Hashivenu · Reconstructing Judaism

Episode 14: Midrash

·22 min·2 clips

Rabbi Deborah Waxman explains how Torah is more than just five books—it's every generation's engagement with sacred text.

Rabbi Deborah Waxman hosts this episode in anticipation of the Shavuot holiday, which begins on May 19th. She is joined by guest Rabbi Mira Wasserman to explore the topic of Midrash. The conversation positions Midrash as a core method of Jewish textual engagement. Shavuot commemorates the receiving of the Torah, which encompasses more than just the Five Books of Moses. Torah represents the entire historical collection of Jewish engagement with sacred texts and the pursuit of holy living. This episode is the second in a two-part series leading to the holiday, following a discussion on modern Hebrew poetry with Rabbi Jeremy Schwartz. Midrash is defined as the ancient rabbis' creative process of interpreting Torah to derive new meanings and relevance. The rabbis employed this interpretive method to make old words feel vital and applicable to their contemporary lives. A key insight is that Midrash treats the Torah not as a closed, historical document but as a living conversation. The ancient interpreters felt authorized to actively re-read and re-imagine biblical narratives and laws. This practice demonstrates a foundational resilience within Judaism, allowing for continuous creation and recreation of meaning. The episode suggests that every generation is invited to join this ongoing, sacred textual dialogue. Shavuot is framed not just as a anniversary of a past event but as *Zman Matan Torah*, an ongoing season of receiving Torah. The tone is educational, reflective, and warmly conversational, coming from a place of deep scholarly appreciation. The style is explanatory, aiming to illuminate a classical Jewish concept for a modern audience. Listeners interested in religious text study, interpretive traditions, or Jewish thought and practice would find this episode enriching. Those seeking current events commentary or narrative storytelling might find its focused, conceptual discussion less engaging.

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