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When A Guy Has A Really F***ed Gender: the lovechild of Magnus Hirschfield and Joe Rogan. Each week, Jolene (she) talks to a guest about their gender, using their personal experience and interests as a springboard for further conversations about gender, sex, and sexuality.
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Pardes from Jerusalem

Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

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Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and guests each week for a thoughtful and engaging podcast discussion of the weekly Torah portion. Each week, Zvi will be joined by a guest for a deep dive into the text, unraveling the wisdom nestled within each Torah portion, exploring its timeless relevance, and uncovering contemporary insights. Whether you’re a seasoned Torah scholar, an inquisitive seeker of knowledge, or simply someone looking for inspiration and wisdom, Pardes from Jerusalem provides you wit ...
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Welcome to Cracking the Echo Chamber, where Rabbi Brad Hirschfield and Elad Nehorai speak to guests who are trying to help us all break outside of our personal echo chambers. From politics to religion to psychology, our goal will be to get ourselves and you wonderful listeners to stretch our hearts and minds with each guest.
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In an increasingly polarized world, Spirited taps into the wisdom of leaders and activists who will help illuminate how spirituality informs action. Hosted by educator, activist and writer Dr. Simran Jeet Singh, this podcast explores life through the perspectives of diverse spiritual thinkers, practitioners and teachers.
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Why does a ritual meant to purify others render the priest impure? In this week’s episode, join Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash and Dr. Daniel Reifman as they delve into the perplexing ritual of the red heifer, emphasizing the paradox where … Read the rest The post Chukat 5784: The Paradox of the Red Heifer first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. …
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How do we navigate leadership challenges and personal ambition in times of crisis? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer delve into Parsha Korach, exploring leadership and rebellion within the context of the Jewish people’s journey through … Read the rest The post Korach 5784: Leadership and Rebellion first appeared on Elmad…
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This week, Jolene is joined by Alexis to talk about her essay in the Trans Marxism special issue of TSQ, as well as: Remy Boydell and Michelle Perez's The Pervert, Jolene's opinions on Car Seat Headrest, just what happens at furry conventions, the erotics of Finnster, and the worst cover on an academic anthology ever. Read Alexis' essay here: https…
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What do you do when reality falls short of high expectations? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into the Parsha of Shlach, highlighting the challenges and disappointments faced by the Jewish people on the … Read the rest The post Shlach 5784: Unexpected Twists first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Co…
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How do ancient trumpets teach us about modern journeys and transitions? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Rafael Polisuk delve into Parshat Behalotcha, highlighting the themes of journey and transition within the Torah portion. They discuss the creation … Read the rest The post Beha’alotcha 5784: Trumpets and Transitions first appea…
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How does our unique role strengthen the Jewish communities? In this episode, Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hatton delve into Parshat Naso, highlighting the importance of each person’s contributions to the community. They discuss how the counting of the … Read the rest The post Naso 5784: Counting on Each Other first appeared on Elmad Onl…
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How does the Jewish people’s journey through the desert shape our approach to Torah? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Leon Morris and Rabbi Tzvi Hirschfield explore the theme of openness in Torah study, using the wilderness in the Midbar as … Read the rest The post Bamidbar 5784: Embracing the Wilderness first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Contin…
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Can we approach the Torah as a rational guide for living wisely while allowing space for genuine emotional and spiritual experiences? In this week’s episode, Rabbi Dr. Elisha Ancselovits and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield delve into the concept of reward and … Read the rest The post Bechukotai 5784: Between Philosophy and Spirituality first appeared on Elma…
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Jolene hosts a reading group for Herculine Barbin's memoir! S/o to Rhea, Harper, and Logan for joining, discussion was lovely. You can join us for the next meeting on June 23rd, at 1PM CST for a discussion of the Autobiography of Alice B Toklas by Gertrude Stein, or for the meeting after that, a discussion of Fun Home by Alison Bechdel, on July 7th…
