Al Pi Parsha Podcast

Bamidbar, Nasso, Beha'alotcha, Shlach

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:41:12 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the first few parshas of the Book of Number, including a chat about the mitzvah/commandment of Tzitzit.

We've also decided to take a pause from podcasting at the moment. (This episode is from last year, that we didn't get to releasing)

We've loved being on this Torah learning journey with you. Thanks for being along for the conversations over the years! May you keep returning to Torah and lifting up your own 'al pi' conversations, keeping the Torah on your mind on on your tongue (pi).

Shmini, Tazriah and Metzorah

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 22:29:27 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Aaron's morning prayer practice, with mention of a techina/vernacular women's prayer. Paul reports on kasherut-related conversations from the Mandarin buffet and opens a conversation about how we know which fish are kosher and mysterious speculations on the source of Jewish dietary laws.

Ki Tisa, Vayakhel, Pekudei, Vayikra and Tzav

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 22:21:40 +0000

Paul and Aaron finish off the book of Exodus and begin the book of Leviticus. Aaron discusses what it is like being a Spiritual Leader in Toronto and the discussion continues with details of the building of Tabernacle and how Jewish tradition transforms and holds steady over time.

Parshat Yitro, Mishpatim, Terumah and Tetzaveh

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 15:03:49 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the Torah portions of Yitro, Misphatim, Terumah and Tetzaveh and have a conversation about the story of revelation at Mount Sinai, the power of narrative and fiction, and the specificity of the details in the Torah, specifically getting into the placement of the Jasper stone in the High Priest's breastplate.

Parshat Shemot, Vaera, Bo Beshalach

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 22:25:24 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the first four portions of the Book of Exodus detailing the central narrative of the Israelite exodus from Egypt. They get into a discussion about memory, identity formation

Resources mentioned:

Liturgical Six Remembrances

Zakhor: Jewish History and Jewish Memory by Yosef Hayim Yerushalmi

Ontario Jewish Archives Instagram

Closing out Genesis - Vayishlach, Veyeshev, Miketz, Vayigash, Veyechi

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 02:45:34 +0000

Demons, curses and blessings, oh me! Paul and Aaron discuss the story of Jacob wrestling with a mysterious figure and the Joseph saga, with an emphasis on Jacob's final blessings to his 12 sons (why not his daughter?) rounding out this year's go-around of the Book of Genesis. Themes of inter-generational trauma, demons, curses, patriarchy and the divine feminine all come up in this wide-ranging conversation.

Vayera, Chayei Sarah, Toldot and Vayetzei

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:10:46 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss parshat Vayera, Chayei Sarah, Toldot and Vayetzei tracking the trends of the familial stories of Genesis, and chat about ancestors, prayer and listening.

Season 2: Bereshit, Noach, Lech Lecha

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 22:39:18 +0000

Paul and Aaron begin the cycle again! This time we're taking bigger chunks for each episode. For this first one of the new Torah cycle we'll be exploring the first three Torah portions and explaining overarching themes of the Book of Gensis

Episode 25: Shoftim

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 22:01:33 +0000

Here's an unreleased episode from the summer. Take a listen, feel those warm summer vibes, and enjoy a conversation ranging from topics including the purpose of kosher food and how we might relate to powerful influences in society from a Jewish point of view.

This is the last episode from our first Torah cycle. We're looking forward to exploring a new format in this next cycle, grouping together a few portions for each episode.

Episode 24: Matot-Massei

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 02:38:07 +0000

We're finishing up the Book of Numbers this week. Paul and Aaron get into the story of the daughters of Tzlofchad and the resulting gender and inheritance issues.

Episode 23: Pinchas

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 00:10:03 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Pinchas, from what the name "Pinchas" might mean, to adventures they've shared on Shmini Atzeret.

Episode 22: Chukat-Balak

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 19:51:44 +0000

This week Paul and Aaron explore the idea of prophecy in the Bible through the story of the non-Israelite prophet Bilaam, sent by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites. Listen and and learn with us!

Episode 21: Korach

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 22:08:54 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the story of Korach and his rebelion, and get into the ideas of afterlife, heavan and hell, inspired by a mention of the mysterious "sheol" in this week's portion.

Episode 20: Parshat Shlach

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:44:02 +0000

This week Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Shlach and the story of the 12 spies sent out by Moses to check out the Promised Land.

Episode 19: Beha'alotcha

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 02:04:42 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the shortest prayer in the Torah and community building as healing as part of this week's exploration of Parshat Beha'alotcha.

Episode 18: Parshat Nasso

Mon, 29 May 2023 00:57:38 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Nasso. Aaron shares the story of his middle name and we get into the weeds of about contemporary and biblical Nazarites and modes to play with middle paths and more extreme approaches to Jewish life.

Nazir Temple of One Rami Avraham Efal's contemproary Nazir project, that among other things, creates "individualized or group ceremonies to mark entry into & exit from temporary monastic experiences"

On Ari Lesser's experience of being dis-invited from speaking at a Modern Orthodox school for having long hair as a nazir:

Episode 17: Parshat Bamidbar

Fri, 19 May 2023 22:57:00 +0000

Paul and Aaron dive into the fourth book of the Torah, The Book of Numbers, or Sefer Bamidbar. In this episode they discuss the twelve tribes, and the colour scheme of the tabernacle and which colour best represents Shabbat.

Episode 16: Parshat Emor

Thu, 04 May 2023 01:32:16 +0000

Paul and Aaron chat about their recent trip to shul together in Toronto, and get into the weeds (and corners of the fields) discussing Parshat Emor. Speaking vs Saying, the number 7, associative thinking and more!

Episode 15: Acharei Mot-Kedoshim

Mon, 01 May 2023 19:32:33 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss the double Parsha Acharei Mot-Kedoshim. They talk about atonement, Yom Kippur rituals, Jewish ethics and the brief jump into a related section of talmud.

Episode 14: Tazria Metzora

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 01:01:15 +0000

On this week's episode Paul and Aaron dive into the double portion Tazria Metzora, and discuss things being conceived of as "pure and impure" and how it might related to gender and the body.

Episode 13: Parshat Shmini

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:53:57 +0000

In this week's Al Pi Parsha Podcast, Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Shmini, from the Book of Leviticus, including talking about ritual purity, kashrut/kosher laws for eating and 8 things we learning from the parsha.

Episode 12: Tzav

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 13:00:10 +0000

Aaron and Paul Talk about Parshat Tzav, eternal flames and fires, priests, Jews by choice, and the threads of continuity that keep us tied to community and tradition.

Episode 11: Parshat Vayikra

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 21:21:06 +0000

In this week's episode Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Vayikra, sacrifices, challah, physicality of rituals and literary structures that help us look inward.

Episode 10: Ki Tisa

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 23:13:27 +0000

Paul and Aaron are back, after a bit of a break, to chat about Parshat Ki Tisa. They discuss the dramatic moment of the sin of the Golden Calf, chat about drifting away from faith and touch on Moses' radiance/horns.

Episode 9: Parshat Vayeshev

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:50:17 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Vayeshev, including the story of Tamar and Judah, and family dynamic trends in the Book of Genesis

Episode 8: Parshat Vayishlach

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 16:03:40 +0000

Join Paul and Aaron for a light dive into this week’s Torah portion, Vayshilach.

We’ll look at the Torah portion from a bird’s eye view, up close and then see how it relates back to Jewish life and life in general.

This week Paul and Aaron discuss the story of Jacob getting the new name Israel, Samaritans and more

Episode 7: Parshat Vayetzei

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 02:58:48 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Vayetzei, including talking about Terafim, making decisions on behalf of others, Rachel as a trickster figure and the image of Jacob's Ladder.

Episode 6: Toldot

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 00:35:13 +0000

Paul and Aaron talk about Parshat Toldot. Laughter, yitzchak and more

Episode 5: Chayei Sarah

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 16:06:53 +0000

In this week's light dive in to the Torah portion, Paul and Aaron discuss relationships, endogamy and camels.

Episode 4: Vayera

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:38:49 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss compassion, cremation, Milk kiddush and more for this week's dive into Parshat Vayera.

Episode 3: Lech Lecha

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 04:23:45 +0000

Paul and Aaron discuss Parshat Lech Lecha including finding new readings of the Torah, infertility, the "original United Nations" and reverence for other lineages in the text.

Noach: Birds and Babel

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 22:59:41 +0000

Paul and Aaron are back to discuss the portion of Noah. They discuss finding meaning in Torah as a human creation, lessons on environmental catastrophe, birds that spread seeds and other messages, 90s TV film metaphors, culture imbued in language and more!

Beshert Bereishit

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 19:34:42 +0000

On our first podcast episode Paul and Aaron faceoff in a one-minute parsha summary, explain the name of our podcast, explore the idea of the "spirit of God" and chat about biblical wordplay.