Yom Sport 2024- Cochavim Competes!

Kol Ramah

#Religion #Kol Ramah Studios #Camp Ramah In The Berkshires

50:30

Episode Notes [00:00] The Importance of Questioning [01:21] Introduction to Curated Questions [02:20] Meet Kevin Kelly [03:56] Kevin Kelly's Mentor: Stewart Brand [05:33] The Role of Questions in Intellectual Traditions [06:47] Disequilibrium and Growth [10:21] Embodied Questions and Exploration [11:11] Balancing Exploration and Exploitation [11:50] The Inefficiency of Questioning [15:53] The Abundance Mindset [18:39] The Inevitable and Quality Questions [19:26] Hill Climbing vs. Hill Making [22:28] The Challenge of Innovation [24:13] The Beauty of Engineering and Innovation [24:34] Navigating the Frontier of New Technologies [25:33] The Role of AI in Question Formulation [26:43] Challenges in Advancing AI Capabilities [29:11] The Long Now Foundation and the 10,000 Year Clock [29:56] Transmitting Values Over Time [31:03] Ethics in AI and Self-Driving Cars [33:26] The Art of Questioning [34:04] Photography: Capturing vs. Creating [36:12] The Inefficiency of Exploration [38:36] Daily Practice and Long-Term Success [40:17] The Importance of Quantity for Quality [43:22] Final Thoughts and Encouragement on Questioning [46:24] Summary Takeaways Resources Mentioned Wired Magazine Whole Earth Review WELL Hackers Conference What Technology Wants by Kevin Kelly The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly Cool Tools Project Long Now Foundation Stewart Brand Socratic Method Koan René Descartes Conde Nast Vouge Olivetti Typewriter Trolley Problem Terry Gross Lex Friedman Tim Ferriss KK.org Kevin2Kelly on Instagram Recomendo Newsletter Excellent Advice for Living Beauty Pill Producer Ben Ford Questions Asked When did you first understand the power of questions? Can I do that? Can that be something that you can learn? How did questions function differently between Eastern versus Western intellectual traditions? What role do you think embodied questions those we explore through doing rather than thinking play in developing wisdom? What's on the other side of the hill? What happens if you go to the end? What's the origin of this? How should one think about the exploratory in one's life? Is there anything that you would add to your list of 15 statements that define what makes a quality question? Is there a qualitative difference between the questions humans are asking and the questions our AI systems are beginning to formulate? What do you think would help them get there? Any idea on a forcing function on how we get them [LLMs] to ask the better questions so that they might improve in that direction? What were some novel questions that broke your brain at the time in thinking about this 10,000-year clock or beyond? What's it good for? What would you use it for? What else could you do over the long term for 10,000 years? How do you transmit values over time? How do you evolve values that need to change, and how do you make a difference? How do even know what you don't want to change? What do you want to continue? What's the most essential aspects of our civilization that we don't want to go away? What are the rules? What is the system? How do you pass things along in time and not change the ones you don't wanna change, and make sure you change the ones that are more adaptable so they can adapt? What do you think about questioning itself as an art form? How has being a photographer influenced the way you question reality, visually compared to verbally? Are you a photographer that takes photos or makes photos? What will happen? What will happen next? What are your right now questions that you are wrestling with or working with in your life? Can someone else do what I'm trying to do here? Am I more me in doing my art or more me in doing the writing? Do you have any other thoughts or encouragement about questions that we haven't explored? What makes a good question? How do you ask a good question? What questions do you dwell on to be in purposeful imbalance? What is your practice in embracing the inefficient nature of questions to achieve breakthroughs? What are the new hills you can build and frontiers you can explore? How can you use your curiosity and humanity to pursue questions that trend toward the fringes?…

about a year ago 25:12

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The kids of Cochavim compete during Yom Sport! It's Blue vs Green. Who's going to come out with the victory?

894 episodes

Yom Sport 2024- Cochavim Competes!

Kol Ramah

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

The kids of Cochavim compete during Yom Sport! It's Blue vs Green. Who's going to come out with the victory?

894 episodes

#Religion #Kol Ramah Studios #Camp Ramah In The Berkshires

All episodes

1
Parsha Talk Emor 2025 5785 36:27

1 day ago36:27

36:27

Parashat Emor [Leviticus 21:1-24:23] is perhaps best known for chapter 23, which describes the holidays and is the Torah reading on the 2nd day of Passover and the first 2 days of Sukkot. It is surrounded by laws related to the priesthood [including restrictions on contact with the dead and whom priests are permitted to marry] and a collection of laws which features one of the few narratives in Leviticus, the curious case of the blasphemer [24:10-22]. It is a spirited discussion; we hope you enjoy it! We are fortunate to take note of the release of Edan Alexander, and continue to pray and hope for the release of all the remaining captives in Gaza, both the dead and the living. We continue to keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
PARSHA TALK AHAREI MOT KEDOSHIM 2025 5785 35:09

1 day ago35:09

35:09

Parashat Acharei Mot-K’doshim [Leviticus 16-20] is another double parashah. Acharei Mot is mostly known because it is read on Yom Kippur, chapter 16 about Yom Kippur in the morning, and chapter 18, traditionally, about the forbidden sexual relationships in the afternoon. K’doshim is perhaps best known for what Rabbi Aqiva recognized as the great principle of the Torah, v-ahavta l-rei’akha kamocha, you should love your neighbor as yourself [Lev. 19:18]. We took note that this verse is paired with a later one [19:34], which commands love of the resident alien in our midst as well. It is hard to pass up the rich text of Leviticus 19, the beginning of the Holiness Code, and so we discussed some of the laws that spoke to us. We also discussed at some length the difference between Leviticus 19 and Exodus 20, which share many of the same laws but cast them in different lights. The Ten Commandments are addressed to the individual who belongs to a nation; chapter 19 is an exercise in community formation. While there is never enough time to discuss all that we want, there is always next week, and next year! We continue to keep in mind the hostages you remain in Gaza, and pray fervently that they will be speedily returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha Talk Tzaria Metzora 5785 2025 30:49

8 days ago30:49

30:49

Tazria-Metzora [Leviticus 12-15] is the first in a series of doubled parashiyot in the Book of Leviticus. With its emphasis on afflictions of the body, some caused by disease and some caused by natural processes, it has been a test for those seeking to find homiletical material connected to the text. It has been well said that doubling up makes the task easier in that there is only one difficult week, rather than two. Nevertheless, the parashiyot do raise some fascinating questions for the modern mind. Can we envision a priestly Judaism in 2025? Should we place as much emphasis on the body as a tool for religious expresssion as our ancestors apparently did? What might we learn from the biblical example where the issue of tumah and taharah [impurity and purity] with respect to tzara’at [often translated, mistakenly, as leprosy] is decided by the priest rather than the disease itself? And finally, the bayit ha-menuga, the house afflicted by leprosy, is one of 3 cases [the other two being the stubborn and rebellious son (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) and the city given over to idol worship (Deuteronomy 13:13-19], where one sage said the case never happened and another said he had personal witness. What do we make of two thoroughly incompatible opinions on the same page of the Talmud? Since this is the week, too, of Yom Ha-zikkaron [Israel’s Memorial Day] and Yom Ha-atzma’ut [Israel’s Independence Day], we discussed these as well [we recorded Sunday night, 4/27/2025]. We feel even more keenly the plight of the hostages who remain in Gaza, and pray even more fervently for their speedy release and for the safety of all those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha talk Shmini 5785 2025 39:01

22 days ago39:01

39:01

Parashat Sh’mini [Levitcus 9-11] is the third parashah in Levitcus, and features the culminating ceremony for the inauguration of the mishkan, what Baruch Levine calls “The Initiation of Formal Worship” in his JPS Commentary on Leviticus. It culminates with the tragic deaths of Nadav and Avihu, which we discuss at some length. We also touch upon Yom HaSho’ah, Holocaust Remebrance Day, which is observed Wednesday evening, April 23, and Thursday, April 24. We are ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, and hope for the speedy return to their families. We pray that the soldiers defending Israel as part if its Defense Forces are removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha Talk 7th Day of Pesach 5785 2025 40:12

24 days ago40:12

40:12

This shabbat is shabbat/yom tov sh’vi’i of Pesach, the shabbat that coincides with the 7th day of Pesach, which is a holiday. In Israel, where Eliot is for the birth of his 2nd granddaughter, it is the last day of Passover. In the Diaspora, Sunday [April 20th] is the 8th and concluding day of Passover. For the rabbis, the 7th day of Passover was the day when the Israelites crossed the Sea of Reeds [sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Red Sea], which culminated with the song, Az Yashir [Exodus 15:1-21]. Our conversation focused almost entirely on the passage itself through the Sea of Reeds, and some of the elements of the song, which appears in two versions, one led by Moses, and a shorter one led by Miriam. We continue to be mindful of the hostages still in Gaza, both the dead and the living, and the need for them to be returned to their families. In this season of redemption, we pray that redemption speedily comes to those held captive. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel's Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom v’Chag Sa’me’each.…

1
Parsha Talk Pre Passover 5785 2025 35:57

5 weeks ago35:57

35:57

Parashat Tzav [Leviticus 6:1-8:36] picks up where Parashat Va-yiqra leaves off, with a presentation of the principal individual sacrifices, only this time from the priest’s point ot view. Chapter 8 begins the inauguration cermeony of the priests, with its tragic denouement next week, with the deaths of Nadav and Avihu. We decided to leave Tzav for a future year’s discussion and discuss Passover [beginning Saturday night, April 12, 2025], and in particular the Haggadah. What is the story we tell? As has been the case since 10/07/24, we are ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza and who need to be returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harms way. In this month of historic redemption may we witness the redemption of the captives. This, too, is a story that must be told this year, and perhaps every year thereafter. Shabbat Shalom v-chag same'ach.…

1
Parsha Talk Vyikra 5785 2025 34:13

6 weeks ago34:13

34:13

Parashat Va-yiqra [Lev. 1:1-5:26] in a sense takes up where Exodus 40:38 left off. The last passage in Exodus informs us [Exod. 40:35] that “Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the Presence of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” Leviticus begins, “The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, . . . “ We discussed the features of Leviticus which spoke to us [it is my favorite book in the Torah] and what the sacrificial system outlined in the parashah could say to us in 5785/2025. We also considered the nature of the divine-human dialogue: how does it manifest itself? what is it for? and the like. As has been the case since 10/07/23, we are ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza and who need to be returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. In this month of historic redemption may we witness the redemption of the captives. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha Talk Pekudei Ha-chodesh 5785 2025 39:22

7 weeks ago39:22

39:22

Parashat P’qudai [Exodus 38:21-40:38] concludes the book of Exodus. It also coincides with Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the fourth special shabbat preceding Passover [beginning this year, Saturday night, April 12]. We spent some time discussing the end of the Book of Exodus, with the erection of the mishkan, and what that might mean for our understanding of the book as a whole. We also discussed the maftir reading for Ha-Hodesh [Exodus 12:1-20], considering the significance of the calendar. We remain ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza. May they be restored immediately to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha talk Vayakhel 5785 2025 40:30

8 weeks ago40:30

40:30

This week’s parashah is Va-yaqhel [Exodus 35:1-38:20]. It is also Shabbat Parah, the third special Shabbat before Passover. Shabbat Parah always falls the Shabbat before Shabbat Rosh Hodesh Nisan or, as this year, two shabbatot before Rosh Hodesh Nisan. The weekly parashah is often combined with next week’s parashah [Pequdai] to conclude the reading of Exodus with a flourish, the entire construction of the mishkan [Tabernacle]. This year they are read separately. It may seem familiar because the description of the construction closely follows the description of the plans for the mishkan which were featured three and two weeks ago, in parashat T’rumah and parashat T’tzavveh. Our discussion focused on the first verse of the first aliyah [the first verse of the parashah, Exodus 35:1] and the first verse of the second aliyah [Exodus 35:21]. We compared the construction of the mishkan with the making of the Golden Calf and discussed what motivates gift giving. How are we to understand why the Israelites gave so generously? As is often the case, other topics and ideas emerged, including a reference to the O. Henry story, The Gift of the Magi. We remain ever mindful of the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza over 530 days since the war began. May they be restored immediately to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of Israel’s Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

1
Parsha talk Tetzaveh Zakhor 5785 2025 38:02

9 weeks ago38:02

38:02

Parashat T’tzavveh [Exodus 27:20-30:10] coincides with Shabbat Zakhor, the second of the four special shabbatot before Passover, each with its own maftir [Deuteronomy 25:17-19] and haftarah [1 Samuel 15:2-34]. The weekly Torah reading picks up where last week’s left off, continuing the discussion of the provisioning of the Tabernacle. In particular, we discussed the clothes of the high priest and what they might mean. In addition, we discussed the maftir, with its call to annihilate Amalek, together with the parallel text in Exodus 17:8-17, which describes the original battle [and is read on Purim morning]. How should we refer to our enemies, if at all. These are some of the topics which engaged. We are ever mindful of the hostages, both dead and alive, and the need for their return to their families now, and of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha talk Ki Tissa Purim 2025 5785 39:52

9 weeks ago39:52

39:52

Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-34:35] is perhaps best known for the episode of the Golden Calf and the repairs entailed by that grievous sin. Our conversation focused on the לוחות, generally understood as the stone tablets on which were incised the Ten Commandments. We discussed the significance of the material, stone, as compared with papyrus in Egypt and parchment in Israel; the stone seems to reflect the Babylonian preference for clay tablets. What did these tablets look like? Did they, or how did they, function in ancient Israelite society? We also took some time to discuss an aspect of Megillat Esther, since Purim is Thursday night and Friday [March 13-14]. In particular, the last verse of chapter 8, where it is recorded “And many of the people of the land professed to be Jews, for the fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.” What does it mean to be מתיהדים, [mityahadim, in which one can see the root yehudi (Jew)], “to profess to be Jews”? We remain ever mindful of the remaining hostages, dead and alive, in Gaza, and the moral and spiritual imperative to bring them home to their families, as well as of the soldiers who defend Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha Talk Mishpatim 2025 5785 35:02

10 weeks ago35:02

35:02

Parashat Mishpatim is called The Covenant Code by biblical scholars. It has, as Jeremy notes, over 50 commandments. The laws are both many and varied, regulating all spheres of human life. During this difficult week, we spent a lot of time in our conversation seeking out comfort. On the face of it, Mishpatim might seem an unlikely source of comfort, but we offer avenues wherein comfort might come. At the end, we discuss the two words נעשה ונשמע [na’aseh v-nishma, Exod. 24:6], often translated as “we will do, we will understand”, which seems to reverse the normal or usual way we act, with understanding preceding action. We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way.…

