Shows
Real MDS. 5 E. 17 Return To Purpose - Hank Shipman (PM&R)Hank Shipman is currently in his final year of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency. We started working together in RealMD when he was in medical school. I want to talk about two things in this episode. First, my core desire underneath everything I do is to serve as a witness. This happens in my work with students, with my team, and with the broader communities I get the privilege to work with. The simple act of witnessing the process of someone developing, growing in their life, their identity, finding purpose fills me with energy. It is my highest purpose. I...
2025-05-0251 minReal MDS. 5 E. 17 Return To Purpose - Hank Shipman (PM&R)Hank Shipman is currently in his final year of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency. We started working together in RealMD when he was in medical school. I want to talk about two things in this episode. First, my core desire underneath everything I do is to serve as a witness. This happens in my work with students, with my team, and with the broader communities I get the privilege to work with. The simple act of witnessing the process of someone developing, growing in their life, their identity, finding purpose fills me with energy. It is my highest purpose. I...
2025-05-0251 min
Women Take the MicWomen of Sound: Mary Dee with a special appearance from Rep. Kathy ManningThis International Women’s Day we have a special episode of Womanica in partnership with iHeart Radio’s initiative, Pass the Mic. Tune in to hear host Jenny Kaplan speak to her mom, U.S. Representative Kathy Manning, about why women's voices matter. Then, we’ll get into today’s Womanican: Mary “Dee” Dudley (1912-1964). She was the first Black woman disc jockey in the US. Through her fan-favorite show Movin’ Around, she pioneered a new form of radio that seamlessly blended news, music, and culture, creating the blueprint for radio personalities today For Further Reading: Pioneer Broadc...
2024-03-0812 minWomanicaWomen of Sound: Mary Dee with a special appearance from Rep. Kathy ManningThis International Women’s Day we have a special episode of Womanica in partnership with iHeart Radio’s initiative, Pass the Mic. Tune in to hear host Jenny Kaplan speak to her mom, U.S. Representative Kathy Manning, about why women's voices matter. Then, we’ll get into today’s Womanican: Mary “Dee” Dudley (1912-1964). She was the first Black woman disc jockey in the US. Through her fan-favorite show Movin’ Around, she pioneered a new form of radio that seamlessly blended news, music, and culture, creating the blueprint for radio personalities today For Further Reading: Pioneer Broadc...
2024-03-0812 minReal MDS. 4 Ep. 8 - Learn to LeadThis episode of the RealMD podcast took place at the AAMC national Learn Serve Lead conference in Seattle this past November. I get to talk to one of my greatest collaborators, colleagues, and friends, Shira Kaplan who is the Director of Leadership Programs at the AAMC. We discuss why leadership development is so important during medical school and how institutions can get started. This episode is also about creating meaningful partnerships. When two passionate people connect on a shared area they care about, change can happen.
2023-12-0728 minReal MDS. 4 Ep. 8 - Learn to LeadThis episode of the RealMD podcast took place at the AAMC national Learn Serve Lead conference in Seattle this past November. I get to talk to one of my greatest collaborators, colleagues, and friends, Shira Kaplan who is the Director of Leadership Programs at the AAMC. We discuss why leadership development is so important during medical school and how institutions can get started. This episode is also about creating meaningful partnerships. When two passionate people connect on a shared area they care about, change can happen.
2023-12-0728 minWomanicaBest of: Jane ToppanJane Toppan (1857-1938) was responsible for at least 31 deaths throughout her career as a nurse. Despite the string of fatalities that followed in her wake, she was regarded as a bright and promising caretaker. That is, until her crimes caught up to her.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystic...
2022-10-3106 minWomanicaBest of: Teresa of AvilaTeresa of Avila (1515-1582) was a Spanish Carmelite nun, writer, mystic, and reformer.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we wer...
2022-10-2806 minWomanicaBest of: Sadie the GoatSadie Farrell, aka Sadie the Goat (c. 1869) was a robber and New York river pirate.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason...
