the flood to learn the important lesson about listening to the universe before it's too late.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Weekly Torah Portion - Beresheit 3:05

5y ago3:05

3:05

Welcome to Season 2 of the Raising Holy Sparks Podcast. Over the course of the next 12 months, we will go through the weekly Torah portions as we go in search of the holy sparks hidden in plain sight. We begin this week with the first parshah of the Book of Genesis.By Rabbi Misha Clebaner

1
Episode 42: Fighting the Erasure of Women in Judaism w/Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll 52:48

5y ago52:48

52:48

The Raising Holy Sparks podcast will be switching formats from interviews to weekly torah portion highlights - where we search for the holy sparks hidden amidst the seemingly ordinary. For our final interview we are joined by Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll.By Misha Clebaner

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Batmitzvah Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide