Pardes from Jerusalem

Can we choose to see hope when all we see is uncertainty?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Deborah Anstandig explore the power of perspective in Parshat Vayera. Through the stories of Hagar, Sarah, and Avraham, they examine how fear, despair, and uncertainty can shape what we are able to see. From Hagar's discovery of water in the desert to Sarah's unexpected joy and Avraham's difficult test of faith, their conversation asks how we can learn to see beyond our immediate circumstances and make room for hope, even when the future remains uncertain.

How do we know when it's time to leave the familiar behind?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Yiscah Smith explore Avraham’s response to the call of Lech Lecha and what it means to leave the familiar behind. Was Avraham motivated by personal benefit, love, or a deeper sense of purpose? Through traditional commentaries and personal reflections, they consider how we recognize our own callings, the risks that come with following them, and the courage it takes to move beyond simply surviving toward a life of meaning and contribution.

Do you have to be a leader to make a difference?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Tani Cohen-Fraade revisit the complicated character of Noach. Was he truly righteous, or did his silence in the face of destruction reveal his limitations? Exploring different interpretations of Parshat Noach, they challenge the assumption that righteousness must always look like leadership. Their conversation makes room for a different kind of strength: the courage to hold on to your values, do what is right, and remain faithful even when you cannot change the world around you.

What does it really mean to be created in God’s image?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Michael Hattin explore one of the Torah’s most intriguing descriptions of humanity: “Let us make the human in our image.” Through different readings of this puzzling verse in Parshat Bereshit, they consider what sets human beings apart—from our capacity for humility and leadership to our power over creation and the spiritual nature of the human soul. What does it truly mean to be created in God’s image?

What if letting go of control is actually the key to joy?

In this episode, Zvi Hirschfield and Rabbi Reuven Margrett explore why Sukkot, coming on the heels of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, is called zman simchateinu—the time of our joy. They consider how the holidays form a single journey: from confronting judgment to accepting that we are not ultimately in control. The sukkah invites us to discover how that vulnerability can open the door to gratitude, closeness with God, and joy.