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TBE Richmond Podcast

TBE Richmond Podcast

by Rabbi Michael Knopf

Judaism Spirituality Religion

Season 3

Building Caring Communities Through Compassionate Communication (featuring Josh Jeffreys)

In his Dvar Torah for Parshat Korah (June 25, 2023), TBE member Josh Jeffreys observes that questions about leadership are rarely just about the leaders and suggests that Korah’s rebellion is actually about suffering. In response to our own suffering, will we choose bitterness or compassion?

Don't Bunt (featuring LeAnne Whitlow)

In her Dvar Torah for Parashat Shlah-Lekha (June 17, 2023), TBE member LeAnne Whitlow argues that perspective is everything.

Beyond Words (featuring Alane Cameron Ford)

In her Dvar Torah for Parashat Beha’alotekha (June 10, 2023), TBE member Alane Cameron Ford discusses how the preparations for life beyond the wilderness can guide us in the work of building community today.

Crimes Against Humanity

In his Shabbat message for Parashat Naso (June 3, 2023), Rabbi Knopf argues that, from the Torah's perspective, laws that target transgender and nonbinary people are crimes against humanity. Pride Month was originally established as a movement to protest bigotry against LGBTQIA+ people. The need to continue protesting and fighting for equality continues.

A Magical, Mystical Tour of the Weirdest Commandment

Description: On the festival of Shavuot, we read the Ten Commandments. The first of those commandments is a little baffling, considering it doesn’t appear to command anything at all. Drawing from the haftarah portion for the 1st day of Shavuot (May 26, 2023), Rabbi Knopf explains that the 1st commandment is actually the essence of what was commanded at Sinai, and continues to call upon us today.

Of, by, and for the people (featuring Brandon Metheny)

In his Dvar Torah for parashat Bamidbar (May 20, 2024), TBE member Brandon Methey explains that Jewish people have often had a fraught relationship with the countries we live in, and asks what can the Torah teach us about how to interact with where we live and our own community?

Vulnerability and Purity (featuring Emily Jasper)

Description: After a startling experience, TBE member Emily Jasper reflects in this Dvar Torah on how Parashat Emor (May 6, 2023) describes the laws for purity required of the priests. But instead of clean or unclean, she discusses the liminal space of being vulnerable, as shared by the Gamliel Institute’s Nina Rubin.

A Place for Silence. The Time of Hope. (Featuring Laurance Wieder)

In his Dvar Torah for Parashat Tazria-Metzora/Rosh Hodesh Iyar (April 22, 2023), TBE member Laurance Wieder explains that Leviticus says nothing about actual pregnancy, while Solomon declares “there is no new thing under the sun.” But Isaiah sings of birth without labor, of new heavens and new earth, and proclaims the new moon.

A Mishkan of our Own

Parashat Terumah focuses on the construction of the elaborate Tabernacle so that ‘G-d can dwell among them.’ But why does G-d require a physical, earthly dwelling at all? TBE member Brandon Mittman discusses the essential purpose of earthly creation.

Next Year in the Built Jerusalem!

In his Passover message for this year, Rabbi Knopf explains how the customary conclusion of the Seder, "Next Year in the Built Jerusalem!” is actually a commandment, calling upon us to make heaven on earth.

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