When the world is on fire, who will stop and answer God’s call?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Gila Fine explore Parshat Lech Lecha through the famous midrash of the bira doleket—the burning building that leads Avraham to encounter God. They unpack centuries of interpretation, from Heschel’s vision of divine beauty to Rabbi Sacks’s call to bridge the world as it is and the world as it ought to be. Gila offers a striking literary reading: God is trapped in the flames, calling out for help—and Avraham becomes the one who answers.
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35:23
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35:23
Noach 5786: Rebuilding the World
How do we rebuild a broken world without simply recreating the past?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Leon Morris explore Parshat Noach as a story not just of destruction, but of renewal. They discuss God’s recalibration of expectations after the flood, the new covenant symbolized by the rainbow, and Noah’s struggle to rebuild a broken world. Through Midrash and modern parallels—from post-Holocaust resilience to the founding of Israel—they reflect on what it means to create anew without recreating the past, and to find faith after devastation.
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38:32
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38:32
Bereshit 5786: Creation and Connection
What does the creation story teach us about our partnership with God?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Aviva Lauer explore Parshat Bereshit and what the creation story reveals about humanity’s relationship with God. They discuss how rain, prayer, and work symbolize dependence, gratitude, and partnership—and how the Torah calls us to balance effort with humility. Drawing on Midrash and Talmud, they contrast Rabbi Eliezer’s demand for precision with Rabbi Akiva’s compassion, uncovering a vision of creation grounded in divine presence, responsibility, and grace.
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35:25
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35:25
Sukkot 5786: Holding the Tension
What does it mean to choose obligation?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore the layered meanings of Sukkot—its joy, its duality, and its challenge. They discuss the beauty and symbolism of the sukkah and lulav while grappling with women’s exemption from these mitzvot and what it means to choose obligation.
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32:33
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32:33
Ha’azinu 5786: Forgiveness and Its Limits
What does it take for forgiveness to be real?
In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbanit Nechama Goldman Barash explore Parshat Ha’azinu and the themes of Yom Kippur through the lens of sin, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They examine the Talmudic teaching that while Yom Kippur atones for sins between humans and God, it does not cover wrongs between people until forgiveness is sought and granted. Through stories of failed and successful reconciliations, they reflect on what it truly means to apologize, to forgive, and to let go—for the sake of others and for ourselves.
Pardes from Jerusalem features a weekly discussion using Torah, Talmud and other Jewish texts to explain themes from the weekly Torah portion. The Pardes faculty is featured each week. For more information about all Pardes programs and events visit www.pardes.org.il.
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