1
Parasha Talk T'rumah 5785_2025 31:14

11 weeks ago31:14

31:14

As Eliot notes, Parashat T’rumah [Exodus 25:1-27:19] begins the 2nd half of the Book of Exodus and is concerned mostly with the planning for and construction of the mishkan, the portable tabernacle which accompanies the people in their wandering in the wilderness. The purpose of the mishkan and how it fits into the larger religious life of the people is the basis of part of our conversation. We also take up the plans for the ark and its symbolism. We consider the roles of Moses, who conveys the plans for the mishkan to the people, and B’tzalel and Oholiab who actually construct it. This Shabbat is Rosh Hodesh Adar [the second day of Rosh Hodesh but the 1st day of the Hebrew month of Adar]. It is also Shabbat Sh’qalim, the 1st of the 4 special shabbatot preceding Passover. It is the official beginning of the Passover season, with all that implies. In this difficult week for Israel and the worldwide Jewish community we are ever mindful of the hostages, both dead and alive, and the need for their return to their families now, and of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom, Hodesh Tov. With the onset of Adar, the month in which the joyous holiday of Purim is celebrated, it is said that simchah, joy, should increase. May it be so.…

1
Parsha Talk Yitro 5785 2025 32:19

13 weeks ago32:19

32:19

Parashat Yitro [Exodus 18:1–20:23] features the 10 Commandments. Before we get to the Ten Commandments we spend some time discussing the character of Jethro, who makes his appearance in chapter 18. We actually recorded this when we recorded the episode on B’shallach, for last week, in order to accommodate Eliot’s travel to Israel for his daughter Naama’s wedding this week. Mazal Tov! We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

1
Parsha Talk Bo 5785 2025 36:50

14 weeks ago36:50

36:50

Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1-13:16] is jam-packed with interesting passages. The eighth and ninth plagues take place as well as the announcement of the tenth and final plague [ch. 10-11]. This is followed by the long chapter 12 [51 verses] which we will meet again on Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the shabbat before or coinciding with Rosh Hodesh Nisan [this year on March 29, 2025] when we will read the first twenty verses, and the first day of Pesah [April 13, 2025], when we will read the remainder of chapter 12. Nahum Sarna labels chapter 12 “The Last Act”, and the verses in chapter 13 [1-16] “Commemorative Rituals”, which includes two of the four passages found in tefillin [Exodus 13:1-10 and 11-16]. The time frame and the action described in chapter 12 is somewhat confusing so we devoted most of our conversation to unpacking what we think happened. We spend sometime also discussing the vigil [leil shimurim]] mentioned in 12:42. While we are grateful for the release of the hostages last week, we remain mindful of all those, both the dead and the living, who remain in captivity in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. May those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha talk Beshalah 5785 2025 31:11

14 weeks ago31:11

31:11

Parashat B’shallach [Exodus 13:16-17:16] includes the Song of the Sea [15:1-19], which has been incorporated in the daily morning liturgy. It concludes with the original battle with Amalek [Exodus 17:9-16], which will be read again on Purim [March 14, 2025]. Our conversation divided into two, the first part dedicated to a discussion about Joseph’s bones and the second to a conversation about the liturgical dimension of the Song of the Sea and what that might mean for the partipants in the singing. We remain ever mindful of the hostages still in captivity, may they be returned speedily to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Shmot 2025 5785 38:27

16 weeks ago38:27

38:27

Parashat Sh’mot [Exodus 1:1-6:1] begins the Book of Exodus. In the opening verses the scene quickly shifts from the patriarchal families described in Genesis to the nation, the people Israel. The descent of Israel [the other name for the patriarch Jacob] into Egypt refers to the sons of Israel, twelve in number. By verse 10, this family has become am b’nai yisrael, the people known as b’nai yisrael, whom we will later learn number over 600,000 fighting men over the age of twenty, together with their wives and children. The beginning chapters are episodic. The Children of Israel are enslaved by a Pharaoh who does not know Joseph, the birth of Moses is described in a few verses in chapter 2, followed by the announcement that Moses goes out to see the suffering or toils of his brothers. Moses has 3 interactions with people which force him to flee to Midian, which sets the stage for the wondrous scene at the Burning Bush. It is this scene which takes up most of our conversation. With the news of a ceasefire/hostage release, we are ever hopeful that all the hostages will speedily be returned to their families. We continue to be mindful of the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vaera 5785 2025 37:35