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Why is Mount Sinai mentioned in connection with the laws of Shmitta (Sabbatical year) and Yovel (Jubilee year)? In this thought-provoking episode, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rachel Friedrichs delve into the profound significance of this week’s Torah portion of Behar … Read the rest The post Behar 5784: Feet on the Ground, Eyes on the Mountain first …
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How do we approach texts in our traditions that seem to discriminate against or exclude certain groups of people? In this thought-provoking discussion, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Haim Shalom wrestle with the disqualification of kohanim (priests) with physical deformities … Read the rest The post Emor 5784: The Perfection Paradox first appeared…
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Jolene is joined by Judas for a conversation about the there and back again and back again that is transition, detransition, and retransition. It's also kinda sorta like transgender Fun Home but with indie rock instead of modernist literature. Check out Judas' writing here: https://nicejewishboy.neocities.org/ The intro and outro music is by Lynn J…
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In a world rife with conflict and oversimplified narratives about “the other,” how can we embody true holiness by cultivating empathy, humility, and deeper human connection? Rabbi Brent Spodek joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a thought-provoking … Read the rest The post Kedoshim 5784: Empathy in a Divided World first appeared on E…
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How can the Jewish people maintain a sense of unity and connection as a nation despite geographical separation and divergent experiences between the Diaspora and Israel? In this week’s episode, Rabba Shani Gross joins us from afar for a discussion … Read the rest The post Acharei Mot 5784: A People Apart first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Con…
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Jolene is joined by Kay for a story of there and back again: detransition. Tune in for a story of wolfaboos, drag queen babysitters, colonialism, and more! Also, at the end we get excited about the upcoming WAGHARFG reading group! Join here: https://discord.gg/tDkukGxgS3?event=1229990512560443423 The intro and outro music is by Lynn July. You can l…
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This episode was a patreon only episode, but I decided to throw it up on the main feed by way of apology for falling behind on putting out episodes. Don't worry patreons, there's another one for you coming in just another day or two (or three, apologies). Jolene is joined by repeat guest Ilya to discuss his essay, out a few weeks ago in Gender and …
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Can we transform the “bread of affliction” into the “bread of redemption” this Passover?” Yiscah Smith returns this week with a call for us to see ourselves (“l’rot atzmo”) as leaving spiritual enslavement each Passover. Drawing from the Piazner Rebbe … Read the rest The post Pesach 5784: Unearthing Personal Freedom first appeared on Elmad Online L…
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Can we uncover hidden blessings, even from within painful experiences? Join us this week as we delve into the profound purification rituals surrounding the mysterious affliction of tzara’at (often translated as “leprosy”) in the weekly Torah portion of Metzora. In … Read the rest The post Metzora 5784: Transforming Curses into Blessings first appea…
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Join the WAGHARFG Reading Group Discord: https://discord.gg/TTESqMNENt I'm sorry about the dog sounds in the background of my beginning spiel; I didn't think you'd be able to hear it through the mic. Jolene is joined this week by Lev, a different Lev than ever before, to talk through hir life, bouncing around the digital landscape of niche feminism…
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How do we navigate the tension between devotion to mitzvot and the pursuit of understanding their significance in our lives? In this week’s parsha, we explore the seemingly archaic ritual purity laws. Rabbi Michael Hattin joins the discussion to highlight … Read the rest The post Tazria 5784: Reimagining Ritual Purity first appeared on Elmad Online…
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In this week’s episode, we navigate the complexities of failure and growth in the aftermath of pivotal moments in the Tanakh. Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy draws a parallel between the incidents of the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s … Read the rest The post Shemini 5784: Going Beyond Our Mistakes first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Conti…
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Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us this week for an investigation of the eternal flame that burned upon the altar. Contemplating the balance between the passion of the burning fire and the steadfastness of its daily lighting, Zvi and Nechama … Read the rest The post Tzav 5784: Kindling the Spirit first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Conti…
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Join Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week as he delves deep into the rich theological tapestry of Purim alongside Rafael Polisuk. Together, they explore the intricate messages woven into the fabric of the holiday and the profound challenges encountered by the … Read the rest The post Vayikra/Purim 5784: For God or King? first appeared on Elmad Online Le…
