Collection
At Madlik we light a spark or shed some light on a Jewish Text or Tradition. Created by Geoffrey Stern, an ex-Yeshiva student and life-long student of the Torah along with Rabbi Adam Mintz; the premier orthodox conversion Rabbi, we publish the Madlik Disruptive Torah Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, on Youtube and on Substack.
madlik.substack.com/Sheets
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Midrash through the Looking Glass
Parshat Vayakhel-Pekudei - A close reading of Exodus 38:8 and the mysterious “mirrors of the women who gathered at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.” By comparing classical commentators and modern scholars, we explore how Midrash emerges from a small textual anomaly.
Upside Down Thinking
We explore ve-nahafoch hu—“it was turned upside down”—as a Jewish reflex of reversal. From Esther and the Talmud to modern thinkers, we examine whether Judaism cultivates contrary thinking as a response to crisis and a catalyst for paradigm shift.
Lost & Found in Translation
Parshat Toldot - Isaac and Jacob choose brides from Aram. Aramaic is the chosen language of the Rabbis and the lingua franca of antiquity. Why is Laban vilified and should we slander or offer thanks to the Arameans?
From Freedom Back to Slavery
Parshat Mishpatim - We are struck with the irony that the first law discussed in the Israelite Legal code is slavery and instead of outlawing slavery it has provisions for it.
Why Blue and White?
Parshat Tetzaveh - In this episode of Madlik Disruptive Torah we explore the Torah's preeminent use of a hue of blue called Tekhelet in the construction of the Tabernacle and in the Priestly garb. This rare and dear dye, extracted from a non-kosher mollusk was also used on the four-cornered tallit of every simple Jew.
No Free Gifts
Parshat Terumah - "Taking gifts" is the way the Torah describes the obligatory donations made to fund the Tabernacle. We explore the economics and significance of a gift economy and even shed some light on the sending of gifts on Purim.
Blessed are the Survivors
Parshat Yitro - Yitro is credited with introducing the Judiciary, but after listening to a hostage, we argue that he gave the Shechiyanu
Liberation Theology - for Jews
Parshat Shemot - The Exodus from Egypt is not simply an episode in the script of the Jewish People; it is the refrain. The fact that it represents the essence of the Jewish people is captured in every commandment that is זֵכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָיִם to commemorate the Exodus from Egypt. Modern liberation movements have taken their inspiration from the exodus as a paradigm so we what does the Exodus Liberation paradigm mean for Jews and for Israel?
The Black Church and Israel
Parshat Mishpatim - We sense that the Torah begins to wean the children of Israel away from slavery, create social solidarity and protect against a victim mentality. We use the opportunity to invite our friend Rev Dumisani Washington to discuss the current state of the Black Church and Israel.
Paradigm Shift
Parshat Terumah - According to Rabbinic tradition Moses was shown a paradigm of the Menorah but was uncertain how to translate the vision into reality of the moment. Bezalel had no such reservations and succeeded where Moses failed. We use this tradition to explore the modern concept of Paradigm Shift and wonder whether we are at such an inflection point today.
Torah - Not a Code of Law
Parshat Mishpatim - We look at the so-called "Code of Law" presented in Exodus, and immediately after the revelation at Sinai, through the lens of Umberto Cassuto, one of the greatest Biblical scholars unknown or ignored by Biblical scholarship.
Bo - Who's In - Who's Out
Parshat Bo - Pharoah asks exactly who will leave and Moses replies, everyone. We discuss the politics of inclusion and exclusion.
The Kibbutz Haggadah - a visit to The Shittim Institute
Preparing for our Passover Seder we continue our exploration of the Kibbutz Haggadah with a visit to the Shittim Institute on kibbutz Beit Hashita in Northern Israel. Machon Shittim has the largest collection of Kibbutz Hagadot and an archive of close to a million texts which constitute Yahadut Yisraeli; Israeli Judaism.
Connected Through Aramaic
Parshat Vayetzei - Like the Rosetta Stone the Torah provides a Aramaic translation for Jacob's Gal-Ed treaty stone. Wit our guest Shadi Khalloul we explore the shared language, culture and impact of this unique language.
Left Behind and the Polemics of Redemption
Parshat Beshalach - A single word in the Exodus narrative—וַחֲמֻשִׁים (chamushim)—opens a fault line in rabbinic interpretation.
Reading Out Loud
Parshat Shemot - As we start a new Book of the Torah we entertain a New Year's resolution: To read more Torah to our children and grandchildren. We invite scholar and author Ilana Kurshan to share her new book: Children of the Book
Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe and The Wonder of Being Human
Parshat Vaera - The enslaved Israelites are incapable of hearing Moses' message because of "shortness of spirit" "Kotzer ruach". We use this as an opportunity to study a teaching from Rav Shlomo Wolbe called "The Wonder of Being Human" נוראות האדם
Rav Shlomo Wolbe on Human Greatness
Parshat Vaera - Moses comes with God's message of redemption to the enslaved Israelites and they do not listen due to "Kotzer Ruach" 'shortness of spirit". We use this to explore a primary teaching of the great Mussar master R. Shlomo Wolbe
Holy Crap
Parshat Vaera: We use an innocuous reference to Pharaoh's personal hygiene in Rabbinic Literature to explore the unique disposition of Judaism to the physical body and bodily functions.
More Righteous Than I: What Tamar Teaches About LGBTQ+ Belonging
A conversation with Rabbi Steve Greenberg on Parshat Vayeshev, Tamar’s fight to belong, Judah’s צדקה ממני, and what these stories teach about LGBTQ+ inclusion, Yibum, Hesed, and the evolving place of queer Jews in today’s Jewish community.