Yosef and his family are reunited, and we might hope to find meaningful resolution and reconciliation between brothers. Instead, we discover communication gaps, accompanying persistent guilt and fear. When we embrace the mess of Sefer Bereishit that has so much unresolved conflict, we can be inspired to expand our views of reconciliation and forgiveness.

Hadar Institute Online Learning

R. Aviva Richman on Parashat VaYechi: Unfinished Reconciliation

In the Bible, where characters are generally multifaceted, the first murderer in the Bible, is a notable exception -- until we consider the world of midrash. R. Tali Adler teaches about Kayin through the lens of midrash and discusses how this character might serve as a surprising religious role model. This lecture was originally delivered as part of Hadar's Summer Learning Retreat in June 2021.

R. Tali Adler: Murder in a Midrashic Key

What is the tone of Yehudah’s approach to Yosef? Surprisingly, early traditions emphasize the aggressiveness of the encounter, suggesting that Yehudah approached “for war.” Even more surprisingly, we learn that we are meant to adopt this very stance in our own daily prayer. We too must cultivate the capacity to fight for what conviction and compassion demand, day in and day out.

R. Aviva Richman on Parashat VaYigash: Leaning In - With Reckless Compassion

In Parashat VaYeishev, Yosef repeatedly resists the advances of Potifar’s wife. In the wake of modern and contemporary sexual revolutions, there has been pushback on a sexual ethics based on boundaries and “purity” in favor of a sexual ethics that focuses primarily on consent. Consent is critical, but sometimes too narrow a lens to understand the significance of sexuality in our lives. Upon closer look at Yosef’s encounter with Potifar’s wife, we find an approach to sexual ethics that intersects with fundamental questions of identity and purpose.

R. Aviva Richman on Parashat VaYeishev: Sexual Ethics, Part 2 - Integrity

The most devastating part of the story of Dinah is that the Torah does not share Dinah’s perspective. We have no idea if this was “the rape of Dinah” or an encounter she desired. This gap is not surprising, but as inheritors of Torah we must ask ourselves how we inherit this part of our Torah responsibly.

R. Aviva Richman on Parashat VaYishlach: Sexual Ethics, Part 1 - Voice and Dignity

 Through a discussion of midrashim on the Book of Devarim, Rabbi Aviva Richman dives into the various roles of Torah as intermediary, a place for grief, joy, atonement, darkness, and more. She teaches the Torah, like rain, is limitless. Listen in to enjoy the journey of inspiring Torah thought.

R. Aviva Richman: Rain, Dew, Wind, and Storm: The Quest for Nourishing Torah

 "Recognition”—or lack thereof—emerges at pivotal moments of Yaakov's unfolding story, and reverberates to his children as well. Following the theme of recognition in Ya’akov’s journey allows us to address these fundamental questions for ourselves: Do we deserve the blessings we have? Do we get the blessings we “deserve”?

R. Aviva Richman on Parashat VaYeitzei: Facing Our Blessings, Part 2

What does a fictional mystery-solving queer woman rabbi have in common with a real-life 17th-century woman rabbi, scholar, and miracle-worker? In this episode, Sigal Samuel and Rachel Sharona Lewis, both Yeshivat Hadar alumni, share more about their groundbreaking books, “The Rabbi Who Prayed with Fire” and “Osnat and Her Dove: The True Story of the World's First Female Rabbi.” This conversation was moderated by Hadar’s Editorial Director, Dr. Elisheva Urbas, and was originally held on April 26, 2021.

Book Talk Ft. Rachel Sharona Lewis and Sigal Samuel

R. Aviva Richman shares her thoughts on Parashat Toldot. When Yitzhak blesses Ya’akov, disguised as Esav, it introduces a gap between being seen for who we are and finding blessing. It leaves us yearning for the kind of blessing that comes not from hiding ourselves but from being fully recognized. We’ll explore different aspects of the relationship between recognition and blessing over this week and next. This week, our focus will be the significance of faces and being seen.

R. Aviva Richman on Toldot: Facing Our Blessings, Part 1

 In this episode, Rav Tali dives into the overall picture of what returning and rebuilding will look like in the communal spaces in our lives. What might it look like to return to institutions that we left behind? To the shuls and workplaces and schools? Rav Tali explores the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonian exile and draws comparisons to our experience today.

R. Tali Adler: The Torah of Reopening Part 3

 In this episode, Rav Tali delves into the experience of the messy emotions of reuniting with loved ones after the pandemic. Times of extended separation can change the nature of a relationship and Rav Tali offers tools to navigate the changes. Rav Tali makes space in this talk for some of the more difficult emotions.

R. Tali Adler: The Torah of Reopening Part 2

 In the spring of 2021, as many Covid-19 restrictions were lifted and more people began re-entering their social worlds, R. Tali Adler gave Hadar’s Spring Lecture Series on the “Torah of Reopening.” In this episode, Rav Tali addresses the oh-so-complicated array of emotions that arise as we explore re-engaging with the world, dealing in particular with “fear before we open the door.” Rav Tali’s wisdom will help you reflect and feel inspired and we hope you enjoy this episode.

R. Tali Adler: The Torah of Reopening Part 1

 Welcome to Ta Shma, a new podcast where you get to listen in on Hadar’s Beit Midrash. Whether you’re at home or on the go, come and listen to recordings from recent Hadar classes, lectures, programs. Ta Shma is hosted by R. Avi Killip of the Hadar Institute.

Ta Shma Trailer

Aviva Richman. When we reflect on our lineage, who comes to mind? Often, lineage focuses on biological family ties. This is certainly true when we think of the patriarchal triad, Avraham, Yitzhak, and Ya’akov. But family has always been more complex, as we know from the Torah itself. We are blessed to live in a contemporary moment when we are striving to be more aware of—and honor—broader definitions of family. Enter Eliezer, the servant of Avraham. Rather than viewing him as a mere messenger who carries out Avraham’s bidding, a closer look reveals that this servant is a crucial part of our lineage, even as he is peripheral to the bloodline of the patriarchs.

Embracing an Overlooked Patriarch

Aviva Richman. How are we meant to respond to God’s instruction to sacrifice Yitzhak and Avraham’s willingness to obey? We aren’t the first to be thrown by this scene. An early midrash relates Sarah’s pain, wail, and ultimate death when she heard of what transpired. Besides mourning her death, and vicariously getting atonement from her suffering, what can Sarah teach us about this tumultuous scene for our own religious lives?

From Sacrifice to Care: Tending the Fire of the Akeidah

Welcome to Hadar&#039;s online learning library, a collection of lectures and classes on a range of topics.

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Hadar Institute Online Learning

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