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