16 weeks ago37:35

37:35

Parashat Va’era [Exodus 6:2-9:35] is filled with rich material, almost too much to enumerate. At the heart of the parashah is the description of the first 7 plagues, culminating with that of hail. Its position as the 7th in a list of 10 underscores its significance. Our conversation, as is perhaps typical, meandered through the parashah. We talked about the first two verses where God is identified by three different names, the verses in Exodus 6 [6-8], which provide the rabbis with their basis for the 4 cups of wine at the seder and the cup of Elijah, the plagues, and so much more. Almost before we knew it, we had gone over our usual time allotment! We hope you enjoy it. Words cannot capture the emotions unleashed by the return of the first hostages as they returned home. We continue to be mindful of those still in captivity, may they be speedily returned to their families, both the living and the dead, and the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayehi 2025 5785 38:24

18 weeks ago38:24

38:24

Parashat Va-yehi [Genesis 40:28–50:26] is the twelfth and concluding parashah of Sefer B’reshit [The Book of Genesis]. Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s two sons born in Egypt while Jacob was still in Canaan, are blessed by their grandfather, with Jacob reversing his hands so that the younger Ephraim receives the primary blessing. Jacob “blesses” his sons, though not all the sons will probably feel themselves blessed by the words Jacob addresses to them. Jacob dies and, at his request, he actually makes Joseph swear to it, he is buried in the ancestral resting place, the Cave of Machpelah; and, Joseph dies and is embalmed and placed in a coffin, but not before adjuring his brothers to take his bones up from Egypt when God takes notice of them. Most of our conversation explored the oath Jacob makes Joseph take to bury Jacob in Canaan. Joseph asks Pharaoh if he can go perform this act of filial piety, and Pharaoh allows him. We delve into the various details of this scene: why does Jacob insist that he not be buried in Egypt? why make Joseph take an oath? what does it tell us about Pharaoh? We also talk a bit about the difference with Joseph when no one will ask Pharaoh if Joseph’s remains can be taken up to Canaan and he is left with the promise for his bones to one day be returned to Canaan. Finally, what kind of book is Genesis? Does it end with bleakness or with hope? It is customary to conclude the Torah reading when we finish a book of the Torah in the synagogue with the words חזק חזק ונתחזק [hazak, hazak, ve-nit’hazek, be strong, be strong, and let us be strengthened]. We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayigash 2025 5785 41:27

18 weeks ago41:27

41:27

Parashat Va-yiggash [Genesis 44:17-47:27] provides the denouement to the Joseph story, which formally comes to a conclusion next week with parashat Va-yehi tidying up the loose ends and concluding the book of Genesis. This week opens with Judah’s appeal to Joseph and Joseph’s disclosure of his true identity to his brothers. The family makes its way to Egypt ostensibly to sit out the rest of the years of famine in closer proximity to the food supply. We, as long-time readers of the Torah, know that this relatively short period of time becomes an extended period of indeterminate length. Once again, we pay attention to the character of Joseph, this time in comparison and contrast with the other major characters: Judah, Jacob, and Pharaoh. We recorded on the last day of the secular year, 2024, coinciding with the 1st day of Rosh Hodesh Tevet and the 6th day of Hanukkah. May the New Year of 2025 become a year of peace. We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Vayeshev 5785 2024 36:40

19 weeks ago36:40

36:40

Parashat Va-yeshev [Genesis 37:1-40:23] begins the longest extended narrative in the Book of Genesis, the Joseph story. The parashah begins with a 17-year-old Joseph relating to his family two dreams he has had, which infuriate his brothers. When his father asks Joseph to go see how his brothers are doing pasturing the sheep, Joseph ends up being sold into slavrey. Chapter 38 is an interlude of sorts, the story of Judah and Tamar. It is perhaps intended to provide a comeuppance for Judah’s role in the sale of Joseph. Chapter 39 resumes the Joseph story. Joseph is now in Egypt. Everything he does works out well until he runs afoul of his master’s wife, who is intent on seducing him. He is sent to prison. There he interprets the dreams of Pharaoh’s butler and baker, who have been imprisoned. The parashah ends with the note that the butler, who had promised to mention Joseph to Pharaoh so he could be released from prison, did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Most of our conversation focused on chapter 37 as we looked for a deeper understanding of Joseph. Is he a spoiled brat? Is he a bullied younger brother who only wants to hand out with the big boys and is rejected. We touched on some other parts of the parashah as well, so listen to find out! We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Miketz 5785 2024 34:24

