Matan: One on One Parsha Podcast

When Yitzchak and Rivka stand facing one another in prayer after twenty years of childlessness, they aren't just pleading for a family—they are establishing a new template for how human beings talk to God. In this episode, we sit down with Karen Miller Jackson to trace the remarkable transformation of tefilla from Temple ritual to an intimate, relational sanctuary built in times of emptiness. Together, we explore how the pure, mutual prayer of Yitzchak and Rivka devolves into the complex human tragedy of Yaakov, Esav, and the stolen blessings. How does the Patriarch of Truth (Emet) end up wearing a disguise? What are the generational costs of bending the truth, even for righteous ends? Join us for an honest conversation on prayer as radical honesty, family dynamics, and holding onto integrity in a post-truth world.

Chayei Sarah opens with a sudden death and moves to Avraham’s old age, “well advanced in years.” It then turns to Rivka’s remarkable strength as she draws water for ten thirsty camels, and to the food served to the servant of Abraham who comes to find a bride for Isaac. In this episode, Dr. Sharon Galper Grossman, whose new book traces disease prevention back to its roots in halakha, join me to read these stories as lessons in health. We talk about how Jewish law has long required us to guard our bodies as an essential part of our service to God. Listener note: this episode includes direct discussion of diet, weight and exercise.

A Discussion with Rabbanit Shani Taragin and Dr. Yael Ziegler on Jewish Leadership and Democracy From The Perspective of The Tanakh

When Avraham stands before God and argues for the people of Sedom, he does something we rarely think of as prayer: he bargains, he challenges, and he pleads for strangers. In this episode, Kitvuni fellow Dr. Tamara Spitz, who is writing a book on the Amidah, joins me to ask what that scene teaches about the way we stand before God each day. We look at why the Amidah opens with praise before it asks for anything, what it means to know when to stop asking, and how a prayer said silently and alone can be written in the voice of the whole community. We also touch briefly on Yitzchak, who prays in the field, and on how the avot shaped the Amidah.

Is Hagar the Torah's first surrogate? What happens when a divine promise meets human childlessness? We explore Parashat Lech Lecha through the dual lens of Jewish law and Israeli jurisprudence with Adv. Yardena Bodenheimer. We delve into the Torah’s candid portrayal of infertility, the ethical and emotional boundaries of assisted reproduction, and how centuries of halakhic thought inform modern legal protections for families today.

Why does the Torah use language and motifs that have some similar parallels to ancient epics like Gilgamesh and the Odyssey? Adina Sternberg joins the podcast to explore how Parashat Noach speaks to its original audience in a familiar cultural dialect—only to radically subvert its pagan messaging towards one God who acts with moral judgement and also compassion towards the world He created. We also dive into the poignant human story after the Flood: examining shame, vulnerability, and what happens when an icon falls. From Ham’s angry exposure of his father to Shem and Yafet’s compassionate cover, we unpack how we ought to respond when those we look up to fail us.

How do we find fresh meaning in a text as well-trodden and familiar as Bereishit? In this episode, Rabbanit Shani Tarragin joins us to discuss the art of re-reading Genesis. Drawing from her upcoming book on Megillat Esther, Shani uncovers how the Megilla maintains a rich, intertextual dialogue with all of Tanakh—and how looking backward through the lens of Esther can unlock hidden layers, recurring literary threads, and vibrant new depth in the opening chapters of the Torah. Dedicated by Debbie Niderberg in memory of her beloved father, Barry Morris, z"l. An extraordinary father who showered his family with unconditional love and wisdom, he was a judge by profession and temperament and a natural educator who imbued us with a love for Torah and learning.A devoted community leader for decades in Teaneck NJ, Torah learning, adult education, and community service were core values for him.

After five years, our host Dr. Yosefa Fogel Wruble shares a parting message before we begin a new season of Matan Torah. Stay tuned for a new season beginning with Parshat Breishit!

This is the final episode of our Haftarah series, the last prophecy of comfort that brings us to a new year. This week we sat down with Rabbanit Malke Bina, president and founder of Matan, to study Yeshayahu 61, a prophecy of comfort which encourages the nation to change its clothes and name as a sign of its renewed identity. We explore the challenges implicit in finding comfort after loss and the ways God encourages the nation to trust Him that they will never be left again. This week's episode has been sponsored in honor of Rabbi Ed and Bobbie Winter's 61st wedding anniversary by their children and grandchildren. Bobbie and Ed are strong supporters of Matan and women's Torah learning. Mazal tov to them on reaching this amazing milestone, and may they continue to enjoy their family and deepen their Torah learning for many years to come. This year The Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.

In this conversation with Rabbanit Jennifer Raskas, we discuss the many ways this chapter (Yeshayahu 60) parallels the future redemption with our weekly taste of it on Shabbat. We also discuss the ways R. Shlomo Albabetz reworks many of these themes into his famous composition Lecha Dodi, sung as Shabbat arrives. This year the Matan Podcast is exploring the weekly Haftarah.