Seven Minute Torah

Justice is the North Star (Va'era)

When the world feels like it’s unraveling, where do we find strength and direction? Rabbi Micah Streiffer turns to Moses and his unwavering sense of justice, offering a f

Remember to Remember (Sh'mot)

What does it mean when the Torah tells us that God “hardened Pharaoh’s heart”? Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores a contemporary interpretation that understands Pharaoh’s stu

Joseph and His Brothers Find Repentance (Vayigash)

In this week’s Torah portion, Joseph tearfully reunites with his brothers after two decades of separation, and many more years of pain and animosity. Rabbi Micah Streiffe

They Buried Him Together (Chayei Sarah - encore)

When Abraham dies, the Torah surprises us by revealing that his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him together. What lessons can we learn from this surprising moment in Torah

Seeing God (Vayera)

The Torah tells us we can’t see God—yet this week’s portion, Vayera, begins with the words, “God appeared to Abraham.” What does it mean to “see” a God who has no image?

Yes, You Are Your Brother's Keeper (Bereshit)

The Torah begins with a question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" And although it never answers it directly, the rest of the Torah IS an answer to that question. In this epis

Do We Have to Forgive? Lessons from a Gourd Plant

A Yom Kippur reflection with Rabbi Micah Streiffer -- exploring a Talmudic story, the book of Jonah, and the lessons of a gourd plant. What does Jewish tradition really t

When Society Goes Astray (Nitzavim)

How can we respond when the world feels chaotic—when society seems to be unraveling around us? Join Rabbi Micah Streiffer in exploring what Torah teaches about finding re

In the Image of God (Ki Tetze)

One of Judaism’s most famous teachings is that every person is created B’tzelem Elohim—in the image of God. But what does that really mean for how we see and treat each o

God is Oneness (Re'eh)

This week’s Torah portion is full of laws—about food, tithes, debts, sacrifice. Hard to relate to? Maybe. But beneath the rules lies a profound truth: the Shema’s declara

Across the River; Not Off the Hook (Matot-Masei)

As two and a half tribes choose to settle outside the Promised Land, Moses asks: Will your siblings go to war while you stay here? This week's Torah portion raises timele

When the Extremists are in Charge (Pinchas)

How do we respond when the Torah condones violent extremism? How might our response shape our own Jewish lives, not to mention our relationship with Israel? In this episo

Donkey Midrash (Balak)

What does a donkey have to do with your soul? In this episode, Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores stories from Midrash and Torah about donkeys - and how they teach people abo

The Arrogance That Thinks It Knows All Truth (Korach)

Korach is not just a rebel. He's the embodiment of what the prayerbook calls "the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth." The Torah comes to remind us that we have a l

How to be Caleb (Sh'lach Lecha)

Many of us know very little about the biblical figure of Caleb. But he is a model of positivity, faith, and believing in what's possible - even when the world around you

Ruling by Fear Will Never Work (B'ha-alotcha)

Far from being threatened by others, Moses acts in a way that upholds the rights of others to speak their minds. In that sense, this Torah portion portrays him as the opp

You're Not So Special (Achrei Mot-Kedoshim)

In this week's haftarah, the prophet Amos contradicts the Torah portion! How can he tell us we're not so special when the Torah called us kedoshim - holy? It's in that ju

Creation and Suffering (Sh'mini)

In this week's Torah portion, a moment of celebration and creation turns tragic. What is the relationship between creation and suffering? We look at some midrash and try

Actually Listening to Each Other (Vayikra)

In a deeply divided society, Jewish tradition has some advice for how to be with each other: actually listen. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores texts from Torah and Talmud t

Finding our Half Shekel of Agency (P'kudei)

The kind of society that you have matters. That's the message under the surface of this dry, number-filled Torah portion. Rabbi Micah Streiffer explores how an accounting