Can't Stop Scrolling

As is befitting for the time between Purim and Passover, this episode features a deep dive into the verses of the story of Esther through the lens of Leah's own "4 Questions" pedagogy. We talk through a cross-country move to Chicago, the choreographies of modern dance and modern Torah learning, and analyze Leah's pedagogical style in real time!
Primary Source: Esther 5:2-5
Other sources mentioned:
Moshe in Rabbi Akiva’s classroom: Bavli Menachot 29b
Rav's wife who prepares peas and lentils: Bavli Yevamot 63a

In this episode, we talk about the multi-layered interpretive work of making theater about modern midrash, the potential of empty space, and if solo travel is liberating, terrifying, or both.
Primary Source: Rabbi Jill Hammer's Sisters at Sinai, "Miriam under the Mountain"
Other source: the commandment to send away a mother bird if you are to take the eggs from her nest: Deuteronomy 22:6–7.

dr. rafa kern joins the pod to offer his critique of Martin Buber's skills as a playwright, but more importantly to share poignant insights on making meaning of text study and of the multiple elements that make up the phenomenon of chevruta learning. We do bibliomancy in this ep - spontaneously opening up a rabbinic text and seeing what meaning we can make of it!
Primary source: Mishnah Shevuot 4:6, 4:3:
Other sources mentioned:
Martin Buber's play Elijah, staged at Yale University in 2011
The ritual of the "decapitated calf / Egla Arufa," Deuteronomy 21:1-9
To donate to the Yesod Fund, a mutual aid fund coordinated by Shir Tikvah Synagogue in Minneapolis: https://www.yesodfund.org/

Dogs in a perpetual state of wonder? Being an independent rabbi? A sense of newness every day? We wander towards the Burning Bush with Rabbi CB Souther, spiritual director and passionate Jewish educator, and discuss the overlap between life coaching and chavruta learning, and God as a process for good.
Primary source: Exodus 3:11-14
Other sources mentioned: The "still, small voice" of 1 Kings 19:12.

Rabbi Matthew Ponak teaches us about the Torah that is infused through everything, a return to the concept of “rav-chaver” (“friend-rabbi”) and juggling pumpkins.
Primary Source: Menachem Nachum of Chernobyl, Me'or Einayim, Shemot 3:2:
Other sources:
R. Matthew's books Embodied Kabbalah.
Follow R. Matthew on Facebook (RabbiMatthewPonak) and Instagram @rabbimatthewponak
https://matthewponak.com/