Torah Unscrolled

Sarah and Jason discuss Metzora, the 28th portion of the Torah, and Acharei Mot, the 29th portion, continuing the book of Leviticus, and covering more details on the purification process for lepers and eruptive plagues, the origins of Yom Kippur, and instructions on which relations cannot be slept with. How do the instructions on dealing with discharges further inform our understanding of the purpose of keeping separate when impure? How does this portion deal with gender differently than all previous portions? And is there a way to interpret the verse forbidding men to sleep with other men more generously than simply forbidding it?

Sarah and Jason discuss Shemini, the 26th portion of the Torah, and Tazria, the 27th portion, covering details on the consecration of the tabernacle, rules on which animals can be eaten, the purification process after childbirth, and descriptions of how to diagnose various diseases and when to quarantine. Why were Aaron’s sons so harshly punished? What is our interpretation of pure and impure? Why are religion and health tied together? What’s with the purification process after childbirth? And how did these medical guidelines come to be?

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayikra, the 24th portion of the Torah, and Tzav, the 25th portion, which begins the book of Exodus, and covers details on the types of offerings, how to perform them, which sins require which offerings, and the anointing of Aaron and his sons as Priests. Is it right to have more severe punishments for leaders of the community? Why is there both a civil and religious side to the punishment for some sins? Was Sarah right about recipes way back in Episode 0? And what was most valuable about the ancient way of performing sacrifices and offerings compared to modern day observance?

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayakhel, the 22nd portion of the Torah, and Pekudei, the 23rd portion, which concludes the book of Exodus, and covers the Israelites building the tabernacle and all of its components, as well as the anointing of the tabernacle and priests. What’s the present value of the precious metals used in the construction? What is the importance of holy spaces in modern religion? How does this story act as a conclusion to Exodus? And what are our favorite characters, stories, and takeaways from the Book of Exodus?

Sarah and Jason discuss Ki Tisa, the twenty-first portion of the Torah, which covers the instructions for anointing the tabernacle and the story of the golden calf. What additional context does this portion give around the commandment to observe the Sabbath? What is our ideal way to celebrate Shabbat? Was this telling of the story of the golden calf different from our understanding? Does G-d actually have a human form and face? Why is this episode so late? And how did we get off on a tangent about the conflict in the middle east again?

