Join Paul and Aaron for a discussion of the Torah portion, exploring themes and personal reflections on the weekly parsha.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/13/22/00827e6d-7eb2-481e-ac6e-b0bdefba147d_alppp_shmini_tazria_metzorah_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss Aaron&#39;s morning prayer practice, with mention of a techina/vernacular women&#39;s prayer. Paul reports on kasherut-related conversations from the Mandarin buffet and opens a conversation about how we know which fish are kosher and mysterious speculations on the source of Jewish dietary laws.

Shmini, Tazriah and Metzorah

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/13/22/57aa689c-7d89-4b7e-b9d5-cde66eab513f_i_tisa_to_leviticus__al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron finish off the book of Exodus and begin the book of Leviticus. Aaron discusses what it is like being a Spiritual Leader in Toronto and the discussion continues with details of the building of Tabernacle and how Jewish tradition transforms and holds steady over time.

Ki Tisa, Vayakhel, Pekudei, Vayikra and Tzav

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/11/14/bc1843b9-a766-4f28-b211-4677df829c81_appp_yitro-tetzaveh_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss the Torah portions of Yitro, Misphatim, Terumah and Tetzaveh and have a conversation about the story of revelation at Mount Sinai, the power of narrative and fiction, and the specificity of the details in the Torah, specifically getting into the placement of the Jasper stone in the High Priest&#39;s breastplate.

Parshat Yitro, Mishpatim, Terumah and Tetzaveh

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/8/22/1f33f78c-a533-41b4-804a-30f8776e5227_shemot_to_beshalach_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss the first four portions of the Book of Exodus detailing the central narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt. They get into a discussion about memory, identity formation Resources mentioned: Liturgical Six Remembrances<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zakhor:_Jewish_History_and_Jewish_Memory" rel="nofollow">Zakhor: Jewish History and Jewish Memory</a> by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ontariojewisharchives/" rel="nofollow">Ontario Jewish Archives Instagram</a>

Parshat Shemot, Vaera, Bo Beshalach

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/12/28/2/f1461d29-2617-4a12-948f-b7062938cffc_end_of_genesis_2023_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Demons, curses and blessings, oh me! Paul and Aaron discuss the story of Jacob wrestling with a mysterious figure and the Joseph saga, with an emphasis on Jacob&#39;s final blessings to his 12 sons (why not his daughter?) rounding out this year&#39;s go-around of the Book of Genesis. Themes of inter-generational trauma, demons, curses, patriarchy and the divine feminine all come up in this wide-ranging conversation.

Closing out Genesis - Vayishlach, Veyeshev, Miketz, Vayigash, Veyechi

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/21/17/b1ca41ff-7a91-4dec-8fce-74bbf0f70904_al_pi_season_2_1_vayeira_etc.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss parshat Vayera, Chayei Sarah, Toldot and Vayetzei tracking the trends of the familial stories of Genesis, and chat about ancestors, prayer and listening.

Vayera, Chayei Sarah, Toldot and Vayetzei

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/13/22/d8d1a647-4e7e-4c83-b8b7-fd21eaba1682_al_pi_season_2_1_bereishit_noach_lech_lecha.mp3

Paul and Aaron begin the cycle again! This time we&#39;re taking bigger chunks for each episode. For this first one of the new Torah cycle we&#39;ll be exploring the first three Torah portions and explaining overarching themes of the Book of Gensis

Season 2: Bereshit, Noach, Lech Lecha

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/11/13/21/1cbddf9a-66b8-4833-8f13-8f01ee9ce7ce_2023_with_intro_note_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Here&#39;s an unreleased episode from the summer. Take a listen, feel those warm summer vibes, and enjoy a conversation ranging from topics including the purpose of kosher food and how we might relate to powerful influences in society from a Jewish point of view. This is the last episode from our first Torah cycle. We&#39;re looking forward to exploring a new format in this next cycle, grouping together a few portions for each episode.

Episode 25: Shoftim

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/7/3/2/acca27eb-9924-49b7-b706-51baba8b2591_matot_massei_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

We&#39;re finishing up the Book of Numbers this week. Paul and Aaron get into the story of the daughters of Tzlofchad and the resulting gender and inheritance issues.

