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The chapter in The Mussar Torah Commentary we focus on in our conversation is “Tzedek – Justice: Noah as Tzaddik.” It’s written by Rabbi Andrue Kahn (@rabbiandruekahn), an associate rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in New York City. In our conversation, we discuss the meaning of the middah of tzedek; how the story of Noah and the flood (from the Torah as well as commentary on it) help inform our understanding of tzedek; and how tzedek requires “discernment from a place of compassion” (to quote Rabbi Kahn’s chapter) — including knowing when not to back down from something we’ve determined to be right, while also knowing when to be open to compromise.

A transcript is available here.

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We continue our interviews with chapter authors of the book The Mussar Torah Commentary with a focus on the chapter “Z’rizut – Alacrity: The Alacrity of Abraham.” It’s written by Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, the senior rabbi of Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell, Georgia. In our conversation, we discuss the various meanings of z’rizut, how Abraham’s example in the Torah provides both positive and negative examples, and some personal reflections from Rabbi Shuval-Weiner about z’rizut in our lives.

A transcript is available here.

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We begin the new podcast with interviews with chapter authors of the book The Mussar Torah Commentary: A Spiritual Path to Leading a Meaningful and Ethical Life, edited by Rabbi Barry Block and published by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. For our first interview, we focus on the chapter “Anavah – Humility: Shabbat as a Return to Our Authentic Selves,” written by Rabbi Michelle Pearlman of Beth Chaim Reform Congregation in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Rabbi Sharon Mars of Temple Israel in Columbus, Ohio. Rabbi Pearlman joins us on the podcast.

A transcript is available here.