Lost in the Wilderness

Episode 41: Party Mitzvah at the End of Exodus

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 13:22:09 GMT

Daniel and Karl reach the end of their own personal Exodus by finishing off Chapter 40 and drinking champagne. Then they reflect on the journey and answer a listener question.

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Episode 40: The Blue Snail Edition

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:48:39 GMT

Daniel and Karl are joined by Hattie Koher, a Methodist youth pastor and old college friend of Daniel's for an episode that's all about the ephod. In addition to talking about priestly bling, we also get into a discussions of wealth and religion, the meaning of ordination, and whether its ethical to use blue snails for dye.

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Episode 39

Fri, 17 Aug 2018 22:21:01 GMT

Karl and Daniel are joined by Shira Berkowitz of Central Reform Congregation in Saint Louis for a discussion of feminism, justice work, and lots and lots of instructions on how to build the tabernacle!

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Episode 38

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 21:47:39 GMT

Karl and Daniel are joined by Cantor Joshua Finkel of Shir Hadesh Reconstructionist Community in Saint Louis. Which is a relief because, frankly, Ch. 37 of Exodus is more tedious repetition of what we've read before. So we spend about ten minutes reading it and the rest of time on the history of the different branches of Judaism (orthodox, conservative, reform, and reconstructionist) and the future of Christianity. Plus, both Daniel and Josh chant the text for us!

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Episode 37

Fri, 27 Jul 2018 19:55:15 GMT

The great Robert Alter describes Chapter 36 as the greatest example of extravagant repetition in the entire book of Exodus. That doesn't mean that it can't be fun! Karl and Daniel use this opportunity to talk about repetition in religious life, and about how a call to justice might work in accordance with a pacific spirituality that seeks to hold things lightly.

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Exodus 35

Mon, 23 Jul 2018 16:48:21 GMT

Is Judaism a religion or a people? What does identity mean, and how many can we have and still be coherent? Is it better to be consumerist or materialist? And what lengths will Daniel go to in order to ensure a good night's sleep? Join us as we dive into all these questions and more in our discussion of Ch. 35 of Exodus!

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Episode 35: We're Back, and We Might Just Believe in the Same God

Sat, 07 Jul 2018 18:11:46 GMT

After a month long hiatus, we return to dig deep into chapter 34 of Exodus.

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Program Announcement

Mon, 28 May 2018 16:47:50 GMT

We recorded a podcast last week, but then a terrible technical snafu took it away from us. And I'll be gone next week, and Daniel will be moving the following week. So we'll be on a brief hiatus until mid-June. -Karl

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Episode 34: Rambam-palooza

Thu, 17 May 2018 16:19:27 GMT

This week we finally take a deep dive into Daniel's favorite rabbi, the 12th c. Spanish philosopher Maimonides, also known as Rambam. Which means that we get super philosophical, talking about God and nature and the limits of human knowledge. Oh, and also about Moses and ch. 33 of Exodus. Plus one really terrible butt joke (because we only like to pretend that we're smart).

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Episode 33: The Golden Calf!

Fri, 11 May 2018 18:54:39 GMT

At last, we have come to the much anticipated Ch. 32, when God sends Moses down the mountain to break up a wild party and, more importantly, stop the chosen people from worshipping idols. Hot stuff! And Daniel has provided four and a half pages of midrash to go with it!

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Episode 32: Waiting for the Next Jew

Thu, 03 May 2018 18:38:18 GMT

Exodus 31 is great for artists and crafts people, and great for people who just need a day of rest! Karl and Daniel spend about thirty minutes talking about the first seventeen verses, and then thirty minutes talking about verse 18 alone! That's one great verse. Plus, Daniel tells the joke that gives our episode it's name.

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Episode 31: One Year in Gehenna

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 18:40:09 GMT

Daniel and Karl are joined by Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp as we delve into Ch. 30, learn that Gehenna isn't just a suburb of Columbus, reflect on giving and justice, and consider the ethics of counting people.

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Episode 30: Incense-ify the Ram!

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 11:54:45 GMT

Daniel and Karl go deep into the weeds of ordination rituals for the High Priest as they read Exodus 30. Along the way, they throw in some thoughts about Jerusalem Syndrome, the sad life of Schmuel the Ephod Cleaner, and the religious call to assist in the completion of creation.

