The Parsha, ETC! with Rabbi Francis Nataf

This episode is all about nuance and those who understood it. Whether in politics, in spirituality or in everyday life, we should not be asking who is right as much as how right is this one and how right is that one. Listen and find out why. (Sponsorship information at the end of the episode.)

Listen to this freewheeling discussion about what rabbis and teachers want to accomplish and some of the obstacles they face. Also, should we be excited about the possibly first identifiably religious Prime Minister of Israel? And when, why and how should we disagree with what we see around us?

In Deuteronomy, Moshe seems to have his own narrative of the story of the spies that we read in Bemidbar. Is that because he was a postmodernist before his time? See what Abarbanel, Nietzsche and Rav Kook have to add to this discussion. To get the most of this episode, you will need to follow this source sheet -  https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/331049?lang=bi

It is normal to be subjective, but when it comes to making decisions, it is wise to minimize it. While we can do that reasonably well in that department when it comes to others, it is much harder when it comes to ourselves. Here are a few strategies in how to compensate for that.

When does prayer have a role, if at all, in sports? When American political commentator, David French, echoes Ramban on this week's parsha. And whether the Israeli Olympic team might be different.

How does one go about seeking legitimate change and the real problem with women rabbis. Why women rabbis are less of a problem than you might think, but one that must be reckoned with nevertheless. In a short phrase ignored by most readers, the daughters of Tzelofehad show great wisdom and teach all of us important lessons about gaining the trust of community leaders. Listen and find out!

Join me as we discuss our love of shortcuts and how Jewish history and texts warn us about their inefficacy. Also, why was Rav Kook so enthusiastic about evolution? And also, an important correction to one of my first published essays, because our long term is often really just the short term.

Kings and servants, husbands and wives. What metaphors can still be used for the relationship between God and man? And another open question, digging into an insight from Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, z'l.

It seems that the Torah wants us to be exposed to risk in certain contexts, such as with shemitah. How are we to deal with that - is there a middle road or should we try to find other avenues to God-awareness? I remain with the question but provide some possible guideposts along the way.

Rabbi Natan Lopes Cardozo once wrote an essay called Halacha as Symphony, but Netziv relates to kedushah like jazz music. The importance of using the best possible metaphors and why metaphors are better than abstract explanations.