As we close the book of Bereshit and end our podcast series, we ask ourselves what keeps families together, and why do they fall apart. Thank you to everyone who has come along with us on this journey, and for giving us a chance to explore the

Parshat Vayigash - The Mistakes of Management

Jan 3rd, 2020 12m 3s

How can we as people in positions of authority or management, behave in such a way that creates respect, and not resentment?This parsha serves as the prime example of mismanagement and/or power gone too far, as the effects of this week's pars

Parshat Mikeitz - How to be Heard

Dec 27th, 2019 9m 58s

Everyone talks, but not everyone is heard. Why do some people just assume leadership and everyone follows suit, while others try their best but are ultimately ignored? In this week's episode, we utilize the two models of leadership exhibited in

Parshat Vayeishev - The Compartments of our Mind

Dec 18th, 2019 9m 53s

There are moments in life where good people allow other people to do bad things, and we would like to know why? What allows people to compartmentalize the way that they do, and how can we prevent ourselves from doing that?

Parshat Vayishlach - A "Change" in Leadership

Dec 13th, 2019 11m 7s

Everyone has the capacity to change, but what happens when we have other people in our lives who count on us? How can we evolve when other people count on us to be consistent? What affects can that have on our lives and the lives of others?In

Parshat Vayetzi - Rachel's Pain

Dec 6th, 2019 12m

Our Torah begins with the commandment to be fruitful and multiply, but we constantly find our ancestors struggling with that very commandment. Why? What could the reason be, and how could infertility impact the relationships between spouses and

Parshat Toldot - Delaying Gratification

Nov 28th, 2019 11m

In this week's episode, we discuss the dual personalities presented in our Parsha, and how the way we behave as a child can have serious effects on who we become.

Parshat Chaye Sarah - On Gratitude

Nov 20th, 2019 10m 45s

As the saying goes, "You never know what you have until it's gone", and in this episode we explore some examples of that saying in the relationships in our Parsha, while also discussing showing gratitude for the people in our lives while they a

Parshat Vayeira - Friendship and Values

Nov 14th, 2019 12m 2s

In this week's episode, our hosts discuss the story of Lot, and how things could have ended up differently, had he simply had a friend to help him find his way.

Parshat Lech Lecha - The Vulnerable and the Responsible

Nov 8th, 2019 13m 54s

This week's Parsha tells us the story of Avraham and the beginnings of Judaism, but it also tells us the story of Hagar, which serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that people in power have to act morally and fairly towards people in th

Parshat Noah - Anxiety and the Climate Crisis

Oct 31st, 2019 11m 12s

In this episode, our hosts explore the anxieties that comes with our current climate conditions, and how we can have the courage to face them, much like Noah did when facing the flood.

Parshat Bereshis - The Beginning of Morality

Oct 25th, 2019 17m 25s

How did the Garden of Eden create a world of moral complexity? As we begin the Torah anew, our hosts ask some of the bigger questions about the Bible's opening story, as well as how to appropriately apply complex moral choices to the grey are

Parshat Vayeilach - On Aging and Safety

Oct 10th, 2019 17m 1s

In this week's episode, we discuss the concerns of aging loved ones, and how we can be there for them, even when they might not want our help.

Parshat Haazinu - Ethical Wills

Oct 10th, 2019 11m 47s

Parshat Haazinu - Ethical Wills by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

Parshat Netzavim and the High Holidays - On Repentance and Self Improvement

Oct 7th, 2019 13m 10s

In this episode of Pastoral Parsha, Hody, and Dr. Friedman discussed the seasonal process of repentance, and how you don't need to be doing something wrong to improve yourself.

Parshat Ki Tavo - Curses of the Mind

Sep 18th, 2019 11m 17s

In this week's episode, Hody Nemes and Dr. Friedman discuss an issue that plagues so many of us. Whether it is in the form of friends or members of our communities, we all know someone going through a rough time, potentially suffering from some

Parshat Ki Tetze - A Question as old as Time

Sep 13th, 2019 15m 15s

In this week's episode of Pastoral Parsha, Dr. Friedman and Hody Nemes explore a question as old as time. Why do humans care so much about how we, and how other people, look? Why don't we judge others by values alone, rather than by outfit or h

Parshat Shoftim - Shame and Society

Sep 5th, 2019 15m 53s

While we have a pretty clear understanding of how the justice system should treat criminals, many are at a loss as to how communities should treat them? Is public shaming ever justified, and is shame something that we consider a valued aspect o

Parshat Re'ah - Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

Aug 30th, 2019 14m 46s

This week's Parsha presents us with numerous decisions and choices, and life is no different. Every single day, we all make countless decisions, and while we usually have a general idea of right and wrong, there are questions with no clear righ

Parshat Ekev - What is Good Parenting?

Aug 22nd, 2019 12m 40s

How does one be a good parent, and can G-d's relationship with us be a good tool in answering that question? Find out in this week's episode of Pastoral Parsha.

Parshat Ve'atchanan - Facing Religious Doubt

Aug 15th, 2019 9m 53s

In this week's episode of Pastoral Parsha, Dr. Michelle Friedman and Hody Nemes ('21) discuss one of the central themes of the Jewish Sinai Experience, and how we can incorporate a core value from that experience into our individual confrontati

Parshat Devarim - Truth and Memory

Aug 8th, 2019 11m 43s

Parshat Devarim - Truth and Memory by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

Parshat Matot Masei - Living with Guilt

Aug 1st, 2019 12m 39s

In this week's episode, Dr. Friedman and Hody Nemes ('21) explore the complicated psychological world of the accidental murderer and the "Cities of Refuge", and how someone can live with guilt for mistakes they made in the past.

Parshat Pinchas - Raising Good Children

Jul 25th, 2019 15m 15s

Parshat Pinchas - Raising Good Children by Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

Parshat Balak - Nature and Society

Jul 19th, 2019 11m 37s

In this week’s episode, Hody and Dr. Friedman use Bilaam’s relationship with nature to comment on how most human beings relate to nature, and the devastating effects our attitudes towards nature can have on the world if left unchecked.