PARSHA & PROS: Chukat Compared to ’The Death of Ivan Illych’, With Rabbi Gemara & Avrum Rosensweig (Audio)

In this week's podcast series - PARSHA & PROS, with Rabbi Shlomo Gemara and Avrum Rosensweig, we discuss the Torah portion, Chukat, and delve into the profound themes of mortality and purification. Chukat explores the paradoxical nature of the laws of purity and impurity, highlighting the inevitable confrontation with death and the ritual of the Red Heffer that symbolize spiritual cleansing. Similarly, we talk about Leo Tolstoy's novella, 'The Death of Ivan Illych', which grapples with the existential crisis of a man facing his own mortality. Ivan Illych's journey reflects the Torah's exploration of death and purification through its stark portrayal of Ivan's inner turmoil and societal façades crumbling in the face of death's inevitability. Both texts provoke contemplation on the essence of life, the inevitability of death, and the quest for spiritual and moral purity amidst human frailty. The show is sponsored by Gary Samuel and Paul Zivot and Family; Peter Ekstein and Family; Mathew Diamond & Family, who pay tribute to IDF soldiers fighting courageously for the safety and security of Israel, and Jews everywhere. Sponsorship is available. Please be in touch at avrum.rosensweig@gmail.com. Thank you.