Two Nations Under Cucumbers
Modern Torah
English - November 14, 2023 14:00 - 10 minutes - 7.21 MBJudaism Religion & Spirituality torah parsha tanakh hebrew bible reform judaism judaism progressive judaism jewish shabbat talmud Homepage Download Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
This week, I'm all about cucumbers. This humble vegetable, which the Talmud calls a delicacy of kings, became an internet craze a few years ago when Macka B released his "Cucumber Rap." Check it out in my source sheet for this episode.
The Talmud has a lot to say about cucumbers, including a discussion about whether or not they're good for your body, even if they did grace the table of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. In the end, they opt for a compromise, and all of it is driven by one line in this week's Torah portion, about the pain Rebekah experiences in her womb as she carries Esau and Jacob, each the father of a great nation destined to quarrel throughout time.
Shabbat shalom, and thanks for listening.
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Music courtesy of Lofi Girl:
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I’m not a rabbi, so every week, I look at our Torah portion and try to put it in conversation with the world around me. Judaism is rich in tradition, and each of us deserves the chance to find our own meaning in the text. Whether you’re studying Torah daily, or taking a moment to prepare for Shabbat, I hope you’ll make these ten minutes of Torah part of your week.
You can learn more about me, and my work, on my website – www.nathanjvaughan.com
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