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In what way does the Mishkan (Tabernacle) serve as a metaphor for organizing one’s relationship with God, oneself, and others? This week, we’re joined by Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman for a discussion of the meticulous detailing of the construction of … Read the rest The post Pekudei 5784: Constructing Connection first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.…
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What is it that makes us join together with different groups? Over the past two parshiot, we’ve seen two gatherings, one in which the people gathered to create the Golden Calf, and another in which they gathered to build the … Read the rest The post Vayakhel 5784: Gathering With Intention first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Va…
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Does what it says on the tin. Jolene is joined by Vanya this week to discuss woundfucking. It is exactly what it sounds like. Also some discussions of sex work, brain tumors, Ehlers-Dahnlos, the endorphin system, and more. Also: Jolene was on another podcast last week. I talk about it at the start, but here's a link to the episode: https://open.spo…
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Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash joins us to share her take on this week’s parsha, and the infamous story of the Golden Calf. We’ll discuss how this event can serve as an example of the inevitable moments of collapse and the … Read the rest The post Ki Tisa 5784: The Inevitable Collapse first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Ki Ti…
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Do the clothes we wear define us? Rabbi Daniel Reifman joins our host Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield this week for a discussion on the priestly vestments as described in this week’s parsha in precise detail. Does the Torah teach us to … Read the rest The post Tetzave 5784: The Biblical Fashion Show first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading T…
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Can we find value in tangible expressions or experiences of spirituality, even if they challenge our rational view of the world? Pardes President Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to explore the challenges raised by the commandment to build … Read the rest The post Terumah 5784: God Everywhere, Yet Somewhere? first appeared on Elmad Online Learn…
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This week’s parsha is primarily concerned with laws meant to order and structure our interactions and society, including a prohibition against cursing judges and the king. In light of this prohibition, Sefi Kraut, Pardes Director of Mahloket Matters, asks us … Read the rest The post Mishpatim 5784: Toward a Healthy Society first appeared on Elmad O…
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This week, Jolene is joined by Jay (@trans_catboy on twitter) to discuss the omegaverse. Tune in to find out what the hell is secondary sex, and how it was birthed from the inflamed libidos of sci-fi fans who got a hold of some bad wolf science, and how it fits into Jay's life and transition. The intro and outro music is by Lynn July. You can liste…
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What is our responsibility to the rest of the world, and how might that impact the image that we want to project to humanity at large? Tovah Leah Nachmani joins us in the studio this week to discuss Yitro, an… Read the rest The post Yitro 5783: Thinking Outside Ourselves first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Yitro 5783: Thinking…
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Dive on in as Yiscah Smith joins Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield to discuss the story of the Red Sea, reminding us that we had to first jump into the water before it would split. Can we view faith as a concious … Read the rest The post Beshalach 5784: Choosing Faith first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Beshalach 5784: Choosing Faith at E…
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On the cusp of leaving Egypt, the children of Israel are told that they must remember the Exodus. For over 2,000 years, this commandment to remember the past has helped the Jewish people remain connected to their history as a … Read the rest The post Bo 5784: Building a Shared Future first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Bo 5784…
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FIRST EPISODE OF 2024!!! Jolene is joined by Lua to talk mostly about noise music, transition and blackness, and eventually, raceplay. Also featured: gossip, some censorship (sorry), and sissies. Check out Lua's music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlxYb3JaACE https://open.spotify.com/artist/60KplDAZ1mE9UINmtP6r3d?si=g4ScSPkjSYep-r44qpERJQ The in…
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How may we be redeemed when we feel as if our spirits have been crushed? Rabbi Leon Morris joins us this week to discuss the idea of kotzer ruach, a crushed soul, and how Moshe faced resistance from those who … Read the rest The post Va’era 5784: Cultivating Hope, Awaiting Salvation first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading Va’era 5…
