Pastoral Parsha

When the people complain might it be a reflection of a deeper and more complex relationship with G-d emerging in our parsha?

The plague of darkness in Parshat Bo, this week's Torah portion, is described in vivid detail. Drs. Friedman and Yehuda find the description reminiscent of the psychological plague of melancholic depression.

How is the word heart used in other contexts in the parsha that might shed light on the hardening of Pharaoh's heart? Why do people hold on to the hardness in their own hearts despite the pain that it causes others?

Moses grew up in Pharaoh's house but in the first chapter of the Book of Shemot he is forced to make a choice. What are the psychological factors in Moses's identity struggle and ultimate choice to claim his birth status?

Drs. Friedman and Yehuda look at the "blessings" Jacob bestows upon his sons at the end of his life. How did Jacob, who had so much success in his life, had a large family, end up before Pharaoh speaking of bitterness. What are some lessons we should learn about aging gracefully?

Joseph's identity is finally revealed in this incredibly dramatic, penultimate parsha in Genesis. Joseph breaks down and the question he asks is... is my father still alive?

Why does Joseph have to leave the room to cry? The pastoral team delves into the complex emotions that can be triggered by traumatic memories.

As the family grows we no longer face a binary choice between rivals - who of the 12 children will prove worthy of the leadership of Israel?

Esau and Jacob meet again in a moment rife with tension and drama. The power pod team unpacks the nature of reconciliation and the internal process of change that is a necessary predicate to coming together again.

A deep dive into dreams in our parsha. What did Yaakov's dream mean? What do we do with dreams in therapy and how does this change our reading of dreams in the Torah?

The Pastoral Parsha team talks about the tension between Jacob and Esau, and the role parents have in encouraging or diffusing sibling rivalries.

Drs. Michelle Friedman and Rachel Yehuda take on the topic of love in the relationships of our foremothers and forefathers. Have relationships changed much since biblical times?

In the fourth and most ambitious episode of The Pastoral Parsha, Dr. Michelle Friedman and Dr. Rachel Yehuda take on the complex relationships Abraham has with his three "sons" - Lot, Ishmael, and Isaac.

In episode three of The Pastoral Parsha, Drs. Michelle Friedman and Rachel Yehuda look at Abraham's two descents, to Egypt and to Gerar, and wonder why he would put Sarah and himself back into danger, without a clear reason.

Dr. Friedman is a psychiatrist and the Sharon and Steven Lieberman Chair of Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. In this podcast, Dr. Friedman brings her experience and expertise to the study of the weekly Torah portion through a mental health lens. In episode two of the podcast Dr. Friedman is joined by Rachel Yehuda, Director of the Traumatic Stress Studies Division at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The inaugural episode of an exciting new podcast from YCT, The Pastoral Parsha with Dr. Michelle Friedman. Dr. Friedman is a psychiatrist and the Sharon and Steven Lieberman Chair of Pastoral Counseling at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. In this podcast, Dr. Friedman brings her experience and expertise to the study of the weekly Torah portion through a mental health lens.