Episodes

  • Silence in Korach

    Silence in Korach
    Jul 4 2024
    Korach (Num. 16:1-18:32), one of the most riveting and dramatic narratives in all of Torah, is, perhaps counterintuitively, fertile ground for a discussion of the trait of Silence. When is speech destructive? When is silence -- a deliberate avoidance of harsh or provoactive speech -- healing? How do we balance our "inner Korach" and "inner Moses"? Modya and David explore these and other topics in this week's episode. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • On "Silence" (Shtikah) in Shelakh

    On "Silence" (Shtikah) in Shelakh
    Jun 27 2024
    This week, Modya and David discuss parshat Shelakh (also known as Shelakh Lekha) in the Book of Numbers, using the lens of the attribute of Shtikah, or Silence. In the Mussar tradition, silence refers to the deliberative pause taken before speaking, to make sure that what is said is truthful and beneficial to self and others. This Torah portion includes the fateful incident of the report of the spies who scout out the land and bring a pessimistic report. The hosts consider the ramifications and consequences of speech that is truthful but not beneficial, and they discuss how to build a practice of using speech sparingly and wisely. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • The Trait of "Diligence" in B'ha'alotkha

    The Trait of "Diligence" in B'ha'alotkha
    Jun 20 2024
    Today, Modya and David welcome Mindy Shapiro, a Philadelphia-based student and teacher of Mussar and an artist*, to discuss parshat B'ha'alotkha (Num. 8:1-12:16) through the lens of Zerizut, or diligence. Central questions explored in conversation: How do we bring the rebellious aspects of our natures into alignment with our higher purpose? How can we see our own "desert wanderings" as part of a meaningful experience? And how can we identify and address our fear of not being seen, and what that fear causes us to do? We hope you enjoy! *Mindy's work can be seen here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Naso

    On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Naso
    Jun 13 2024
    This week, Modya and David dive into parshat Naso (Num. 4:21-7:89), the longest portion in the entire Torah -- 70 verses of which are identical! This parshah also features the Priestly Blessing (Num. 6:24-26), the laws of Sotah (Num. 5:1-31), and a host of lessons on the middah of Zerizut, or Diligence, for individuals and communities, in relation to each other and to God. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • What is Your Mission?

    What is Your Mission?
    Jun 6 2024
    What sort of people do you surround yourself with? And what is your mission in life? How best to marshal all aspects of your personality, and your community, in order to pursue it? And, on another note: what explains the Jewish aversion to being counted?These are just some of the questions Modya and David explore in this week's episode, in which they look at parshat Bamidbar (Num. 1:1-4:20). We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Bechukotai

    On "Diligence" (zerizut) in Bechukotai
    May 30 2024
    On this week's episode, Modya and David switch lenses to the trait of Zerizut, or Diligence, and use that as a lens through which to explore parshat Bechukotai, the final Torah portion in the Book of Leviticus (26:3-27:24). In this portion, God delineates the good that will come of following divine laws and commandments -- and the ills that will befall Israel if they turn away. The hosts explore how diligence in following divine will can keep our selves, our communities, and our world in balance. We hope you enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    37 mins
  • The Trait of "Frugality" in Behar

    The Trait of "Frugality" in Behar
    May 23 2024
    This week David and Modya complete their investigation of frugality looking at the parsha of Behar. We see how the lens is widened to include not only the self and community but also our orientation to the land and ultimately the Divine. In an agrarian culture, land represented economy and so the focus on letting the land lay fallow (shemitah and yoval) equated to frugality with finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Emor

    On "Frugality" (kimutz) in Emor
    May 16 2024
    In parsha Emor (Leviticus 21:1-24:23), David and Modya continue to explore "frugality." They look at it being part of a continuum of holiness and see how frugality in action needs to match an inner authentic orientation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins