JL;DR

Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes engage with Bereshit Rabbah to explore how Jews have historically perceived themselves and their enemies in times of con...

The episode explores the nature of jealousy through a discussion of a midrash on Moses' response to his impending death and Joshua succeeding him as leader. ...

Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes explore how traditional Jewish texts guide us in balancing gratitude and sorrow, particularly from Chapter 9 of Tractate...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky explore musings from Pirkei Avot regarding the function and necessity of government, particularly in the context of elec...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain dissect a text from Tosefta Sotah to explore the balance between mourning and joy, particularly in the context of ongoing cri...

Elana Stein Hain explores how memory and solidarity intertwine during the High Holidays, emphasizing the necessity of collective remembrance, particularly in...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain discuss the story of Jonah through the lens of a Midrash from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, suggesting that Jonah's time in the wha...

In this heartfelt episode, Elana Stein Hain explores the concept of dissonance using a midrash from Sifrei Bamidbar, reflecting on the tragic events surround...

Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes explore cycles of Jewish history and theology using Tisha B'Av kinot, Ecclesiastes, and Deuteronomy, questioning whether...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky explore the concept of generational hope and responsibility through a biblical narrative in Jeremiah 32, reflecting on t...

Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes delve into how public scrutiny and rabbinic 'influencers' affect behavior through a close examination of classic rabbini...

Elana and Yonah Hain explore the challenges of expressing regret and making amends through a reading of Shemot Rabbah, focusing on the episode of Moses nulli...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky explore the profound fear of forgetting through a passage from Sifrei Devarim and discuss memory's essential role in pre...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain discuss the complexities faced by Jews amid rising antisemitism from both political spectrums. Through a Talmudic lens, they ...

Evolving uncertainty surrounding major changes has become a central concern, reflecting both societal fear of change and discomfort with the status quo. Thro...

Jewish community belonging and feelings of misfit were discussed through Talmudic stories from the Jerusalem Talmud in this episode, in light of recent globa...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain discuss a Talmudic story from Nedarim 66b, examining miscommunications versus conflicting viewpoints in relationships. The ep...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky discuss the omnipresence of chaos in contemporary life, exploring lessons from Talmudic stories about King David's confr...

Elana Stein Maimon and Christine Hayes explore the Talmudic insights from Tractate Yoma, discussing how pride and shame influence leadership and interpersona...

Leora Batnitzky and Elana Stein Hain explore the intricate contradictions in Jewish life, drawing upon the wisdom literature of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) and ra...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain explore the concept of code-switching through a rabbinic text from Pesikta DeRav Kahana, discussing its relevance and implica...

Rabbis Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes discuss how the Talmudic rabbis used humor and satire as a coping mechanism for oppression, focusing on a passage...

Elana Stein Hain and Leora Batnitzky explore the tension between individual and communal identity during times of shared tragedy, using Talmudic passages as ...

Elana Stein Hain and Yonah Hain delve into a Talmudic passage in Sanhedrin to explore nuanced perspectives on power, using the biblical story of Korach's reb...

Elana Stein Hain and Christine Hayes explore how the ancient Talmudic text in Tractate Hagigah can offer insights into the feelings of loss and uncertainty e...