19 weeks ago34:24

34:24

Parashat Mi-Qetz [Genesis 41:1-44:17] is the second of the four parashiyot that treat the Joseph story. At the end of last week’s parashah, Joseph has been left in prison because the recently released butler failed to mention him to Pharaoh, as he had promised to do. The parashah this week opens up with Pharaoh’s two dreams which defied interpretation by any one in Pharaoh’s court, the butler remembering Joseph, and Joseph being summoned to court to successfully interpret the dreams. The bulk of the parashah deals with the descent into Egypt by 10 of Joseph’s brothers and their encounters with him. Our conversation focused in part on the character of Joseph, sometimes in comparison with his brother Judah who once again has a leading role, in convincing Jacob to let Benjamin return with them to Egypt, and at the end stepping forward to address Joseph, which address will begin next week’s parashah. As Eliot notes, it is difficult to limit oneself to the parashah of the week when discussing the Joseph story, so we make reference to both what happened last week and what will happen in the next two weeks. We hope you enjoy it. We are ever mindful of the hostages, may they be speedily returned to their families, and to the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. May the increasing light of the hanukkiyot [the first night of Hanukkah is Wednesday night, 12/25/24] bring increasing light to the Middle East, and may a measure of peace be restored to that region. Hag Urim Same’ach. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Vayishlach 5785 2024 34:47

22 weeks ago34:47

34:47

Parashat Va-yishlach [Genesis 32:4–36:43] features the actions Jacob takes in preparation for his meeting with Esau after 20 years, the mysterious wrestling match with the מלאך [malakh, understood as a divine messenger or a human messenger], the actual meeting, the ravishing of Dinah [as Nahum Sarna entitles the episode], a theophany at Beth El, and the genealogy of Esau. It represents the concluding chapter for Isaac and Esau, as well as Deborah, the nurse of Rebecca, and Rachel, who dies shortly after giving birth to Benjamin, as he is renamed by his father. It was just Eliot and me this week. Jeremy is in Israel for the Rabbinical Assembly convention this week, but was under the weather, and thus unable to join us. We wish him a refu’ah sh’lemah, a speedy recovery, and look forward to next week when we hope that Jeremy is at full strength, as are we! Our conversation focused on the opening chapter of the parashah, as we sought out the meaning in Jacob’s preparation, and struggled to understand the significance of Jacob’s nocturnal encounter. We hope you enjoy it! We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
Parsha Talk Toldot 5785 2024 37:04

23 weeks ago37:04

37:04

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Toldot [Genesis 25:19-28:9] is the sixth of the 12 weekly Torah readings in the Book of Genesis. With the death of Abraham and Ishmael last week, the story this week concentrates on the family of Isaac and some of the key events in the life of Isaac: the birth of his twin sons, the wife-sister story in the 2nd generation, and the deceiving of Isaac by Jacob [and Rebecca] to acquire the blessing of the first-born for Jacob. Our conversation concentrated on the story not directly related to Isaac, which is the acquisition of the right of the first-born for Jacob by the sale of lentil soup. The word for blessing [ברכה, b’rakhah] and right of the first-born [בכורה, b’khorah] sound nearly the same, and certainly the stories are two be seen together. Whereas Jacob is the main actor in the sale of the birth-right, in the acquisition of the blessing, Jacob is portrayed as a passive character, first driven by his mother Rebecca, and then allowing his father to draw the wrong conclusions about his identity. It is sometimes surprising that just a few verses and commentary spark so much conversation! On the 418th day of the war, we continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. With the onset of the ceasefire in the north, we remain hopeful that peace may soon descend on the region. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Vayeitze 5785 2024 37:18