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Episode 29: Priestly Bling

Sat, 14 Apr 2018 20:57:40 GMT

Daniel and Karl are joined by Rabbi Daniel Vaisrub, and many things are revealed about Judaism that Karl never knew. Such as the apocalyptic hope that the third temple will descend from on high and that the ephod might just look like the costume of a French princess.

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Episode 28: Horns as Handlebars and the Nature of Sin

Wed, 04 Apr 2018 18:23:01 GMT

Ch. 27 of Exodus is all about the tabernacle (what a surprise, given that it's been the theme of the last few weeks). But Karl and Daniel find a way to talk about sin, and the way that both Judaism and Christianity are reinterpreting the concept of sin in terms of modernism.

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Episode 27: The Ikea Manual from Mount Sinai

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 15:20:49 GMT

Daniel and Karl are joined by members of Saint Andrew's, Evanston as they discuss Ch. 26, a chapter mostly composed of instructions for building the tabernacle. And yet somehow they manage to wander into discussions of unicorn creation myths and when to take a bathroom break in the middle of synagogue services. Who says that cubits can't be fun!

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Episode 26: Almond Scented Light

Fri, 23 Mar 2018 20:22:36 GMT

Acolytes and Altar Guild members, rejoice! We have now gotten to the part of Exodus that deals with liturgy, describing all of the wonderful implementa of the tabernacle with glittering adjectives (mostly because everything is gold plated). Daniel and Karl let their inner liturgists off the leash and get so metaphysical that it's almost psychedelic.

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Episode 25: Bring Cucumber Sandwiches to the Next Blood Sacrifice

Sat, 17 Mar 2018 17:58:51 GMT

Okay, it's a weird title, but we sure amused ourselves as we talked about Exodus 24, in which Moses and friends are somehow back at the foot of the mountain and about to go up it for the first time, even though Moses has been at the top of Mt. Sinai for the last four chapters. You can see why we got a little wacky. Enjoy!

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Episode 24: Live at the Cathedral

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 20:50:05 GMT

Daniel and Karl record live in front of an audience at Christ Church Cathedral in Cincinnati. The audience was amazing in contributing to our chevruta Bible study of chapter 23. We took questions and heard from a variety of readers as we went. Enjoy!

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Episode 23: Power and Privilege Lead Us Into Responsibility, Not Freedom

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 21:57:49 GMT

There's a whole lotta law going on in Chapter 22 of Exodus, but it leads Daniel and Karl into discussions of King David and the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, the Babylonian Exile and, oh yeah, Exodus. Join us!

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Episode 22: Oxen, People with Duck Heads, and Lawyers

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 19:22:06 GMT

We're still at Mt. Sinai (after all, we just got there) and the law is getting more and more exact and elaborate. This week it also becomes downright unpleasant, as we have to contemplate the fact that the Israelites are now enslaving each other, not to mention the sad fate of pre-teen girls in much of the ancient world. Plus, ox goring.

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Episode 21: The Ten Commandments

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:58:02 GMT

What are all those courthouse monuments and bulletin boards on the highway all about, anyway? The Ten Commandments might form the basis of civil society in the west, or they might be a specific set of rules given to a specific group of people at a specific time, or they might be the Jews' great gift to the moral universe. Or, possibly, all three. And there are three hosts on this week's podcast, as Daniel and Karl are joined by the great Jane Gerdsen.

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Episode 20: Daniel's Favorite Midrashim

Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:48:33 GMT

All right, we've finally arrived at Mount Sinai! And it only took 19 chapters and 20 episodes. As Daniel says, all the most famous midrashim speak to this moment of Exodus. In our discussion, we touch on cultural appropriation, our legacy to future generations, and what exactly the Holy Spirit is.

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Episode 19: Holy Bureaucracy, Jethro!

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 21:18:33 GMT

Let's face it, Jethro must have been one of history's top five father-in-laws. In Ch. 18 of Exodus, he visits Moses and shows him how to set-up a bureaucracy. In our current context, this might seem like an odd thing to be admired for. But can bureaucracies be good, even holy? Karl and Daniel debate this contentious issue of our time.

SHOW NOTE: THIS WAS UPLOADED INCORRECTLY THE FIRST TIME. APOLOGIES! IT'S CORRECT NOW.

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Episode 18: Interior Amaleks

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 21:48:32 GMT

As they dive into ch. 17, Karl and Daniel talk about sin and evil, and the understanding of Amalek in Judaism. How should we think about and treat our enemies? How should we confront the evil in ourselves? The rabbinic tradition has managed to wring some weighty questions out of a relatively short chapter.