2022-10-2704 minWomanicaBest of: Ranavalona IRanavalona I (1792-1861) was a queen known for her ruthless 33 year reign in Madagascar, often portrayed as both a bloodthirsty dictator and an anti-imperialist leader.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classe...
2022-10-2606 minWomanicaBest of: Dorothea PuenteDorothea Puente (1929-2011) was an infamous landlady serial killer.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn...
2022-10-2506 minWomanicaBest of: Bonnie NettlesBonnie Nettles (1927-1985) was co-founder of the Heaven’s Gate cult, whose members committed mass suicide.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good rea...
2022-10-2406 minWomanicaBest of: Credonia MwerindeToday’s villainess is Credonia Mwerinde (1952-present), Ugandan cult leader who is suspected of brutally killing hundreds of her followers.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and...
2022-10-2106 minWomanicaBest of: Marie LaveauMarie Laveau (1801-1881) was the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we cou...
2022-10-2006 minWomanicaBest of: Patricia KrenwinkelPatricia Krenwinkel (1947-present) was a member of the infamous Manson Family.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were studen...
2022-10-1906 minWomanicaBest of: Catherine KerkowCatherine Kerkow (1951-present) was at the heart of the longest distance sky-jacking in American history and remains on the FBI’s most wanted list. She is considered “armed and dangerous.”In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.
2022-10-1805 minWomanicaBest of: KahinaKahina (unknown-703) was a Berber warrior queen and supposed seer who led her people against the Arab invasion of North Africa.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad ra...
2022-10-1704 minWomanicaBest of: Sarah HoweSarah Howe (c. 1826-1892) was a fraudster known for carrying out financial crimes well before Ponzi.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good r...
2022-10-1406 minWomanicaBest of: Shi GulanShi Gulan (c.1900-1979) avenged her father's death by assassinating an infamous warlord in 1930s China. The legal proceedings that followed were highly publicized and incited public debates over the concepts of law and justice.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure t...
2022-10-1308 minWomanicaBest of: Ann "Goody" GloverAnn "Goody" Glover (unknown-1688) was hanged for suspected witchcraft in Boston.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were studen...
2022-10-1204 minWomanicaBest of: Amelia DyerAmelia Dyer (1837-1896) committed horrific crimes that brought to light a dark underworld, and changed the way British society viewed childcare. Her crimes underscored the need for adoption reform and child protection. In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up...
2022-10-1107 minWomanicaBest of: Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday (1768-1793) was the assassin of French revolutionary Jean-Paul Marat.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were studen...
2022-10-1005 minWomanicaBest of: Stephanie St. ClairStephanie St. Clair (1897-1969) was known as The Numbers Queen of Harlem. A prominent racketeer and entrepreneur, she spent her life crafting her own mythology.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classe...
2022-10-0706 minWomanicaBest of: Lizzie BordenLizzie Borden (1860-1927) was a famous suspected axe murderer.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn...
2022-10-0606 minWomanicaBest of: Helena BlavatskyHelena Blavatsky (1831-1891) was a Russian spiritualist, author, and co-founder of the Theosophical Society.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When w...
2022-10-0506 minWomanicaBest of: Elizabeth BathoryElizabeth Bathory (1560 - 1614) was a countess accused of murdering hundreds of women.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join host Jenny Kaplan — with a few special introductions — as she takes you back in time, highlighting women like Sadie the Goat, Marie Laveau, Patricia Krenwinkel and more who were ruthless, vengeful, and mystical. The riveting stories of these women are sure to keep you up at night.History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were s...
2022-10-0404 minWomanicaBest of: Sada AbeSada Abe (1905-1971) was a Japanese murderer convicted of killing her lover. Her case became a national sensation in Japan, where it took on mythic associations and captured the minds of a country in the ramp up to World War II. Her story has since been adapted and interpreted by filmmakers, artists, novelists, and philosophers as emblematic of a woman trying to follow her own desires in a society built on false morality and oppression.In honor of the spookiest month, we’re revisiting our favorite Womanica episodes featuring villains, troublemakers, magic, and mystery all October. Join ho...
