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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History that Rhymes
Parshat Eikev - Beginning with the word eikev, this source sheet explores the Jewish view that history moves forward while echoing the past.
Independence Day on the Plains of Moab
Parashat Pinchas from the daughters of Zelophehad to America's Founding Fathers
Hasbara - Inside and Out
Parshat Sh'lach - The Torah's first Hasbara crisis? From the spies' report and "bechi shel chinam" to modern battles over narrative, media, and public diplomacy.
Deuteronomy and the Art of Attention
We explore Devarim as Judaism's master class in review, repetition, and the art of paying attention—from Moses' retelling of the spies to the rabbis, Seneca, and modern cognitive science.
Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer and the Haredi Draft Issue
Parshat Matot - A frank conversation with a leading Haredi thinker about the draft exemption, shared responsibility, and the changing relationship between the Haredi community and the State of Israel.
Made on Shabbat
Parshat Behar–We explore the Sabbatical year and Shabbat itself where resting is not a passive negation but a positive act of creation.
Shall your Brothers go to war without you?
Parshat Matot - With special guest Agamit Gelb, Vice President of Mothers on the Frontline and host of an Israeli Podcast for Mothers of soldiers, we explore the Torah's treatment of the Tribes of Reuven and Gad's request not to join the Israelite army.
A Midsummer Nightmare
With the confluence of Tammuz, the Summer Solstice and the beginning of the Three Weeks of mourning, we explore Judaism's unique perspective on the solar calendar
Creating and re-Creating
Parshat Korach - The Rabbis are troubled by a turn of phrase attributed to Moses where he asks God to Create something new and we use it as an excuse to discuss creativity in Rabbinic Judaism
We the Tribes
Parshat Bamidbar: We the Tribes explores the census as constitutional politics, tribal federalism, and covenantal nationhood.
Entitlement Reform cont.
Parshat Beha'alotcha - How the Torah demoted priests, firstborn sons, and every inherited claim to power.
Splitting Hairs with Michael Broyde
Parshat Naso - Hair covering as a window into halakha, sociology, and evolving Jewish norms with Professor Michael Broyde.
Rashi, Women & Wine
Parshat Nasso - Join us as we read the text of the weekly portion through the eyes of the iconic Torah Commentator; Rashi. Keep in mind that Rashi was the proud father of four daughters (no sons) and had a day job as a vintner. Did this affect his treatment of the Sotah (Unfaithful Wife) and the sober nazirite? Grab a glass of wine and let's discuss. L'chaim!
The Echo of Sinai
Shavuot - Judah Halevi argues that the public nature of the revelation at Sinai proves the primacy of Judaism. We reflect on how his argument transforms our understanding of Torah, history and the mission of the Jewish People until today.
The Perfect Offering Problem
A unified reading of the priestly laws on death, marriage & physical perfection—reframing ḥalal not as disqualification, but as permission
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.
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.
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...