Sarah and Jason discuss Tetzaveh, the twentieth portion of the Torah, which covers the instructions that G-d gives to Moses for anointing Aaron and his sons as priests, creating garments for them to wear, and the construction of a golden altar. How does the portrayal of priests align with religious figures in Judaism today? What is the importance of dress and clothing in religion today? What do we think about animal sacrifices? And why are there some rules from the Torah we follow and some we ignore?Browse the chapters below:(0:00) Introduction(2:35) Portion Summary (8:51) Discussion Begins - Priests(15:38) Religious garments and “fashion”(21:44) Animal Sacrifices(24:16) Hierarchy of Rules to Follow(38:47) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Terumah, the nineteenth portion of the Torah, and welcome their first guest, Jeremy, who adds his perspective this week. The portion covers the detailed instructions that G-d gives to Moses for building a place of worship - the tabernacle. Why does G-d provide such great detail in these instructions? How does this compare to the construction and layout of a modern day sanctuary? How does our guest’s perspective change when reading the Torah for a second time? And how did Steven Spielberg do with his depiction of the ark? Browse the chapters below:(0:00) Introduction(1:01) Intro to Jeremy(3:40) Portion Summary (8:23) Discussion Begins - Detailed Instructions(14:55) Modern Synagogues(20:43) Reading the Torah a second time(22:08) Raiders of the Lost Ark(23:21) Our favorite sanctuary components(25:29) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Mishpatim, the eighteenth portion of the Torah, which covers many laws that G-d gives to Moses and the Israelites, and the people’s acceptance of them. How good was Moses’ memory? Does one of these laws provide a view on life before birth? How do these laws influence modern day justice? Why are kosher rules more in depth than what’s presented here? Are these laws meant to be preventative or punitive? Why do some simply order not to do something, and others lay out specific punishments?Browse the chapters below:(0:00) Introduction(2:37) Feedback from Last Week(3:47) Portion Summary (7:04) Discussion Begins - Moses’ Memory (9:55) Slavery Laws(12:16) Life before Birth(17:45) Animals and Pets(24:17) Honest Testimony(32:40) Three Festivals and Kosher Law(35:50) Purpose of these Laws(44:00) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Yitro, the seventeenth portion of the Torah, which tells the story of Moses being reunited with Jethro and his family, the Israelites arrival at Mt Sinai, and the Ten Commandments. What do we think of Jethro’s advice to Moses? How do we interpret the commandment to keep the Sabbath today? Which is the toughest commandment to obey? Are there any commandments we feel are missing? And what’s wrong with steps to an altar?Browse the chapters below:(0:00) Introduction(1:17) Portion Summary (9:29) Discussion Begins - Jethro’s Advice(18:52) The Ten Commandments(45:46) Altar Building Rules (50:30) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Beshalach, the sixteenth portion of the Torah, which continues the story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt with the splitting of the Red Sea, the introduction of Manna and the sabbath, and a battle! Does the Torah’s telling of the Red Sea splitting differ from popular depictions? How do we feel about the fear that G-d instills in the Israelites? How does the story of Manna relate both to Shabbat and eco-friendliness? And have our views of Moses as a leader changed?Browse the chapters below:(0:00) Introduction(1:35) Comments from Last Week(5:33) Portion Summary (19:42) Discussion Begins - Splitting of the Red Sea(24:16) Fearing G-d(32:31) Manna, Shabbat, and its Lessons (39:36) Moses as a Leader(44:48) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Bo, the fifteenth portion of the Torah, which continues the stories of the plagues that G-d inflicts upon Pharaoh and Egypt, the story of Passover and the final plague which finally frees the Israelites from Egypt. How does this portion impact our understanding and view of Passover? How well did the Prince of Egypt tell the story of Exodus? What are some alternative interpretations or ways that this story could have happened? And what are our favorite Passover things? Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:41) Portion Summary  (9:30) Discussion Begins - Fun Facts (11:47) Prince of Egypt Review (14:40) The Intent of repetition in this story  (20:19) Changes to our views on Passover (32:30) Predicting the next portion (37:43) Alternative explanations for the story (41:30) Our favorite Passover things (44:18) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Vaera, the fourteenth portion of the Torah, which begins the book of Exodus and covers the Israelites enslavement in Egypt, Moses’ birth and adoption, and his conversation with G-d at the burning bush. Why is there a threshold of suffering for G-d to intervene? Why does G-d harden Pharoah’s heart and make the freeing of the Israelites more difficult? And is that justifiable? Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:18) Comments from Last Week (5:06) Portion Summary  (11:00) Discussion Begins - Repetitive Interlude (13:28) G-d Hears Israelites Suffering (19:40) Let My People Go (so that they may worship me) (22:12) Our favorite plagues (25:36) Dueling Deities (30:39) G-d hardens Pharoah’s heart  (38:38) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Shemot, the thirteenth portion of the Torah, which begins the book of Exodus and covers the Israelites enslavement in Egypt, Moses’ birth and adoption, and his conversation with God at the burning bush. What surprised us in this portion that we think we know so well from Passover? Why are the Jewish people always seemingly emboldened by oppression? Was Moses actually a good leader? And would we recognize a sign from G-d today? Browse the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:18) Comments from Last Week (3:21) Summary Preamble (6:42) Portion Summary (17:29) Discussion Begins - What Surprised Us (26:11) Emboldened by Oppression (33:58) Grading Moses as a Leader (43:09) Would we recognize a sign from G-d today? (46:44) The Passover Story in Media (48:23) Killing the boys  (49:10) Israel as Jacob and a People (53:06) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayechi, the twelfth portion of the Torah, which concludes the story of Joseph and Jacob, and also concludes the book of Genesis! Why do Jacob’s sons have such diverse personalities? Why are there so many deceptions going on with this family? Where’d the women go in the stories? And what are our favorite stories looking back at the book of Genesis?  Check out the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:24) Portion Summary (11:51) Discussion Begins - The Diverse Tribes of Israel (20:22) Jacob and his Deceptions (23:53) Where’d the Women Go? (27:40) Honoring Promises (31:04) Reflecting on Genesis - Our favorite stories (34:28) Our “Most Powerful” Story (37:21) Our Favorite Characters (41:25) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayigash, the eleventh portion of the Torah, which continues the story of Joseph in Egypt, revealing his identity to his brothers and welcoming them to settle in Egypt. How do we think Pharaoh and Joseph fared in managing the famine? What was Joseph’s original plan before he was overcome with emotion? Why is this pharaoh seemingly a good guy? And what are our favorite family reunion stories? Check out the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:55) Portion Summary (8:00) Discussion Begins - Evaluating Pharaoh and Joseph (10:12) Joseph and G-d’s plan (15:21) Family Reunion Drama (20:44) Playing Favorites  (27:20) Good Pharaoh (33:32) Pyramid Digression (34:59) A clue on the Torah’s origin (38:50) Holiday and Calendar Alignments (43:04) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Miketz, the tenth portion of the Torah, which covers the story of Joseph’s ascension to be Pharoah’s right hand man after interpreting his dreams, and some visits from Joseph’s brothers. How would we have interpreted Pharoah’s dream? Was Joseph’s approach to preparing for the famine the best way to do it? What is Joseph planning to do with Benjamin? And how does AI interpret Pharoah’s dream? Check out the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (2:19) Portion Summary (10:40) Discussion Begins - Pharoah’s Dream (21:02) Preparing for the famine (28:14) Joseph’s plan for his brothers (31:49) Forgoing Revenge  (35:55) Weekly Take-aways (36:56) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up (37:44) AI Interprets Pharoah’s Dream

