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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Brotherly Love from Lisbon
Acharei Mot from Lisbon: Abarbanel on two goats—exile, identity, redemption through Torah, Midrash Leo Strauss & Israel Yuval.
How the Rabbis got their Power
Parshat Vayikra - From laying hands on sacrifices to Daas Torah we explore how the evolution of the transfer of authority and the emergence of Rabbinic jurisdiction in Judaism.
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?
When Homes Are Torn Open
Parshat Tazria-Metzora - While there is a general consensus that the Biblical Leprosy is a punishment for Lashon Hora, there is silence regarding the cause of tzaraat on a house. We use this to explore the secrets contained in walls.
From Disgrace to Praise - Finding the Stranger in the Hagaddah
"You shall not oppress a stranger, ... having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt" and the motif of loving the stranger is not found in the Haggadah unless we follow the advise of the Mishnah and read the parsha until the end...
Pour out Your Wrath on my Hametz
An analysis of the "Pour out Your Wrath" incantation to understand the propriety of it's inclusion at the most climactic moment of the Seder, and some suggestions for alternatively authentic replacements.
Where has all the Hametz Gone? ClubHouse
Source Sheet for Discussion on ClubHouse March 12, 2021 4:00pm ET
Madlik Model Seder 2024
This year our Seder will be different from other years. For the first time in many of our lives it will be a Leil s\Shimurim,, a night of concern, uncertainty, fatigue and confusion. Let us follow the advice of the Rabbis to see ourselves as though we too are leaving our Egypt.
Where has all the Hametz Gone?
Why does the prohibition of owning or benefiting from Hametz (leavened bread) not appear in the Haggadah? We explore different suggestions such as simple male chauvinism or the schism with Christianity and suggest some alternative texts which would address this glaring oversight.
A New Meaning of Matzah
Parshat Vayikra - Leviticus opens its treatment of the sacrifices with the meal offering of unleavened cakes. The Rabbis ascribe the showcasing of this simple gift to the purity of intent of the poor and we use it to add a new perspective on the iconic start to our Seder.
Exodus and the birth of a national narrative
Parshat Shemot - Following Classical Rabbinic sources that show a link between the Family Story of Genesis and the birth of a nation Story of Exodus we review a recently published Alternative History of Scripture by Jacob L Wright and we reflect on what made the Hebrew Bible so unique and eternal.
Nachson
Parshat Barmidbar - We visit with a man called Nachshon ben Aminadav with only a insignificant walk-on role in the text of the Torah but an iconic presence in Jewish religious and secular culture and mythology
Protest Haggadah
Parshat Vayikra - Vayikra is a call to action. In every generation we are admonished to imagine ourselves overthrowing the Pharaoh of our day. Today we’ll survey haggadot that take this challenge and re-imagine the Haggadah for their time. We challenge our Israeli brothers and sisters to join this tradition and write today's Hagaddah.
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.
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.
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