The Poem. The ParSHA. The Podcast.

Rivy Kletenik

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The Poem. The ParSHA. The Podcast. Hosted by Rivy Kletenik

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94 episodes

Parshat Korach - A Power Play?

“Mine, said the stone, mine is the hour. I crush the scissors, such as my power, stronger than wish is my power, alone”

23m
Jun 21, 2023
Shelach - The Spies!

While Kalev displays great faith and strength, the other spies surely do not. How do we come people who are confident and ready to take on the world?

22m
Jun 13, 2023
“A Complaint” - Bahaalotecha.

A fitting poem to place beside our Parsha which tells the tale of the complaining People Israel. We’re talking about the ebon flow of relationships, and the tension of being intensely connected to the natural traveling away that happens.

22m
Jun 06, 2023
Shavuot Edition: The Book of Ruth. “Immigrant Blues” by Li-Young Lee

Ruth leaves her home to join Naomi in a foreign land. There she gleans in the field to provide sustenance for herself and Naomi. She appreciates that Boaz notices her, even though she is a foreigner. Join us and listen to this Shavuot podcast.

24m
May 23, 2023
In the Desert. Bemidbar. “The Room” by Denise Kevertov

To say that this week’s podcast is going to take us on a journey would be an understatement. Join us as we go bravely into the desert and into this remarkable poem - it will move you.

24m
May 17, 2023
“The Good Life” - Behar-Bechukotai

This week’s poet, Tracy K. Smith. How do we understand the idea of the good life? We are promised as a People that if we observe the commandments, we will have a good life. Take a listen…

21m
May 09, 2023
Margaret Atwood’s poem, “All Bread”

Bread, plays a starring role in the holy tabernacle and on each of our tables. In this weeks, Torah portion, we learn again about the table that holds the 12 loaves of bread.

21m
May 02, 2023
Taking a deep dive into aging. How we honor the aged. Sailing to Byzantium”

We are commanded in this weeks Torah portion, to respect our elders, and to give honor to those who are aged. Join us for lively conversation with a poem from William Butler Yeats.

25m
Apr 25, 2023
Tazria - Metzora “If you don’t know the person I am and I don’t know the kind of person you are”

This weeks Torah portions highlight the foibles of gossiping. We place next to it a poem by William E. Stafford, to try to understand the dynamics of the way we interact with each other. Join us.

24m
Apr 18, 2023
Pesach Podcast. Phillis Wheatley, “ On Being Brought from Africa to America”

We explore some of the disequilibrium that this poem evokes. What is it to be a pagan and two then be “redeemed”?

22m
Mar 28, 2023
Vayikra. The Flour Offering

“Notes on Poverty” - poem by Hayden Carruth - placed along side, the verses that describe the humble Mincha, flour offering brought by the poor.

22m
Mar 22, 2023
Vayakhel - “Women are cooking outside over the fire”

The Parsha begins with the commandment to not cook on Shabbat. Join us, as we take a look at a poem by Michelle Whitstone, “Women are cooking outside over the fire” - translated by the author from the Navajo.

24m
Mar 19, 2023
Parshat Tetzaveh - “Ode to My Socks”

There is such creativity in this weeks, Torah portion. How do we lift up the mundane materials in our world to create a sanctuary?

24m
Feb 28, 2023
“A Portable Paradise” - Parshat Mishpatim

The people, Israel, I promise that if they will serve the Lord, they will be blessed with bread with water and health. Sounds like paradise.

20m
Feb 15, 2023
Parshat Yitro. “Joy”

At the top of this weeks, Torah portion we have the arrival of Yitro Moshe’s father-in-law - one particularly enigmatic word is used in the narrative, and boy does it take us to a number of different directions!

19m
Feb 07, 2023
“Crossing” Parshat B’shalach

Not a simple moment standing on the precipice of the Red Sea. Are we ready to cross over?

26m
Feb 03, 2023
The Poem? “Family” by Marilyn Nelson, daughter of one of the last Tuskegee Airmen.

“Family” we take our family with us as we celebrate! Moshe asked pharaoh to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt together with their entire family to celebrate in the desert a holiday for the Lord.

29m
Jan 25, 2023
Parshat Vayechi - Jacob blesses his sons.

Shimon and Levi receive harsh words about anger. Our poem? “Sapphics Against Anger” - Timothy Steele.

22m
Jan 06, 2023
Joseph’s Tears - Parshat Vayigash

Does Joseph cry more than any other biblical character? In this weeks, Torah portion, the tears come immediately before he reveals himself to his brothers. How can we understand these tears if not to poetry?

22m
Dec 29, 2022
Parshat Vayeshev - Jealousy!

Tune in for a deeply hitting poem by William Blake. We attempt to grapple with the human foible - jealousy. What is up with humans created in the divine image, yet so weak when it comes to someone else’s beautiful, technicolor dream coat?!

22m
Dec 13, 2022
Parsha Vayishlach/The Altar

Why do people in the Torah keep building altars?

24m
Dec 09, 2022
Two more minutes!!

The rest of Vishlach :-)

2m
Dec 08, 2022
The Twins /Toldot, VaYeitzei

The drama. Twins are born that was last week. This week one twin is to marry one sister ends up with the other sister!

25m
Nov 28, 2022
Burying Sarah - Emily Dickinson “I felt a funeral in my brain” Poem #340

Join us as we discuss this week’s Torah portion where Avraham needs to acquire a burial ground for Sarah. Emily Dickinson explores the idea of the unbearable, lightness of being that is Sarah - that is a funeral - that is each of us.

25m
Nov 17, 2022
Parshat Noach

Parshat Noach? Meet Carl Sandburg. His poem, “Languages” speaks to the dispersal of humankind as they seek to unify as one building a tower to reach the sky. What were they thinking!?

24m
Oct 28, 2022
Bereshith - Fallen Angels!?

Join us as we discuss an episode at the very end of this week’s Torah portion, the fallen angels! Theophile Gautier pens a perplexing poem, “Farewell to Poetry” - “Come, fallen Angel…”

23m
Oct 20, 2022
The Whale - The Book of Yonah

Herman Melville the great American novelist captures the experience of the whale. He also writes a poem almost precisely the words of the profit Jonah. Join us! For this Yom Kippur podcast.

22m
Oct 03, 2022
Rosh Hashanah/Wild Geese

What is this thing we do called repentance? Must really be hard on ourselves? Mary Oliver would like us to be kind. Join us for the poem and in this case the high holidays!

20m
Sep 12, 2022
Bechukotai - Rebuke “Night Heron Maybe”

Thunder would follow me all my days, stern reminder and sharp rebuke.

18m
Jun 01, 2022
ParSHAt Behar. Emily Dickinson.

The Resting of the Land. Shabbat Ha’retz. Thinking about Sabbath. Emily Dickinson…

20m
May 23, 2022