Episode 24: Matot-Massei

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/7/3/0/eb8574e6-b332-4d07-8cf8-1612d0788818_pinchas_al_pi_podcasting_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Pinchas, from what the name &#34;Pinchas&#34; might mean, to adventures they&#39;ve shared on Shmini Atzeret.

Episode 23: Pinchas

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/30/19/bdd343c2-2e06-4d94-b3af-acfca4a9b7e6_chukat_balak_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

This week Paul and Aaron explore the idea of prophecy in the Bible through the story of the non-Israelite prophet Bilaam, sent by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites. Listen and and learn with us!

Episode 22: Chukat-Balak

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/21/22/efad73b8-2590-4698-bb47-d9c5fdfa2d3e_korach_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss the story of Korach and his rebelion, and get into the ideas of afterlife, heavan and hell, inspired by a mention of the mysterious &#34;sheol&#34; in this week&#39;s portion.

Episode 21: Korach

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/12/19/eec6dfc1-54c5-45f7-b50f-1f6135ba5de3_shlach1_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

This week Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Shlach and the story of the 12 spies sent out by Moses to check out the Promised Land.

Episode 20: Parshat Shlach

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/5/1/d409a2f2-6fc9-4fa0-8d26-b9d8263cfe6f_behaalotcha_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss the shortest prayer in the Torah and community building as healing as part of this week&#39;s exploration of Parshat Beha&#39;alotcha.

Episode 19: Beha'alotcha

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/29/1/72be99e6-cbd7-42f2-bdf3-1c63e4200514_nasso_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Nasso. Aaron shares the story of his middle name and we get into the weeds of about contemporary and biblical Nazarites and modes to play with middle paths and more extreme approaches to Jewish life. <a href="https://www.ramiefal.com/nazir" rel="nofollow">Nazir Temple of One</a> Rami Avraham Efal&#39;s contemproary Nazir project, that among other things, creates &#34;individualized or group ceremonies to mark entry into &amp; exit from temporary monastic experiences&#34;On Ari Lesser&#39;s <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AriLesserMusic/posts/pfbid0YihCWGJaJfCgJw96V4xiTa4NTiVQiNsJdwVJ2ikdaTtoL9c3jx7pgEJMYoJiNK4Vl" rel="nofollow">experience of being dis-invited</a> from speaking at a Modern Orthodox school for having long hair as a nazir:

Episode 18: Parshat Nasso

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/19/22/30a05f75-c8d6-48ec-9f96-a5f74fe1e370_bamidbar_al_pi_podcasting_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron dive into the fourth book of the Torah, The Book of Numbers, or Sefer Bamidbar. In this episode they discuss the twelve tribes, and the colour scheme of the tabernacle and which colour best represents Shabbat.

Episode 17: Parshat Bamidbar

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/4/1/d819a913-8c06-4ea7-b2b6-30e3482a296c_emor_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron chat about their recent trip to shul together in Toronto, and get into the weeds (and corners of the fields) discussing Parshat Emor. Speaking vs Saying, the number 7, associative thinking and more!

Episode 16: Parshat Emor

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/1/19/c0502df3-a78a-46e3-9092-61bd74aeb58e_acharei_mot_kedoshim_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

Paul and Aaron discuss the double Parsha Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. They talk about atonement, Yom Kippur rituals, Jewish ethics and the brief jump into a related section of talmud.

Episode 15: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/4/21/0/054eda33-1598-442d-ad7d-29742d00cc6f_tazria_metzora_al_pi_podcasting1_mixdown.mp3

On this week&#39;s episode Paul and Aaron dive into the double portion Tazria Metzora, and discuss things being conceived of as &#34;pure and impure&#34; and how it might related to gender and the body.

Episode 14: Tazria Metzora

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/4/14/19/894b88e0-09e0-45ab-bd68-2fdc9f020267_al_pi_podcasting1_shmini.mp3

In this week&#39;s Al Pi Parsha Podcast, Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Shmini, from the Book of Leviticus, including talking about ritual purity, kashrut/kosher laws for eating and 8 things we learning from the parsha.

Episode 13: Parshat Shmini

A personal dive into the weekly Torah Portion

Join Paul and Aaron for a discussion of the Torah portion, exploring themes and personal reflections on the weekly parsha.