2022-10-0309 min
Iggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 12 // the Hebrew Month of Elul and the Mazal / Zodiac VirgoThe Twelfth Month: Elul
It's Elul! Time keeps doing that thing where it passes!!! On one hand - wow how lucky are we to have reached this point? And on the other hand - we continue our hurtle toward the great unknown. *shrugs*
The month of Elul, as the final month of the Jewish year, is a time for introspection and spiritual work / reflection on the time that has passed since the LAST Elul. It is taught that this month is a time where our words and petitions to G-d are more potent. Also it's m...
2022-09-0510 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 11 // the Hebrew Month of Av and the Mazal / Zodiac LeoThe Eleventh Month: Av
Av is, famously, a bummer of a time. Literally (in stark contrast to the happy month of Adar) the Talmud says that when we enter the month of Av, our joy decreases. It's funny language, right? Why not "increase our sadness" - why decrease joy?
The reason sometimes given reminds me of the Winnie the Pooh quote - "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?"
Among other things, we lament the destruction of both of our Temples in Jerusalem during the month of Av...
2022-08-1005 min
Real MDTHROWBACK S.1 Ep.8 - Leadership Development with Christina Tushman and Shira KaplanAs we gear up for Season 3 next month, we are posting throwback episodes from the first season (formerly called: Unleashing the Doctor Within) that started it all. In this episode, Sam and Bridger interview Christina Tushman and Shira Kaplan about conflict management in medical leadership and medical education. They share their insight working with a large network of medical schools across the country. We talk about the importance of communication for working effectively with teams and succeeding in medicine.
2022-08-0128 minReal MDTHROWBACK S.1 Ep.8 - Leadership Development with Christina Tushman and Shira KaplanAs we gear up for Season 3 next month, we are posting throwback episodes from the first season (formerly called: Unleashing the Doctor Within) that started it all. In this episode, Sam and Bridger interview Christina Tushman and Shira Kaplan about conflict management in medical leadership and medical education. They share their insight working with a large network of medical schools across the country. We talk about the importance of communication for working effectively with teams and succeeding in medicine.
2022-08-0128 min
Iggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 10 // the Hebrew Month of Tammuz and the Mazal / Zodiac CancerThe Tenth Month: Tammuz
I will always think of late June / July as schools-over-summer-camp-time. Like mental imagery of over air conditioned echoey hallways and sweltering golden hour mornings. Maybe that's just summer in the south though.... lol.
I don't know if it's the cloudless skies paired with the dry air and crazy strong sun, but my brain associates the peak summer month of Tammuz with slow paces and / or restlessness. I have learned that the cloudlessness of the sky means that Tammuz is a good month to connect with G-d - fewer barriers between us and...
2022-06-2707 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 9 // the Hebrew Month of Sivan and the Mazal / Zodiac GeminiThe Ninth Month: Sivan
While Sivan is the 9th month from Tishrei (the beginning of the Jewish year), it is the 3rd month from Nisan. Tishrei is the new year for years, but Nisan is the new year for months, because Nisan is when we were first given the commandment of recognizing the beginning of the months.
In Kabbalah, there is a three column system - right, left, and central. This is reflected in the first 3 sefirot, or divine emanations of G-d. We have been thinking a lot about the sefirot these past few weeks be...
2022-06-0210 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 8 // the Hebrew Month of Iyar and the Mazal / Zodiac TaurusThe Eighth Month: Iyar
Iyar is unique in a few ways - it's the only month in the year where each day has a special, time-bound mitzvah to perform: the counting of the Omer. We count 49 days - 7 weeks, 7 days, from the evening of the second day of Pesach (Passover) in Nisan (last month) until the 50th day - Shavuot, the holiday where we celebrate the giving of the Torah, in Sivan (next month). The idea is that, like a birthday or any other special event, we are joyously counting our way toward one of the greatest da...