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This week, we begin the book of Shemot and are introduced to Moshe. Yet, by the time Moshe takes up the mantle of leadership, he’s already in his later years, and his developmental years are practically skipped over. Rabbi Dr. … Read the rest The post Shemot 5784: Moshe’s Moral Development first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading S…
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When thinking of traditional inheritance, we often think of the firstborn as being the main heir, and in many ways the Torah confirms this, yet throughout the book of Bereishit we see the script being flipped, with the younger sibling … Read the rest The post Vayehi 5784: An Inherited Meritocracy? first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue r…
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EDIT: There are a couple places in here where my guest says something and then says he'd prefer it omitted from the recording. We talked more off-mic, and Jamie ultimately decided he was fine with putting out what all is in here. Jolene is joined by Jamie for a discussion that ranges across: cis4pay sex work, agender lesbianism to transfaggotry, ra…
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Can the pains of the past be overcome, opening the way for relationships to heal and be redefined? In this week’s parsha, we witness the emotional reunion between the sons of Israel, with Yosef revealing himself to the brothers who … Read the rest The post Vayigash 5784: Overcoming Pain as a Family first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue …
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Jolene is joined by Professor Megan Massa of Emory University to talk about neuroendocrinology! We talk about hormones, their affects on behavior, scientific narratives around this, how those narratives interact with popular narratives, and more! This is a really jam packed episode and one I'm really proud of. Enjoy! The paper Megan co-authored wit…
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What might Yosef’s story, so full of pain yet hope, teach us about maintaining our own faith during difficult times? During these challenging times, many feel themselves torn between a desire to stand firmly in their Jewish identities and values … Read the rest The post Miketz 5784: Being Seen for Who We Are first appeared on Elmad Online Learning.…
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Jolene is joined by Roxana to talk about her transition, spurred in part by the transition of her daughter! Other topics include: the importance of bisexual Wiccan girls to a healthy ecosystem, how gay fighting games are, gender-neutral parenting, and more! Here's the Iranian poet Roxana mentions towards the end: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forug…
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What can the mitzvah of yibum, Levirate marriage, teach us about making difficult decisions and personal growth? In this week’s episode of Pardes from Jerusalem, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Daniel Reifman unpack the complicated family dynamics of … Read the rest The post Vayeshev 5784: Growth and Responsibility first appeared on Elmad Onlin…
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Subscribe to the Patreon to hear the full episode: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=85347146 Jolene is joined by Lyn of Make the Golf Course a Public Sex Forest (which you can order here: https://maitlandsystems.bigcartel.com/product/make-the-golf-course-a-public-sex-forest) to discuss some books by the great Joanna Russ and Samuel Delany! Check out …
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What can a fraught meeting between brothers teach us about our own instincts? The events of October 7 shattered the worldview for many of us, and can cause us to approach how we understand the Torah differently. In this week’s … Read the rest The post Vayishlach 5784: Faith in Humanity vs. Survival first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue …
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Jolene is joined by Natalie and Louane to talk about their relationship (trans motherhood), fatness, f*ggotry, weird medical stuff, abuse, trauma, extreme sex acts, and more. Jolene would also like to apologize for using the word "traumatophilia" incorrectly. This is what I get for trying to talk about a book I've never read. Just replace "traumato…
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What might Ya’akov’s nocturnal revelation teach us about how to approach darkness? As we continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages and yearn for better days ahead, Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Dr. Meesh Hammer-Kossoy delve into … Read the rest The post Vayetze 5784: Moving Forward Through Darkness first appeared on Elmad Online Learni…
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Jolene is joined by Alice for the first discussion of many about Guy Hocquenghem, a gay French guy (Guy) who wrote some provocative theory. This series will be released primarily on Patreon, with some episodes getting public releases. This episode is on Homosexual Desire, which you can read here: https://files.libcom.org/files/Hocquenghem%20-%20Hom…
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The book of Bereishit, filled with the themes of covenant and birthright, tells the story of the progenitors of the Jewish people. Among the many characters we meet in the book are pairs of siblings of which one gets chosen … Read the rest The post Toldot 5784: The Challenge of Chosenness first appeared on Elmad Online Learning. Continue reading To…
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