23 weeks ago37:18

37:18

Parsha Talk, with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-yetze [Genesis 28:10-32:3] was my Bar Mitzvah parashah many, many years ago! It opens with Jacob leaving Be’ersheva for Haran, fleeing for his life or looking for a wife. It ends with Jacob on his way back to the land of his birth. A lot happens between those two events, including his marriage to the sisters Leah and Rachel, and the birth of his first 11 sons and his daughter. Our conversation focused mostly on the beginning scene and the scene at the well, though we touched upon some other matters as well as the well. Please let us know what you think. This week’s show is dedicated to the memory of Omer Neutra z”l, my former student, whose death on October 7, 2023 was announced earlier in the week. His body has been held hostage in Gaza since then. We continue to be mindful of the other hostages, may they be speedily returned to their families, and the soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Haayyei Sarah 5785 2024 37:17

25 weeks ago37:17

37:17

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Chayyai Sarah [Genesis 23:1-25:18] begins with the death of Sarah and the acquisition of the Cave of Makhpelah from Efron the Hittite. This sale and consequent burial of Sarah establishes Abraham’s claim to the land, for he now is the legal owner of a plot of land. The largest section of the parashah is devoted to finding a wife for Isaac. Avraham sends his servant, whom the rabbis identify as Eliezer, back to his ancestral homeland to find a wife amongst his kin, with the proviso that the servant may bring the woman back to Canaan, but under no circumstances is he to take Isaac to the ancestral homeland. This story, and in particular the oath with which Avraham sends off his servant, provides the basis for our conversation this week. Chapter 25 narrates the subsequent marriage of Avraham to Keturah, whom the rabbis identify as Hagar, and the birth of 6 more sons. In turn, Avraham dies and is buried, and Ishmael dies as well, clearing the way for next week’s parashah which focuses on Isaac and his family. On the 411th day of the war, we continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Vayera 5785 2024 36:31

25 weeks ago36:31

36:31

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Va-yera [Genesis 18:1-22:24] is filled with interesting material: the announcement of the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s conversation with God about the fate of Sodom & Gomorrah, the second wife-sister story, the banishment of Ishmael and Hagar, and the Binding of Isaac [these latter two which we read on Rosh Hashanah]. Our focus this week was on the opening scene and what we can discover about the relationship between Abraham and Sarah. We did not move far from this topic and hope you will find that we had interesting things to say! On the 404th day of the war, we continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Noah 5785 2024 37:25

27 weeks ago37:25

37:25

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat No’ach [Genesis 6:9-11:32], the second parashah in the Book of Genesis, primarily deals with the flood, the great cataclysm in which God destroys the world he had so carefully created in the opening chapters of The Torah. Noah, in whom God has found favor, is instructed to build an ark and to enter it with his wife, his three sons and their wives, and representatives of all the land animals and birds [there is some disagreement about the actual numbers]. The world is then destroyed by a massive rainstorm which inundates the earth. The ark finds a resting spot on Mt. Ararat. At some point Noah is instructed to leave the ark, after which he makes sacrifices to God. The last chapters of the book include the repopulation of the earth with the mention of the descendants of Shem, Ham, and Japhet; the story of the Tower of Babel, and the 10 generations from Noah to Avram, setting the stage for Avram’s dramatic entrance next week. We continue to be mindful of the hostages, may they be speedily returned to their families, and the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.…

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Lekh Lekha 5785 2024 35:59

27 weeks ago35:59

35:59

Parsha Talk Lekh Lekha with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. For D'var Torah by Rabbi Barry Chesler visit https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014806476351

Kol Ramah

1
parsha talk Bereishit 5785 2024 37:02

28 weeks ago37:02