2022-05-0309 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 7 // the Hebrew Month of Nisan and the Mazal / Zodiac AriesThe Seventh Month: Nisan
Right in between the 9th and 10th plagues, G-d gives Moshe (Moses) and Aharon (Aaron) the first mitzvah, the first commandment, to the Jewish people as a whole.
*record scratch*
Wait haven't the Jewish people existed since Avraham (Abraham)? Yes, they have, and even though there were definitely families / clans / groups of Jewish people, we didn't officially become a united nation until the end of our slavery in Mitzrayim (Egypt). With the promise of the Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah) and the promise of the Promised Land, Ha...
2022-04-0107 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 6 // the Hebrew Month of Adar (I & II) and the Mazal / Zodiac PiscesThe Sixth Month (Parts I and II):
Adar I and Adar II
One of the things I love a lot about modern Judaism is the day-to-day practicality of it. As you may know, the Hebrew calendar does not exactly line up with the English calendar. The Hebrew calendar in a non-leap year is 11 days shorter than the English calendar.
An 11 day variance isn't that big, but add up many years and we'd be totally off. And yet, year in and year out, we will still celebrate certain holidays and read certain parshiyot ~around~ the...
2022-02-0607 min
Shot Caller: A Podcast by Shannon SagaweDiscover, Design & Delight in Your Own Masterpiece with Stefan LabasEpisode 1: This 6 part special series will take us on a journey of discovery that we believe will give you the insight, the inspiration and the tools to help guide you towards discovering, designing and delighting in your own personal masterpiece! What is it about? With the help of Stefan Labas, executive health coach, personal trainer and entrepreneur; we have curated a discussion that encompasses identifying health priorities, mental, physical, and financial strength training, myths, legends, ancient wisdoms, getting curious in order to create the ideal “recipe” of you; revealing the masterpiece inside! Here are t...
2022-01-201h 11Iggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 5 // the Hebrew Month of Shevat and the Mazal / Zodiac AquariusThe Fifth Month: Shevat
Hello again! Today is the first day of the fifth month - Shevat. Shevat, like Tevet, is pretty sparse in regard to holidays. The only holiday in this month is Tu BiShevat, meaning the 15th of Shevat.
According to the Mishnah, there are a few "New Years" - there's the New Year for festivals, the first of the month of Nisan. There's the New Year for years, the first of the month of Tishrei (aka Rosh Hashanah, the Head of the Year). And then there's Tu BiShevat - the New Year for...
2022-01-0307 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 4 // the Hebrew Month of Tevet and the Mazal / Zodiac CapricornThe Fourth Month: Tevet
First thing's first. You may be asking, "Shira, isn't Tevet nearly 2/3rds over with?" To that I would say, "Yes! It surely is."
I will not make excuses. I dropped the ball, y'all!
To illustrate my feelings on still sending this out super duper late, I will tell you a story.
I was on the swim team up until high school. I wasn't very fast. Even so, I still went to the swim meets and swam with intense mediocrity. The swimmers that excelled always impressed me, though. Ther...
2021-12-2407 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 3 // the Hebrew Month of Kislev and the Mazal / Zodiac SagittariusThe Third Month: Kislev
We have just completed the month of Cheshvan, or Marcheshvan as it is sometimes called -- "bitter Cheshvan." To a people whose holidays nearly outnumber our non-holidays, Cheshvan is a famously holiday-free month. It serves a stark contrast to the previous intensity of the month of Tishrei, when we have Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, etc.
Now we are entering the month of Kislev. Kislev is the 3rd month. The number 3 is associated with the Divine emanation (sefira) of Tiferet, meaning harmony. Tiferet is the 3rd of the 7 emotional sef...
2021-11-0510 minIggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 2 // the Hebrew Month of Cheshvan and the Mazal / Zodiac ScorpioThe Second Month: Cheshvan
We have just left the month of Tishrei, the first in the year 5782. Tishrei is essentially half holiday - we had Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are extremely holy days and Sukkot is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the 3 Pilgrimage Holidays that in Temple-times would be one of the 3 times a year that Jews from all over would make the journey to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) to the Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Temple.
