This week’s parsha is Acharei Mot.. literally; After Death. From Rabbinic Judaism up until the present, we Jews “Choose Life”. Was it always so? Was it so obvious? Is it the secret sauce of Jewish survival? And…. Is it at the core of the current conflict? So many questions and only half an hour. Join us for Life Comes First recorded live on Clubhouse. Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/561608  Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/05/01/life-comes-first/  ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. This year our Seder will be different from other seders. For the first time in many of our lives it will be a Leil Shemorim, a night of concern; a night of uncertainty, fatigue and confusion. So, let’s follow the advice of the Rabbis to see ourselves as though we too are leaving our Egypt. Join us as we recast the ancient texts of the Haggadah for our generation and our challenging times. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/559081  Transcript: https://madlik.com/2024/04/16/madlik-model-seder-2024/  ..read more

On the last day of a wartime visit to Israel, I visit the Shittim Institute; The Kibbutz Institute for Holidays and Jewish Culture, situated on kibbutz Beit Hashita in Northern Israel. I recently discovered this amazing institute when I purchased a first edition Kibbutz Be'eri Haggadah from 1950. I was researching the provenance of this new edition to my collection when I learned that Machon Shittim has the most extensive and unique archive of what I now recognize as Yahadut Yisraeli, organic Israeli Judaism. So join me as we learn about the archive, it's history and it's potential to build re ..read more

A conversation in Jerusalem with Professor Daniel Polisar, co-founder of Shalem College and his assistant, Hannah Liberman. We talk about the miraculous and sui generis emergence of the Hamal Yerushalyim; The Jerusalem Civilian Command Center at the beginning of the October 7th War. We also try to quantify and comprehend the IDF’s cataclysmic failure to provide basic protective gear for Israeli troops. Transcript here: https://madlik.com/2024/04/05/where-have-all-the-helmets-gone/  ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern in the Negev to meet with soldiers in the 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion, previously known as Nahal Haredi, a battalion in the Kfir Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. The soldiers are all Haredi and you will be hearing first from the commander and then from one of the new recruits, both of which spoke English and approached me to tell their story. While the government of Israel is on the brink of collapsing over the issue of haredi draft, these young soldiers provide a little light and a lot of inspiration. These soldiers were all supported by a great not-for-profit called ..read more

Join us for a conversation with Elimelech Crystal; one of the leaders of Beyahad Em Lochamey Kippur 1973, an organization dedicated to supporting Israel's combat soldiers while at the same time protesting the current government. Transcipt on episode web page:  https://madlik.com/2024/03/30/veterans-of-the-yom-kippur-war-are-heard/    ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern in conversation with Ruth Calderon. In Israel while the war in Gaza rages on and with over 100 hostages still in captivity, we sit down with Talmud scholar and founder of Amla; Ruth Calderon to discuss the need to reclaim Jewish texts and create a shared cultural language in Israel..... now more than ever. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/554640 Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/03/27/the-next-day-with-ruth-calderon/  ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. The Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) is also called Torat Cohanim (The Priestly Torah) and has traditionally been the first book to be studied by children in the Cheder. Today there is a growing and no longer fringe group of Mikdashnikim who want to rebuild the Temple. So today, from the mouth of babes up until the present we will trace and try to understand the unique place these laws play in Jewish theology and modern Israeli politics. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/553283  Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. Moses feels obliged to acknowledge the individuals who designed and built the Tabernacle and to provide an exact accounting of all the funds used. We explore the profound place that transparency, accountability and most of all; honoring one’s sources, play in Jewish tradition, culture and in light of the reckoning that lies ahead for the State of Israel and the Jewish People… will play in the future of our people. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/550971  Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/03/1 ..read more

Join Geoffrey Stern and Rabbi Adam Mintz recorded on Clubhouse. By tradition, the holiday of Passover is preceded by five specially named Shabbatot. The first is called Shekalim and we discuss the meaning of this shabbat in light of both Rabbinic and New Testament texts and in the process join our forebears in preparing for the Spring awakening. Sefaria Source Sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/549744  Transcript on episode web page: https://madlik.com/2024/03/06/shekels-count/  ..read more