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Episode 17: Dipping Dots and Quail

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 19:07:27 GMT

Daniel and Karl ponder the culinary value of manna, read some excellent midrash, and talk about the Sabbath and ecology, all while dipping (pun intended) into Ch. 16 of Exodus.

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Episode 16: The One with Singing

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 00:13:34 GMT

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by Cantor Cheryl Wunch, calling in from Toronto to sing portions of Chapter 15 of Exodus, answer all of Karl's questions about cantors in general, and reflect on (of course) the nature of God and humanity.

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Episode 15: Job Makes a Cameo Appearance

Wed, 20 Dec 2017 21:36:17 GMT

The Israelites have finally gotten to the Reed Sea, the Pillar of Fire and the Pillar of Cloud are introduced into the story, and (oddly) Job makes a cameo appearance in the midrash. What could be more fun than that? Join Daniel and Karl as they discuss Exodus Chapter 15.

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Episode 14: The Marks of the Tefillin

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:36:38 GMT

This week Daniel and Karl are joined again by Robin Holland for their investigation of Exodus 13. Daniel gives us the lowdown on a lot of Jewish practice, including the use of tefillin (in English, phylacteries) in prayer.

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Episode 13: How to Spot Good Hummus

Sat, 09 Dec 2017 14:55:32 GMT

This week Daniel and Karl discuss Exodus, Ch. 12, give an overview of the Documentary Hypothesis, delve deep into Jewish religious traditions, and give some grocery shopping advice!

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Episode 12 - Intolerable Tolerance

Thu, 16 Nov 2017 12:30:19 GMT

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by the great Phyllis Spiegel as they delve into Exodus, Ch. 11. On the surface, Ch. 11 seems like a lot of throat-clearing for Ch. 12. But it does, in fact, allow us to ask the most profound questions about God and society. If you're interested in that kind of thing, this podcast is for you!

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Episode 11: Zombie Pickled Locusts

Thu, 09 Nov 2017 18:04:47 GMT

Daniel and Karl delve into Jewish mysticism (and a little Christian mysticism, too) as they discuss Exodus Ch. 10.

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Episode 10: Auschwitz or Sinai

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:22:24 GMT

Daniel and Karl use Chapter 9 of Exodus as an opportunity to talk about idealism and realism, trauma and hope. In particular, they discuss ideas articulated in Rabbi David Hartman's article "Auschwitz or Sinai?"

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Episode 9: If you see a giant frog, don't poke it

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:21:44 GMT

Karl, Robin and Daniel delve into Exodus, Ch. 8, the plagues, the nature of good and evil, the nature of mercy and justice, and all the other large and intense questions, with a little midrashic humor thrown in.

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Episode 8: Herbs to Herbtown

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 19:59:11 GMT

This week Daniel and Karl are joined by Robin Holland for their discussion of Exodus Chapter 7. The plagues begin! There are magical battles between the Levite Bros. and Pharaoh! And we get to ask questions about free will, systems of dominance, and the natural creation.

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Lost in the Wilderness Episode 7: Moses and Aaron Goldstein

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 21:33:42 GMT

Daniel and Karl are joined by Maggie Leidheiser-Stoddard to discuss Exodus Chapter 6, a chapter full of quarreling with God, insecurity about leadership, and lots and lots of genealogy. We all ended up feeling sorry for Moses, and wondering why verses 26 and 27 go out of their way to assure us that it's the Moses and Aaron the descendants of Levi who were battling Pharaoh, not some other Moses and Aaron. Were there a lot of Moses and Aaron's running around in the ancient world?

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Episode 6: May You Live 120 Years

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 16:51:17 GMT

Daniel and Karl dive into Chapter 5 and discuss the nature of God, the nature of social movements, the struggle for justice, and the tragedy of injustice.

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Episode 5: The Eternal Donkey

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 20:24:51 GMT

Karl and Daniel delve into Exodus, Ch. 4 and make many jokes about donkeys and circumcision.

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Episode 4: The Burning Bush

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 17:42:35 GMT

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Episode 3: Pharaoh's Daughter

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 17:32:50 GMT

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Lost in the Wilderness Episode 2

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 13:57:37 GMT

This week Karl and Daniel take on Exodus Ch. 1 for their Chevruta Bible Study.

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The Oven of Acknai

Fri, 01 Sep 2017 20:24:32 GMT

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