The first 10 days of Tishrei, the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are refer...
2021-10-0712 min
Ha'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 49 // V'zot HaBerakhah ... How to Remain Youthful ForeverThroughout the Torah, we hear many descriptions of Moshe (Moses), but a particularly powerful descriptor comes once he has died at the age of 120.
“Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died; his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated.” - “וּמֹשֶׁ֗ה בֶּן־מֵאָ֧ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה בְּמֹת֑וֹ לֹא־כָהֲתָ֥ה עֵינ֖וֹ וְלֹא־נָ֥ס לֵחֹֽה”
There are a lot of different interpretations of what this means. Some say this means he exuded the same light that shone from him as he descended Mount Sinai / Har Sinai for all of the days of his life. Others say this means his body did not show signs of aging even as he reached such an advanced age, and that he remained youthful even at 120.
...
2021-09-2406 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 48 // Haazinu ... Penultimate PerspectiveWow we’re in the second-to-last portion of the Torah! Moshe Rabbenu, Moses our Teacher, for the entire book of Devarim (Deuteronomy) has been giving B’nei Yisrael, the Children of Israel, his last words of wisdom. As we know, Moshe, will not be entering the Land with the People. So, like a parent about to send their child off to college, Moshe is trying to capture all the things the kid needs to know before launching them out into the world.
We spend a lot of Sefer Dvarim (the Book of Deuteronomy) recapping the events of the...
2021-09-1506 min
Iggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonEp. 1 // the Hebrew Month of Tishrei and the Mazal / Zodiac LibraI find the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, to be overwhelming.
I dread their arrival every year - particularly Rosh HaShanah, the head of the Hebrew New Year.
The Jewish year is a circle, and every Aleph Tishrei, or the first of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, is our January 1st. The idea of Rosh Hashanah is to prepare ourselves for the Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgement - Yom Kippur. On Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, we chant Unetaneh Tokef, “On Rosh Hashanah it is inscribed and on Yom Kippur it is...
2021-09-1314 min
Iggeret HaLevana ~ the Message of the MoonIntroducing Iggeret HaLevana ... preparing for the Final Exam (High Holidays 5783) with the Unit Test (the Hebrew months of 5782!)Hi! Welcome to Iggeret HaLevana, a year-long ~spiritual~ journey with me, Shira. I’m working to tap into the mystical magical energies of the Hebrew months in the hopes that when next year’s Rosh Hashanah comes around, I will be set up to ascend into an inspired 5783 (aka next year).
The Jewish year is one based upon the cycle of the moon, and we mark the beginning of a new month by the sight of the sliver of a crescent of the new moon the sky. Growing up in a relatively rural area, I always loved gazi...
2021-09-1303 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 47 // Vayelech ... Singing with the CommunityThe Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuva, or the Shabbat of Return. Not, as could be easily misunderstood as Shabbat TEshuva (Shabbat of Repentance). Of course the word for Teshuva is related to shuva because they both come from לָשׁוּב / Leshuv, to return.
Return and repentance are definitely related. When we repent, we are returning to the self we were before we did the deed we wanted to repent for.
In this week’s parsha, Vayelech, B’nei Yisrael are doing their own kind of returning - they are about to cross the J...
2021-09-0604 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 46 // Nitzavim ... feat. a sweet anecdote about my Birthright tour guideA few weeks after I graduated college in 2019, I staffed a Hillel International Birthright trip. If you have had the immense privilege to be a participant on a Birthright trip, you know there are 2 very important Israeli cogs in the machine that is an individual Birthright trip - the Israeli bus driver and the Israeli tour guide.
Our tour guide, who we will call Ron, was your typical non-religious Israeli. Every time I would commandeer the bus microphone to give some Torah context for a location we were going or share some “fun” Jewish facts, he would roll...