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayeshev, the ninth portion of the Torah, which covers the story of Joseph sharing his dreams, being sold into slavery in Egypt, and interpreting some other peoples dreams. Why do so many bad things happen to Joseph? What is the meaning behind dreams? What makes someone appear to be blessed? And what did Judah’s sons do to deserve their punishment? Check out the chapters below: (0:00) Introduction (1:45) Comments from Last Week (2:39) Portion Summary (9:19) Discussion Begins - describing Joseph (12:47) Interpreting Dreams (18:01) The Cupbearer and Bakers Dreams (22:15) How to tell someone is blessed (28:02) What did Judah's sons do? (32:07) Women deceive Judah and Joseph (35:14) The birth of Judah's twins (37:50) Our Quick Takeaways (38:38) When to share your dreams (40:06) Sponsorship and Wrap-Up

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayishlach, the eighth portion of the Torah, which covers the story of Jacob wrestling with an angel, reuniting with Esau, and the rape of Dinah. Why is the angel wrestling him? Why does Esau forgive Jacob? What is appropriate retribution for the rape of Dinah? And what are our favorite asides in media?  Check out the chapters below: (0:00)  Introduction (2:05)  Comments from Last Week  (5:00)  Portion Summary  (13:50)  Discussion Begins  (14:15)  Wrestling with a Figure (17:52)  Asides  (23:20)  Jacob Reunites with Esau (28:03)  Retribution for the rape of Dinah (33:09)  Benjamin’s naming  (34:26)  Over-Preparing  (36:43)  Critiquing the Portion (40:55)  Wrap-up and Sponsorship

Sarah and Jason discuss Vayetzei, the seventh portion of the Torah, which covers the story of Jacob’s ladder dream, his marriage to Leah and Rachel, and his feud with Laban. What does his dream mean? Is this a sad ending to Jacob and Rachel’s love story? Who’s at fault more, Jacob or Laban? And did Jacob understand genetics?  Check out the chapters below: (0:00)  Introduction (2:13)  Comments from Last Week  (4:59) Portion Summary (14:55) Discussion Begins (15:35) Jacob's Ladder Dream (18:24) Jacob Meets Rachel (21:17) The Deception with Leah (24:00) Sister-Wife Drama (25:51) Using Genetics to Breed (28:57) Jacob vs. Laban (32:21) Tithing vs. Taxes (37:45) Stone Pile as a Border (39:02) Wrap-Up and Sponsorship

Sarah and Jason discuss Toldot, the sixth portion of the Torah, which covers the story of the birth of Isaac and Rebecca’s twins - Jacob and Esau, and their sibling rivalry that plays out through two major events. How do children end up like their parents? Who is the good guy in this story? Why did Rebecca favor Jacob? And what’s the deal with Isaac’s innermost blessing?  Check out the chapters below: (00:00)  Introduction (01:30)  Podcast Housekeeping  (02:02)  Comments from Last Week  (04:20) Portion Summary  (14:01)  Discussion Begins  (16:34)  Parents Influence on Kids (20:50)  Jacob vs. Esau  (25:06)  Rebecca’s favorite  (31:00)  Isaac’s Blessing  (37:01)  Infertility and Miscarriages  (42:10)  Other tidbits  (44:11)  Wrap-up and Sponsorship