Collection
At Madlik we light a spark or shed some light on a Jewish Text or Tradition. Created by Geoffrey Stern, an ex-Yeshiva student and life-long student of the Torah along with Rabbi Adam Mintz; the premier orthodox conversion Rabbi, we publish the Madlik Disruptive Torah Podcast on your favorite podcast platform, on Youtube and on Substack.
madlik.substack.com/Sheets
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Arguing the TruthParshat Korach - According to Avot, disputes such as Korach will not endure. We take this opportunity to speak with Mark Friedman about his recently published book which celebrates the Torah's Liberal values and associated commitment to disputation, pluralism and relative truth.
A Different SpiritParshat Sh'lach - We revisit the tale of the Biblical Scouts, this time focusing on Caleb ben Yefuneh who, louder than Joshua countered the reservations of the scouts and had a "different spirit".
Twilight TimeParshat Beha'alotcha - The Israelites celebrate their first Passover, we are told, at twilight. We argue that Judaism has a focus, maybe fixation on the liminal moments of twilight and the ambiguity and disorientation experienced during this daily transition.
The Grasshopper Mentality and the New JewParshat Sh'lach - The Biblical Spies looked like grasshoppers to themselves and so they imagined in the eyes of others. We review Rabbinic and later Zionist texts as we explore the pitfalls of a Slave and Ghetto mentality up until today.
Geoffrey Stern•1678 Views•June 14, 2023•Slave Mentality,Caleb,Sin of the Spies,Joshua,Ghetto Mentality,Rav A.I. Kook,Zionism
WanderlustParshat Sh'lach - The so-called Biblical Spies are actually not characterized as undercover agents but rather as tourists or in Hebrew; Turim. Broadcasting live from Italy, we take this opportunity to explore the significant impact that journey has played in defining the Jew.
Haredim Enlist!Parshat Bamidbar - This parsha, called Numbers in English, starts with the headcount of all males over 20 who are obligated to serve in the army. We explore the texts from the perspective of those so called "ultra-Orthodox" who claim exemption from serving in the Israeli army.
Geoffrey Stern•135 Views•May 25, 2025• Draft,Hazon Ish,David Ben Gurion, Bamidbar,Army,Rabbi David Leibel, Headcount
The Hanukah Dilemma – The Birth of JudaismHow the Rabbis stole Hanukah and gave Judaism a new life…….
Rashi, Women & WineParshat Nasso - Join us as we read the text of the weekly portion through the eyes of the iconic Torah Commentator; Rashi. Keep in mind that Rashi was the proud father of four daughters (no sons) and had a day job as a vintner. Did this affect his treatment of the Sotah (Unfaithful Wife) and the sober nazirite? Grab a glass of wine and let's discuss. L'chaim!
The First Fruits of Israeli JudaismShavuot – A conversation with Eran Yarkoni, CEO of The Shitim Institute about the fascinating story about the renewal of the Bikkurim ceremonies in the 1920s in Israel in the Jezreel Valley with powerful cultural and historical significance resonating until today.
Thank the Donkey of the MessiahParsha Vaera - The Rabbis learn from Moses the importance of Hakarta HaTov; recognizing good and showing gratitude, even to inanimate objects. We explore this character trait as it relates to personal conduct and current Israeli politics.
Geoffrey Stern•1628 Views•January 18, 2023•Lack of Gratitude,Zionism,Rav A.I. Kook,Donkey of the Messiah,Hakarat Hatov,Gratitude,Plagues
Blind, Deaf, and ChosenParshat Emor - For the second parsha in a row, the Torah mentions the blind and the deaf. We use this as an opportunity to explore the Torah's perspective on the visually and hearing impaired and to interview two Israelis experts dedicated to serving this community.
You are what you eat, or are you?Parshat Shemini - While Passover celebrates freedom, it does it with a restrictive diet. The Book of Leviticus introduces the Kosher diet and gives us an opportunity to explore how food can uplift, unite, inspire, delight but also disgust, divide and impoverish.
The Politics of LOVEParshat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim - Love your Neighbor as Yourself, often viewed through the lens of Christianity which popularized it and not through Leviticus where it originated. We fix that flaw with the help of Shlomo Riskin, Shai Held and John Rawls' Theory of Justice as Fairness
The Second SexParshat Tazria-Metzora - The Book of Leviticus introduces the laws of personal purity with the laws of childbirth and we explore the unique perspective that the Hebrew Bible and Rabbinic sources have on gender and sex.
A New Meaning of MatzahParshat Vayikra - Leviticus opens its treatment of the sacrifices with the meal offering of unleavened cakes. The Rabbis ascribe the showcasing of this simple gift to the purity of intent of the poor and we use it to add a new perspective on the iconic start to our Seder.
The Freedom Seder: A Radical Midrash on the HaggadahWe explore Arthur Waskow's FREEDOM SEDER Haggadah, placing it into context and suggesting Rabbinic sources. We discover that it is far more nuanced and complex then radical progressives would have us believe and it is too rooted in Rabbinic texts for traditionalists to ignore.
The Bible's Secret SauceParshat Pekudei - The Tabernacle and its priests are ready to be dedicated and we explore the composition, context and history of the Anointment Oil as well as the generally neglected recognition of the significance of skin care and aromatherapy in the Torah.
The Tribes of IsraelParshat Tetzaveh - At the top of the hierarchy of the temple was the High Priest clothed in a breastplate and Ephod containing twelve gems representing the tribes of Israel. We explore the radical and revolutionary nature of the Tribal confederacy of Biblical Israel.
Joseph Slave TradeParshat Vayeshev - The Joseph Story connects Genesis with Exodus but breaks the rule that the father's favorite first-born son is not chosen. Joseph is different than his predecessors in so many ways. He is forced to leave his home, without a blessing or a promise of return. He is beautiful, immature and tactless, wise beyond his years, wildly successful and grows up without a mother. But most important of all Joseph is sold into slavery by his brethren.
Temples with no Cloud-CoverParshat Pekudei - We complete the Book of Exodus and its lengthy treatment of the construction of the Tabernacle. In so doing, we recognize the twofold message that the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the Presence of God filled the Tabernacle but also that when the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out, on their various journeys. We use this observation to address the challenge of temples which lose their spiritual cloud-cover and ruminate on the necessity for movement in Judaism.
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Geoffrey Stern
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