2021-09-0108 min
Ha'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 45 // Ki Tavo ... First Fruits and GratitudeThere’s a really long, really unique declaration in regard to the mitzvah of “bikkurim” that is made in this week’s parsha. Bikkurim refers to the mitzvah of bringing the first of your fruits to the Beit HaMikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Torah begins with the word, “Bereshit - בראשית” meaning “in the beginning.” According to the Midrash on this very first word, there are a few things in the Torah that are called “Reishit,” meaning the first of. In the beginning of this parsha, we get this word Reishit, “And you shall take of the first of the fruits of the e...
2021-08-2505 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 44 // Ki Teitzei ... Honor thy Mama BirdKi Teitzei, this week’s parsha, has the most number of mitzvot mentioned in all of the 54 parsha installments. These mitzvot are pretty miscellaneous — paying wages on time, family inheritence, treatment of domestic animals, weights and measures, and lots of others.
One mitzvah that continually perplexes us is one dealing with baby birds, mama birds, and their nests - the mitzvah of שילוח הקן / Shiluach HaKen, or sending away the nest.
It’s special for a few reasons - firstly, it’s one of only 2 mitzvot in the Torah where a reward is specifically mentioned (the other is Kibud Av v’Em...
2021-08-2004 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 43 // Shoftim ... Justice and Jupiter (intriguing, no?)There is a famous pasuk (line) in this parsha - one that every Millenial / Gen Z, socially conscious person you know has written on their water bottles, computers, coffee cups, etc — צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף, Justice, justice, you shall pursue.
In context and out of context, it’s such a powerful line. The command “tirdof” meaning “you shall pursue” from the verb לִרְדוֹף, implies chasing, hunting, going after with energy. It’s not “casually saunter after justice” or “go get some justice if you feel like it.” There’s no qualifier or anything, it’s just “Go after it.”
This is the point in my dvar-writing that I absolutely went down...
2021-08-1206 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 42 // Re'eh ... Sound and SightWe learn in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 26A) that a person who has seen a crime committed cannot serve as a judge in the case. Why? When someone has seen a person commit a capital crime, they cannot possibly exonerate them. Judges are supposed to look for innocence, and if a person has seen another commit a crime with their own eyes, having impartiality isn’t possible.
Our sages recognize that sight is a very powerful sense, and we start this week’s parsha with it.
Behold, today I set before you a blessing and a cu...
2021-08-0506 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 41 // Eikev ... Happy "Small Mitzvah Appreciation" Day!In this week’s parsha, we continue with Moshe Rabbenu’s recounting of the events of the past 40 years in the midbar, the desert 🏜🌵🐪. We begin this parsha with a conditional statement - where Moshe tells B’nei Yisrael that if they observe the mitzvot they have received from G-d, then G-d will keep the covenant, the Brit, he made with our ancestors. The parsha opens with, “And it will be, because you will heed these ordinances and keep them and perform them, - וְהָיָ֣ה | עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַֽעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם - that the Lord, your God, will keep for you the covenant and the kindness that He swore to your forefathers -
וְשָׁמַר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אֶת־הַבְּרִית֙ וְאֶת־הַחֶ֔ס...
2021-07-3005 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 40 // Vaetchanan ... the answer is noHow do you ask a friend, a loved one, an acquaintance, a coworker for something? Do you remind them of the deeds you’ve done for them? Do you remind them how much they love you? Do you simply ask?
According to Rashi, Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, the way to do it is to simply ask. Those who are righteous do not expect their rewards in this world, Olam HaZe. They know their rewards await them in the world to come - Olam HaBaa.
And this sort of straight-up ask is what Moshe Rabbenu, Moses our Te...
2021-07-2206 minHa'Iggeret ~ The MessageEp. 39 // Devarim ... the scout mindset vs the soldier mindsetSometimes (even though our Torah is a delightfully 70-faceted text, and our commentators are also delightfully diverse) I am running low on parsha email content. In these desperate moments, I have a very specific procedure.
Step 1: Open the Apple podcasts app.
Step 2: Wait to be inspired.
I cannot explain it other than Divine will, but every time I do this, I end up listening to exactly the right podcast to get me on the right track for writing.
That happened this week. I stumbled upon a podcast that featured social-science researcher...
2021-07-1408 min