Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky.  Parashat Tetzaveh [Exodus 27:20-30:10] follows closely on T’rumah with the plans for some of the furniture and objects of the Mishkan [Tabernacle] and the priestly vestments.  On the face of it, it does not seem to provide material for an interesting discussion, but we persevered and perhaps even prevailed!  As with last week, we talked more theology than the parashah as a whole might suggest at first blush.  In particular, we talked about the priestly breastplate, with its four rows of precious jewels, and considered the meaning of the Exodus in a different light than usual, basing ourselves on the passage at the end of Chapter 29 [43-47].  As always, comments and criticisms are welcome at parshatalk@gmail.com.  Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk Tetzaveh 2022 5782

Join Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmonofsky for Parsha Talk. Parashat Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-34:25] features the episode of the Golden Calf, which provided the material for most of our discussion this week.  How should we evaluate the performance of God? Moshe? B’nai Yisrael?  What is the nature of the sin of idolatry?  Does it have modern relevance? resonance?  We came at these questions, and the story, each in his own way, making for a thoughtful discussion as we shared our ideas and responded to each others’.  Comments and criticisms welcome at parshatalk@gmail.com.  Shabbat Shalom!

Parashat Ki Tissa 2022 5782

Parsha Talk-with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Jeremy Kalmanofsky and Barry Chesler. Parashat Va-yaqhel [Exodus 35:1-38:20] is the penultimate parashah of Sefer Sh’mot [the Book of Exodus].  In non-leap years it is paired with the last parashah [P’qudai, more on that next week] to make one of the longest parashiyot of the year.  These last two parashiyot take up the actual construction of the mishkan [tabernacle], after the planning was described in the three preceding parashiyot.  We spent a fair amount of time talking about Shabbat, since one of the few specific prohibitions is found in the second verse.  We also discussed the meaning of the word va-yaqkel, which is often translated as “convoke” or “gather”.  For those who like to look ahead, this week is also Shabbat Sheqalim, the first of the 4 special shabbatot before Passover, each with a special maftir [additional reading] and haftarah [prophetic passage].  For Sheqalim, the maftir is from the beginning of last week’s parashah, Ki Tissa [Exodus 30:11-16].  For those keeping track, we have about seven weeks until Passover!  Shabbat Shalom!

Parsha Talk Vayakhel 2022 5782

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky.  Parashat P’qudai [Exodus 38:21-40:38] recounts the final details of the erection of the mishkan [Tabernacle] with the concluding verses noting that the cloud covered the ohel mo’ed [sacred tent] and the glory or presence of God filled the tabernacle, so much so that Moshe could not enter.  When the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out on their journeys; but when it remained in place, so did the Israelites.  The cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle during the day and the fire at night, in the presence of the entire house of Israel in all their journeys.  The fire and cloud are two of the great symbols of God’s presence, since each has substance but no fixed form.  We discuss the meaning of the tabernacle, the multiple beginnings of Exodus and how the end shapes our understanding of each beginning, and more.  We hope you enjoy our conclusion of the Book of Exodus!  Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk Pekudei 2022, 5782

The kids of Shorashim talk to and play games with Amy and Benji of Kol Ramah.

Hayom Shehaya- Shorashim - 8.10.22

Adat HaBogrim puts on the musical, Matilda.

Adat HaBogrim- Matilda- 8.10.22

Parsha Talk- with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. This morning I (BC) got up from shivah [the initial 7-day mourning period after a funeral] for my brother, Bruce, z”l [zikhrono livrakhah, may his memory be for a blessing].  What better way to rejoin the world than to sit on Zoom with colleagues and friends, Rabbis Eliot Malomet and Jeremy Kalmanofsky and discuss the parashah?  This week’s parashah, Parashat Va-etchanan [Deuteronomy 3:23–7:11] features the Shema/V-ahavta [6:4–9] and a version of the Ten Commandments [5:6–17; cf. Exodus 20:2-14], as well as some verses which were taken into the liturgy.
We began our conversation with a discussion of the Mosaic moment: Moses finds himself rebuffed for the last time in his quest to enter the Promised Land.  God does not want to hear any more of this matter, leaving Moses with a crucial question — what should he do now?  We follow up on last week’s conversation about Moses as Moshe Rabbeinu, Moses our Teacher, and discuss more precisely how Moshe fulfills this role.  We managed to discuss the Shema in the context of both the Ten Commandments and the other appearances of the root-word ahav [to love] in this week’s Torah Reading.  As often seems the case, the time is up before we seemed to get anywhere!  Give a listen, and let us know what you think!  Shabbat Shalom!!

Parsha Talk Vaethanan 5782 2022

Amy Erlanger interviews people from Ramah Berkshires and Ramah Palmer (Ramah New England) before the opening ceremony. Following that, we have the ceremony.

Is it possible that Amy knows some of these Palmer people? Find out....

Palmer Day- Opening Tekes

Podcasts & Recordings from Kol Ramah, Summer 2006-2007.

Editing: Yaniv Morozovsky
Special thanks to Mitchel Mernick!!!

Special Comics Podcast HQ

Parsha Talk with Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmanofsky. Parashat Pinchas [Numbers 25:10–30:1] begins with the end of the story from the last nine verses of last week’s parashah.  Pinchas is apparently rewarded by God with a b’rit shalom [covenant of peace]. because he stilled God’s kin‘ah [translated as zealousness or jealousy].  We spent most of our conversation trying to understand this enigmatic story, and how the story of Pinchas relates to other stories we know from the Bible.  Because our conversation took place on Wednesday, the day after th Fast of the 17th of Tammuz, which begins the 3-week period of mourning culminating with Tisha B’av [the Fast of the 9th of Av, coinciding withAugust 13], we also discussed the special haftarah from the 1st chapter of Jeremiah [more precisely, Jeremiah 1:1–2:3].  Please leave comments or criticisms below, or e-mail us at parshatalk@gmail.com.
We continue to be mindful of the hostage and their families, and the men and women who defend Israel as soldiers in the Israel Defense Force.  May the hostages be speedily returned to their loved ones; may the soldiers defending Israel be removed from harm’s way.  Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk Pinchas 5784 2024

After many summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, we began Parashah Talk again the week after Covid shut down so much of the country in March 2020.  In October, 2025, we begin our sixth year of the Torah Cycle.  We spend some time talking about the epochal moment in which the remaining living hostages were returned home to Israel.  We also discuss the importance of Parashat B’reshit [Genesis 1:1-6:8] and what that mean for our understanding of God and the God of Creation.  Give a lesson and let us know what you think!
Though the living hostages have been returbned, we continue to be mindful of those whose bodies have yet to be returned for a proper and dignified burial.  May God protect those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, and remove them from harm’s way.  Shabbat Shalom.

Parsha Talk Bereishit 5786 2025

Broadcasting from Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. We are the one and only kayitz soundtrack, our airwaves filled with shows produced by and for the campers!

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Parsha Talk Bereishit 5786 2025

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